WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Bats Emerge Late to Salvage Win

Published on June 10, 2014 under West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, Wa. - For the longest time, the Sweets couldn't seem to get past surprisingly solid pitching from a young Central Oregon Bucks staff.

But the Sweets eventually came out swinging for a come-from-behind victory over the Bucks for the 5-3 win in a non-league game Monday at Borleske Stadium.

Walla Walla starter Mike Paulson's control was off and on through the evening, as he walked four Bucks hitters. Once he finished, however, the southpaw had scattered six hits over five innings, allowing two runs and striking out six before yielding to Hans Hansen to begin the sixth.

Facing righty Kaleb Henry, the Sweets' offense managed just one run on three hits through the first five innings, despite drawing four walks. Henry's teammates supported him with two runs during that time.

Hansen and Keagan Brooks were solid for their respective clubs as neither team scored in the sixth inning, but in the bottom of the seventh, Kyle Nixon and Zach Rapacz walked, both taking advantage of Central Oregon errors once aboard. The resulting one-run inning brought the home club within one run of tying the game.

But the knockout punch came in the bottom of the eighth. Parker Osborne led off with a pinch-hit single to chase Andrew Axemaker. Dalton Hurd took over on the mound to induce a flyout, but then surrendered consecutive singles to John Skrbec and Moe Handcox, the latter of whom drove in the tying run.

Jarod Gonzales grounded out to the first baseman, and the runners were forced to hold. That set the stage for Nixon, who lined a single up the middle to drive home two and give the Sweets the lead.

Hansen shut the Bucks down with a scoreless ninth inning to finish with a total of just one run allowed on two hits through four innings pitched, and earned the win.

Leading the charge offensively was Nixon, who had two hits to go along with his two eighth-inning RBI. Rapacz and Handcox drove in one run each, with Handcox scoring two himself.

The Sweets will resume league play Tuesday at 7:05 PM when they open up a three-game series with the Kelowna Falcons at Borleske Stadium.

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West Coast League Stories from June 10, 2014


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