KAMLOOPS, B.C. (June 14, 2026) – The Walla Walla Sweets made sure the long trip back across the border would feel a little better.

After two tough games to open the series in Kamloops, the Sweets jumped ahead early and held on late for an 8-5 win over the NorthPaws on Sunday afternoon at Norbrock Stadium, closing out both the series and their six-game Canadian road trip on a high note.

Walla Walla got started right away in the first inning. Mateo Rickman reached base and came around to score on an RBI double from Troy Osborne, giving the Sweets a quick 1-0 lead.

The offense added more in the second behind one of the loudest swings of the day. Landon Runyan reached base, and Austin Owens followed by launching a two-run home run to give Walla Walla a 3-0 advantage. The homer was Owens’ second of the season and gave the Sweets an early cushion.

Walla Walla kept building from there. Gunner Geile scored on an RBI single from Gaines Haussin in the third, and the Sweets added two more runs in the fourth. Sam Kane brought home Bo Stinson with an RBI groundout before Rickman doubled in Trevor Tse to make it 6-0.

Kamloops chipped away in the middle innings, but Walla Walla added two important insurance runs in the eighth. Owens and Tse both came around to score as Rickman put the ball in play, stretching the lead to 8-4.

Those runs proved helpful late, and the Sweets were able to finish off the win from there.

Owens led the way with three hits, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Rickman finished with two hits and three RBIs. Osborne added two hits and drove in a pair, and Haussin also brought in a run as Walla Walla finished with 11 hits as a team.

Geile added a double and a run scored, while Runyan reached base, scored and stole a bag. Rickman also added a stolen base.

On the mound, Curtis Ellis got the start on his 21st birthday and gave Walla Walla six solid innings. He struck out six and did not issue a walk, helping the Sweets stay in control through the first half of the afternoon.

Tyler Smith followed with two innings out of the bullpen, striking out two while allowing just one run. Carson McKinney handled the ninth, working around traffic to close out the win.

The victory helped the Sweets finish the Canadian road trip with a 3-3 record after taking two of three in Kelowna and closing the Kamloops series with a win.

The Sweets will return home Tuesday, June 16, to open a series against the Marion Berries at Borleske Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.