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Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Walk Off Again

July 8, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, Wa. - As one of the more consistent starting pitchers in the Walla Walla Sweets rotation so far this season, left-hander Spencer Hobson set out to stymie the Cowlitz Black Bears.

And he did just that, allowing just two runs on six hits through six-and-two-thirds innings of work in a 4-3 win Monday night at Borleske Stadium.

Hobson did, however, get off to a shaky start. After striking out the leadoff batter in the top of the first inning, he allowed back-to-back singles to Seaver Whalen and Austin Baker, and then balked the runners to second and third before walking Joey Greco to load the bases with only one out. After a lineout to third, Hobson proceeded to allow the runner on third to score on a wild pitch before getting another lineout to end the inning.

Trailing early, 1-0, leadoff hitter Andrew Mendenhall went right to work for the Sweets in the bottom half of the inning, hitting a game-tying solo home run just over the left field wall.

Neither team scored in the second, but the Black Bears retook the lead in the top of the third when Greco hit a gargantuan blast to left field, making the score 2-1. That would be the final run that Hobson would allow the rest of the way.

With one out in the bottom of the third, Andrew Mendenhall took matters into his own hands, tying the game at 2-2 on a no-doubt solo homer to left-center, his team-leading third homer of the season and his second of the game.

Hobson would then become locked in a scoreless battle with Cowlitz starter Chris Castellanos, each matching the other for four scoreless innings. But the Sweets finally gained the upper hand with one out in the bottom of the eighth, when Aldo Ferrante connected for a tie-breaking solo home run over the left field scoreboard, his second of the season and the third for the Sweets in the game. John Skrbec followed with a walk, and Castellanos was removed from the game with one out. Connor Cuse entered from the bullpen and struck out Mendenhall before getting Sean Bouchard to ground out, keeping the Sweets' lead to just one run.

Jay Flaa received the call to pitch the ninth inning in a save situation. He walked the leadoff batter, Corey Van Domelen, who then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Elliott Cary struck out for out number two, but Seaver Whalen drove Van Domelen in from second with a single to left field, tying the game at 3-3 and resulting in Flaa's first blown save of the season.

After Flaa escaped the ninth with no further damage, the Sweets were determined not to let the Black Bears tie the series. After Cooper Hummel struck out, Mikey Duarte drew a walk from Cuse and represented the winning run on first base. Joe Reta then entered the game for Cowlitz, facing pinch-hitter Kevin Morgan, who reached first on a fielding error that also moved Duarte to second. Jarod Gonzales, who had entered the game as a defensive replacement, grounded out to second to move the runners to second and third with two out. Another pinch-hitter, Kyle Nixon, followed with a hard grounder to shortstop Kyle Hunt, who made a spectacular sliding stop with his glove, but then threw high and wide to first base, allowing Duarte to race home with the winning run.

"I knew I was going to get a fastball (from Cuse)," said Duarte of his ninth-inning effort at the plate. "He was throwing 90 (miles per hour) and he just threw four straight fastballs.

"I was excited for Kyle," he added, referring to Nixon's hustle to first base to beat the throw on the final play. He's a great guy and he's been swinging the bat (well)."

Despite the total of four home runs, pitching dominated the game once again. While Hobson went about his work on the mound, Castellanos lasted seven-and-a-third innings, striking out eight batters while walking only one. Connor Cuse (0-1) took the loss when Reta could not finish the ninth, and Flaa (2-0) earned his second win of the season in relief in the 4-3 win.

The Sweets will close their series with the Black Bears and go for the series sweep Tuesday at 7:05 PM at Borleske Stadium.

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