ACH claims victories on the road over Lions

MOSES LAKE — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (12-6) earned two victories over the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions (4-13) Monday afternoon. This game marked a key learning experience for both teams as they prepare for the league tournament this weekend. 

“I think we did really good today,” said ACH junior Madison Brink. “Our pitchers were really good, our hitting was really good. Overall, I think we did a really good job today.” 

The Warriors got off to a strong start in game one as they went up eight runs in the top of the first inning. The Lions worked to close the gap as they put up three runs in the bottom of the inning.

ACH added another run in the top of the second and then added two more in the top of the third while MLCA/CCS put up three in the bottom of the third to put the game at 11-6 in the fourth inning. 

ACH closed out the game as they scored 14 runs in the top of the fourth and, after holding the Lions scoreless in the bottom of the inning, won 25-6.  

Grace Okamoto from the Warriors pitched all four innings where she allowed six hits and struck out two batters. Mattie Whitaker started in the circle for the Lions where she allowed 16 hits and struck out two batters and was followed by Liana Spike who recorded one hit and one strikeout in the last part of the fourth inning. 

Defensively, the Lions had a better start in the first inning of game two as they held the Warriors to just three runs in the top of the inning but were unable to respond with runs of their own. ACH tore into the game in the second inning as the team put up 12 runs while once again holding MLCA/CCS scoreless.  

The Warriors put up two more runs in the top of the third inning and held the Lions scoreless in the bottom of the inning to end the game 17-0. 

Okamoto pitched all three innings for the Warriors where allowing zero hits and zero runs, while striking out eight batters. Spike started on the mound for MLCA/CCS where she threw two strikeouts and was followed by Mattie Whitaker who threw zero strikeouts. 

Dani Isaak led the Warriors offensively during Monday’s doubleheader as she had six runs batted in, four hits and five runs over the course of two games, followed by Okamoto with four RBIs, four hits and six runs. Elisa Serrato and Kimberly Monforton led the Lions with Serrato getting two RBIs, one hit and one run and Monforton getting one RBI, two hits and two runs. 

Warriors Head Coach Faye Butler said the team played very well in all aspects of the game Monday and was a great way to get them ready for the postseason.  

“Right now, we’re getting ready for Saturday and postseason so every play, every pitch, keeping our routines simple so that it doesn’t matter who we’re playing or what competition we’re playing,” said Butler. 

Despite the hard losses, Lions Head Coach Todd Gregory said there were some good takeaways the players can learn from. He said there were opportunities for easier outs in the doubleheader that he wants his players to capitalize on in future matchups. 

“It’s still all learning,” said Gregory. “They have to figure it out, league tournament starts on Saturday so it’s either now we figure it out or we’re going home.” 

As the Warriors prepare for their next games, Butler said it will be important for the players to keep working on their batting and working together as a team by encouraging and uplifting each other. The ACH coach said she is feeling good about the team’s progress at the end of regular season. 

“We obviously always can improve, there’s little mistakes that happen, but they are doing great, are in good spirits and are excited to play,” said Butler. 

Brink said she is confident in the Warriors’ abilities as they head into postseason play and that they can be one of the top teams in the league. 

“We’ve been getting a lot better with our playing and hitting, pitching and fielding, so I think going into postseason, we’re going to do really good,” she said. 

The Warriors faced Waterville in a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon. Results of that game will be posted at a later date.  

ACH and MLCA/CCS head on the road this Saturday to participate in the Northeast 1B tournament in Chewelah. The Lions first game begins at 10 a.m., and the Warriors first game begins at noon. 

BOX SCORES 

GAME ONE: 

ACHW: 8-1-2-14-x: 25 

MLCA: 3-0-3-0-x: 6 

GAME TWO:  

ACHW: 3-12-2-x: 17 

MLCA: 0-0-0-x: 0 

    Lions player Kaylie Schmidt catches the ball midair for an out against ACH Monday afternoon.
  

    ACH senior and first baseman Peyton Roberts catches the ball for an out against MLCA/CCS’s Maddie Booth.
  

    Liana Spike pitches for the Lions with her teammate Mattie Whitaker standing ready in the background during Monday’s game against the Warriors.
  

    Grace Okamoto from the Warriors slings a pitch to the MLCA/CCS batter during Monday’s doubleheader.
  

    Kimberly Monforton from MLCA/CCS gets ready to swing at the ball during Monday’s doubleheader against ACH.