Skinner, Ries dominate in sweep of Eastmont

MOSES LAKE — “I don’t think they’re used to the ball being put in play,” an Eastmont coach cracked Friday afternoon.

Hits off Marnie Skinner are indeed a rarity. Runs even more so.

Three days removed from no-hitting Eastmont on Tuesday, Skinner gave up four hits and struck out 12 in an 8-0 win for Moses Lake in the first game of a doubleheader. Ries followed up in the nightcap with four hits and seven strikeouts in a 14-1 shelling.

“Overall as a team we did pretty good,” head coach Dave Gregory said.

In a battle between the top two teams in the Columbia Basin Big Nine, Moses Lake (12-0, 12-1) showed there’s some separation between the top of the standings and the rest of the pack.

“It shows everyone that we really are good no matter what team we’re playing,” Skinner said.

In the opener, Eastmont had an opportunity in the first inning to break Skinner’s scoreless innings streak with runners on first and third. However, Skinner was able to notch one of her 12 strikeouts to retire the side.

The Wildcats had runners in scoring position three times against Skinner; all three chances ended with an out.

“Whenever there’s runners in scoring position there’s just more motivation to get them out, throw harder,” she said.

Tia Radach scored from first on a Skinner single and pinch-runner Cheyenne Walker took advantage of a throwing error to take home after stealing third base. Moses Lake tacked on three more runs in the third inning, beginning with an inside-the-park home run by Skinner.

Skinner hit a towering shot that flew over the right fielder’s head and jogged home after another throwing error at third base. Brooke Richardson added a RBI triple.

Nikea Holman and Ries hit back-to-back doubles in the fifth inning and Brooklyn Bailey capped her 3-for-4 day with a two-run single.

“It’s (hitting) all through the lineup and that’s what you need,” Gregory said.

Moses Lake scored eight runs in the first inning of Game 2 to build a comfortable margin for Ries.

Radach was 3-for-4 with two RBI and Walker was 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI.

Moses Lake was a bye this week before a series with West Valley. The Rams enter a three-game set with the Wildcats this week unbeaten in the CBBN.

“That next series is pretty huge,” Gregory said.

Warden no-hits Waterville

WARDEN — Aaliyah Enriquez and Jizelle Pruneda pitched a pair of no-hitters as Warden rolled Waterville 15-0 and 19-0.

“They were dialed in very well,” Richins said.

Enriquez and Pruneda both struck out every batter they faced in the three-inning games.

Pruneda, Amanda Contreras and Allycia Gonzales all doubled.

Warden (6-0, 14-0) travels to Mabton on Thursday.

Ephrata struggles against Ellensburg

EPHRATA — Two second-inning eruptions doomed Ephrata against Ellensburg.

The Bulldogs seven runs in the second inning of Game 1 and 10 runs in the second inning of Game 2, sweeping the doubleheader 10-0 and 15-1.

The Tigers (5-7, 5-9 scratched out two hits in the opener, one by Mikayla Wood and the other by Aliyah Derr.

Gracie Dietrich was 2-for-2 with a RBI in the nightcap.

Ephrata is currently tied with Prosser for the final district tournament berth.

Quincy’s win streak reaches three

QUINCY — Quincy swept Toppenish 23-5 and 11-2, extending its win streak to three games.

The Jacks (3-9, 3-11) are two wins out of the final district tournament berth.