Chiefs baseball season ends

WENATCHEE - Moses Lake turned back Eastmont 2-1 in game one of the District 6 4A Baseball Tournament Saturday morning to advance to the championship round against Wenatchee.

But the Chiefs saw the wheels come off the bus in a 5-2 loss to the Panthers as Moses Lake committed five errors and was knocked out of the playoffs.

Despite the loss, the Chiefs had one of their most successful season in recent years finishing with an 11-4 record in the Big 9 league standings and 15-7 overall.

"This is the most wins I can remember the team having in quite a while," coach Whitaker said. "Even though we didn't make it to State, this was a good way for our seniors to go out. They, as a group, have set a good example for our younger players. We have 10 holes to fill now, but we have some talented guys on the team and have some good players coming up through the system, so the program is in pretty good shape."

Game 1

Colton Kelly and Drew Loera had two hits each, and Hunter Boyd pitched seven innings of five-hit ball while striking out four Wildcats in a 2-1 win over Eastmont.

The game was scoreless until the Chiefs hung two runs on the board in the top of the third to go up 2-0. Eastmont got a run back in the bottom of the fifth to get within one, 2-1 and round out the scoring for the game.

Game 2

Goose eggs were posted on the scoreboard through three and a half innings of play in the district championship game.

But the Panthers brought five runs across the plate in the bottom of the fourth, three unearned, to put Wenatchee out front 5-0.

The Chiefs threatened in the top of the sixth as they loaded the bases, but were unable to score.

Moses Lake did, however, bring two runners home in the top of the seventh to make it 5-2. But that was as close as they could get and were sent home with the loss.

"I thought we hit the ball well, but we just couldn't find a hole," Whitaker said. "Their starter ... Driver ... who is probably going to be the pitcher of the year had trouble finding the zone and didn't strike any of our guys out. In fact, we loaded the bases on him the last two innings, but unfortunately, weren’t able take enough advantage of the opportunities."

Hector Zavala went the distance on the hill, giving up nine hits, and striking out five Panthers.