BEND, Ore. (June 30, 2026) – The Walla Walla Sweets opened the second half of the season with their best pitching performance of the summer.

Curtis Ellis tossed six shutout innings, three relievers combined to finish the job and the Sweets blanked the Bend Elks 2-0 on Tuesday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

The victory gave Walla Walla its first shutout of the season and opened the three-game series with a win.

Ellis was in control from the start. The right-hander allowed only three hits across six innings, did not issue a walk and struck out six. He needed just 68 pitches to record 18 outs, throwing 51 strikes and keeping Bend off the scoreboard throughout his outing.

The Sweets gave him the lead in the fifth inning.

Troy Osborne opened the frame with a double before moving into scoring position. Cole Rogers then came through with a single into center field, bringing Osborne home and putting Walla Walla ahead 1-0.

The RBI was Rogers’ first of the season and gave the Sweets all the offense they would need.

Walla Walla added an insurance run in the eighth. Trevor Tse reached after hitting a double and later came around to score when Landon Young put the ball in play and an error extended the inning, giving the Sweets a 2-0 advantage.

Tse reached base twice and scored once, while Gage Reeser, Sam Kane, Osborne, Gaines Haussin and Rogers each recorded hits. Rogers also stole a base and added a sacrifice bunt.

Once Ellis left the game, the bullpen continued to control the night.

Andrew Cohen worked through traffic in the seventh, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two to preserve the lead.

Charles Rogers III followed with a perfect eighth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Isaac Hallam then took over in the ninth and retired the side in order. He recorded one strikeout and needed only 12 pitches to earn his second save of the summer.

Ellis, Cohen, Rogers and Hallam combined to hold Bend to four hits while striking out 11. The staff issued only two walks and did not allow an extra-base hit.

Walla Walla’s defense also helped protect the shutout. The Sweets turned a double play and prevented Bend from building a sustained rally throughout the night.

The win marked a strong start to both the series and the second half of the WCL season. It also gave Walla Walla another close-game victory after winning three one-run contests during its recent homestand.

The Sweets continue the series against the Elks on Wednesday, July 1. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium.