SPRINGFIELD, Oregon — The Sweets opened the 2025 season on the right foot with a 7-5 win over the Springfield Drifters. It marked Walla Walla’s first Opening Day victory since 2021.

Walla Walla scratched the scoreboard first off the bat of Caleb Richter. In the second inning, Richter hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Tanner Kern for the first run of the 2025 season.

In the third inning, the Sweets put the pedal to the metal. Leadoff hitter Tristan Schaefer drove in a run on a bouncer to second. But the Sweets weren’t done yet. The nine-hole hitter Nigel Fahland turned on the jets and touched home after a passed ball behind the plate. All three runs up to that point came from either a productive out or a Drifters error, highlighting Walla Walla’s ability to manufacture offense and capitalize on miscues.

On the other side, pitcher Levi Anderson was making quick work of the Springfield lineup, retiring the first nine batters he faced. Anderson finished the day allowing two earned runs across four solid innings, setting the tone early with his command and poise on the mound.

In the fifth inning, the Sweets continued to play team baseball. Tristan Schaefer notched another RBI with a fly ball to right field, and shortstop Landon Young added to the tally with an infield single that scored a run. Walla Walla concluded the scoring in the inning with a bases-loaded walk, stretching the lead to 6-2 after five.

In the seventh, the Sweets added one more insurance run. Designated hitter Zane Bidwell flared a ball to shallow center field with the infield playing in, driving in a run and pushing the lead to 7-4 heading into the late innings.

To close out the game, first-year head coach Colby Watilo handed the ball to veteran right-hander Kolby Solomon. The Lewis-Clark State College product is in his fourth season with the Sweets after previously playing two full years in Walla Walla and returning last summer on a 10-day contract.

Solomon ran into some trouble in the ninth, surrendering the game’s only home run to Drifters designated hitter Dylan Carson. With one out and runners on first and second, Solomon dialed in and responded with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game and lock down the 7-5 win.

Despite recording the final two outs via strikeout, Solomon gave credit to the players behind him.

“I just knew that I had the boys behind me, and as long as I get a fastball over the plate, something good is going to happen,” Solomon said.

The Sweets can secure a series win with a victory tomorrow at the Hamlin Sports Complex in Springfield, Oregon. The probable pitcher for Walla Walla is right-hander Tre Morse out of Gonzaga University. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m., and coverage begins 10 minutes prior to gametime on Mixlr.