WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Win First Ever Match-Up with Rogues

June 16, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


MEDFORD, OR -- Walla Walla got its offense off to a quick start to win 6-4 in the first game ever played between the Sweets and Medford Rogues at Harry & David Field on Saturday night. Sweets tarting pitcher Sean Silva earned his first win of the season.

Left fielder Kramer Lindell continued his excellence at the plate with a lead off base hit in the first inning. He reached second on a passed ball before short stop John Skrbec flew out to right field, allowing Lindell to tag and go to third. Catcher Dominic Miroglio's RBI groundout sent Lindell home, giving the Sweets a 1-0 lead.

A big second inning started with Lindell again in the middle of the action. Center fielder Luke Persico walked with one out and moved to second on second baseman Scott Silva's single. Lindell hit a ground rule double over the left field side-wall, driving in Persico for a 2-0 lead. With Skrbec at the plate, Scott -- Sean's younger brother -- scored on a passed ball, moving Lindell to third base before scoring on Skrbec's sacrifice fly out to shallow left field.

The Sweets took that 4-0 lead into the third inning where they scored another run on first baseman Matt Mendenhall's sacrifice fly. Ahead 5-0, Sean Silva had the support he needed.

"It gives you a lot of confidence to go out there and throw strikes when you have five runs in support," the older Silva said. "I got run support pretty early, and then good pitch calling by Dom [Miroglio], and good defense behind me."

Rogues starter Jake Lessel lasted just two innings as he gave up four earned runs on four hits. Left-hander Dillon Keene pitched six innings in relief, giving up two runs, only one of them earned, while striking out three.

Medford scored an unearned run in the third after an error at third base put designated hitter Matt Taylor at first base. He scored on third baseman Caleb Palensky's single to make it a 5-1 game. Walla Walla responded with Persico reaching on a dropped third strike in the eighth, hustling down the line to beat the throw and scoring Jarod Gonzales from third to make it 6-1.

The Rogues began to rally in the bottom of the eighth on Sweets reliever Taylor Jones, scoring three times on three hits. Closer Sean-Luke Brija came in and got Walla Walla out of the inning, leaving two runners on base in the six-out save. He retired the side in the ninth, with the final two outs via strikeouts.

"It's a good start for us to get something going here for two more games," Sean Silva said. "Then we'll go on the home stretch at home in Walla Walla."

The Sweets continue the series against Medford Sunday at Harry & David field for a 5:05 p.m. first pitch. Left-hander Matt Hall is scheduled to start for Walla Walla.



West Coast League Stories from June 16, 2013


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