Mavs baseball falls to Eastmont in final home game
MOSES LAKE – The Mavericks (11-6) were defeated 6-2 at home by the Eastmont Wildcats (8-10). Head coach Donnie Lindgren had few words to say when reflecting on how the game plan was executed heading into this game.
“We had too many, too many mistakes, and we didn't make adjustments hitting the ball,” Lindgren said.
It was a slow start for Moses Lake. In the first couple of innings, they were able to get players on base but were having a hard time getting home. Eastmont would draw first blood with two runs in the third inning.
In the fifth inning, the Mavericks would begin to build momentum. While on defense, their pitcher was able to strike quickly and throw to first before an Eastmont player could return after attempting to steal a base. This would lead to the third out to put them back at bat and allow them to earn their first run of the day.
In the sixth, it was identical to the previous inning, strong pitching led to a short batting stint by Eastmont and giving the Mavericks another opportunity to score. In the bottom of the sixth, they were able to tie up the game before being thrown out and moving to the seventh inning.
The playing field was level again and momentum seemed to be shifting to the Mavericks. Over innings seven and eight, both teams would go scoreless, but Moses Lake was getting aggressive.
However, they would not be able to capitalize before Eastmont exploded in the ninth for four runs, putting them up 6-2.
“We started putting pressure on them, and we got guys on base, scored a couple runs, and then the guys that came up just didn't make the adjustments and put a put a barrel on the on the ball, and so we gave them easy outs that we can't do,” Lindgren said.
In their last efforts to mount a comeback, they were unsuccessful, losing their fourth straight game. Though they are still in the playoffs, they are hopeful for a few games to go their way for the best seeding possible.
The second seed is not too far out of reach if they take care of business this weekend when they go on the road in a doubleheader against Eastmont. They would need some help from West Valley beating Wenatchee on Friday.