WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Take Game One from Bend 6-3

Published on August 10, 2013 under West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


Bend, OR - When the Walla Walla Sweets win, a couple of things usually happen: strong starting pitching, timely 2-out hitting, and consistent bullpen performance capped by a Sean-Luke Brija close. That model was followed to perfection tonight, as the Sweets knocked off the Bend Elks 6-3 in the first game of this three-game set to finish the regular season.

After going in order in the first, the Sweets offense got started with Jarod Gonzales, who laced a line drive over the head of Turner Gill in right field. Gill, fully extended and off the ground, had the ball glance off his glove and land at the wall as Gonzales arrived at second base. Ruled an error, it nonetheless got the bats started. Dominic Miroglio drove in the first of his two RBI with a sharp single to right, scoring Gonzales and giving the Sweets a 1-0 lead. Kris Paulino followed with an infield single. With runners at first and third, Paulino attempted to steal second, and when the throw went down to the bag, Miroglio broke home and was thrown out at the plate. With two outs, just as it seemed that the Sweets wouldn't capitalize on getting more, DH Spencer O'Neil ripped a double down the right field line to score Paulino.

After Bend went quietly in the bottom of the 2nd, the Sweets picked up three more runs in the top of the 3rd. Matt Mendenhall ripped a single to lead off, and shortly thereafter, Jake Wylie followed with a single of his own. After a Jarod Gonzales hit-by-pitch, Miroglio picked up his second RBI of the night with a bases-loaded single. Paulino followed with another single, plating two runs, and the Sweets had opened up a commanding 5-0 lead. Paulino's single came with two outs.

With great run support early, Cody Poteet was efficient and supported by smooth defense behind him. The UCLA righty held Bend to just one hit through his first five frames. He averaged a little over 10 pitches per inning through seven complete innings, striking out 1, walking none, and left with the Sweets firmly in control and a 5-2 lead. His only trouble came in the bottom of the 6th inning, as Bend touched Poteet up for two runs on four hits and a hit batsman, but was able to pitch out of it, shutting the door again in the seventh before turning the ball over to Connor Lawhead in the the 8th.

The Sweets would tack on an insurance run in the top of the 9th with Mendenhall again leading off with a hit, this time a towering double down the right field line. Advancing to third on a wild pitch, Mendenhall would score on an RBI single by Gonzales. The insurance run was important, as Bend would muster a rally in the bottom of the 9th, scoring a run and bringing the tying run to the plate with two on and two out. Closer Sean-Luke Brija would close the door on the Elks for good, striking out Zach Close to end the threat and the game.

Poteet picked up the win, while Bend starter Clay Gartner took the loss. With the win, and the Wenatchee Applesox 7-5 loss in Kelowna, the Sweets take over sole possession of first place in the WCL North. The Bellingham Bells lived to see another day as well, as they beat Victoria 8-2, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. With the loss, the Elks failed to secure the second and final playoff spot for the WCL South, as idle Medford picked up 1/2 game.

The Sweets and Elks will play the second game of the series on Saturday, August 10 at 6:35 PM. Join Howard Hoffman on the Big City Reds Radio Network at 6:30 PM for the Abajian Toyota-Scion Pre-Game Show on 1490 AM/100.1 FM ESPN Walla Walla. Fans can also stream the game online at www.wallawallasweets.com or through the Sweets mobile app, available on Apple and Android devices.

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West Coast League Stories from August 10, 2013


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