Moses Lake tames Tigers

MOSES LAKE - It seemed as if as soon as the Lewis and Clark batters got off the bench to face pitcher Marnie Skinner they were immediately returning to the dugout.

Behind 13 strikeouts from Skinner, Moses Lake softball cruised to a 10-1 win against the Tigers.

Skinner dominated on the hill and helped her own cause, hitting a double and scoring four runs.

"She gets 10 strikeouts we got to win the game, we get 13 strikeouts definitely we win the game," head coach Dave Gregory said. "I felt our hitting was a little bit better. We've been trying to concentrate all year on two outs, two strikes on you, shorten up put the ball in play."

Skinner was efficient from the mound, recording no walks and throwing just 86 pitches.

During Moses Lake's first game of the season, a 9-1 loss to University, Skinner had to come in for long relief after pitcher Payton Reece injured her back.

Skinner was able to record 10 strikeouts, but also gave up three runs. Gregory felt the added preparation of knowing she was going to start helped her performance against the Tigers.

"It was a good deal for her to come in and actually warm up like she was starting," he said. "It's different, I don't care ... They say they're warm, but they're really not ... She pitched a heck of a ball game."

Moses Lake got on the board early with two RBI doubles in the first inning from Tressa Radach and Sierra Nevares. Radach finished 2-4 while Nevares exploded for three hits and three RBIs.

"Been trying to get (Nevares) aggressive," Gregory said. "She's got a lot of power and we got to have her hitting the ball like that. Today was great for her, she broke out today."

Moses Lake continued to tack on runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings until the lead was insurmountable.

"We did to Lewis and Clark what University did to us," Gregory said. "We kept pressure on them ... Came through with key hits."

The Chiefs will compete in the Eastmont Mix and Match Saturday where Gregory expects Reece to return to the hill.