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Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Announce Field Staff Members to Join Mutz in 2016

February 11, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, Wash - The Walla Walla Sweets organization announced on Thursday morning the coaching staff joining Frank Mutz in the clubhouse and dugout this coming season. The team is excited to welcome Kyle Wilkerson (Chaminade Prep), Michael Dingilian (Cal Poly), and Mathew Troupe (University of Arizona/CSU-Northridge) will all be part of Mutz' staff, while Nathan Fry (Whitman) remains the most tenured baseball operations team member as he prepares for his 6th season as the team's athletic trainer.

Wilkerson, who will join the Sweets as the hitting coach this season, is a product of Simi Valley, California where he played at Royal High School and was a two time all-Marmonte League selection. He continued his career at Los Angeles City College before transferring to Menlo College where he was a three year starter as a second baseman and DH, hitting .345 in 2010 as a senior. Wilkerson began his coaching career in 2011 at Chaminade High School and is currently serving as the associate head coach under Sweets manager Frank Mutz.

"Kyle is my Associate Head Coach at Chaminade HS," Mutz said. "[He is a] very knowledgeable baseball coach who will oversee our hitting and infield work. Kyle and I work very well together. He understands how I manage our players. He is very loyal to me and our program and players are very fond of him."

Dingilian, who will serve as the pitching coach, is familiar with Mutz, playing for him in high school. Under Mutz, during his senior year Dingilian went 9-1 with a 0.83 ERA. He struck out 56 in 50 and 2/3 innings. He played college baseball at Cal Poly, where he was used out of the bullpen and found success his sophomore year with a 3.00 ERA in eight appearances. He is also familiar with the competition in the league circuit, as he pitched in 2012 for the Bend Elks.

"When it comes to pitching philosophies, Michael and I are like-minded," said Mutz. "In addition to playing for me in high school, Michael has been playing and coaching at SLO for the last six seasons and will do solid job as the Sweets' pitching coach," Mutz said, referring to Dingilian's experience both playing for and coaching with a top Division-1 program like the Mustangs.

Mathew Troupe, who will be the first base coach for the Sweets, also played under Mutz at Chaminade. He was drafted out of high school in the 17th round by the New York Yankees in 2011, but did not sign. At the University of Arizona, he was on the mound during his freshman season when the Wildcats won the College World Series in 2012 and also got the win in a game against Florida earlier in the CWS. In his first two seasons at Arizona, he recorded a 3.37 ERA in 74 and two thirds innings, but underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2014 and only threw in two games the next two seasons. Troupe also pitched two seasons in the Cape Cod League.

"Mathew is also one of my former players and a close friends and former teammate of Michael Dingilian," said Mutz. "In addition to his responsibilities as the first base coach, his experience on the mound will be valuable in working with Michael to get our pitchers where we want them to be.

"We are also excited that he can share the experience in being part of a club that won a National Championship. That pedigree will be important as we build a winning culture in the clubhouse."

Mutz added: "I'm very excited I get the chance to reunite with a couple of former players. This is a tremendous coaching staff who all are good young men."

Fry returns in 2016 as the team's athletic trainer. This will be his 6th season in the Sweets dugout, after joining the staff following the inaugural season. Nathan is a Certified Athletic Trainer who has worked at Whitman College as the Assistant Athletic Trainer, helping to care for 14 varsity athletic teams.

"Nathan is one of the most talented Athletic Trainers I've ever worked with," Mutz said. "He pays attention to all details and is very well respected by our staff and players. He is well-connected with the medical community and knows how to make sure our players go home healthy.

"When coaches send their players to Walla Walla for the summer, rest assured they received incredible care from Nathan."

"With championship experience and familiarity with Frank's managerial philosophies, I am excited for what the staff will bring to this season," said Sweets GM Katie Biagi. "We look forward to being part of an exciting pennant race."

The Walla Walla Sweets will open the 2016 season presented by Columbia REA, on June 3 against the Victoria HarbourCats. Season tickets and mini-plans are on sale now. For more information about these and other ticketing options visit wallawallasweets.com, stop by the Sweets Shoppe in downtown Walla Walla, or call 509.522.BALL (2255).

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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.

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