Prep roundup: Seniors help Moses Lake salvage split with West Valley

MOSES LAKE — Tia Radach hit the ball hard all day — it just usually was right at someone.

However, after lining out her first at-bat, Radach smacked a triple to deep right field that scored three runs in the second inning. That was more than enough for Gina Skinner and Moses Lake salvaged a doubleheader split with West Valley 10-0 in six innings; the Rams won the first game 6-3.

“I don't think it was a situation where we were overconfident because we 10-runned them Thursday,” head coach Mike Hofheins said. “We had a good pre-game warm-up. We were hitting the ball hard at people, making outs, hard hits and then we gave them a couple extra outs and extra bases. In a close game we probably gave them three runs worth.

“I mean, the difference in the game — three runs worth of mistakes.”

Any mistakes were alleviated in Game 2.

The Chiefs (2-1, 2-3) were solid in the field and from the plate, especially with runners in scoring position.

Brooke Richardson, Paige Valdez and Alyssa Martinez all singled to load the bases with two outs in the second. Back to the top of the order, Radach sent a pitch to the right field fence that cleared the bases. Radach later came in to score on a throwing error to first base.

“We're just coming together,” she said. “We're working as a team and I'm really proud of us. We came together that last game.”

Skinner got some help in the field to keep West Valley at bay in the third and fourth inning before a she retired the side in order in the fifth.

That quick inning energized Moses Lake.

“Good defense can lead to momentum on offense all the time,” Hofheins said. “So go make plays then carry it over with your bats.”

Kaylee Valdez hit a two-run single to center field and Paige Valdez followed with a two-run blast to dead center to put Moses Lake ahead 8-0 at the end of five innings.

More defense in the sixth inning ended any semblance of a West Valley comeback. A sharp grounder allowed shortstop Savannah Ashley to tag out Haley Vetsch, who led off the inning with a double, and throw to first base for the double play. Skinner ended the inning with a strikeout.

Michelle Turner and Skinner hit consecutive doubles and Richardson sliced a RBI single to right field to enact the 10-run mercy rule in the sixth inning.

“Every team's going to come at us with their A-game,” Hofheins said. “They're going to want to come in and knock us off so we've got to be ready to battle every time.”

Selah 4-12, Othello 1-1

OTHELLO — Selah's big bats were too much for Othello in a doubleheader sweep 4-1 and 12-2.

Dominique Martinez struck out eight, but allowed eight hits in the opener.

Maddy Zerr and Taryn Mathews doubled for the Vikings in the opener. Zerr was also the winning pitcher.

Othello (2-2, 2-2) scratched its lone run across when Malayah Sauceda scored Martinez on a bunt.

Alene Cruz and Zerr homered for Selah in Game 2.

Girls golf

Moses Lake ties for second at CBBN League Pod

WENATCHEE — Payton Erdmann finished fifth and Moses Lake tied West Valley for second at the first Columbia Basin Big Nine League Pod with a score of 444.

Erdmann carded a 102 to lead the Chiefs.

Courtney Sanislo (109), Charley Sanislo (112) and Kerisa Sanislo (121) rounded out Moses Lake's lineup.

Wenatchee finished in first place.