Joseph Henrickson
Staff Writer

The Pierce Raiders baseball team completed another 4 game sweep May 4and 5, this time it was against Grays Harbor Community College.

The Raiders outscored their opponent 23 – 6 in the four game set and continue to lead the NWAACC West Conference with a record of 16 and 4.

Leading the way in game one was starting pitcher and May athlete of the month, Darrien Moran, pitching a complete game shutout and only allowing five hits while striking out five.  The left-hander has been stellar for the Raiders, and in a game where the offense faced a tough pitcher; Moran came out on top and helped the team to victory.

Heading into the ninth inning, both teams had only 5 hits, but with two out the Raiders went to work.  With back-to-back singles by Deven Kaaiwela and d’Aundray VanSlyke, Brett Johnson came to the plate and put the ball in play to the shortstop who made a critical error allowing Kaaiwela to score from second base.

That proved to be enough as Moran shut down Grays Harbor in the ninth with a one, two, three inning and improved his record to 7 and 1 on the season.

Game 2 starter, Elliot Morris went through the first 5 innings without allowing a hit.  The Raiders spotted him an eight run lead going into the bottom of the sixth when Morris allowed two hits and a walk in the inning to make the score 8 to 1.

Brett Oyer went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and Wes Hoskins had 2 hits in 3 at bats with three RBI and two runs scored.  Deven Kaaiwela also had two RBI in the game as the Raiders mopped up GHCC on their home field.

Game three was knotted at three each going into the fourth inning when D.J. Elmer worked a bases loaded walk after the Raiders connected on three straight singles.  Isaac Kim followed with a ground ball fielder’s choice that scored another run and put Pierce up by two.

They tacked on two more insurance runs in the seventh on a Michael Sherwin bases loaded single and a ground ball out off the bat of Wes Hoskins who picked up his second RBI on the day.  The final was seven to three in favor of the Raiders as Levi Goodin pitched eight strong innings and did not allow a run after the third.  Austin Weber closed out the ninth.

Sam Shadle took the ball in game four and pitched six strong innings allowing just one unearned run as the Raiders tacked on runs inning after inning in route to a seven to one win.  Leading the way on offense was Hoskins again as he collected three hits in his four at bats, with three RBI.

The Raiders have been able to stay on top of their division with their pitching this year as Darrien Moran and Sam Shadle both have seven wins each.  Only two pitchers in the NWAACC have more wins.  Elliot Morris is second in the NWAACC in ERA with a 1.20 and Moran is close by with a 1.57 ERA.  Helping the pitching this year has been Hoskins as he has now raised his average up to .432 to lead the entire NWAACC.

If they keep this consistency going for the remainder of the season, Pierce College can look forward to winning its second consecutive NWAACC Championship this year.