ELLENSBURG – The Central Washington Sixers 14U baseball team played two games in the Clash of Kittitas tournament Saturday. They tied in their first game and took home a win in their second. Center fielder and pitcher Cash Curtis said they had to wake up in the first game.  

“The first game was really bad. Nobody was awake. We woke up in the second half of the first game and we just carried the energy to the second game,” he said.

In their first game, the Sixers played the Northwest Stars, where both teams traded momentum. The Sixers would start strong at the bottom of the first inning by scoring two runs. Carson Valdez and Drake Hansen would log the team's first score of the game. Both teams would go scoreless in the second inning.  

In the top of the third inning, the Stars scored a single run to get on the board. They proceeded to hold the Sixers scoreless in the bottom of the third. The Stars would explode offensively in the top of the fourth inning, scoring seven runs and taking an 8-2 lead. 

The Sixers hopes of a comeback seemed to be fleeting after going scoreless again in the bottom of the fourth inning, and the Stars added an additional score in the top of the fifth. They would respond in the bottom of the inning with two runs and cut their deficit to 9-4.  

After holding the Stars scoreless in the top of the sixth inning, the Sixers mounted a comeback. They would score five runs, which led to the game ending in a tie at 9-9. Sixers head coach Rey Lopez said Joaquin Hernandez made a huge play to help them tie the game.  

“He hit a pretty hard shot down the line, and it just nearly hit third base, and it continued down the left field line. That's what helped us out,” Lopez said.  

Lopez shared the same sentiments that it took the players a moment to wake up and start stringing together some runs. He said once they started working together, everything fell into place.  

“Once we got together and started working as a team, we put some hits together and we came back. We didn't get the win, but we tied, and so the boys didn't give up, and we just continued to battle,” he said.  

The Sixers jumped right into their second game of the day against the Spokane Expos 14U team. Through the first two innings, they looked like they were off to a slow start once again and fell 2-0.  

Heading into the third inning, Lopez made sure his team was mindful of the game plan.  

“We got to put the ball in play, let their defense make the plays, and that's what happened. We had some really good, hard hits, and it turned out good for us,” he said.  

That’s exactly what they would do at the top of the third inning. The Sixers would go on a tear for nine runs scored against the Expos and take a 9-2 lead. Pitching was led by Curtis who only allowed the Expos to score two runs in the bottom of the third.  

“I feel like I did really good. It was a good day. I pitched a lot of contacts. I'm happy my team backed me up with the hitting,” Curtis said.  

In the top of the fourth inning, the Sixers continued to ride the momentum and scored seven more runs. This increased their lead to 16-4. The Expos would make an attempt at a comeback but only managed to score two more runs before being thrown out, and the Sixers secured the 16-6 win.  

“We had some batters that were hit with some pitches, and you know when that happens, the next hitter comes up, puts the ball in play, and we score runs that way. So, we took advantage of the bases being loaded,” Lopez said.  

Wind was a major factor throughout both games Saturday. According to Lopez, they were prepared for the elements after checking out the field before the game and talking with his players. He emphasized that they could not control the conditions, but they could control how they played.  

The Sixers will play Sunday at Rotary Park. The first pitch is at 2:45 p.m. Their opponent has yet to be decided at the time of press. However, Lopez feels good about his team heading into Sunday’s games.  

“We got the momentum right now. The kids are hitting the ball well; our pitching is going to come back strong tomorrow. So, I feel really good for us,” he said.  

Correction: The caption for the photo with Cade Chlarson in it has been corrected.

Box Scores 

Game One: 

NWST: 0 0 1 7 1 0 9
SXRS:  2 0 0 0 2 5  9  

Game Two: 

SXRS: 0 0 9 7 16
SPKN: 2 0 2 2    4 

    Sixers Carson Valdez sprints to first base against the NW Stars. Valdez scored two runs against the Stars on Saturday.
  

    Sixers Cade Chlarson throwing a pitch against the Spokane Expos on Saturday. Curtis pitched all four innings and struck out three batters. Note: The player's name in the above caption has been corrected.
  

    Sixers catcher Beau Fricke, left, and pitcher Cash Curtis, right, discuss the scheme during an inning against the Spokane Expos. Curtis said his team did a good job of supporting him by getting hits when they were on offense.
  

    Sixers Eddie Gonzalez prepares to take a swing at home plate. Gonzalez recorded an RBI against the Expos on Saturday.
  

    The Sixers’ Carson Valdez tips his helmet to the dugout as he rounds third base and scores a run for the team. Head coach Rey Lopez, left, can be seen celebrating as his player runs past him.