WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Big Sixth Inning Downs Sweets in Rubber Game

Published on July 27, 2013 under West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


LONGVIEW, WA -- Sweets starter Cody Poteet came into Friday night against the Cowlitz Black Bears with a perfect 2-0 record and has been a strong presence for Walla Walla (23-19) since joining the club in early July. However the right-hander would lose a pitchers duel in the sixth inning at Story Field in the series finale, being tagged for four earned runs and exiting after 5.1 innings of work.

Cowlitz scored first when designated hitter Ryan Aguilar led off with a first-pitch single to left, later stealing second base for the sixth time this year. An errant pick off throw sailed into center field, allowing him to reach third before he scored on second baseman Taylor Bryant's sacrifice fly to center, giving the Black Bears a 1-0 advantage.

Walla Walla responded in the top of the third inning with a lead off base hit of its own. Left fielder Mike Paulson slapped a double down the left field line and scored when right field Kris Paulino reached on an error. That error was a rare one for Cowlitz left fielder Derreck Salberg, who misplayed Paulino's line drive, allowing the ball to sail over his head and reach the wall, tying the game at 1-1.

It was in the sixth inning when the wheels fell off for the visiting Sweets as Cowlitz batted around, crossing the plate six times before tallying twice more in the seventh . The line began moving with third baseman Cody Childs's lead-off walk. Outfielder Devyn Bolasky tripled to center field on a line drive that went under a diving Sweets outfielder Luke Persico's glove, giving the home team a 2-1 lead. Two hitters later, second baseman Taylor Bryant singled a run home as shorstop Corey Van Domelen did the same, ending Poteet's night. Left-hander Chris Lovejoy came in to replace Poteet with runners at first and third, inducing a line drive out to shortstop in his first hitter faced. A walk loaded the bases before a second consecutive free pass scored another, with the big blow coming from first baseman Kyle Knigge. The All-Star cleared the bases with a three-run double to give Cowlitz a commanding 7-1 edge.

Walla Walla tacked on thanks to shortstop Nick Vilter's lead-off double in the top of the seventh, his second hit of the game. Catcher Dom Miroglio drove him home with a single, but the home team Black Bears struck for two more runs in the bottom of the inning to end the scoring at 9-2.

The Sweets travel home to play the non-league Central Oregon Bucks Saturday for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Borleske Stadium. Left-hander Joe Arlt gets the call to start for the series opener in the two game set.

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West Coast League Stories from July 27, 2013


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