WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Three more players return to Walla Walla for another summer under the sun at Borleske Stadium. Hayden Driggs, Caiden Thomsen, and Kennedy Hara all made their Sweets debut last year and are ready for 2024.

Driggs, a redshirt junior from Saint Mary’s College, caught 10 games for the Sweets in 2023. Driggs made his debut July 6 in an interdivisional game against the Victoria HarbourCats. In his second at bat of the game, Driggs got his first hit as a Sweet, a single to center field that was bobbled by the centerfielder, which allowed two runs to score and tie the game. Driggs finished the season slashing .182/.300/.182.

With the Gaels, Driggs missed all of 2023 due to an injury. He was medically redshirted to preserve a year of eligibility. In his freshman season, Driggs caught 33 games and made 10 starts. At the plate, he slashed .250/.351/.313 and recorded eight RBI’s. The 2024 season has yet to start for SMC, with their season opener scheduled for Friday, February 16, against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.

Thomsen, a freshman from the University of Portland, pitched three innings across two games for the Sweets in 2023. Thomsen made his debut for the Sweets July 27 against the Bend Elks, having just graduated from Kamiakin High School in Richland, Washington, a couple months prior. Thomsen struck out two Elk batters in his one inning of work.

Coming out of high school, Thomsen was a top 10 left-handed pitcher out of the state of Washington in the class of 2023. This year, the Portland Pilots also haven’t begun their schedule with the opener also on Friday, February 16, against the San Diego State Aztecs.

“I’m super excited to come back and play for the town I was born and raised,” said Thomsen. “[I] grew up watching these games and now to play for the Sweets is a blessing.”

Hara, a sophomore out of Colorado Mesa University, played 37 games for Sweets in 2023, mostly at second base and usually leading off in the batting order. Hara played in the third most games for Walla Walla last season. Hara’s Sweets debut was June 9 against the Ridgefield Raptors, with his first hit being an RBI single to tie the game at 3. The Sweets went on to win 4-3. Hara had 11 multi-hit games. His best game was against the Yakima Valley Pippins on June 25, going 4-for-6 with two RBI. At the end of the season, Hara was an honorable mention to the All-WCL team.

Unlike Saint Mary’s and Portland, the Colorado Mesa Mavericks have started their 2024 season. Through two games, Hara already has an RBI with a sacrifice fly against Rollins College. In his freshman season in 2023, Hara played in 40 games, making 29 starts and slashing .367/.475/.653.