WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Edged in Extras

July 4, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, Wa. - While progressing through a tight pitching duel with the Yakima Valley Pippins, the Walla Walla Sweets appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough in one of their weakest areas as a team- pitching.

But in a season in which hitting has been a major strength for the Sweets, the bats went missing for the second night in a row and failed to support the pitching, and the Pippins edged the Sweets, 2-1, in ten innings Thursday at Borleske Stadium.

After allowing the visiting club an early lead in the first inning, Walla Walla starter Mike Paulson settled down to pitch scoreless ball from the second inning through the seventh, including a streak in which he retired eight batters in a row.

"Paulson twirled a gem tonight," said manager J.C. Biagi. "It was unfortunate we didn't provided the runs behind him on the offensive side. He gave us every opportunity we could ask for to win, and we just didn't get it done." The left-hander allowed seven hits and just one run overall, striking out seven while walking one.

In the top of the first inning, the Pippins got back-to-back singles from Shawn Wardian and Justin Jacobs. Wardian stole third, and after a groundout to the pitcher, scored the first run on a groundout to second by Reid Martinez.

The Sweets, meanwhile, struggled for the first three innings against Pippins starter Andrew Woods, who would finish after six-and-one-thirds innings pitched, allowing one run on just four hits while striking out nine.

In the bottom of the fourth, they finally came through. Jordan Frabasilio led off by reaching first base on a throwing error by third baseman Mitch Skaggs, and Andrew Mendenhall knocked him home with a double into the gap in right-center, tying the game at 1-1.

But it was the only run the Sweets would score all night, and they would manage only three more baserunners the rest of the way. Kenny Rosenberg (1-0), who finished the seventh inning for Woods by striking out two batters, dominated the Sweets through the ninth, allowing only a walk in the eighth and an isolated double to Mendenhall in the ninth.

Yakima Valley broke the tie in the top of the tenth inning. After holding the Pippins scoreless in the eighth and ninth, Sweets reliever Jesse Houser (2-3) began the tenth by hitting Alex Guenette with a pitch and allowing a bunt single to Shawn Wardian, while a throwing error by Houser on the same play allowed Guenette to move to third. Jay Flaa then took over on the mound and struck out Justin Jacobs for the first out, but Mitch Skaggs followed with a soft line drive single into left field to give the Pippins the 2-1 lead.

Flaa pitched his way out of the tenth without any further damage, but Nick Kern came on to pitch the tenth for the Pippins, striking out the side and earning the save.

The Sweets and Pippins will play the second game of the series Friday at 1:05 PM at Borleske Stadium.



West Coast League Stories from July 4, 2014


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