In yesterday’s ballgame the Sweets trailed by seven runs after just three innings, a hole that proved too large to climb out of. In today’s ballgame the same scenario presented themselves to the Sweets.

In the top of the third inning the Sweets struck first for their first lead of the series. Andrew Demianew reached to open the frame on an error by the third baseman and advanced to second on the play. Cole Rogers followed with a single, moving Demianew to third. Trevor Tse then worked a walk to load the bases, and Gunner Geile drew another free pass to force in Demianew for an unearned run.

Dominic Cadiz battled through a long at-bat but was retired on a pop-up to second for the first out. The rally came to a sudden halt moments later when Owen Estabrook tapped a ball back to the mound, leading to a 1-2-2-3 double play that ended the inning.

In the bottom of the frame the Elks got the one run back and then some. Brodey Bitove led off the inning with a walk, and Dawson Santana followed with a single. After a hit batter loaded the bases, Makoa Sniffen and Auggie Lopez each drove in runs to start the scoring. Zach Carlson added a two-run single, and Bitove, batting for the second time in the frame, laced an RBI single of his own. The Sweets made a pitching change, but the damage continued.

Santana, in his second plate appearance of the inning, added another RBI single, while Cannon Reeder delivered a double to drive home two more. A throwing error extended the inning, and by the time the dust settled, Bend had hung a 10-spot on the scoreboard, their biggest inning of the season.

In the bottom of the sixth the Elks added on. Zach Carlson led off with a single and moved to second on a base hit by Ryan Vandenbrink. Benji Solano followed with a single to load the bases before Brodey Bitove drew a walk to force in a run. After a strikeout, Cannon Reeder drove in two more on a fielder’s choice as the Sweets couldn’t turn the double play. Makoa Sniffen ended the inning with a flyout to right, but the damage had already been done as Bend extended its lead.

In the top of the 7th the Sweets showed some offensive presence. Nikhil Beasley led off with a single and advanced to second on a walk to Andrew Demianew. After a pitching change, Cole Rogers singled to load the bases. Trevor Tse followed with a base hit to bring in Beasley. Dominic Cadiz kept the inning alive with an RBI single to score Rogers. Cadiz’ hit extends his hitting streak to 18 games. Still the three run top of the frame was only a drop in the bucket of a score that turned into a 14-4 Elks as ultimately Bend took game two with a double digit victory. 

The Sweets have now lost three straight WCL matchups while the Elks have won five straight. Tomorrow is the last game in the first half of the season for the Sweets. First pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Thursday, with coverage beginning at 5:50 on the Walla Walla Sweets Mixlr channel.