Spuds drop season opener to Bandits

MOSES LAKE — Southridge High School just won a Class 3A state championship.

Southridge’s summer club didn’t look too bad either. The Bandits scored the first eight runs of the game and beat the Central Washington Spuds 10-2.

A grand total of eight walks by Central Washington’s pitchers and 15 hits by Southridge kept constant pressure on the base paths.

“That’s far too many base runners with the team that can put the ball in play consistently,” head coach Robert Haensel said.

The Bandits were able to tag relievers Cain Valdez and Ezekyel Ochoa with four runs apiece in the middle innings to build a sizable lead.

Jake Harvey homered in the third inning and hit a two-run single in the fourth. The Bandits struck for four more runs in the fifth inning, two of which coming on a single by Lane Hailey.

Like Central Washington, Southridge used a multitude of pitchers in the opener. Steven Englert, Nick Grade, Wes Hickman and Wyatt Hull combined to scatter five hits and allow two runs in nine innings.

The Spuds were finally able to break through in the seventh inning when Wade Visker scored a fielder’s choice by Zach Valdez.

Michael Harrington led the ninth inning off with a double and came around to score when Tre Ramirez hit into a fielder’s choice.

Valdez finished 1-for-5 with an RBI. He also tossed two innings of relief, striking out five and surrendering one run.

The Spuds will get another crack at the Bandits in Kennewick on June 11.

Score by innings

STHR — 0 0 1 3 4 0 0 1 1 10

SPD — 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2

Highlights: Zach Valdez 1 RBI, 5 K; Tre Ramirez 1 RBI