KAMLOOPS, B.C. (June 12, 2026) – Sam Kane gave the Sweets one of their biggest swings of the night Friday, but Walla Walla came up short in the opener of its three-game series against the Kamloops NorthPaws.

Kane homered for the first time as a Sweet and later added an RBI triple, while Austin Owens extended his on-base streak to 12 games in a 9-5 loss at Norbrock Stadium.

Kamloops jumped ahead early with two runs in the first inning and added another in the fourth, but Walla Walla started to work its way back in the fifth. Gunner Geile doubled and later came around to score on an RBI groundout from Landon Runyan, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

The Sweets got all the way back in the sixth.

Owens reached base to start the inning, and Kane followed with the loudest swing of his young Sweets career, launching a two-run homer to tie the game at 3-3. The home run was Kane’s first with Walla Walla and gave the Sweets a fresh push midway through the night.

Kamloops moved back in front in the bottom half and added on in the seventh, but Walla Walla kept battling into the ninth.

Owens once again got aboard, keeping his on-base streak alive at 12 games to start the summer. Kane then drove him in with a triple, finishing off a three-RBI night. Mateo Rickman followed with an RBI groundout to bring Kane home and make it 9-5.

Kane finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, two runs scored and three RBIs. Geile added a double and scored, while Owens scored twice and continued to be a steady presence on base.

On the mound, DJ Kauahi got the start and struck out four over four innings. Andrew Cohen followed with two innings out of the bullpen, allowing two runs while striking out four. Blake Moore finished the night with a scoreless eighth inning.

The Sweets pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts, continuing to miss bats even on a tougher night overall.

Walla Walla will look to bounce back Saturday, June 13, as the series continues against Kamloops at Norbrock Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.