In yesterday’s ballgame the Sweets pitching was excellent and in today’s contest it was no different. From the get go Sweets starting pitcher Ben Reimers faced the minimum through two innings and allowed just one run in the third frame. The Stanford pitcher finished his day through four innings allowing just one earned with seven strikeouts and four walks. That seven strikeout number is more than his entire season combined up until this point. 

In the bottom of the first inning the Sweets struck first. Landon Young worked a four-pitch walk and moved to second on a double down the line from Dominic Cadiz. Young came around to score the game’s first run on the play. After a walk to Tanner Kern and a wild pitch advanced both runners, Walla Walla’s rally was cut short. Tanner Kern was caught stealing for the second out and Nikhil Beasley struck out to end the inning with the Sweets up 1-0.

In the bottom of the third inning with the score leveled at one Walla Walla did not let the tie last long. Landon Young tripled to deep right-center with one out and then came home on a passed ball to extend Walla Walla’s lead on a do it yourself circling of the bases. Dominic Cadiz drew a walk and Tanner Kern doubled to left, but Cadiz was thrown out at the plate on a picturesque relay from center to end the inning.

In the fifth frame the Sweets extended the lead with a crooked number. Andrew Demianew led off with a single to left, but was erased on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Cole Rogers. Rogers then swiped second and third before Landon Young drew a walk. After a pitching change, Nate Stiveson doubled down the left field line, bringing home both Rogers and Young. Stiveson was later caught stealing third for the second out, and Dominic Cadiz walked, but was also thrown out trying to steal to end the inning with the Sweets on top 4-1.

In the sixth Walla Walla notched yet another run. Tanner Kern popped out to start the inning, but Nikhil Beasley worked a walk and Jacob Talbott followed with a free pass of his own. After a strikeout, Andrew Demianew drew another walk to load the bases. Cole Rogers followed with a bases-loaded walk to bring home Beasley and extend the Sweets lead to 5-1. 

The Sweets pitching did the rest to close the door. Issac Hallam followed Reimers with a perfect inning and three punchouts. Jared Glenn contributed three scoreless frames with five strikeouts, and Trevor Stowe closed it out with a clean ninth, adding one more strikeout. The staff combined to walk four on the night with sixteen strikeouts as the Sweets finished off the Pippins 5-1.

With the win the Sweets can win the Battle of the Basin with a win tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Sunday, with coverage beginning at 5:45 on the Walla Walla Sweets YouTube channel.