Walleyes settle for split with Beetles

MOSES LAKE - Chasing a playoff spot, the Moses Lake Walleyes were able to split a pair of league games with the Yakima Beetles Tuesday at Big Bend Community College.

In the opener, Moses Lake rallied from a 4-1 deficit to come back and win 8-5. The Walleyes let a 7-1 lead slip away in Game 2 and fell 11-9.

Moses Lake had the go-ahead run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning in the nightcap, but the Walleyes couldn't muster one more clutch hit.

Behind a complete game from Jason Cole, the Walleyes rallied from a 2-0 hole after the first inning and used a three-run sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie in Game 1.

"(Cole) controlled the tempo of the game from there on out," head coach Robert Haensel said.

Entering the fifth inning the Walleyes trailed 4-1, but a bloop RBI single by Cristian Lopez followed by another infield RBI single brought Moses Lake to within one run.

The Walleyes took the lead 5-4 after the Beetles second baseman and right fielder bumped into each other trying to field a Jared Haddican fly ball, scoring two runs.

"Probably overall one of our better hitting games," Haensel said.

Yakima answered with a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth to knot the score at 5-5.

However, in the bottom of the frame Lopez singled to load the bases and Cade Tunstall singled to drive the go-ahead run in.

Haddican added some insurance with a two-run single to extend Moses Lake's lead to 8-5.

In the seventh, Cole retired the side in order without much issue.

The Walleyes were poised for a sweep after taking a 7-1 lead in the nightcap. But the Beetles came stormed back with a seven-run fifth inning to take an 8-7 lead.

Yakima eventually went on to win 11-9.