Apr. 11—It's hotly debated in the sports world if momentum is real or not.
For the Moscow Bears, all that arguing means nothing — momentum is very real.
In a 5A Inland Empire League doubleheader, the Bears used an 11-run seventh inning to topple the Lewiston Bengals 15-7 in Game 1. That momentum shifted over from that run explosion and helped carry them to an 8-2 victory in Game 2 on Thursday at Church Field in Lewiston.
"Momentum is contagious because momentum is an energy. Positivity brings out the best version of yourself rather than self-doubt," Moscow coach Griffin Rod said. "I do believe that the first game gave us some life heading into the second game for sure."
Moscow comeback
Lewiston (8-9, 5-7) led for the majority of the first game in the twinbill. The Bengals had consistent scoring throughout the contest with two two-run innings and two one-run innings. They had the lead at 6-4 going into the top of the seventh.
Then, Moscow (8-6, 3-3) was up to bat. Andrew Hurley gathered a hit to start the inning, Sam Rigney was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second and Wyatt Hartig hit a single to load the bases. Simeon Rauch popped up for the first out of the inning.
Then, Butch Kiblen came up to bat. Kiblen hit a hard ball down the first base line for a double that scored two runners and tied the game at 6-6. A fountain of Moscow runs followed, coming on hit-by-pitches and walks. Keaton Clark hit a single to score two runners and the runs kept flowing.
Kiblen came up to bat a second time in the inning and capped off the scoring by hitting a single for two more RBI to give the Bears a lead of 15-6.
Lewiston scored one run in the bottom of the seventh inning to finish the game 15-7.
"And then to come back from behind (was great)," Rod said. "They're young and a scrappy team. Anytime you can come from behind near the end and take a win against a good school it's always super positive."
Top performers
In the first game, all but one batter for Moscow had at least one RBI.
The team was led by Kiblen, who had three hits and five RBI in the first game. He finished the day with seven total RBI. He also played in left field, which was unusual for him as a pitcher. Rod said that Kiblen's leadership and willingness to be unselfish, the willingness to put himself in less comfortable situations was a standout.
"I'm asking (Kiblen) before the game, 'Dude how do you feel about giving us a start in the outfield?' because he's got the highest ceiling of any player that is a PO (pitcher only)," Rod said. "He's like, 'Yeah it's a beautiful day to play baseball,' and then have him get five RBI in that game. That double down the line. What a cool moment, like it's one of those moments you want to happen so bad because it can spark a little confidence."
The Bears were also assisted by good pitching. Max Winfree started the second game of the twinbill and went four innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
Keaton Clark came in as a relief pitcher in the first game and covered two full innings, allowing one run on one hit.
Connor Isakson pitched relief in the second game. Isakson entered in the fifth inning and closed out the game. He allowed just two hits with no runs scored.
Carson Henson hammered three hits to lead Lewiston in the first game. Tucker Green tripled and Brighton Schumacher doubled in that one for the Bengals.
River Stamper led the Bengals in hits in the second game with two.