MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Mavericks (0-2) fell to the Kennewick Lions Monday in a doubleheader with final scores of 6-1 and 9-1. Despite the losses, Head Coach Donnie Lindgren is confident his players will respond the right way.  

“We were really excited to get out here, but it didn't necessarily show in our play today,” Lindgren said. “We're still working through some things and that's what non-league games are for and practices are for. I still like this team a lot, and they're ready to come to work tomorrow too.” 

The Lions jumped out to an early lead in game one, leading 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. From there, the Mavericks showed some flashes on defense, holding Kennewick scoreless in the top of the fifth and sixth. Before the game concluded, Moses Lake managed to score a run in the bottom of the sixth. In game two, the Lions broke the game open in the top of the second with four runs. The Mavericks responded with a run of their own but were shut out the rest of the game while the Lions added five more scores before securing the win.  

“We just didn't throw enough strikes (today),” Lindgren said. “We lost our top two pitchers last year who threw 70% of our games, and it showed. We're trying to find the right people to throw for us, and we saw some good things.”  

In game one, several Mavs put together promising moments throughout. Jonathan Purcell, Jacoby Fulbright, Noah Hernandez and Nolan Decubber each recorded hits while at bat. Purcell also scored Moses Lake’s sole run of the game and recorded a double play. Maddox Herrud earned a walk while at bat and recorded an RBI for MLHS.  

For pitching, Dagen Enquist was up first and threw for three innings. He threw 61 times and recorded 37 strikes across those innings, including one strike out. Kanyon Klitzke came in to relieve Enquist and threw for the last four innings. Out of 54 pitches, 32 were strikes. He also managed to strike out three batters for the Lions.  

“Kanyon Klitzke really showed us his ability to pitch for us. Hit, play defense; he had a really nice game today, for the first time ever having him in the program,” Lindgren said.  

In game two, Purcell recorded another hit and RBI, helping Nolan Decubber get home for the Mavericks score in the bottom of the third inning. Caden Barney also got on the stat sheet with a hit while at bat for the Mavericks.  

On the mound, four Mavs pitched against the Lions. Curtis Cash, Jacoby Mugnos, Kolby Lyons and Hernandez threw for Moses Lake. Mugnos recorded the sole strikeout on defense for MLHS.  

With a 4-1 lead at the top of the fifth inning, the Lions strung together five more runs through the top of the sixth. After a scoreless seventh inning, Kennewick secured their second win of the day.  

Despite the tough loss, the Mavericks showed a lot of promise throughout both games, Lindgren said.  

“We worked hard (today), there's a few things that we work on every day that we didn't execute to our expectations, but it wasn't for lack of trying,” he said. “We have to get it to be a habit, instead of having to think about it. They just have to continue to trust in their coaches and themselves, and they'll be just fine, because they settled in nice. We made some great plays, and then we just had a couple of bonehead mistakes too.”  

The Mavericks return to Larson Play Fields on March 24 to host Sunnyside at 4 p.m. By the time they return to the field, Lindgren is confident his players will be ready to go.  

“I guarantee we'll bounce back. Our goal is always to win a league championship. It's going to be hard, but these guys are going to give them everything they have. I saw in their eyes tonight, they were disappointed, but I guarantee they're ready to come to work tomorrow.” 

BOX SCORE:  

Game one 

KNWK: 1-2-1-1-0-0-1: 6
MLHS: 0-0-0-0-0-1-0: 1 

Game two  

KNWK: 0-4-0-0-1-4-0: 9
MLHS: 0-0-1-0-0-0-0: 1 

MAVS ROSTER: 

Jersey, Name 

1 - Jacoby Mugnos
2 - Dagen Enquist
3 - Maddox Herrud
4 - Cade Chlarson
5 - Cash Curtis
6 - Joaquin Hernandez
7 - Noah Hernandez
8 - Nolan Decubber
9- Esai Gonzales
10 - Kolby Lyons
11 - Daniel Baez
12 - Caden Barney
20 - Kanyon Klitzke
21/42 - Jacoby Fulbright
22 - JB Olson
24 - Jonny Purcell
33 - Kaysen Pryor

    The Mavs’ Kanyon Klitzke (20) leaps to make the catch before tagging a Kennewick player out during their doubleheader Monday. Head Coach Donnie Lindgren said Klitzke showed a lot of potential at pitching.
  

    Caden Barney (12) keeps his eye on the ball to record an out against Kennewick Monday.
  

    Kolby Lyons (10) steps up to bat for the Mavericks during their doubleheader against Kennewick Monday.
  

    Moses Lake Mavericks Head Coach Donnie Lindgren, closer, watches on as Colby Lyons (10) prepares to throw his next pitch on the mound against Kennewick Monday.