Moses Lake softball sweeps Eisenhower

MOSES LAKE — Two wins over Eisenhower at home Friday have Chiefs riding an eight-game win streak as Moses Lake readies for district play May 17.

The victories closed out regular season play to give the Chiefs the outright Big 9 title with a 14-1 league record, and 16 wins out 20 games played this year.

"I was pleased with the way the girls played against Ike," coach Dave Gregory said. "There was really nothing on the line to motivate them because we had the league championship wrapped up. But they went out, played hard, and took both games, and now we turn out attention to the district tournament"

Moses Lake 14

Eisenhower 5

Moses Lake got out of the gate quick with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. The Chiefs put two more on the board in the bottom of the second on a two-out rally to push the score to 4-0.

Eisenhower got two runs back, one of which was unearned, in the top of the third on a throwing error by second baseman Brianna Hoffman and a single past a diving Yvette Moreno at shortstop to close the gap to 4-2.

Haylie VanLaethem grounded out to start the bottom of the inning. But back-to-back singles by Sadie Smigaj and Brianna Valdez put runners on first and second.

Moreno reached base on a fielder’s choice as Smigaj was thrown out at third for the second out. A slow roller to third by Gabby Alamos loaded the bases for Moses Lake.

Then up stepped Hoffman who redeemed herself with a two-run single to increase the Chiefs lead to 6-2. Hailee Bishop then singled to right to bring two more runs across the plate to make it 8-2.

Eisenhower got a couple of breaks in the top of the fourth when Radach picked off a Cadet runner at first but was generously called safe by the home plate umpire who was shielded out of the play, and fly ball to right field that Smigaj lost in the blazing sun.

The plays resulted in three runs and allowed Eisenhower back in it, 8-5.

Moses Lake went down in order in the bottom of the fourth, then held the Cadets scoreless the rest of the way while putting two runs on the board in the fifth and four in the sixth to run away with the game, 14-5.

Valdez had the hot bat for Moses Lake going three-for-four at the plate with a triple, one RBI and three runs scored. Bishop was three-for-five with a triple and two RBI.

VanLaethem went the distance in the circle to pick up the win.

"Hailee went six-for-eight with a double and a triple for both games," Gregory said. "She's really tearing it up ... really hitting the ball well right now."

Moses Lake 7

Eisenhower 0

Sadee Smigaj pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, while fanning seven Cadets to lead the Chiefs to a shutout win in game two of the twin bill.

Moses Lake was in control the entire contest, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second, three in the fifth and two in the sixth to cruise to the win.

"We got a chance to play all of our girls in this one," Gregory said. "We ended up with five errors for both games, so we need to clean up our defense as we head into the postseason. But I am happy with the way we are making contact with the ball. We've been working hard on our hitting at practice ... have the kids shortening up on their swings instead of swinging for the fences and its really made a difference and has allowed us to get speed on the bases."

Moses Lake is the host team for single elimination District 6 4A Softball Tournament that gets underway at Larson Field Saturday.

The Chiefs are the No. 1 seed and play No. 4 seed Eisenhower in the first game at 10 a.m. Eastmont (No. 2 seed) plays Wenatchee (No. 3 seed) at noon.

The winners play at 2 p.m. for the district championship and a berth to the State Tournament May 24 and 25 at the Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane.