Desmond Ortega's sac fly helps Moses Lake outlast Sunnyside

MOSES LAKE — Desmond Ortega did his job.

He put the ball in play just deep enough into left field, allowing Daniel Ochoa a chance to tag up at third base and attempt to score.

Ochoa completed the play with a mad dash to home plate for the go-ahead run in an extra inning battle of wills between Moses Lake and Sunnyside.

Down 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Chiefs scored twice and ended a four-game losing streak 4-3.

Moses Lake’s bats were held in check for most of the afternoon by Sunnyside starter Alexis Amaro. Amaro pitched seven innings and gave up just two runs.

Cade Tunstall made up the other side of Tuesday’s pitcher’s duel. The Moses Lake senior also went seven innings, allowing one earned run.

Both teams went scoreless for the first two innings before costly mistakes in the field put the Chiefs at a disadvantage.

In the top of the third, Sunnyside’s Mathew Marquez ripped a shot up the third base line that was bobbled by Austin Valdez. Marquez would later advance to third base on a throwing error.

Jacob Mendoza made the Chiefs pay for their mistake with a RBI single, pulling the Grizzlies ahead 1-0.

Sunnyside took advantage of poor control by Tunstall in the fifth inning. A pair of walks sandwiched between a bloop single into right field by Mendoza loaded the bases for the Grizzlies.

However, Sunnyside was only able to get one run across on a sacrifice fly.

Moses Lake rallied in the sixth inning when Maceyn Green-Cerrillo came all the way around after a walk to score on a wild pitch. Cody Goodwin’s RBI single later in the inning tied the game 2-2.

The Chiefs appeared intent on winning the game in the seventh after a double by Devin Moos. But a Cameron Duke fly-out and a Caleb Juarez ground-out ended the threat.

Sunnyside looked poised to land its first Columbia Basin Big Nine win in the top of the eighth inning as reliever Jason Cole walked the lead-off hitter and beaned Jordan Farias. A fielder’s choice moved both runners to second and third base. Eric Heisey was able to score on a pitch in the dirt that skidded through the legs of Goodwin into the backstop for the Grizzlies’ go-ahead run.

Faced with the prospect five losses in a row, Moses Lake rallied in the home half of the eighth due in large part to risk-taking.

Moses Lake called a hit-and-run with Goodwin up to bat and Kameron Huberdeau on first base pinch-running. Goodwin slapped a base it into right field and Huberdeau’s jump-start landed him at third base.

Felipe Valdivia laid down a bun for a squeeze that scored Huberdeau and tied the game, setting up Ortega’s game-winning sacrifice fly ball.

Moses Lake resumes its series with Sunnyside Friday on the road.

Boys soccer

Davis 6, Moses Lake 2

YAKIMA — Moses Lake dropped in the Columbia Basin Big Nine standings after a 6-2 loss at Davis.

“We had some really good looks that we didn’t put away,” head coach Rian Allred said.

Gerardo Martinez and Anthony Cortez scored one goal each for the Chiefs.

Moses Lake hosts Wenatchee Thursday at 7 p.m.

Othello 4, Ephrata 1

OTHELLO — Othello controlled possession for much of its game with Ephrata and opened Central Washington Athletic Conference play with a 4-1 win.

The Huskies received goals from four different players: Arvin Arvizu, Bernie Garza Jr., Sammy Acevedo and Jose Chairez.

“The majority of the game was spend on their defensive side,” Othello head coach Bernie Garza said.

Arvizu scored in the third minute off an assist by Garza Jr. Garza Jr. scored later on an assist from Chris Alfaro.

In the second half, Isai Zuniga hooked up with Sammy Acevedo for a goal and Othello goalie Jose Chairez powered home penalty kick.

Othello hosts Toppenish April 14. Also, Ephrata faces Quincy at home April 14.

College softball

Big Bend swept by Columbia Basin

KENNEWICK — Big Bend pitchers struggled from the circle in a double-header with Columbia Basin.

The Vikings dropped both games 8-0 and 8-1, respectively.

In the opener, Big Bend scattered three hits and Olivia Harrison was tagged with the loss. Harrison pitched three innings and allowed eight runs.

Columbia Basin broke the game open with a five-run third inning.

Big Bend didn’t fare much better in the nightcap as Columbia Basin was also able to score five runs in the third inning.

Shayla Baker threw all six innings for the Vikings, striking out seven. Baker also had the lone RBI for Big Bend.

Big Bend travels to Treasure Valley for a double-header April 9.