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WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Take Game Two from Bend 5-3; Magic Number Now 1

August 11, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


Bend, OR - On a night filled with a plethora of playoff scenarios in a single game, the Walla Walla Sweets were able to clear up some of the fog as they took a 5-3 win over the Bend Elks in game two of their final regular season series. In the process, the Sweets not only retained a one-game lead in the West Coast League North Division and extended their winning streak to seven, but also brought their magic number to one for the WCL North pennant.

First, the game itself. The Sweets showed their aggression at the plate with lead-off singles in five of the first six innings. Matt Mendenhall started it all with a lead-off single in the first inning, followed by a 3-2 single to right in a hit and run situation, moving Mendenhall to third. Rene Martinez hit into a 6-2-3 double play which brought Mendenhall in for an early 1-0 lead.

The Elks retaliated in the bottom of the second with a solo home run to left field by Kyle Giusti to tie the game. The Sweets came back to take the lead at the top of the third with a lead-off double from Jono Herkins. Elks starter Garrett Anderson then gave up a walk to Mendenhall. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch to Jarod Gonzales. On a 1-2 pitch, Gonzales launched a perfect sacrifice fly to right which brought Herkins home. The Sweets tacked on two more runs in the fourth as John Skrbec started with inning with (you guessed it) a base hit. Kris Paulino hit into what would have been a textbook double play ball to second baseman Jerren Larmer, but his throw to second sailed over shortstop Seth Spivey's glove and into shallow left field. Dom Miroglio moved Skrbec to third on a fielder's choice which pegged Paulino at second. Nick Vilter's 1-0 smash to the left center field wall drove in both Skrbec and a hard-charging Miroglio for what became the game winner. The Elks added two runs in their half of the fourth, but a Sweets added an insurance run in the 6th launched by yet another lead-off single by Miroglio. He eventually scored thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Herkins and a sacrifice fly by Mendenhall.

The Sweets' Joe Arlt - who came in for starter Bret Helton in the 5th - got the win, with Anderson taking the loss for Bend.

The playoff picture for the WCL North got some clarity as Wenatchee eliminated Bellingham from contention with a 10-2 win over Kelowna, assuring the Applesox of the remaining division playoff berth. Yet to be determined is a pennant winner. If the Sweets win or if Wenatchee loses, the Sweets will clinch the title. Should the Sweets fall to Bend in game three and the Applesox win, the season will end in a tie. But instead of playing a make-good game in Wenatchee Monday, which would take an economic and emotional toll on both squads, the teams decided the season outcome will be determined by a coin flip.

But there's more. A Sweets win would make them the spoilers in the season outcome for the Elks. The Elks needed one win against Walla Walla in this series to clinch the remaining playoff spot in the South division. Should the Sweets win Sunday, Bend would be eliminated and the expansion Medford Rogues would face Corvalis in that division.

So a pennant in the North and a berth in the South still hang in the balance.

The Sweets and Elks will play the final game of the regular season on Sunday, August 11 at 5:05 PM. Join Howard Hoffman on the Big City Reds Radio Network at 5:00 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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