Elks Fall 5-3 to Sweets
August 11, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Bend Elks News Release
Bend, OR - The Walla Walla Sweets secured the season series over the Bend Elks on Saturday, scoring runs in 4 different innings and extended Bend's losing streak to 5 games, as the Elks fell to the Sweets 5-3.
Walla Walla (30-22) struck first in the first inning as Matt Mendenhall opened up the game with a base hit, advanced to 3rd on a single by Jarod Gonzales, and scored on the double play hit into by catcher Renae Martinez, and the Sweets lead early 1-0.
Bend came back and tied the ball game in the 2nd inning against Sweets starter Bret Helton (2-1) and it took one swing of the bat, as Kyle Giusti hit a solo home run, his 3rd of the summer, and the game was squared at 1.
The Sweets answered right back as Jono Herkins lead off the inning with a double off of Elks starter Garrett Anderson (3-2) advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Gonzales, and Walla Walla lead 2-1. They extended the lead in the 4th inning as John Skrbec singled, and after an error by Elks second baseman Jerren Larimer allowed Kris Paulino to reach, Nick Vilter delivered a 2 run double to give Walla Walla a 4-1 advantage.
The Elks (30-23) answered back in the 4th inning as Cullen O'Dwyer walked and Jerren Larimer singled to put men at 1st and 2nd with 1 out for Bend native Grant Newton, who delivered a 2 run double and cut the Elks deficit to 1, making it 4-3.
The Sweets tacked on an insurance run in the 6th inning as Dom Miroglio singled, Nick Vilter walked, and advanced to 3rd and 2nd respectively, and Mendenhall delivered the RBI sac fly, giving Walla Walla the 5-3 advantage.
The Elks would do everything they could in the bottom of the 9th against Sean-Luke Brija, the Sweets closer in the 9th inning. After Turner Gill flew out, Derek Dixon reached on a walk, Kyle Giusti singled, and after Cullen O'Dwyer struck out, Curtis Wildung drew a pinch hit walk to load the bases with 2 outs for Grant Newton. Unfortunately for Bend, Newton popped out to 3rd baseman Jarod Gonzales to end the game with the bases loaded.
The Elks get one more chance to clinch the final available spot in the West Coast League playoffs in the regular season finale against the Sweets, first pitch at 5:05 p.m.
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West Coast League Stories from August 11, 2013
- Rogues Earn WCL Playoff Spot - Medford Rogues
- Elks Fall to Sweets 14-12; Miss out on Playoffs for 2nd Straight Year - Bend Elks
- Gems Finish Season With 12-3 Loss To Corvallis At Kiger - Klamath Falls Gems
- Paulson and Kirby Give Bells Victory in Victoria - Bellingham Bells
- Sweets Take Game Two from Bend 5-3; Magic Number Now 1 - Walla Walla Sweets
- Knights Take Second Game Of Series, Defeat Gems 5-2 - Klamath Falls Gems
- Rogues Move Closer to Playoff Spot - Medford Rogues
- Elks Fall 5-3 to Sweets - Bend Elks
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