Moore brothers equal more runs on the Kentlake diamond

Kentlake knew the tides were against them last May when they took on third seeded Mount Vernon in the state tournament and ultimately fell 9-3.

But then-sophomore UW commit Christopher Moore knew in the back of his mind that better days were ahead for the Falcons. Those better days were coming in large part due to his brother Lincoln joining the fold of the maroon and black.

The Moore brothers haven’t played on the same team since they were 11-year-olds playing Little League baseball, but they have pushed each other to become some of the top young prospects in the state.

“It’s been pretty cool. We haven’t played together since we were 11 years old, so it’s been a while. It’s the first time we have practiced together. It’s pretty cool to challenge each other,” Christopher said.

The two are extremely competitive players, striving to bring success to a school that hasn’t seen much baseball success in previous years. Playing with a direct family member is a special experience for the Moores.

“It is pretty much the dream scenario. We are both competitive and push each other. It comes with a little heckling. But it makes us better ball players and better people,” Christopher said.

Outside of their state appearance where they beat Stanwood a year ago, Kentlake hadn’t won a state tournament game since 2017. This year’s Falcon team is aiming to change the culture.

“I want to be a team that wins,” Lincoln Moore said.

“It shows what Kentlake can do. It shows that there are people who really work here, there are people that are ready to go and grind,” he added.

When Christopher (CMoore as he is referred to by his teammates at coaches) was a sophomore, he committed to the University of Washington to play baseball. As the third ranked junior in the state, according to Prep Baseball Report, he has been highly touted since his freshman campaign.

A season ago, Christopher Moore was named 3A NPSL MVP, hitting .486 and had a 1.206 OPS at the plate. On the mound, he tossed 23.2 innings with a 1.18 ERA, striking out 45 along the way. CMoore is a program altering player, and his impact is felt all over the field.

Christopher’s focus this year has been on getting Kentlake as a team to be more connected, creating a family on the field, which comes easy when your brother is on the other side of second base. Teams usually use the term “family” interchangeably, but for the Kentlake Falcons, that term means more.

“It’s what high school baseball is all about. Building a family is a big thing. We try to spend time together off the field. I think that is what good teams do,” Christopher said.

Lincoln Moore is the second ranked freshman in Washington state, according to Prep Baseball Report, and is learning what it takes to play in the high school environment.

“It’s awesome we are always with each other. The handshakes and getting all that stuff going, the brother-ship comes out when we are on the field,” Lincoln said.

The two Moores have witnessed each other shoot up prospect charts like a rocket destined for the moon. Christopher set the precedent for Lincoln, who already is making a name for himself in his own right.

“It’s pretty insane. He was just lil bro and all skinny. Then he got to show himself in front of the right people and got everything he deserved,” Christopher said.

In the Moores’ first game, the two combined for a brilliant play to record a force out at second base. Christopher started at shortstop and Lincoln at second, but the two switched sides in the third inning, with Lincoln fielding a back hand deep in the hole to his right.

“Up the middle, we are going to flash the leather and throw it around. We are just going to be ourselves,” Christopher said.

That sort of chemistry and talent is something that can be expected. The bats didn’t get going as much as the brothers would have liked in the first game (CMoore 1-3, 2B, 1 RBI, BB; Lincoln 1-2, 1 BB, 1 HBP).

But the drive for success is there for the two of them.

“When it comes to feeding balls in the machine or hitting ground balls, we always have a guy there who is helping us out. You can see things that you might not be able to see for yourself. It makes everybody better,” Lincoln said.

Kentlake fell in a nail biter to Kentridge, 5-4, in the teams’ first games of the season. Lincoln was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh, but was stranded on third base in the final inning.

“We have all the talent in the world and just didn’t put it together all the way…We tried just a little too much and I think this will spark something,” Christopher said.

Lincoln Moore prepares for hit at-bat against Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Christopher Moore eyes down the Kentridge pitcher. Ben Ray / The Reporter