WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Three more players join the Walla Walla Sweets, bringing the team roster up to 26. Otho Savage will make his return to Walla Walla while Cort MacDonald and JJ Moran make their Sweets debut, both representing Stanford University.

Savage, a right-handed pitcher from Twin Falls, Idaho, is a sophomore at Blue Mountain Community College. This season with the Timberwolves, Savage has started six games and posted a 2-0 record. He has an ERA of 2.80 and has struck out out 25 batters over 35.1 innings of work. Savage leads BMCC in games started and innings pitched and is second on the team in strikeouts and ERA.

Savage is coming back to Walla Walla for his second season, bringing the number of 2023 returners up to 14. Last season with the Sweets, Savage made four starts and three appearances out of the bullpen. Savage’s best outing was July 28 at Yakima Valley, tossing 5.1 innings and only allowing two runs off two hits and striking out four batters.

“I’m super excited to play for the Sweets again this summer because it was such an amazing experience last summer,” said Savage. “I absolutely loved the stadium, the amazing field, the great coaching, the super nice staff and amazing fans. Along with that, it was great to face such good competition and play with such amazing players all summer!”

MacDonald, an outfielder from Arlington, Texas, is a sophomore at Stanford University. This season, MacDonald has played in all but one game for the Cardinal and leads the team with a batting average of .330. He has recorded 32 hits so far, with four for doubles and three home runs. MacDonald is a threat on the basepaths as well, leading the team with seven stolen bases.

Before attending Stanford, MacDonald was a five-sport athlete at Pantego Christian Academy, playing golf, baseball, football, basketball, and track. Among multiple accolades in high school, including all-state nominations and district titles, MacDonald is the single-season batting champion at Pantego Christian Academy and set the record for both the 4×100 and 4×400 races in track.

While 2024 will be his first season with the Sweets, this is MacDonald’s third season in summer ball. Last year, he played 29 games for the Eau Claire Express out of the Northwoods League and batted .313. In 2022, MacDonald made his summer league debut with the Lincoln Potters out of the California Collegiate League. In just 11 games, MacDonald batted .313 as well.

“I’m super excited to be a part of the Walla Walla Sweets this summer,” said MacDonald. “Playing summer ball is huge for the development and growth, and I’ve heard Walla Walla is not only a great place for that, but for meeting guys from across the country and competing for a summer ball championship. I’m looking forward to my time in Walla Walla, and can’t wait to be a Sweet.”

Moran, a shortstop from San Marcos, California, is a senior at San Marcos High School and is currently committed to Stanford University. This season with the Knights, Moran has played all 12 games and currently has a batting average of .474, the highest on the team. Moran also leads the team in hits, doubles, home runs, RBI, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Moran announced his commitment to Stanford in February of 2023 as a junior and is set to start there in the fall. Moran said Stanford offered the best of both worlds when it came to athletics and academics and it just felt right during his visit.

This will be Moran’s first season in summer league baseball.

“I’m super excited to be a Sweet this summer,” said Moran. “I can’t wait to be part of this organization and help the team in every way I can. Go Sweets!”