SALEM, Ore. (August 3, 2026) – The final series of the regular season started with another big swing from Sam Kane and another win for the Walla Walla Sweets.

Kane homered, drove in four runs and helped power a six-run fourth inning as the Sweets beat the Marion Berries 7-4 on Monday night at Chemeketa Baseball Field.

The win opened Walla Walla’s final three-game set of the regular season and gave the Sweets a strong start on the road.

Marion scored first with a run in the second inning, but Walla Walla answered in the third.

Kyler Bittner reached to begin the rally before Bo Stinson and Logan Nakamura helped load the bases. Kane was then hit by a pitch, bringing Bittner home and tying the game at 1-1.

The Sweets took control one inning later.

Royce Hale singled to start the fourth and moved into scoring position. Bittner followed with a single, and Stinson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to score Hale and give Walla Walla a 2-1 lead.

Keagan Kelly kept the inning moving with an RBI single to center, bringing Bittner home. Nakamura then delivered one of the biggest swings of the night, driving a triple into left center field to score Kelly and stretch the lead to 4-1.

Trevor Tse followed by reaching base ahead of Kane, who launched a three-run home run to left field and pushed the Sweets’ lead to 7-1.

The homer continued Kane’s huge summer at the plate. The All-Star center fielder finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBIs. He is now tied for the WCL lead in home runs and leads the league in RBIs.

Nakamura added his second triple of the season and drove in a run from the top of the lineup. Hale went 2-for-4 and scored once, while Bittner finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

Kelly added an RBI single, and Stinson drove in a run with his sacrifice fly as Walla Walla finished with all seven of its runs coming between the third and fourth innings.

Blake Moore started the game for the Sweets and worked three innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three. He worked around traffic and kept Walla Walla within striking distance before the offense broke through.

Jack Gripentrog followed with the first WCL appearance of his summer and delivered two shutout innings. The incoming right-hander did not allow a hit, worked around two walks and earned his first win as a Sweet.

Marion cut into the lead with three runs in the sixth, but Walla Walla’s bullpen kept the Berries from getting any closer.

Jackson Wendt recorded 1.1 innings out of the bullpen, allowing one hit and striking out one. Quade Gonzalez IV followed and struck out two of the three batters he faced, helping the Sweets move the lead into the ninth.

Tre Morse finished the night in efficient fashion. The right-hander retired the side in order on just eight pitches, earning his first save of the summer and closing out the series-opening win.

Walla Walla’s pitching staff held Marion to four hits while striking out seven. The Sweets also turned a double play behind the staff, helping limit damage on a night when Marion drew 11 walks.

The win gave Walla Walla a strong opening to its final regular season series and continued the team’s momentum heading into the final week before postseason play.

The Sweets return to Chemeketa Baseball Field on Tuesday, August 4, for game two against the Marion Berries. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.