Moses Lake has chance to make history

MOSES LAKE — Dave Gregory has been coaching softball a long time,

So he has a pretty good gauge on the history of Moses Lake’s program and this year history has the potential to be made.

The three-time defending league and district champion Chiefs are going for a fourth.

“I know for a fact — because I’ve been coaching here for too long — it would be the first time we’ve ever won four in a row,” Gregory said. “That district and league so that’s a goal in mind.”

For Moses Lake to continue its reign over the Columbia Basin Big Nine, Gregory will have to rebuild his entire infield. Fortunately, both first team all-league pitchers return: Marnie Skinner and Peyton Ries.

Skinner — the MVP of the CBBN — recorded an 1.69 ERA with 80 strikeouts last season, including a perfect game against Sunnyside. Skinner was equally potent from the plate and won the team batting title with a .648 average.

Ries posted an 1.75 ERA.

“One thing fortunate for us we’ve got our pitching back,” Gregory said. “They can take us quite a ways, but we’ve got a good young group. All these young kids coming up know the game. We’ve got three freshmen on the team and they’re going to get a lot of playing time. We’re just trying to look for positions right now.”

Tia Radach, who was also all-league first team a season ago, returns as well. All-league honorable mention selection Mikaela Francisco will move from the outfield to catcher and Aubrey Rowland is back at third base.

“I think we’re going to be fine,” Gregory said. “We’re young and I think with young players I think if we can improve until we get to playoffs we’re going to be fine.”

After losing four-time Offensive Player of the Year Jazzmyn Jesse, Moses Lake will have to reevaluate its approach from the plate this season. Gregory opined that last year he had about seven players who could hit home runs, while this year he may have four or five.

“Last year we could just kind wait it back with our power and it’s going to be fun this year,” he said. “We’re going to slap the ball around, bunt and we’ve got some kids that can hit for power so it’s going to be back to the old school game where we bunt, slap, run bases hard, be aggressive.”

Ephrata looks to continue improvement

A year removed from a district tournament berth, Ephrata head coach Heather Wood will have to find replacements for six seniors and a brand new infield.

“We’re just working out some kinks right now and improving every day,” she said.

The Tigers’ three-year pitcher Mikayla Wood returns to solidify the circle. Wood will also rely on seniors Aliyah Derr and Ashylnd Allen-White.

Ephrata begins its season against Grandview March 22.

Othello, Ellensburg and Selah all made the state tournament last year and will be fixtures at the top of the CWAC league standings. Othello finished third in state last season after losing to eventual state champion W.F. West in the semifinals.

Othello has its jamboree March 15.

Quincy hopes to build on its district tournament berth last season. The Jacks started 0-10 before winning seven of their final 10 games to make the postseason.

Quincy begins its season Saturday, 11 a.m., at home against Chelan.

Aaliyah Enriquez closing in on Warden’s strikeout record

Wenatchee Valley College commit Aaliyah Enriquez looks to lead Warden back to the state tournament in 2016.

Enriquez, who holds Warden’s single-game strikeout record, is closing in on the career total.

“She’s one that can be very dominant and she will,” head coach Wes Richins said.

Warden was able to nail down a district championship and a state tournament berth last season and Richins has similar expectations in 2016.

Along with Enriquez, Allycia Gonzales and Brenna Whitney return.

“She’s (Whitney) really coming into her own and becoming one of the best center fielder’s we’ve ever had,” Richins said.

Warden opens its season against River View on March 22.