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WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Drop Third Straight to Streaking Knights

July 14, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


CORVALLIS, OR - The Corvallis Knights (20-13) proved too much for Walla Walla (19-14), beating the Sweets 10-4 Saturday night at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. The Sweets' bats were held to just one hit in the first seven innings of play.

Starter Chris Lovejoy took his first loss of the season after giving up eight runs on 11 hits in three innings on the mound. The left-hander was strong in the first two innings, surrendering just one hit in two quick innings. In the bottom of the third, Lovejoy could not retire the last batter and allowed four earned runs with two outs. After giving up a run scoring single to Knights center fielder Blake Drake, Lovejoy faced four batters, surrendering a double, a walk and a single leading to three additional runs before finally forcing Seth Heck to fly out to centerfield to end the inning. Lovejoy struggled again in the bottom of the fourth, allowing five consecutive singles and three runs to score.

Right-hander Josh Wagner came on to relieve Lovejoy with the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth. Wagner gave up a run in an 0-2 on a balk with second baseman Peter Van Gansen at the plate. Four runs scored in the inning for the Knights as the home team took an 8-0 lead.

On the offensive side, the Sweets struggled to put something together against a strong Corvallis pitching staff. Corvallis starter Andrew Naderer held the Sweets to just one hit over four innings -- a Skrbec double in the first inning, while striking out six on the mound. The Sweets would not record another hit until the seventh frame. After a Nick Vilter groundout to first base, catcher Renae Martinez drew a walk. This brought first baseman Matt Mendenhall to the plate, who promptly hit a first pitch home run to left field off reliever Jared Priestly. The Sweets added another two runs in the following inning when a Kramer Lindell double brought in Jono Herkins and pinch-hitter Jarod Gonzales home to score.

The Knights took those runs back off Sweets' pitchers Danny Zandona and Sean-Luke Brija in the seventh and eighth innings. respectively, to cap the scoring at 10-4.

The victory gives the Knights their sixth victory in a row, and eight out of their last ten, good for half a game behind the WCL South Division-leading Bend Elks.

The Sweets sit tied for first place with the Wenatchee Applesox after splitting their road trip 3-3. With Sunday off, Walla Walla prepares for a seven-game home stand starting Monday as they host the non-league opponent Portland Lobos. The Sweets beat Portland 11-4 on July 1st.



West Coast League Stories from July 14, 2013


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