Moses Lake's offense hasn't missed a beat

MOSES LAKE — In theory, the departure of a four-time Offensive Player of the Year coupled with an entire infield should effect a team’s offensive production.

Right?

Yet Moses Lake has defied convention this season due to a deep lineup with standout underclassmen and experienced upperclassmen.

“These kids hit all year round, really,” head coach Dave Gregory said. “We’re line-drive hitters. We’ve got quite a few home runs — in fact, we’ve probably got more home runs than normal.”

That observation is backed up by the stats.

Overall, Moses Lake averaged 13.2 runs per game. That number jumped to 13.5 in the Columbia Basin Big Nine. The Chiefs scored 10 runs or more in 14 games and scored 20-plus twice.

Every hitter in Moses Lake’s lineup is dangerous, which was reflected in 10 players being named all-league.

“Our team is pretty good,” pitcher and outfielder Peyton Ries said. “Almost all of us are tournament players and I think that has a good say for it and it explains why we did so well. It’s a good name for Moses Lake, too.”

Entering the season, Gregory knew what he had in reigning league MVP Marnie Skinner, Mikaela Francisco and Tia Radach at the top of the order. It was the addition of Brooke Richardson, Brooklyn Bailey and Nikea Holman that allowed Moses Lake to continue its gaudy offensive output. All three can hit for power with ease.

Richardson honed her game in the offseason, Bailey started right away as a freshman and Holman stepped into the cleanup role after spending most of her junior year on JV regrouping from shoulder surgery two years ago.

“Everything’s just kind of clicked,” Gregory said. “The main thing is we all get along. I think that’s a big key, too.”

The offense is nice, but the reason Moses Lake is a state contender is the dominant pitching to go with the hitting. And this season dominant almost feels like an understatement.

The Chiefs recorded 11 shutouts and allowed less than one run per game (0.8) in the CBBN. For the last three years, Skinner and Ries have been a dynamic duo from the circle.

Now, the two seniors have a chance at a third district championship on Saturday.

“The fact that we are going into state for the third year in a row as league champions and we’re the pitchers, it just makes me feel good inside,” Ries said. “We’ve been on the same team since we were in like tee-ball and it’s just cool that we’ve come this far and we’re able to make it to state as pitchers.”

As the No. 1 seed, Moses Lake will sit back and wait for its opponent in the district championship game Saturday, 3 p.m., at Larson Field.

Eisenhower is the No. 2 seed and will face the winner of Friday’s Eastmont and West Valley game in the semifinals.

“I don’t think there’s any fear in who we’re playing,” Ries said.