PORTLAND, Ore. (July 25, 2026) – Sam Kane gave the Walla Walla Sweets an early lead Saturday night, but Portland took control late to even the weekend series at Walker Stadium.

Kane launched another home run, Perry Stow turned in a quality start and the Sweets fell 11-1 to the Portland Pickles in game two of the series.

The result evened the three-game set at one game apiece and set up a rubber match Sunday afternoon.

Walla Walla struck first in the second inning. Kane led off the frame by sending a solo home run over the left field fence, giving the Sweets a 1-0 lead.

The homer continued Kane’s strong summer at the plate and added to one of the top power seasons in the West Coast League. He now sits third in the WCL in both home runs and RBIs.

Stow protected the lead through the early innings and gave Walla Walla another steady start on the mound.

The right-hander kept Portland scoreless through four innings, working around traffic and keeping the Sweets in front. Portland moved ahead with two runs in the fifth, but Stow limited the damage and finished his night with another quality start.

Stow worked six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out five. He walked two, threw 49 of his 73 pitches for strikes and kept Walla Walla within one through the first six frames.

The Sweets had a few chances to build on the early lead, but Portland kept Walla Walla from putting together a sustained rally.

Gunner Geile singled, Ethan Buckley added a hit, Kyler Bittner reached with a single and Logan Nakamura also recorded a hit. Royce Hale came off the bench and singled in the later innings.

Kane finished with the home run and Walla Walla’s lone RBI.

Portland added three runs in the seventh and broke the game open in the eighth, but Walla Walla continued to get work from a few different arms out of the bullpen.

Hayden Line handled the seventh inning and kept fighting through traffic. Blake Moore entered in the eighth before Jackson Wendt finished the frame, striking out one while recording the final three outs of the inning.

Walla Walla’s defense turned a double play behind the pitching staff, with Payton Knowles, Trevor Tse and Bittner helping erase a baserunner.

The loss snapped Walla Walla’s three-game winning streak, but the Sweets still have a chance to take the series Sunday after winning Friday’s opener 5-3 behind a strong bullpen effort and a late comeback.

Walla Walla returns to Walker Stadium on Sunday, July 26, for the rubber match and final weekend regular season game against Portland. First pitch is set for 2:15 p.m.