WALLA WALLA, Wash. – A strong Whitman presence is set to take the field at Borleske Stadium this summer, as Jonah Chang, Owen Godinez, Nate Petz, and Landon Runyan bring the Blues to the Walla Walla Sweets for the 2026 West Coast League season.

Chang brings experience from outside the Northwest after spending last summer with the Concord Zephyrs of the Pacific Empire League. The Whitman sophomore from Victoria, British Columbia, is expected to contribute across the infield and looks forward to continuing his time at Borleske Stadium this summer.

“I am most excited to play some warm weather baseball at beautiful Borleske Stadium,” Chang said.

Few players have a stronger connection to Walla Walla than Owen Godinez. The left-handed pitcher, a Whitman freshman and Walla Walla High School graduate, returns to the Sweets after making eight appearances last summer. Now back in a familiar environment, Godinez is eager to continue developing in front of his hometown crowd.

“My dad first got me into baseball when I was five years old and signed me up for tee ball,” Godinez said. “I’m very excited to be back at Borleske in the summer playing in front of the best fans and people in Walla Walla.”

Petz made an immediate impact during his freshman season at Whitman, emerging as one of the Blues’ most productive bats. The sophomore utility player from West Sacramento, California hit .338 with six doubles, four triples, and two home runs while appearing in 27 games, showing the ability to contribute both behind the plate and across the infield.

“The Giants got me into baseball,” Petz said. “I’m most excited about playing at home on the Fourth of July, I’ve heard it’s super cool.”

Runyan’s path to Whitman has come full circle. After beginning his collegiate career at UC San Diego and later playing at Golden West College, the redshirt sophomore outfielder now joins the Blues with a built-in connection to the program. His brother Garrett previously played at Whitman and spent time with the Sweets, giving Runyan an early glimpse into the Walla Walla baseball experience.

“I’m excited about the energy at the stadiums,” Runyan said. “I heard a lot about the west coast energy from my brother Garrett Runyan who also played for the Sweets.”

Chang, Godinez, Petz, and Runyan will join the Sweets for West Coast League action, with Walla Walla opening the 2026 season on the road against the Yakima Valley Pippins on May 29 before hosting the Corvallis Knights at Borleske Stadium on June 2.