WALLA WALLA, Wash. (June 23, 2026) – Curtis Ellis gave the Walla Walla Sweets his longest collegiate outing yet Tuesday night as the club opened its final homestand of the first half at Borleske Stadium.

Ellis worked into the eighth inning, Sam Kane launched his team-leading fourth home run of the summer and Royce Hale added another extra-base hit, but the Sweets fell 5-2 to the Springfield Drifters in the series opener.

Walla Walla got started quickly in the bottom of the first. Gage Reeser reached base and advanced into scoring position before Royce Hale doubled off the right-field wall. Troy Osborne followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Reeser home and giving the Sweets an early 1-0 lead.

The double was Hale’s sixth extra-base hit in just seven games since joining Walla Walla. He finished the night with a hit and a walk, continuing to provide a steady presence in the heart of the order.

Springfield tied the game in the third, but Ellis kept the Drifters quiet from there and settled into his best start of the summer.

The right-hander worked efficiently throughout the middle innings, consistently attacking the strike zone and allowing the Sweets to stay in control of a tight game. He issued only one walk and needed just 83 pitches to record 22 outs.

Kane put Walla Walla back in front in the sixth, driving the first pitch he saw over the fence for a solo home run and a 2-1 advantage.

The blast was Kane’s fourth of the summer, moving him into a tie for fifth place on the West Coast League home run leaderboard. He has now homered four times over his last 10 games after hitting his first as a Sweet during the Canadian road trip.

Springfield moved ahead with three runs in the eighth and added another in the ninth to create the final margin.

Ellis finished with a career-long 7.1 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits. He struck out one and walked only one in a steady 83-pitch performance.

Alex Cohen recorded the final five outs and struck out two while throwing 20 of his 29 pitches for strikes.

At the plate, Osborne added a hit and an RBI, while Hale doubled and Kane homered. Trevor Tse reached twice on walks, and Landon Young also worked a walk and stole a base.

The Sweets were held to three hits overall, but received another encouraging start from Ellis and continued to see extra-base production from two of their hottest hitters.

Walla Walla continue the series against Springfield on Wednesday, June 24. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Borleske Stadium.