For the second-straight day the Sweets put together a seventh-inning rally. And for the second consecutive day it wasn't enough to defeat Bend. On Sunday, the Sweets tied the game 3-3 with two runs in the seventh only to fall 4-3 on a home run in the eighth. On Tuesday, Walla Walla scored five runs in the top of the seventh to pull within one, 7-6, but left the bases loaded and eventually lost, 9-6.
More notes from around the ballpark:
- The Sweets have lost the first two games of their six-game road trip. Walla Walla and Bend finish their series tonight before the Sweets travel to Corvallis for three games with the Knights.
- Jarrod Turner extended his hitting streak to seven games with a hit on Monday. He has also reached base safely in all eight games this season.
- In the Sweets' seventh-inning rally on Monday, 10 batters came to the plate and eight consecutive hitters reached at one point. Kevin Hawk, Jared Jordan and Kalani Brackenridge ripped consecutive RBI singles to make it 7-4, an infield error made it 7-5 and Turner's bases-loaded walk made it 7-6.
- Zach Brandon started for the Sweets and lasted just four innings. He struck out three and walked one. Brandon has struck out 11 in 11 innings this season.
- Batting 8-9 in the order, Jordan and Brackenridge each had two hits on Monday. After picking up RBI singles in the seventh, they started a Sweets' rally in the ninth with back-to-back leadoff singles.
- Tyler Billen made his longest appearance of the summer on Monday. He retired the first six batters he faced before allowing both batters he faced in the eighth to reach.
- Luke West registered another scoreless inning of relief, retiring the final three Elks.
- Turner's .417 batting average is currently fifth in the WCL.
- Walla Walla made four errors on Monday and have now made 15 this season.
- The Sweets will look to avoid being swept in a regular-season series for the first time since last July when they were swept at home by the Bellingham Bells.
- Walla Walla will face right-hander Daniel Chavez from Bend. The Sweets faced him twice last season, going 1-1.
An (almost) day-to-day recap of starting a West Coast League baseball team in Walla Walla. Starting from the ground up...literally. Started in 2009, lucky season #7 has first pitch on June 3, 2016. The time has flown...
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sweets drop opener in Bend
Walla Walla opened up its six-game road trip with a tough 4-3 loss to Bend on Sunday evening. The Sweets trailed 3-0 after three innings but were able to tie the game with three runs over the course of the sixth and seventh innings. Steven Holcomb delivered the big blow for the Elks as he homered to lead off the eighth and break a 3-3 tie.
Here are some notes from around the ballpark:
- Sunday was the first road game for the Sweets this season. They went 13-14 on the road last year.
- Five of the Sweets' seven games this season have been decided by two runs or less. The last four games have all been decided by one run and the Sweets are 2-2 in those games.
- Jarrod Turner produced another strong game at the plate on Sunday, going 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored. He picked up the Sweets' first hit of the game in the fifth inning and then singled to start the ninth inning. His leadoff walk in the seventh started a two-run Walla Walla rally. He is hitting .450 with a .577 on-base percentage.
- Turner also has a six-game hitting streak entering Monday's afternoon affair with the Elks.
- In fact, Monday's 12:30 p.m. start will be the earliest game the Sweets have played in two years.
- Kyle Kingsley was strong in his second start of the season on Sunday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits and earned a no-decision.
- Alex Bonczyk and Turner have both reached base in all seven WCL games this season.
- Zach Brandon makes his second start of the summer on Monday. The Oregon native gave up two runs on five hits over five innings in his first start against Kitsap. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
Here are some notes from around the ballpark:
- Sunday was the first road game for the Sweets this season. They went 13-14 on the road last year.
- Five of the Sweets' seven games this season have been decided by two runs or less. The last four games have all been decided by one run and the Sweets are 2-2 in those games.
- Jarrod Turner produced another strong game at the plate on Sunday, going 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored. He picked up the Sweets' first hit of the game in the fifth inning and then singled to start the ninth inning. His leadoff walk in the seventh started a two-run Walla Walla rally. He is hitting .450 with a .577 on-base percentage.
- Turner also has a six-game hitting streak entering Monday's afternoon affair with the Elks.
- In fact, Monday's 12:30 p.m. start will be the earliest game the Sweets have played in two years.
- Kyle Kingsley was strong in his second start of the season on Sunday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits and earned a no-decision.
- Alex Bonczyk and Turner have both reached base in all seven WCL games this season.
- Zach Brandon makes his second start of the summer on Monday. The Oregon native gave up two runs on five hits over five innings in his first start against Kitsap. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
On the road
The Sweets have hit the road for the first time this season. The team bus left Borleske Stadium at 7:00 a.m. and arrived in Bend, Ore., at 12:30 p.m. Game one is tonight at 5:00 p.m. against the Elks at Vince Genna Stadium.
Here are some notes from around the ballpark:
- The Sweets split six games with the Elks last summer, taking two-of-three here in Bend last August. Those two wins were instrumental in the Sweets' postseason run.
- Walla Walla went 13-14 on the road last season.
- Last season, the Sweets had their most successful road trip last August starting in Bend. The Sweets won two against Bend and then two against Cowlitz to go 4-2.
- Walla Walla has been lead by a trio of players that have Walla Walla CC roots. Jarrod Turner leads the team with a .389 average, Marc Garza is hitting .357 and Alex Bonczyk is hitting .320. One other WWCC prodcut, Jared Jordan, has driven in five runs.
- The Sweets have clubbed 16 extra base hits in the first six games of the season.
- Ben Ruff leads the team with four extra base hits and is slugging .667.
- Kyle Kingsley will get the start on the mound for the Sweets. It is second start of the summer. He earned a win in his first start, allowing one run on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings against Corvallis.
Walla Walla continues their six-game trip on Monday with a 12:05 first pitch against the Elks. It will be the Sweets' earliest game of the season. Zach Brandon is the scheduled starter on Tuesday.
Here are some notes from around the ballpark:
- The Sweets split six games with the Elks last summer, taking two-of-three here in Bend last August. Those two wins were instrumental in the Sweets' postseason run.
- Walla Walla went 13-14 on the road last season.
- Last season, the Sweets had their most successful road trip last August starting in Bend. The Sweets won two against Bend and then two against Cowlitz to go 4-2.
- Walla Walla has been lead by a trio of players that have Walla Walla CC roots. Jarrod Turner leads the team with a .389 average, Marc Garza is hitting .357 and Alex Bonczyk is hitting .320. One other WWCC prodcut, Jared Jordan, has driven in five runs.
- The Sweets have clubbed 16 extra base hits in the first six games of the season.
- Ben Ruff leads the team with four extra base hits and is slugging .667.
- Kyle Kingsley will get the start on the mound for the Sweets. It is second start of the summer. He earned a win in his first start, allowing one run on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings against Corvallis.
Walla Walla continues their six-game trip on Monday with a 12:05 first pitch against the Elks. It will be the Sweets' earliest game of the season. Zach Brandon is the scheduled starter on Tuesday.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Finally some sun!
The sun has finally come back out in Walla Walla today. After nearly two full days of rain, it appears the Sweets and BlueJackets will finish their three-game series under sunny skies. In fact, it has rained in all five games the Sweets have played this season, including yesterday's doubleheader.
The Sweets and BlueJackets split their two seven-inning games last night, the Sweets winning 2-1 and the BlueJackets taking a 3-2 decision.
Here are some notes from around the ballpark:
- Monday's rainout was the first postponed game for the Sweets since their first season back in 2010. They played 64 games last year without a cancellation.
- Due to the rainout, the Sweets and BlueJackets played two seven-inning games, splitting the pair.
- In the first game, Arturo Reyes tossed a complete game to pick up the win. He scattered five hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He set down 13-straight and 16 of the final 17 to end the game.
- Jared Jordan provided all the offense, driving in both runs with a sac flies in the third and fifth innings. He scored Jarrod Turner with both.
- Marc Garza's two-run home run gave the Sweets a 2-1 lead in game two but Kitsap rallied to tie the game in the sixth and then scored the winning run in the top of the ninth on an infield single.
- Zach Brandon struck out six and didn't issue a walk in five-plus innings.
- Also, the Sweets made just one error in the doubleheader. Since making seven in the first two games, the Sweets have made just two in the last three.
- Walla Walla's temp players are all contributing. Turner is hitting .429 and has scored a team-high four runs. He is also sporting a .556 on-base percentage. Despite hitting just .167, Jordan is tied for the team lead with five RBI. In just three games with the Sweets, Garza is hitting .455 and has played a solid first base.
- Going back to some news from yesterday, Spencer O'Neil was named the WCL Co-Player of the Week for his performance against Corvallis. He went 5-for-11 with five RBI in the three-game series.
- Alex Bonczyk continues to show off his speed this year. He had a pair of bunt singles in yesterday's first game and has made several tough plays look easy in the outfield.
- The loss to Kitsap in game two snapped the Sweets' nine-game winning streak against the BlueJackets. It stretched all the way back to July 29 of 2010.
- Tonight is the first theme night of the year at the ballpark. Tonight's theme is 80's Night! All the staff will be dressed up and we will be sure to post some pictures of the staff and fans following the game.
Walla Walla concludes its opening homestand on Thursday against the Northwest Honkers. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
The Sweets and BlueJackets split their two seven-inning games last night, the Sweets winning 2-1 and the BlueJackets taking a 3-2 decision.
Here are some notes from around the ballpark:
- Monday's rainout was the first postponed game for the Sweets since their first season back in 2010. They played 64 games last year without a cancellation.
- Due to the rainout, the Sweets and BlueJackets played two seven-inning games, splitting the pair.
- In the first game, Arturo Reyes tossed a complete game to pick up the win. He scattered five hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He set down 13-straight and 16 of the final 17 to end the game.
- Jared Jordan provided all the offense, driving in both runs with a sac flies in the third and fifth innings. He scored Jarrod Turner with both.
- Marc Garza's two-run home run gave the Sweets a 2-1 lead in game two but Kitsap rallied to tie the game in the sixth and then scored the winning run in the top of the ninth on an infield single.
- Zach Brandon struck out six and didn't issue a walk in five-plus innings.
- Also, the Sweets made just one error in the doubleheader. Since making seven in the first two games, the Sweets have made just two in the last three.
- Walla Walla's temp players are all contributing. Turner is hitting .429 and has scored a team-high four runs. He is also sporting a .556 on-base percentage. Despite hitting just .167, Jordan is tied for the team lead with five RBI. In just three games with the Sweets, Garza is hitting .455 and has played a solid first base.
- Going back to some news from yesterday, Spencer O'Neil was named the WCL Co-Player of the Week for his performance against Corvallis. He went 5-for-11 with five RBI in the three-game series.
- Alex Bonczyk continues to show off his speed this year. He had a pair of bunt singles in yesterday's first game and has made several tough plays look easy in the outfield.
- The loss to Kitsap in game two snapped the Sweets' nine-game winning streak against the BlueJackets. It stretched all the way back to July 29 of 2010.
- Tonight is the first theme night of the year at the ballpark. Tonight's theme is 80's Night! All the staff will be dressed up and we will be sure to post some pictures of the staff and fans following the game.
Walla Walla concludes its opening homestand on Thursday against the Northwest Honkers. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sweets explode for first win of the year
It had been a tough first two games of the year for the Sweets. Sunday was a bit more exciting. Walla Walla scored in each of the first four innings and went on to defeat Corvallis 9-1 to earn its first victory of the season. The Sweets had 15 hits and collected five more extra-base hits.
Some notes from around the ballpark:
- The Sweets totaled 15 hits on the night and finished the three-game series with 33 hits. They are hitting .314 in the three games and are slugging a league-best .486.
- Walla Walla also committed just one error on the night after making seven in the first two games.
- The Sweets received multi-hit games from six different players on Sunday night. Spencer O'Neil led the way with three hits and four RBI. O'Neil also launched his first home run of the season, a two-run, opposite-field shot to left-center in the eighth.
- Alex Bonczyk had two more hits from the leadoff spot and scored three runs on the evening. He led off the game with a triple to right-center.
- The Sweets also received strong games from several of their temp players. Jared Jordan broke a 1-1 tie with a bases-clearing double in the second and Jarrod Turner and Marc Garza each contributed two hits on the night.
- Sunday's win was just the fifth for the Sweets in 17 all-time meetings with the Knights.
- Kyle Kingsley was the winning pitcher on Sunday, going 6 1/3 innings. He allowed just one run on seven hits and struck out two. Kingsley allowed just one walk.
- He allowed a first inning run but settled down to keep the Knights off the board the rest of the way before leaving in the seventh.
- Doug Ashby and Simon Anderson combined to throw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to close the door.
- The Sweets are suppose to open a three-game series with Kitsap tonight (Monday) but there is rain expected in the forecast all night. The tarp is currently on the field now.
- If they play, Arturo Reyes will take the mound for his first start this season. Reyes threw over 80 innings this spring and won six games for Columbia Basin. His brother, Jorge, pitched at Oregon St. and is currently in AAA with the Tucson Padres.
- Kitsap comes to Walla Walla after sweeping Cowlitz at home to open the season. The BlueJackets won all three games by one run.
- Last year, the Sweets won all six games against Kitsap, jump-starting their second-half comeback with a sweep at Borleske Stadium in mid-July.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Sweets fall to Corvallis, 12-3
It was another tough night for the Sweets on Saturday. Corvallis raced out to a 5-0 lead and built a 12-1 lead before the Sweets tacked on two late runs for the final margin.
There was some good signs in the game for the Sweets as they hit a team record six doubles.
Here are some other notes from the ballpark:
- Walla Walla's six doubles were the most in a single game in team history. The previous high was five.
- Brett Jacobs had three of the six, becoming the first player in Sweets history to complete that feat. He drove in a run and scored a run in his final game with the Sweets until they return from their first road trip of the season in mid-June. He has to head back to Washington St. to finish up two summer courses.
- J.J. Robinson had a productive night in his Sweets debut. Robinson graduated high school on Friday and then got the start behind the plate last night. After striking out in his first at-bat, Robinson hit a pair of doubles. His first double one-hopped the right field fence.
- Ben Ruff also had a productive day at the plate for the Sweets. He picked up a pair of hits including a leadoff triple to right-center in the eighth inning.
- Walla Walla struggled in the field again on Saturday, committing three errors. The Sweets have made seven in the first two games of the year. Corvallis has yet to make an error.
- One positive from last night was that the Sweets were able to use a couple of arms. Joe Arlt started and lasted only 2 2/3 innings. DJ Smith pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief and was followed by Tyler Billen and Luke West. Billen and West were both throwing in live game action for the first time in nearly two months. That should bode well as the two will get more comfortable on the mound.
- With Jacobs heading back to school for the next week and a half, the Sweets have made another 10-day signing today. Marc Garza from Campbellsville has been signed to take over first base duties in the interim. Garza played two seasons at Walla Walla CC before transferring to Campbellsville this past year. He had 10 doubles and drove in 18 runs for the Tigers.
The Sweets and the Knights conclude their three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. Kyle Kingsley will get the ball. Fireworks follow tonight's contest.
There was some good signs in the game for the Sweets as they hit a team record six doubles.
Here are some other notes from the ballpark:
- Walla Walla's six doubles were the most in a single game in team history. The previous high was five.
- Brett Jacobs had three of the six, becoming the first player in Sweets history to complete that feat. He drove in a run and scored a run in his final game with the Sweets until they return from their first road trip of the season in mid-June. He has to head back to Washington St. to finish up two summer courses.
- J.J. Robinson had a productive night in his Sweets debut. Robinson graduated high school on Friday and then got the start behind the plate last night. After striking out in his first at-bat, Robinson hit a pair of doubles. His first double one-hopped the right field fence.
- Ben Ruff also had a productive day at the plate for the Sweets. He picked up a pair of hits including a leadoff triple to right-center in the eighth inning.
- Walla Walla struggled in the field again on Saturday, committing three errors. The Sweets have made seven in the first two games of the year. Corvallis has yet to make an error.
- One positive from last night was that the Sweets were able to use a couple of arms. Joe Arlt started and lasted only 2 2/3 innings. DJ Smith pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief and was followed by Tyler Billen and Luke West. Billen and West were both throwing in live game action for the first time in nearly two months. That should bode well as the two will get more comfortable on the mound.
- With Jacobs heading back to school for the next week and a half, the Sweets have made another 10-day signing today. Marc Garza from Campbellsville has been signed to take over first base duties in the interim. Garza played two seasons at Walla Walla CC before transferring to Campbellsville this past year. He had 10 doubles and drove in 18 runs for the Tigers.
The Sweets and the Knights conclude their three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. Kyle Kingsley will get the ball. Fireworks follow tonight's contest.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Sweets are back
The Sweets are back in town and the 2012 season is underway. It didn't start off the way that Sweets fans would have hoped, a 6-4 loss to Corvallis is how the scoreboard read after the final out on Friday night. For seven innings the Sweets were in the lead though, but one bad pitch spelled defeat for the boys in white as Austin Barr hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth for the Knights.
Opening Night was filled with great moments and Borleske Stadium was filled with a great crowd. Over 2,000 attended the game on what was a gorgeous evening for baseball; that of course until the rains came in the fifth inning. But many stuck around to see the Sweets rally with three runs in the bottom of the fifth without the benefit of a hit. They also saw Corvallis rip their hearts out again with a late rally.
Some of the other notes from around the ballpark on the first day:
- Kalani Brackenridge is back in town and made another spectacular play at second base. He laid out to catch a line drive off the bat of Dane Lund in the seventh inning. He wasn't as lucky in the eighth as a ground ball scooted off his glove to start the Corvallis rally. It was one of four errors the Sweets would make on the night.
- Brett Jacobs finally was able to play in a live game situation. Hurt during the 2011 spring season at Washington State, Jacobs missed all last summer and all this spring getting healthy. He's finally healthy and picked up a hit, two walks and scored a run in his debut last night. His time with the Sweets will short-lived however, as he must return to Washington St. to finish up two summer school classes; a technical writing English class and an introductory management class.
- Returning catcher Kevin Hawk was apparently injured during his first at-bat and played on a bad leg the rest of the game, hobbling in and out of the dugout. The initial prognosis is a lower body injury that he sustained in warmups and he will be held out of tonight's game in order to get some rest.
- Tyler Roberts put together a strong start, allowing two runs over five innings. He set down the first nine batters to start the game but was touched for two runs on four hits in the fourth inning.
- With the departure of Jacobs following tonight's game, the Sweets are now looking to fill the void they could have at first base. Chance Kopacz and Spencer O'Neil have been taking ground balls at first and Jarrod Turner started Friday at first.
The Sweets and the Knights continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. Joe Arlt from Walla Walla CC will get the start on the mound for Walla Walla.
Opening Night was filled with great moments and Borleske Stadium was filled with a great crowd. Over 2,000 attended the game on what was a gorgeous evening for baseball; that of course until the rains came in the fifth inning. But many stuck around to see the Sweets rally with three runs in the bottom of the fifth without the benefit of a hit. They also saw Corvallis rip their hearts out again with a late rally.
Some of the other notes from around the ballpark on the first day:
- Kalani Brackenridge is back in town and made another spectacular play at second base. He laid out to catch a line drive off the bat of Dane Lund in the seventh inning. He wasn't as lucky in the eighth as a ground ball scooted off his glove to start the Corvallis rally. It was one of four errors the Sweets would make on the night.
- Brett Jacobs finally was able to play in a live game situation. Hurt during the 2011 spring season at Washington State, Jacobs missed all last summer and all this spring getting healthy. He's finally healthy and picked up a hit, two walks and scored a run in his debut last night. His time with the Sweets will short-lived however, as he must return to Washington St. to finish up two summer school classes; a technical writing English class and an introductory management class.
- Returning catcher Kevin Hawk was apparently injured during his first at-bat and played on a bad leg the rest of the game, hobbling in and out of the dugout. The initial prognosis is a lower body injury that he sustained in warmups and he will be held out of tonight's game in order to get some rest.
- Tyler Roberts put together a strong start, allowing two runs over five innings. He set down the first nine batters to start the game but was touched for two runs on four hits in the fourth inning.
- With the departure of Jacobs following tonight's game, the Sweets are now looking to fill the void they could have at first base. Chance Kopacz and Spencer O'Neil have been taking ground balls at first and Jarrod Turner started Friday at first.
The Sweets and the Knights continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05 p.m. Joe Arlt from Walla Walla CC will get the start on the mound for Walla Walla.
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