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Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Sign Pilots to 2013 Contracts

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


WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Three players from the University of Portland have signed contracts to play West Coast League baseball for the Walla Walla Sweets this season. The Sweets have added freshman infielder Lucas Hunter, freshman pitcher Zachary Torson, and sophomore pitcher Kurt Yinger to their 2013 roster.

Lucas Hunter, at 6-foot, 170-pounds, is a graduate of Central Catholic High School in Portland, Ore. Last season, as a senior for the Central Catholic Rams, Hunter earned his third varsity letter and helped his team to an 18-10 record. Following his senior season, Lucas was drafted in the 31st round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Miami Marlins. During his junior year he helped the Rams to a second place finish in the state championship, was named his team's player of the game, and hit .419 at the plate. He is the son of Brian Hunter, a center fielder who played 12 years in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Zachary Torson is a graduate of Mountain View High School and a native of Vancouver, Wash. The 6-foot 2-inch, 210-pound righty posted a 1.40 ERA in 55 innings pitched and recorded 65 strikeouts. As a senior he batted .390 with 22 RBI. He was named the Greater Saint Helens League 3A Player of the Year as a senior and was selected to compete at the 2012 Area Code Games. As a junior he garnered first-team all-league, first-team all-region, and second-team all state honors.

Kurt Yinger, of Camas, Wash., is a 6-foor 1-inch, 190-pound right-handed pitcher. As a junior at Camas High School, Yinger was 10-1 with a 0.78 ERA with 90 strikeouts. At the plate he batted .500 with 13 doubles and 24 RBI, and was named the 2011 Greater St. Helens League Player of the Year, the 2011 Regional Player of the Year, and first-team all-state. As a sophomore he helped his team to a second place finish in the state championships, was named first-team all-region and first-team all-state. Yinger saw limited time as a pitcher last season, appearing in just eight games for the Pilots, while recording a 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

"All three of these players should contribute quite a bit at Portland this year as well as with the Sweets this summer," said Sweets manager J.C. Biagi. "We got great recommendations on all of these guys and we're looking forward to having them."

The Portland Pilots will open their season on February 15 in Starkville, Miss., where they will take on Mississippi State. The Sweets will open their fourth season of WCL baseball on June 5 at 7:05 P.M. with Opening Day, presented by Northwestern Mutual.

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