KELOWNA, B.C. (June 10, 2026) – One night after a tough road trip opener, the Walla Walla Sweets flipped the script in a big way.

Behind six strong innings from Anthony Leo, a lights-out bullpen and a five-run ninth inning, the Sweets bounced back with a 9-1 win over the Kelowna Falcons on Wednesday night at Elks Stadium.

Leo set the tone on the mound, picking up his first win as a Sweet after allowing just one run on three hits across six innings. The right-hander walked only one, struck out five and kept Walla Walla in control throughout his outing.

The Sweets got on the board first in the second inning. Gunner Geile reached base and came around to score when Logan Nakamura drew a bases-loaded walk, giving Walla Walla an early 1-0 lead.

Kelowna tied the game in the fifth, but the Sweets answered right back in the sixth. Hunter Allen, making his first start of the summer, reached base and came around to score on an RBI double from Sam Kane, putting Walla Walla back in front 2-1.

That sixth-inning run also came with a fun connection in the dugout. Allen and Leo were spring teammates at Mt. Hood Community College, while Sweets pitching coach Korey Kier also coaches at Mt. Hood.

Walla Walla added more breathing room in the seventh. Mateo Rickman reached and later scored on an RBI single from Isaac Torres, while Geile also came around to score later in the inning to stretch the lead to 4-1.

From there, the bullpen made sure the lead held.

Charlie Seneker continued his strong start to the summer with two scoreless innings, needing just 14 pitches to get through the seventh and eighth. Trevor Stowe then handled the ninth, striking out one in a clean inning to finish off the win.

Together, Leo, Seneker and Stowe held Kelowna to three hits and one walk while striking out six.

The Sweets put the game away in the ninth with their best inning of the night. Rickman, Trevor Tse, Geile and Torres all reached as Walla Walla kept the line moving, with Torres driving in another run on his second RBI single of the game.

Then Austin Owens delivered the big swing, ripping a three-run triple to clear the bases and push the lead to 8-1. Allen followed with an RBI groundout to bring Owens home and cap the five-run frame.

Torres finished with two hits, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base, while Geile reached three times, scored three runs and stole three bases. Owens drove in three with the ninth-inning triple, and Rickman scored twice.

Walla Walla was also active on the bases all night, stealing seven bags as a team. Geile led the way with three, while Rickman, Torres, Owens and Gaines Haussin each added one.

After opening the Canadian road trip with a loss Tuesday night, the Sweets responded with one of their most complete wins of the season, combining strong pitching, clean defense, aggressive baserunning and a late offensive burst.

The Sweets look to close the series strong on Thursday, June 11, against the Kelowna Falcons. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Elks Stadium.