Chiefs beat Panthers

WENATCHEE - Moses Lake baseball picked up a huge win in Wenatchee Tuesday to remain in the chase for the Columbia Basin Big Nine title.

The game was a see-saw battle for league supremacy that produced three lead changes before the outcome was decided. The 4-3 win deadlocks the Chiefs and Panthers in a first place tie at 11-2 with two games left in the regular season.

The teams meet again tomorrow for doubleheader action at Larson Field.

"We have put ourselves in a great position, but Wenatchee is still the league champions until someone dethrones them," coach Quintz Whitaker said.  "We know without a doubt they will come ready on Friday."    

Elliot Sage hit a towering shot over the left field fence in the top of the first inning to give Moses Lake a 1-0 lead.

"Elliot's home run was big," Whitaker said. "You always want to get off to a good start ... but against one of the top high school pitchers (Dustin Driver) in the state, and maybe the country, that was especially important."

The Panthers threatened to break the game open early as they loaded the bases in the bottom of the second with no outs. But a double play on a squeeze attempt allowed the Chiefs to escape the inning, giving up just one run to tie the game 1-1. Wenatchee took its first lead with a run in the bottom of the third, and then added another in the fifth to push the score to 3-1.

Moses Lake tied the game 3-3 in the top of the sixth.

The Chiefs added a run in the seventh to retake the lead 4-3, then held the Panthers in check in their last at bat to come away with the win.

"Elliott did a great job of hustling out a ground ball to reach first base to start us off in the sixth inning. Drew Lorea then doubled down the left field line putting runners on second and third with no outs.  Jordan Lacelle lined a two-strike single into right with one out to tie the game," Whitaker said. "Nick Bailey was able to get on base to lead off the seventh inning following a wild pitch third strike, but was gunned down on a steal attempt. Colton Kelly then flew out to center field,  bringing up Bret Moser, who had struck out three time at this point. On a 2-2 count, he singled to center, stole second on a called strike on Elliot and moved to third on the errant throw into center field. But as he approached third, he didn't get the stop sign and was able to score beating a high relay throw from the shortstop and getting under the tag of the catcher."

Hunter Boyd went the distance on the hill to pick up the victory. The win over Wenatchee sets up a twin bill showdown with the Panthers Friday for the league championship.

"If we win both games, we will win the league outright.  If we split we tie Wenatchee, but we will host districts the following Saturday," Whitaker said. "We hope to see an awesome crowd at the park on Friday.  This community has been so great to these boys from their parents, the fans, and their youth coaches.  It will be an opportunity for the seniors to thank everyone. "

Game 1 is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.