RIDGEFIELD, Wash. (June 20, 2026) – Saturday night turned into another tight battle between the Walla Walla Sweets and the top team in the WCL South.

Mateo Rickman launched his first home run of the summer, and the Sweets pitching staff held Ridgefield to five hits, but Walla Walla came up one run short in a 3-2 loss at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

The Sweets fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, but Charles Rogers III settled in quickly after the early damage. The right-hander allowed only one hit over his final three innings, keeping Walla Walla close and giving the offense time to respond.

That response came in the fourth.

Royce Hale started the inning with a single before Rickman stepped in and sent a two-run home run into the Raptors’ scoreboard, tying the game at 2-2. The blast was Rickman’s first as a Sweet and continued a strong start that had already seen him collect several extra-base hits and key RBIs.

Ridgefield moved back ahead with an unearned run in the fifth, but the Sweets continued to put runners on base and stayed within one through the final inning.

Walla Walla had six different players record hits. Gage Reeser added the first extra-base hit of his Sweets career with a double, while Gaines Haussin and Austin Owens also doubled. Gunner Geile chipped in a hit and a walk, and Payton Knowles reached twice on walks from the top of the order.

Reeser’s double continued an encouraging start to his summer after he reached base three times and drove in two runs in Friday’s series opener.

On the mound, Rogers finished with four innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out two. Tyler Smith followed with two innings and did not allow an earned run, keeping the Sweets within striking distance.

Andrew Cohen then delivered two scoreless innings to close the night, allowing just one hit and striking out two.

Together, the Walla Walla pitching staff allowed only two earned runs and five hits, giving the Sweets another chance to win late against the division leaders.

After a pair of one-run games to begin the series, the Sweets will look to finish the weekend with a win Sunday, June 21. First pitch against Ridgefield is set for 1:05 p.m. at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.