WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Three Grand Canyon University baseball players are set to make their mark this season with the Walla Walla Sweets in the West Coast League.

Huff, a catcher from Scottsdale, Arizona, is a versatile player who excels both behind the plate and at bat. The Arizona transfer spent two seasons with the Wildcats but appeared in just two games before transferring to Grand Canyon this year. In high school, the left-handed batter hit over .350 while displaying plus defense, earning all-district honors twice. Huff is eager for the opportunity in Walla Walla.

“I’m looking forward to playing in some competitive games this summer and meeting new teammates,” Huff said.

Huff comes from a strong baseball lineage. His father, Tim, played at GCU before moving on to the Toronto Blue Jays organization, while his brother, Kody, currently plays in the Cleveland Guardians system after being drafted in the seventh round. Huff looks to use his experience to enhance the Sweets this summer.

Troy Sanders, primarily a second baseman who also plays shortstop, is another Lope set to make an impact. The Tucson, Arizona, native is a sophomore at GCU and has become a full-time starter this season. Through eight games, he is hitting an impressive .360, helping the Lopes to a 5-3 start. In high school at Catalina Foothills, Sanders hit .366 as a senior and helped lead his team to a state championship in 2023. He looks forward to bringing that winning mentality to Walla Walla.

“I chose the Sweets because Washington is a beautiful place, and the West Coast League is one of the best summer leagues around,” Sanders said.

Like Huff, Sanders has a professional baseball connection. His father, Anthony Sanders, played 13 MLB games, including 10 with the Seattle Mariners in 2000 and 2001. Troy Sanders keeps it in the family with a return to Washington for a season with the Sweets.

Rounding out the trio is shortstop Billy Scaldeferri, a Las Vegas native. The sophomore did not play during his freshman season but has already started in two games this year, notching his first collegiate hit earlier this month. At Bishop Gorman High School, Scaldeferri hit over .300 and helped lead the Gaels to a state title in his senior season.

Like both Sanders and Huff, Scaldeferri credits his father, William, for introducing him to the game.

“The main person who got me into baseball was my dad. He taught me the alphabet when I was young by writing letters on whiffle balls, testing me on them, and then putting it on the tee for me to hit when I got it right. It all started right there,” Scaldeferri said.

Now, he looks to spell out plenty of H-R’s and hit plenty of balls into the stands this summer in Walla Walla.

Fans can catch all three players in action throughout the season. Season passes are on sale now, with the Sweets’ home opener set for June 6 against the Ridgefield Raptors.