WALLA WALLA, Wash. – A pair of college roommates and a crafty left-handed pitcher are gearing up for a summer with the Walla Walla Sweets.

Lewis-Clark State’s Levi Anderson, along with Columbia’s Lucas Dixon and Owen Estabrook, are ready for a competitive season in the West Coast League with the Sweets.

Anderson, a freshman pitcher from Moscow, Idaho, currently plays for the Lewis-Clark State Warriors. Last year at Moscow High School, the left-hander posted an ERA under 1.50, averaged eight strikeouts per appearance and was named the 2024 All-State Pitcher of the Year. Anderson utilizes an untraditional pitch mix, throwing only a two-seam fastball, curveball and changeup—a pitch he recently developed.

“I started developing a changeup this year. It was a big emphasis to get a changeup going real quick,” Anderson said.

A starting pitcher throughout high school, Anderson said he is open to any role the team needs this season. He attributes his success on the mound to his approach to attacking hitters.

“You can think about what it would be like to be a hitter and what they would be looking for. Then, you can target their flaws and go after what they aren’t expecting,” he said.

Anderson looks to keep hitters off balance all season with his two-seam fastball, lefty delivery and strategic mindset.

Up next is another pitcher, Lucas Dixon. The Columbia University sophomore missed his freshman season due to injury. A right-hander from Pasadena, California, Dixon said the change in climate has given him a greater appreciation for the sport.

“It’s tough here to get out. It’s a lot more limited, so I’ve realized not to take baseball for granted and to maximize the time I have,” Dixon said.

Unlike Anderson, Dixon throws a four-seam fastball in addition to a two-seam, changeup, curveball and slider. A former team captain at St. Francis High School in Pasadena, Dixon throws at a velocity of more than 90 mph. One thing he’s most excited about this summer is experiencing the Walla Walla fanbase.

“I’ve heard the fans are really awesome, and I haven’t really been able to pitch in front of a lot of fans. So, I’m just excited. I like how the community comes together and supports the team,” he said.

Dixon is sure to give the crowd plenty to cheer about this summer.

Finally, Dixon’s roommate at Columbia, Owen Estabrook, will serve as a key piece behind the plate. The catcher played in 31 games last season for the Lions, posting a .259 batting average, a .407 slugging percentage and throwing out 10 baserunners. Despite being widely regarded as the most demanding position in baseball, Estabrook embraces the challenge.

“I enjoy it. I like the challenge of catching. I like to think of it as the hardest position on the field,” Estabrook said. “What I really like is that you’re in the play every pitch. There’s no downtime as a catcher—something is always going on.”

Estabrook is known for his elite defense, committing just two errors all season. However, stats and accolades mean less to him than his role as a teammate.

“It’s important to get better at your own personal skills, but really, it’s about gelling as a team and picking up my teammates as my good friends and family,” he said.

Estabrook, along with Dixon and Anderson, looks to build chemistry this summer with the Sweets. Fans can catch all three players in action throughout the season. Season passes are on sale now, with the Sweets’ first home game set for June 6 against the Ridgefield Raptors.