WCL Walla Walla Sweets

Walla Walla Wins Opener in Rogues' First Trip to Borleske

June 22, 2013 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


WALLA WALLA, WA -- The Walla Walla Sweets rode stellar relief pitching and just enough offense to win their second straight ball game at Borleske Stadium Friday night, a 4-3 affair over the Medford Rogues. Reliever Danny Zandona got the win in his first appearance with the Sweets.

Medford took an early lead in the top of the second inning as starting pitcher J.D. Leckenby allowed a walk to first baseman Matt Page and a single to catcher Ryan Teel to start the frame. After a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third, Leckenby committed a balk to score Page for a 1-0 Medford advantage. Second baseman Jake Whisler singled to right field in the next at-bat, sending Teel home and giving the Rogues a 2-0 lead

Leckenby came out after three complete innings on the mound. After just arriving in Walla Walla, he was pleased with the outcome.

"You know, I definitely felt a little bit shaky. I haven't been in a mound in probably a month-and-a-half," Leckenby said. "So it was fun to get out there again. [It] felt really good actually getting on a mound again."

A four-run fourth inning paved the way for a Sweets lead that would put the home team ahead for good. With one out in the frame, three consecutive walks to left fielder Jon Herkins, right fielder Kramer Lindell, and third baseman John Skrbec loaded the bases. First baseman Matt Mendenhall struck out swinging, but short stop Nick Vilter was hit with a pitch to drive in Herkins for the Sweets' first run. Dillon Keene replaced Rogues starter Jake Lessel after just two innings pitched, and immediately gave up a double to designated hitter Renae Martinez, scoring Lindell and Skrbec to put Walla Walla ahead 3-2. Catcher Zach Reay followed with a base hit to drive in Vilter for a 4-2 Sweets lead.

A 14th-round draft pick by the New York Mets, Leckenby was replaced by Zandona in the top of the fourth. Zandona struck out the first three hitters he faced, but trouble came in the fifth inning after walking the leadoff man. Left fielder A.J. Balta reached first base on a fielder's choice, and went to second on an errant throw by Vilter. First baseman Matt Page singled to bring him home, drawing the score closer at 4-3.

That's as far as Medford would come as the Sweets bullpen did not allow a hit the rest of the night.

"I did my job," Leckenby said. "And our bullpen was great today. It was a good team win."

Zandona finished with 2.2 innings pitched, allowing just three hits as left-hander Drew Christina followed out of the bullpen, striking out two in 1.2 innings on the mound. Connor Dillman recorded two outs in the eighth before closer Sean-Luke Brija entered the ninth inning, collecting his league-leading fifth save.

After the game, Leckenby had high praise for his new teammates.

"I love this team already," he said. "Right when I showed up, these guys were a bunch of nice guys... Trying to get me to fit in as quick as I could. It's just easy to be around these guys."

The win puts Walla Walla just half a game out of first place in the West Coast League North Division at 8-5. The loss for Medford drops the Rogues to 5-11.

The Sweets host the Rogues Saturday for game two of the series. First pitch at Borleske Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.



West Coast League Stories from June 22, 2013


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