WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Drop Heart-Breaker, Gems Score Three in Ninth for Win

Published on June 14, 2013 under West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


KLAMATH FALLS, OR -- The Walla Walla Sweets overcame an early four-run deficit at Kiger Stadium Thursday night, but the Klamath Falls Gems' offense played until the final strike, coming back in the bottom of the ninth to win 10-9. Gems reliever Jack Karracker drove in the game winning runs with a double into the right-center field gap.

The Gems came out to an early 2-0 lead. In the third inning, Sweets designated hitter Spencer O'Neil smacked a two out double to center. With a pop up that dropped over short stop into left field, third baseman Jarod Gonzales drove O'Neil home to put Walla Walla on the board, 2-1.

Klamath Falls responded with another run in the bottom of the inning, but Walla Walla answered in the fourth, pulling even in the top of the frame. Second baseman Reggie Southall walked and stole second before right fielder Luke Persico singled, advancing Southall to third. Left fielder Kramer Lindell brought Southall in with a sacrifice fly to pull within a run. Back-to-back singles from short stop John Skrbec and first baseman Mike Paulson set up catcher Dominic Miroglio's RBI single, sending Skrbec home to tie the game at three runs apiece.

However the fourth inning spelled trouble for the second straight night as Klamath Falls punched out four more runs for a 7-3 lead, starting with catcher Dempsey Grover's lead off single. That hit ended starter Chris Lovejoy's night as he took his second no-decision in a row, finishing with three earned runs on 10 hits, allowing four walks and striking out five.

Right hander Connor Lawhead came on in relief but was tagged for those four runs on four hits and three walks as the Gems batted around. Left hander Joe Arlt replaced Lawhead, inducing a ground out to end the threat.

It was Arlt who proved effective on the mound, pitching 4.1 innings, and despite allowing six hits, he only gave up one run while striking out six. Arlt's effort carried Walla Walla into the late innings, allowing the offense to go to work.

The bats came to life in the fifth for Walla Walla. With Gonzales at first, center fielder Beau Bozett reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Southall also singled, and as he stole second, the pick off throw went into center field to send Bozett home. With Lindell aboard via a walk, Skrbec crushed a triple to right field, driving in two to pull within a run, 7-6.

Miroglio started the sixth with a hit and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Bozett tied the game with a one-out single to left, and Southall followed with one of his own up the middle, scoring Gonzales as the go ahead run and his first RBI of the year. With an 8-7 Sweets lead, Karraker came in to retire the side.

Lindell was hit by a pitch with one out in the ninth and scored from first on Skrbec's double to left-center field for an insurance run.

Arlt allowed a lead off single to pinch hitter Michael Tittle in the bottom of the ninth, prompting head coach J.C. Biagi to bring in closer Sean-Luke Brija. Grover notched another single before third baseman LJ Brewster hit into a sacrifice fly, sending Tittle to third base. With two outs, right fielder Ryan Hayden hit a hard ground ball to short stop, where it took a high hop off the lip of the grass. Skrbec still caught the ball but his throw on the run was low and got past first base. Tittle scored on the play to make it a one run game, while Panaccione went to third and Hayden advanced to second. Karraker fouled off 4 straight pitches to dig an 0-2 hole at the plate, but hammered a Brija fast ball over Persico's head for the game-winning, two-RBI double.

Brija took the loss as the Sweets move to 2-3 in West Coast League play. Klamath Falls ups its record to 4-1 and stretches its win streak to four games.

Game three starts tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. before Walla Walla hits the road to play a weekend series at Medford.

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West Coast League Stories from June 14, 2013


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