WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The Sweets signed three more players back from 2023, adding Winston Roberts, Mason Millar and Lucas Stutesman to the roster. All three of them are from Walla Walla Community College and can’t wait to get back to stay in town for another summer under the sun.

Roberts, a sophomore at WWCC, threw in six games for the Sweets last season. After a bit of a shaky debut, Roberts put together three consistent appearances out of the bullpen in the middle of the season, tossing 3.2 innings with only one unearned crossing the plate in that time. He also struck out two batters in those three games.

The 2024 season has yet to start for the Warriors, but in 2023, Roberts made 12 appearances out of the bullpen and one start. The lone start on the year ended up being a 10.1 inning complete game that Roberts unfortunately lost to the Yakima Valley Yaks 5-4. Roberts got a win in his collegiate debut, tossing four innings in relief as the Warriors beat the Chemeketa Storm 3-2 in 10 innings. To add on to his 1-1 record, Roberts recorded one save against the Wenatchee Valley Knights.

“Walla Walla has become a second home for me,” said Roberts. “I’ve had the ability to form connections through WWCC and the Sweets that I can carry with me in the future. I’m excited to have the opportunity to play with former teammates and in front of a home crowd as supportive as the Sweets’ fan base. It sure is sweet to be back.”

Millar, also a sophomore, played 20 games for the Sweets in 2023, splitting time as a third baseman and designated hitter. Millar collected 11 hits over those games, and scored more often than when he reached base. He had two multi-hit games for the Sweets, with the second coming in Walla Walla’s 10-1 victory over the Ridgefield Raptors.

Millar did not see any action in his first season with Warriors in 2023. Millar grew up in Boise, Idaho, and graduated from Capital High School in 2022. In his senior season with the Golden Eagles, Millar batted .393 with 15 RBI, six doubles, two triples, and three home runs.

“It feels amazing to be returning to the team this summer,” said Millar. “Last year was a great experience and I can’t wait to see what 2024 has for the Sweets.”

Stutesman, another sophomore, started five games for the Sweets in 2023 and made four more appearances out of the bullpen. Stutesman posted a 1-2 record with a 4.88 ERA. His win came in the final game of the season: tossing six innings and only allowing two runs, one of which was unearned, on four hits while striking out seven. The righty from Richland, Washington, struck out a total of 16 batters in 2023 over the course of 27.2 innings pitched.

Stutesman will play his first season for the WWCC Warriors in 2024, after missing the 2022 and 2023 seasons and beginning his collegiate career with the Grays Harbor Chokers in 2021. In his freshman season, Stutesman made five starts and posted a 3-2 record. He had 21 punchouts over 17.1 innings for an average of over a strikeout an inning.

“I am really excited to be back for the 2024 season with the Sweets,” said Stutesman. “It brought me some of my best baseball memories and experiences. My favorite memory from last year was the anthem stand-off in Bend where Cam Soliz and I stood for eight innings saluting the flag until the Elks pitcher couldn’t take it anymore! Roll Sweets.”