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WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Drop Series Finale 5-2 to Medford Rogues

June 24, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, WA -- On a grey, humid Sunday afternoon, the Walla Walla Sweets suffered just their first loss in four days, a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Medford Rogues at Borleske Stadium. Rogues pitchers struck out 15 Sweets on the evening.

The Rogues started the scoring in the top of the second inning when first baseman Connor George walked to lead off the frame. Shortstop Corey Wynant singled on a sacrifice bunt, and as Sweets starting pitcher Matt Hall fielded the ball, no one covered first base, allowing Wynant to reach safely. Second baseman Brody Weiss singled to load the bases before catcher Greg Feinberg's single drove in George from third base. Left fielder Parker Miles reached on a fielder's choice, and ran to second when Sweets shortstop Scott Silva made an errant throw to first base. Wynant scored on the grounder, and Weiss crossed home plate on the error to give Medford a 3-0 lead. Hall hit a batter before getting out of the inning, leaving two runners on.

Walla Walla responded in the bottom of the second with designated hitter Spencer O'Neil's double on a ball that kicked off the first base bag and trickled into shallow right field. He came home on second baseman Kris Paulino's single up the middle to trim the lead to 3-1. Paulino tried to stretch the hit to a double but was thrown out before Silva struck out to end the inning.

Sweets catcher Dom Miroglio struck out twice against Rogues starter Mac Acker, who collected 11 strikeouts on the evening in six innings pitched for his second win of the year.

"The last game of a six-game home stand -- we beat them five times -- I think we took that for granted a little bit," Miroglio said. "Pitcher came out dealing, mixing it up well, keeping us off balance."

Walla Walla's defense committed two errors on the night as their record moves to 9-6 in the West Coast League North Division, good for one game behind the first-place Victoria HarbourCats. Despite the loss, the Sweets have still won five of their first six series this season, and seven of the past nine contests, outscoring opponents 38 runs to 28 runs in that time.

Kramer Lindell continued the offense with a two-out double in the fifth inning before third baseman John Skrbec reached on a throwing error by Acker. Skrbec tapped the ball back to the mound, but Acker's throw to first was inside the base path. Skrbec collided with George at first base, dislodging the ball, which allowed Lindell to score from second base and draw the game closer at 3-2.

In the top of the sixth, designated hitter Kevin Davidson got that run back for the Rogues with a towering home run over the left field wall for a 4-2 Medford lead. Third baseman Ray McIntire was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh before coming around to score on a double from pinch hitter Colin Sowers, capping the final score at 5-2.

"I think this one is on us today," Miroglio said. "I think we gave up too many free bases which eventually came back to bite us."

Hall took his first loss of the season after six innings pitched, allowing three earned runs on five hits and one walk, while striking out four. Acker collected his second win, giving up one earned run on five hits. Brandon Williams notched his first save of the year in two-thirds of an inning, walking one batter and striking out one.

The Sweets hit the road to play the Kelowna Falcons for three games before moving on to face the Bellingham Bells this week. First pitch Monday is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.



West Coast League Stories from June 24, 2013


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