Moses Lake routs Wenatchee 12-0, extends win streak to 16

MOSES LAKE — Nikea Holman trotted up the first base line, thinking her blast to left field in the third inning was headed out of the yard.

Not quite.

The ball hit the top of the fence, making for one of the longest RBI singles possible at Larson Field.

There’s always next time.

With Moses Lake already ahead 7-0 in the next inning, Holman left little doubt on a three-run jack to the same spot in left field.

“I was real upset ‘cause I didn’t run ‘cause I thought it was over,” she said. “But then when I came back and hit a home run it was fine.”

Holman’s five RBI coupled with Marnie Skinner’s no hitter keyed a 12-0 rout of rival Wenatchee, extending Moses Lake’s win streak to 16 games. Now, Moses Lake (16-0, 16-1-1) is two wins away from running the table in the Columbia Basin Big Nine.

“I think the kids really want it,” head coach Dave Gregory said.

That desire to remain undefeated was clear from the circle as Skinner struck out the first nine batters she faced, totaling 14 for the game. Skinner faced the minimum in five innings and the only blemish came on a dropped fly ball in the fourth inning.

Despite Skinner’s dominance, Moses Lake had some difficulty timing the off-speed pitches of Wenatchee starter Jesica Albin. Albin held the Chiefs scoreless for two innings.

“We struggled with that slow stuff,” Gregory said. “It’s just hard to adjust. We finally adjust and start squaring up the ball.”

That adjustment arrived in the third inning.

Brooke Richardson led off with a single and later scored on a throwing error. Holman’s aforementioned long two-run single opened up a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, Moses Lake put together a nine-run inning. Brooklyn Bailey hit a towering solo home run to left field and, after the loading the bases, Tia Radach smacked a two-run single through the infield.

Skinner helped her own cause with a RBI single followed by Holman’s three-run blast. Kaylee Fowler-Valdez drove in a run on a fielder’s choice and Richardson hit a RBI triple to cap the eruption.

“Most of us had to move up and slow down, slow our swings down, to adjust,” Holman said.

Skinner appropriately ended the game with three straight strikeouts.

Skinner’s dominance this season has been unreal. The Iona College bound senior has yet to give up an earned run this season with likely one more start Friday.

“I’m going to give her one more start and try to get that ERA to nothing,” Gregory said. “That’s never happened. Never. 30-some years of coaching I’ve never seen that.”