The Sweets were swept by the Elks in a three game series back in early July over at Bend but at home Walla Walla changed the tune. However the Elks did strike first in the second inning. Zach Carlson singled to right and advanced to second on a groundout by Vinny Salvione. And later raced to third on a single. A wild pitch during Benji Solano’s at-bat brought Carlson home for the game’s first run, before Solano grounded out to short to end the inning.

In the home half the Sweets responded. After a quick couple of outs Trevor Tse kept the inning alive with a single to right. Andrew Demianew was then hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second and Cole Rogers then singled to center, driving in Tse and tying up the scoreline at 1-1.

In the top of the third Sweets starting pitcher Alex Jennings worked in and out of some trouble. With the bases loaded and one out Jennings dialed up a strikeout against Teddy Tokheim and induced a lineout to center to get out of the jam. Jennings finished his day through five innings allowing just the one run with six strikeouts. 

In the sixth with Sam Nicholson out on the hill the Elks came alive offensively. Teddy Tokheim drew a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Zach Carlson then singled to right, advancing Tokheim to third and taking second himself. Another wild pitch let Carlson advance to third and brought Tokheim home to score. Vinny Salvione walked and Carlson later scored on a wild pitch while Salvione was out at second. The inning continued as Benji Solano singled to right and Jack Laffitte then doubled to center, driving in two more runs. When the dust settled the Sweets trailed the Elks 5-1 in the sixth. 

However in the home half the Sweets did not wait long to respond. Gunner Geile walked to start the inning, and Billy Scaldeferri followed with another walk. After Nikhil Beasley struck out, a wild pitch advanced both runners before Isaiah Chacon hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Geile.

Chris Tsouras then walked and Trevor Tse singled to right, driving in Scaldeferri to inch the SWeets closer now down 5-3. Andrew Demianew then walked to load the bases. During Cole Rogers’ at-bat, a wild pitch let Tsouras score. Rogers then doubled to center, bringing home Tse and Demianew to give the Sweets a narrow 6-5 lead. 

In the seventh inning the Elks threw a punch right back. Jace Miller led off with a double to left and moved to third on a wild pitch. Teddy Tokheim then singled to center, scoring Miller. Vinny Salvione followed with a single to center, driving in Tokheim and recapturing the lead 7-6. 

After the seventh inning stretch Walla Walla tied it right back up. Billy Scaldeferri singled to center, and Nikhil Beasley followed with an infield bunt single to put two on. Isaiah Chacon then walked to load the bases. Trevor Tse then reached on a fielder’s choice, bringing home Scaldeferri while Chacon was forced out at second. Andrew Demianew was hit by a pitch to reload the bases, but Cole Rogers grounded out to third to end the inning and the threat all knotted up at seven.

In the eighth the Sweets surged ahead. Esteban Olazaba walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gunner Geile. Billy Scaldeferri was then hit by a pitch. After Nikhil Beasley flew out to center, moving Olazaba to third, Isaiah Chacon singled to right to bring Olazaba home and send Scaldeferri to third. The Sweets could not add on but took the 8-7 lead heading into the ninth. 

In the top of the ninth Jared Glenn came back out for his second inning of work with a chance for his first save opportunity of the year. With a runner on third and one out Glenn dialed up a strikeout and a weak popup to first to end the inning and the game as the Sweets beat the Elks 8-7. 

Tomorrow the Sweets have a chance to win the series with a 6:35 p.m first pitch. We will be live on the video broadcast at 6:15, you can find that on the Walla Walla Sweets Youtube Channel.