In game one, the Sweets trailed by seven runs after just three innings. In game two, they fell behind by ten runs after three innings. But in today’s ballgame, Walla Walla bucked the trend.

The Elks struck first in the bottom of the first. Dawson Santana singled to open the inning but was erased on a fielder’s choice. After a groundout, Makoa Sniffen singled home Jace Miller for the game’s first run, later scoring himself on a wild pitch. Ryder Manale struck out to end the inning, with the Elks leading 2-0 after one frame.

Walla Walla got on the board in the top of the second. First baseman Tanner Kern, who hadn’t homered since June 6 against the Ridgefield Raptors, jumped on a pitch from Chris Wrench and went opposite field for his third home run of the season, cutting the Elks’ lead to 2-1. Two of Kern’s three homers have come to the opposite field.

The Elks answered in the third. Jace Miller singled and later stole second after a popout from Cannon Reeder. Makoa Sniffen struck out for the second out, but Easton Amundson doubled to left-center, scoring Miller and putting Bend up 3-1 after three innings.

The Sweets rallied in the fourth with runners in scoring position. Back-to-back walks to Gunner Geile and Dominic Cadiz loaded the bases, followed by a single from Tanner Kern. Landon Young worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in Walla Walla’s first run. Nate Stiveson cleared the bases with a two-run double, and Nikhil Beasley capped the inning with a three-run homer to left — his first of the season — tripling his RBI total with one swing.

The Elks quickly responded in the bottom half. Evan Gentil singled to lead off, followed by a walk to Matt Dobson and a single from Dawson Santana to load the bases. Jace Miller crushed a grand slam to left, clearing the bases and tying the game at seven heading into the fifth.

Walla Walla retook the lead in the sixth but it was short-lived. After two quick outs, Trevor Tse singled and stole second. Gunner Geile followed with a double to left-center, scoring Tse and giving the Sweets an 8-7 lead.

But the Elks blew the game open in the bottom of the sixth. Dawson Santana walked and advanced to third on a pitching error before Jace Miller grounded out. Cannon Reeder was hit by a pitch, and Makoa Sniffen singled home Santana. After a walk to Easton Amundson, Ryder Manale singled in another run. A pitching change followed as Alex Figueroa came in for Levi Anderson, and Zach Carlson reached on a fielder’s choice as a runner was thrown out at home. A wild pitch allowed another run to score, followed by a walk to Matt Dobson that forced in a run. Kolby Solomon replaced Alex Figueroa, but consecutive walks to Santana and Miller brought in two more unearned runs before the inning ended with Bend leading 13-8.

A scoreless seventh inning followed before lightning caused a 30-minute delay. After heavy rain, the game was called, officially ending after seven innings with the Sweets falling 13-8.

Walla Walla returns to action tomorrow on the Fourth of July against the Yakima Valley Pippins. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Friday, with coverage beginning at 6:50 on the Walla Walla Sweets YouTube channel.