GreyWolves Stay Hot Behind Wallum's Complete-Game
July 9, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Gresham GreyWolves News Release
KELOWNA, B.C. - Backed by their third strong pitching performance in as many nights, the Gresham GreyWolves topped the Kelowna Falcons, 3-1, on Friday night to clinch a sweep of their rivals from British Columbia.
Starting pitcher David Wallum (Linn Benton CC) went all nine innings for Gresham (3-0, 14-16 overall), allowing just three hits and one earned run throughout the ballgame. The victory kept the team undefeated in second half play as they head south to face the Wenatchee AppleSox in a three-game series.
It was an offensive burst from the outset that proved to be the difference in this one, as the GreyWolves jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning behind RBI knocks from Ryan Rodriguez (Dixie State) and Ryan Smith (Southern Illinois). Kelowna (0-3, 13-17) then cut its deficit in half by scoring one in the home half of the second, but that would effectively be the end of their night offensively.
Wallum cruised from that point on, retiring 21 of the next 22 batters he faced after the Falcons' run-scoring single in the second.
The right-hander finished the night allowing just three hits, and his defense completed the superb evening by not recording an error behind him. Wallum has now conceded just one run in his last 17 innings of work.
While stymied for the majority of the game after that impressive first inning, his offense did come up clutch in the ninth by providing a big insurance run. Nebraska product Ben Klenke got the inning started with a one-out single to right field, and he would eventually come around to score after Rodriguez worked a bases-loaded walk against Kelowna reliever Jared Morton (UC Riverside).
Wallum (2-1) earned the win for his sterling effort, while Falcons starter Cameron Jack (0-2) was credited with the loss.
Gresham will now turn its sights to Wenatchee as the club looks to keep their perfect second half record alive. The first of three games against the AppleSox will begin Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in the Apple Capital of the World.
• Discuss this story on the West Coast League message board...
West Coast League Stories from July 9, 2016
- HarbourCats Edge Bend in Second-Half Opener - Victoria HabourCats
- Late Rally Falls Short in Corvallis - Yakima Valley Pippins
- Knights Top Pippins, Even Series - Corvallis Knights
- HarbourCats Take Both Games of Doubleheader - Victoria HabourCats
- Bells Fall to Kitsap - Bellingham Bells
- GreyWolves Stay Hot Behind Wallum's Complete-Game - Gresham GreyWolves
- Walla Walla Cannot Comeback from Early Deficit - Walla Walla Sweets
- Velasquez Gem Stifles Corvallis Knights - Yakima Valley Pippins
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.
