WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Elks Spoil Series Opener

Published on June 28, 2014 under West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


BEND, Or. - Coming off a sweep of a non-league series, the Walla Walla Sweets seemed poised to take the Bend Elks by storm entering Friday.

But the defense faltered, and the pitching was lacking, as the Sweets dropped a 14-4 decision to the Elks Friday at Vince Genna Stadium.

Walla Walla starting pitcher Conner O'Neil faced early trouble in the first inning. A leadoff single was followed by a fielder's choice and a throwing error, and two walks loaded the bases. O'Neil then balked to force home a run, and another run scored on a fielder's choice.

A single, double and another Walla Walla error gave O'Neil another two-run inning, and although he recovered to pitch scoreless third and fourth innings, the Elks scored two more off him in the fifth to signal the end of his night.

O'Neil (2-2) finished with five innings pitched, six runs allowed, only two earned, and walked three while striking out three.

Meanwhile, shut out for the first three innings by Bend starter Zack Carter, the Sweets finally manufactured a run in the top of the fourth when Sean Bouchard singled, moved to third on a double by J.J. Robinson and scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Kevin Morgan to make the score 4-1.

The true damage came in the fifth against reliever Kevin Hamman. Jarod Gonzales hit a solo home run to right field to cut the deficit to two runs, and Jordan Frabasilio doubled a Kyle Nixon singled to set the table for Bouchard, who singled up the middle to score both runs and tie the game.

Michael Bennet (1-2) entered with two out and soon retired the side. He would go on to allow just three hits over two-and-a-third innings of shutout work, earning the win.

But the Elks immediately answered with two runs in the bottom half to take the lead, as Sam Finfer drove home Billy King and Nick Lopez with a double off the right field wall.

It would be all the Elks would need in the end, but they were not finished. After Alex Fisher pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief of O'Neil, he struggled in the seventh, loading the bases on a walk and two singles before being removed with none out. Omar Porras inherited the unenviable bases-loaded, non-out situation and went on to yield five runs in the inning to give the Elks a comfortable 11-4 lead.

Failing to score again in the top of the eighth, the Sweets turned to Brian Greisman to pitch the bottom half. The right-hander from Murray State College retired the first two batters, but then allowed a single and a walk. An error advanced the runners, and Nick Osuna doubled and Zach Close singled, giving Bend a ten-run advantage.

Jordan Wilcox and Jeff Albrecht pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively, for the Elks, with Albrecht striking out the side to end the game.

Sweets pitching combined to walk seven while striking out only four, allowing eleven hits for fourteen runs, with only seven of the runs earned, due to the team's six errors.

The Sweets and Elks will face off for the second game of the series Saturday at 6:35 PM Saturday at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



West Coast League Stories from June 28, 2014


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