WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Bend tied the game at four in the seventh, but that didn’t get the Sweets down. Walla Walla brought home two runs in the eighth inning and held on to win in the ninth to beat the Elks 6-5. It is the fourth win for the Sweets this season with the winning run scored in the eighth inning or later.

With a runner on second and one out, Logan Meyer entered the game as a pinch hitter and muscled a jam shot on the hands over the mound and to the shortstop for an infield single. Bend’s shortstop, Vinny Salvione, overthrew first though allowing Kolby Felix to score from second and Meyer to get into scoring position as well.

After a strikeout, another error from Salvione extended the inning and put runners on the corners. David Mysza then brought home the eventual winning run with an RBI single that also rolled over the mound, scoring Meyer.

In the top of the ninth, the Elks gave it their best shot and prolonging the game. The first three batters all reached with two singles and walk to load the bases. A sacrifice fly brought home a run, bringing Bend within one of Walla Walla.

The rally ended there though as a ball was grounded and to third and the Sweets turned their first double play of the game to win 6-5.

The game started off very dominant for the Sweets. Josh Aribal made his third start of the season and faced the minimum through four innings. The lone blemish on his start was a hit by pitch that was erased with a caught stealing to end the inning. Other than that, Aribal was perfect and struck out seven batters, one off his season high.

The Sweets scored four runs in the first two innings to jump out to a big lead. Back-to-back RBI singles from Andrew Graham and JJ Moran scored two runs in the first, and then an RBI hit by pitch and wild pitch scored the other two in the second.

Bend tied the game with a run in the fifth and three runs in the top of the seventh.

With the win, the Sweets improve to 5-11 on the year and even up the series one game apiece. The rubber match is tomorrow as the Sweets look to win their first series of the year. First pitch is set for 6:35 and fans can find the Sweets’ coverage of the game on the Sweets YouTube channel.