Moses Lake drops 10 inning contest to Cape Cod

EPHRATA – The 16U Moses Lake River Dogs suffered a heartbreaking 2-0 quarterfinal loss to Cape Cod last night at Johnson-O’Brien Stadium and were bounced out of Senior Babe Ruth World Series play.

Despite being eliminated sooner than they had hoped, the team had an outstanding season, capturing the North Washington State Championship and finishing in the top six on the big stage. 

“I’m proud of our kids,” coach Greco Signorelli said. “They competed to the end against a good club – we just didn’t get the break we needed.”

Moses Lake had been one of the highest scoring teams in the tournament, plating 24 runs in four ball games, but unfortunately came up empty last night. The River Dogs also allowed less than a dozen runners to cross the plate in World Series action and recorded two shutouts as well.

“We only gave up 10 runs in five games and not many teams in the tournament can say that,“ Signorelli said. “Our defense was solid all week – we just didn’t get it done with our bats against Cape Cod.”

Goose eggs dotted the scoreboard for nine innings. The Massachusetts team looked as though it was going to hang runs on the board early and often with the New England squad combining for 11 hits in the game. But each time Cape Cod put runners on base, Moses Lake turned back the threat. Cape Cod’s ace Jack Morris had it going on all night, scattering five hits over nine innings. A stellar performance by the Massachusetts defensive didn’t allow a River Dog to advance past second base.

Cape Cod opened the top of the 10th with two singles and a walk. C.J. McCabe scored on a passed ball, and the second walk of the inning loaded the base once more. Sam Majewski’s sac fly to center brought in the second run for the New England Regional Champion.

Moses Lake went down in order in the bottom of the frame and the dream of a World Series championship by the youngest team in the tournament was shattered.

Daulton Kentner was the only real offensive threat for the River Dogs, going 3-for-3 at the dish. Dax Lindgren and Evan McLean had one hit each. McLean got the start on the bump and went nine innings, giving up nine hits, fanning two and walking one Cape Cod batter. Kentner came on in relief and surrendered two runs off two hits, two errors and two walks in 1 2/3 innings of work. 

“The kids can be proud of their effort – they have no reason to hang their heads because they left everything they had on the field. They can walk downtown anywhere with their heads up and smile.” Signorelli said. “We had a great year – it was really exciting. We won the state championship and knocked off the regional champion (Vancouver), so I don’t think there is one person who could say we didn’t belong in the tournament. In my eyes the kids earned the right to be there – they played beyond their years – it's going to be exciting to see what they can accomplish in the next couple of years.”