WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Bozett Goes Deep as Sweets Collect Sixth Non-WCL Victory

July 29, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, WA -- Nothing is better than perfect. The Walla Walla Sweets showcased that fact Sunday evening as they capped a perfect non-league schedule (6-0) with an 8-2 win over the Central Oregon Bucks at Borleske Stadium. Mike Paulson, normally an outfielder, took the mound and earned the win in his first start overall this season.

Saturday night in the two-game series opener, Walla Walla scored five runs in the first inning to take a commanding lead. The Sweets played Groundhog Day again Sunday with another five-run frame in the home half of the first with first baseman Jarod Gonzales leading off with a walk. Second baseman Kris Paulino singled two hitters later as right fielder Jake Wylie stepped to the plate. Wylie, who crushed a first inning grand slam the game before, hit a hanging breaking ball off the top of the left field wall in game two to break the scoreless tie. He and Paulino each came home thanks to third baseman Dom Miroglio's double off the left-center field wall in the next at-bat. Miroglio has not played third base since little league, but went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored, playing perfect defense.

With Walla Walla ahead 3-0, a two-out single up the middle by shortstop Scott Silva pushed the Sweets' lead to 4-0 as the home team sent 11 men to the plate in the bottom of the first. After left fielder Beau Bozett was hit by a pitch and Bucks starter Cody Allison issued back-to-back walks, Silva scored on the latter free base to put the Sweets in front 5-0 for the second straight night.

Allison's temper got the best of him after that long first inning. His first pitch to Bozett was behind the right-handed hitter's back to clue him in on what was coming next.

"The first couple pitches they threw at me, I definitely knew they were throwing at me," Bozett said. "I don't know what I did... I didn't say a word, but some of these games can be pretty frustrating for [other] teams."

Bozett found the best possible retribution a ball player can inflict upon an opponent after he has been plunked at the plate. After Silva drew a one-out walk in the third, Bozett lifted off on a fast ball over the heart of the plate for a two-run home run deep to left field to pad the Sweets' lead at 7-0. With a look into the opposing dugout on his trot to first base, the Gonzaga Bulldog had a good idea what was coming before that at-bat.

"I looked in, but I didn't say a word," Bozett said. "I knew he was going to give me a fastball sooner or later, so I tried to do my best with that pitch."

After 2.2 innings of work and allowing seven earned runs on seven base hits, the towering right-hander Michael McIver came on in relief of Allison. With McIver on the mound -- weighing in at 235 pounds -- he too threw behind Bozett in the fifth inning. The Sweets' left fielder flew out in the at-bat, but laughed the situation off.

Paulson did not seek retaliation after umpires warned both benches, going on to work five full innings and surrendering just two earned runs on three hits. Paulson struck out six Bucks hitters on 74 pitches before coming out of the game in favor of Jonathan Harris, who worked perfect sixth and seventh innings. Harris struck out two men before Danny Zandona worked the eighth, also striking out two. Closer Sean-Luke Brija did the same in the ninth frame to seal the Sweets sixth non-league victory this year.

Walla Walla (23-19) will take Monday off and prepare for a three game set with the Wenatchee AppleSox (23-21) starting Tuesday as the playoff race heats up. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Field. About the Walla Walla Sweets: Walla Walla Sweets is a professionally operated baseball club in the West Coast League. It is led by a group of civic-minded individuals with strong ties to the Walla Walla region and to the game of baseball. The Walla Walla Sweets will strive to provide their fans, sponsors, business partners, and investors with the very best in competitive baseball and entertainment, including atmosphere, comfort, food & beverage, safety, competition, fun and value. For more information, please visit www.wallawallasweets.com.



West Coast League Stories from July 29, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central