WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Rally in Ninth, Win Game

June 17, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


MEDFORD, OR -- Walla Walla starter Matt Hall didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning on Father's Day against the Medford Rogues, but the Sweets still found themselves in need of a ninth inning comeback Sunday at Harry and David Field. Walla Walla rallied with five runs in the top of the ninth for a 6-5 win.

Closer Sean-Luke Brija came into the ninth inning to secure the victory, and it was a special one for the right-hander on Father's Day.

He lost his father five years ago to cancer, and has written the word "dad" underneath the bill of his hats. Before every outing on the mound, he draws a cross and the initials "GLB" in the dirt to honor his late father.

"When I pitch, or when I'm on the mound, that's when I feel him the most," Brija said. "I just love to throw, and I was privileged to throw on Father's Day. It means a lot to me."

If it weren't for the Sweets five-run top of the ninth, Brija would never have gotten that opportunity.

Hall was stellar in his first start of the year, retiring the first seven hitters he faced Sunday evening, keeping a no-hitter alive into the fifth inning. The first Rogues base runner came in the third when catcher Bo Cornish reached on an error at third base. Hall went right back to work, retiring the next eight consecutive batters before walking Cornish to lead off the sixth. With Cornish at second base, it was in that sixth frame that second baseman Jake Whisler notched the first base hit for Medford, a two-out single that dropped into shallow right field, scoring Cornish for a late 1-0 lead.

Designated hitter Kevin Davidson walked with two outs in the seventh. With pinch runner Shakeel Newton running in his place, third baseman Caleb Palensky hit a triple to send him home for a 2-0 Rogues lead.

Walla Walla responded in the eighth as first baseman Matt Mendenhall led off with a double to left field. Center fielder Luke Persico drove him home with a single to shave the lead to 2-1, but it was the Sweets' five-run ninth inning comeback that made for a special Father's Day win.

Pinch hitter Mike Paulson started the ninth with a strikeout before left fielder Kramer Lindell singled and third baseman John Skrbec followed with a walk. Pinch hitter Spencer O'Neil flew out to center field for the second out, but catcher Zach Reay was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With Mendenhall again at the plate, he drove an 0-1 pitch to the left field wall that scored Lindell and Skrbec for Walla Walla's first lead of the game, 3-2. Persico put the Sweets ahead with three more insurance runs by way of a two-run triple, and he scored on the play when the relay throw missed the catcher, giving Walla Walla a commanding 6-2 lead.

Sweets reliever Josh Wagner faced four hitters in the bottom of the ninth, retiring one and hitting a batter before Palensky ended his night with an RBI single. Brija took his place, but with runners at first and third, committed a balk, sending pinch runner Colin Sowers home. At 6-4, Brija got pinch hitter Danny McNabb to ground out, advancing Palensky a base. Short stop Corey Wynant singled to score Palensky, but Brija came back and ended the game with a strikeout to seal the 6-5 win.

"I love [that situation]," Brija said about the ninth inning. "Heart races, and just want to get the win for the team. I just want to get three outs as fast as possible, get us on the bus for a 'W.'"

A stellar eight innings gave Hall his first win of the season as he struck out two and walked two, allowing just two hits and two earned runs. Facing eight hitters in one inning of work, Rogues closer Chad Hockin took his first loss of the year. The Sweets even their league record at 4-4 while the Rogues drop to 4-7.

Walla Walla will go for the sweep Monday with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.



West Coast League Stories from June 17, 2013


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