MOSES LAKE - The Chiefs got off on the right foot to start the 2012 season with non-league wins over Lewis & Clark and Ferris High School Saturday at Larson Field.

Moses Lake exploded for 17 runs against the Tigers in game one, and 16 runs against the Saxons in game two to sweep a twin bill.

"It's a nice way to start the season," coach Quintz Whitaker said. "We knew we could score runs, but we're questioning how our pitching would hold up."

Chiefs 17

Tigers 7

Moses Lake got out to a 1-0 lead against Lewis & Clark in the bottom of the first inning. The score held up until the Tigers tied the game 1-1 in the top of the third.

The Chiefs answered back with seven runs in their half of the inning to blow the game open 8-2.

Brad Fox got things going for Moses Lake with a leadoff triple. He also double with two outs in the inning as the Chiefs batted around the lineup.

But the big stick for the home team was Drew Loera, who had a bases clearing three-run triple and 3 RBI to put Moses Lake up 5-1.

The Chiefs added 12 more runs over the next two and a half innings to win big and invoke the 10-run rule, 17-7.

"That was a big hit by Drew," Whitaker said. "But Brad came out swinging the bat and that was good to see. He is one of the younger guys we were hoping would step up for us this year."

Chiefs 16

Saxons 12

It was sweet revenge in game two as the Chiefs beat Ferris in the teams first meeting after the Saxons knocked Moses Lake out of the playoffs last year.

The game was a see-saw battle as the lead changed hands five times.

Ferris jumped out front 2-0 in the top of the first inning.

But the Chiefs scored four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-2 lead. Neither team produced a run in the second inning, however Ferris got two in the top of the third to tie it 4-4.

Moses Lake failed to score in the bottom half of the inning.

Ferris went up 8-4 in their half of the fourth. The Chiefs answered back with five runs to go back in front 9-8.

The Saxons took a 12-9 lead in the fifth. Moses Lake got two runs back in the bottom of the inning to close the gap to 12-11.

Ferris was held off the board in the sixth, but the Chiefs hung another five runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning to come back for the win.

Moses Lake is back on the diamond Saturday when the team hosts a non-league double-header against Union and Mercer Island.

First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.