Walla Walla, Wash. – A common theme in Sweets losses this season has been a struggling offense.  It was true again Saturday, as Walla Walla’s offense fell silent while dropping game two of the series to the Portland Pickles on Abbott & Costello Night by a final score of 4-1.

The Sweets have averaged just 1.29 runs in their seven losses this season compared to 6.7 runs in their 10 wins.

The Pickles jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second inning off Sweets starting pitcher Zach Penrod (Tomorrow). With one out in the inning, a bouncing ball to the third baseman Nick Nyquist (I Don’t Know) was unable to be fielded cleanly, resulting in an error.

The next batter Gabe Skoro dropped down a bunt that rolled right out in front of home plate. Walla Walla’s Willy Chang (Today) corralled the ball cleanly but rushed the throw to first. The ball sailed over the first baseman’s (Who) head and into right field to allow the runner Mikey Perez to come around and score from first to make it 1-0.

With Skoro on third and just one out, Noah Cardenas lifted a ball into right field which was caught by Jalen Garcia (No One). Skoro tagged and strode home easily to score on the sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

Penrod’s day came to a close in the top of the third inning after a hard ground ball back up the middle hit him in his left hand, his throwing hand, forcing him to exit the game. Fortunately for the Sweets, the injury appears to just be a bruised hand and Penrod should be good to return to action after a few days of rest.

Tyson Quolas (Inside) took to the mound in relief and he had a strong outing but allowed a pair of runs to score in the top of the sixth.

With two outs, a walk and a double put runners on second and third. That brought up Portland’s man of the hour, Skoro, and he promptly ripped a single right up the third base line and into left field to score both runners and extend the lead out to 4-0.

The Sweets tried to put together a late-inning rally, as the start to the bottom of the ninth looked promising. Danny Sinatro (Because) got things started with a single and was driven in on an RBI double by Nyquist to make it 4-1.

A broken-bat single to centerfield by Jordan Hovey (Remember) put runners on the corners with still nobody out in the inning. Despite the three-straight hits off Portland’s Brad Bonnefant, he would strike out the next two batters and get Tyler Pritchard (What) to ground out to seal the victory and give the Pickles the win by a final score of 4-1.

Walla Walla is still in a great position to take the important series against Portland as the rubber match takes place on Sunday with first pitch slated for 4:35 PM. Haydn King will toe the rubber with hopes of the offense returning to form.

Walla Walla, Wash. – It was fitting that on Adam West Night the Sweets required a superhero-type effort late in the game to come away with the win. Those late game heroics were provided by the veteran Ryan Johnston. His bottom of the 9th, 2-out single through the infield to score Jordan Hovey gave Walla Walla the win in walk-off fashion 5-4 over the Portland Pickles.

The Pickles tallied first in the in the top of the third inning off Sweets starting pitcher Sean Sullivan. Carson Breshears drew a walk with two outs and came all the way around to score on an RBI double off the left field wall by Zander Clarke to make it 1-0.

The Sweets wasted no time in answering as they put together a big inning in the bottom of the third. With one out Walla Walla loaded the bases off Portland’s starter Connor Pellerin on a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and another walk.

That brought Nick Nyquist to the plate. The 2-time All-Star flipped a single into centerfield to plate two runs and make it 2-1. The Sweets were not done yet. With runners on second and third and two outs, Jack Filby ripped a single through the right side of the infield to score both runners and extend the lead out to 4-1.

In the top of the fifth, Portland would respond after Gio Diaz reached on a single to leadoff the inning. He stole second base and then was driven in on an RBI single by Breshears to make it 4-2.

That closed the books on Sullivan’s day on the mound for Walla Walla as he finished with five innings of work, just five hits allowed, and two runs scored.

Portland would add on in the top of the seventh off the Sweets’ Michael Peterson. The leadoff batter in the inning Diaz hit a solo homerun right down the left field line that created some controversy. The ball appeared to glance off the side of the manual scoreboard in left field in foul territory, but the home plate umpired ruled that it hit the foul pole and the call stood to make it 4-3.

Samuel Reed took to the mound in the eighth for the Sweets and he was lights out, just as he has been all year. He struck out the first four batters he faced and kept the 4-3 lead intact with one out in the top of the ninth.

Filby then took over pitching duties but he would ultimately relinquish the lead. He allowed a single to the first batter he faced but rolled up a fielder’s choice to the next batter which put Diaz on first base with two outs. Then on a 3-2 count, Breshears blasted a double into the left-centerfield gap and Diaz came all the way around to score from first to tie the game at 4-4.

It was then the Sweets turn to put together a late-game rally of their own. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, and down to his last strike, Hovey dropped down a bunt and was able to hustle his way to reach first base safely on an infield single.

He promptly stole second base to advance into scoring position and that set the stage for the exciting conclusion. On another 3-2 count with two away, Johnston poked a ground ball through the left side of the infield that split Portland’s defenders, with Hovey sprinting around third and sliding home safely just ahead of the throw to score the game-winning run, giving the Sweets the victory with a final score of 5-4.

Walla Walla will once again host the Portland Pickles for game two of the series Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM. Lefty Zach Penrod will toe the rubber as the team celebrates the Abbott & Costello routine “Who’s in First”.

Wenatchee, Wash. – After struggling at the plate in the game on Wednesday, the Sweets’ bats came back to life in the series finale against the AppleSox on Thursday night. Walla Walla won the rubber match by a final score of 10-4, taking the pivotal series against Wenatchee and having now won three straight series against WCL opponents.

Wenatchee jumped on the board in the bottom of the first off Sweets starter Ty Hueckman on a hit-by-pitch to the leadoff man and an RBI single by Jacob Prater.

The turning point in the game for the Sweets was the top of the third inning. Josh Kutzke launched a double off the centerfield wall, and the rest of the lineup followed suit. They would load the bases with one out following a the double, a hit-by-pitch, and a walk. Isaak Gutierrez then came to the plate and roped a single into centerfield that scored Walla Walla’s first two runs of the game to make it 2-1.

With runners on the corners and still one out, Zach Penrod chopped a ground ball just a few feet into the grass toward third base. A great read on contact by Nick Nyquist allowed him to come across to score, with the only play available being at first base. Another hit-by-pitch and a passed ball put runners on second and third with two outs. Tyler Pritchard then hit a pop-up into shallow left field that was unable to be fielded cleanly by the AppleSox’ shortstop, with this fortuitous error allowing both runners to score, giving the Sweets a 5-1 lead.

Walla Walla tacked on another run in the top of the fourth after a double by Ryan Johnston and a single to right field by Nyquist to extend the lead to 6-1.

The AppleSox battled back in the bottom of the fourth, getting the first two batters of the inning on base via a walk and a single. A fielder’s choice at second put runners on the corners with one out, and A.D. Peña grounded out to the first baseman, scoring the runner from third to make it 6-2.

The six runs put an end to Wenatchee starting pitcher Connor McCord’s day. He finished allowing four earned runs, six hits and two walks over four innings of work. That brought Dawson Day to the mound for the AppleSox, and the Sweets would rough him up as well in his one inning on the bump.

Day came on in the top of the fifth and promptly allowed a leadoff double to Zach Penrod. Danny Sinatro would follow suit and double as well to score Penrod and extend the lead 7-2.

The offense then kept rolling in the frame. Sinatro would steal third base easily on a great jump from second with one out. With the infield pulled in, Matt Elser would hit a bounding ground ball that jumped up over the head of Wenatchee’s second baseman and scored Sinatro to give Walla Walla an 8-2 lead.

With a comfortable lead, Hueckman settled into the game nicely. He earned the win with 5 innings pitched, 3 earned runs and a pair of strikeouts. Pitch location and defense were effective tools for the righty from the University of Nevada, Reno.

The offensive show continued for the Sweets in the top of the seventh with runners on second and third and two outs. Johnston hammered a single through the infield and scored both runners to extend the Sweets lead to 10-3.

Wenatchee made a last-ditch effort to get back into the game in the bottom of the eighth following a leadoff hit-by-pitch and a stolen base to put a runner on second with nobody out. A single by Sam Swenson would plate the run and make it 10-4, where the score would stand for the remainder of the game. A pair of inning-ending double plays in the seventh and eighth innings were key plays that kept the Sweets momentum in the win.

The Sweets are now 8-2 in their last 10 WCL games and sit just a half-game out of first place as they get set to host the Portland Pickles. The three-game series begins on Friday night with first pitch slated for 7:05 (with a post-game fireworks show).

Wenatchee, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets offense had been rolling of late. The team had won five straight heading into the game on Wednesday, and scoring runs seemed to come easily. Unfortunately, both of those things ended as the Sweets lost 3-1 to the Wenatchee AppleSox in game two of the three-game series.

The AppleSox took the lead in the bottom of the first inning off Sweets starting pitcher Bryce Moyle. With one out, Michael Spellacy reached first base safely on a dropped third strike and came around to score on a single by Jacob Prater to make it 1-0.

The Sweets pushed across their only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. They loaded the bases with one out on back-to-back singles and a walk. Newly signed Isaak Gutierrez then came up and lifted a fly ball just deep enough into centerfield to allow Jack Filby to come across on an RBI sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1.

It did not take Wenatchee long to respond in the bottom of the fifth inning. A leadoff homerun by Alix Garcia made it 2-1 in favor of the AppleSox. The next batter, Isaac Barrera, doubled to right-centerfield to give Wenatchee a runner on second with nobody out.

Two batters later, Michael Spellacy singled back up the middle to score Barrera from second and push the AppleSox’ lead out to 3-1. The score stayed there through the rest of the game and rested as the final.

As has been the case early in the WCL campaign, the Sweets’ bullpen shined in this contest. Tyson Quolas came on in relief and threw two shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. Gutierrez (a two-way player) took to the mound late and went one and two-thirds innings of scoreless work, allowing just a hit and striking out one.

Walla Walla had their chances offensively throughout the game. It was an evening where the club simply failed to capitalize with the one big hit that was needed to break the game open. They left 11 runners on base in the game Wednesday night, including seven of those runners being stranded in scoring position.

The series against the AppleSox wraps up on Thursday night, with the rubber match scheduled to begin at 7:05 PM.

Wenatchee, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets took the series opener on the road against the Wenatchee AppleSox by a final score of 7-3. With the win, the Sweets have now won five-straight WCL games and have scored 42 runs during the winning streak.

Walla Walla jumped on the board in the second inning after Tyler Pritchard reached on a single through the right side of the infield and stole second base with one out in the inning. Cesar Lopez then hit a bounding chopper to third base and reached first safely on an infield singer to make it runners on the corners with two outs.

With Willy Chang up to the plate, a ball in the dirt got just far enough away from AppleSox catcher Jordan Rathbone to allow Pritchard to score on a passed ball and advanced Lopez to third on the play. Three pitches later, the ball was wide at the plate and got back to the backstop to allow Lopez to score easily on a wild pitch and make it 2-0 in favor of the Sweets.

Back for his second year with Walla Walla, Dylan Riddle got the start and threw three strong innings. He finished with three strikeouts and only surrendered one hit, albeit a solo homerun to Wenatchee’s Jake Taylor, which made the score 2-1.

The Sweets tacked on in the top of the sixth after three straight singles loaded the bases to start the inning. Danny Sinatro then reached safely on an error by the AppleSox shortstop which scored a run and kept the bases loaded with still nobody out.

Then a ball hit deep in the hole by Lopez resulted in a fielder’s choice at second but pushed across Zach Penrod at the plate. So with one out and runners on the corners, Chang dropped down a safety squeeze bunt and was thrown out at first but allowed Pritchard to score stealing from third for the third run of the inning to make it 5-1.

The AppleSox scored a pair in the sixth inning off Brayde Hirai after he surrendered back-to-back walks to start the inning. A single by Johnny Sage back up the middle scored Evan Williams from second for the first run of the inning, and then a sacrifice bunt moved Mason Marenco to third with one away. Rathbone then smoked a ball deep to right field which was flagged down by Penrod but allowed Marenco to score from third to make the score 5-3.

Jack Filby then led off the seventh with a single and Ryan Johnston followed him up with a walk to give the Sweets two runners on with nobody out. Nick Nyquist struck out swinging but then Penrod came up and drilled a single to centerfield to score Filby from second.

On a hit-and-run with Penrod at first, Pritchard would hit into a 6-4-3 groundout with Penrod advancing safely to second just ahead of the throw, which scored the runner Johnston from third to make it 7-3.

Patrick Collins and Samuel Reed were able to keet the AppleSox at bay through the seventh and eighth innings. Then Sean Sullivan took to the mound in the ninth and struck out the side to end the game giving the Sweets the victory in the series opener.

Walla Walla will be back in action tomorrow night for game two versus Wenatchee to try to take the series early with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM.

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets had an offensive outpouring in the game on Sunday afternoon and downed the Bend Elks by a final score of 12-6. With the win, the Sweets move to 7-5 on the season and now lead the all-time series against the Elks 23-22.

It was a shaky start to the game for Haydn King, who began the game on the mound for Walla Walla. He walked two of the first four batters he faced and with two outs, gave up back-to-back RBI singles to give the Elks a quick 2-0 lead.

The Sweets wasted no time in responding offensive as in the bottom of the first Jack Filby led off with a single and was followed up by Ryan Johnston who doubled to give Walla Walla runners on second and third with nobody out. Cesar Lopez then dug in with one out and singled back up the middle to score the Sweets first run of the game.

Then with runners on the corners, Robby Teel smashed a shot to right field that got up into the wind and carried over the fence for a three-run homerun to give the Sweets a 4-2 lead.

In the bottom of the second inning, Isaak Gutierrez singled to lead off and was advanced to third on a single through the right side by Filby. Then Johnston drilled a double into the right-centerfield gap that got all the way out to the wall and scored both runners to make it 6-2.

Michael Warkentin led off the top of the third for the Elks with a double and eventually came around to score on an RBI single by Jerred Seamons to cut the Sweets lead down to three.

Walla Walla continued to pour it on though as in the bottom of the fourth they loaded the bases with two outs on a pair of singles by Filby and Nick Nyquist and then a walk to Lopez. That brought Teel to the plate again, and he delivered a single right back up the middle to score two runs and give him five RBI on the day. Lopez also came around to score on the play on a throwing error by the Elks centerfielder Ty Holmstrom that got away from the third baseman and into the Sweets dugout to make it 9-3.

King’s day on the mound came to a close after a long 108 pitch, five-inning outing. He did allow three runs but at times was electric, racking up nine strikeouts on the day.

The Sweets tacked on again in the bottom of the seventh as they loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch. Zach Penrod would get an RBI on a groundout to the first baseman, but a walk to the next batter Filby would load the bases once again.

Johnston came up and drew a walk to score the runner Josh Prizina from third, and then a passed ball to Nyquist allowed Gutierrez to score the twelfth run of the game for Walla Walla.

The Elks put together a bit of a rally in the top of the eighth off Sweets reliever Tyson Quolas. He would retire the first batter but then allowed the next five hitters to reach base safely on three walks and two singles, giving Bend three runs in the inning to make it 12-6.

Samuel Reed then came on and got a ground ball double play to end the inning and limit the damage any further. Gutierrez was called on in the ninth to shut the door, and he did so successfully.

He sent the Elks down in order, one-two-three, to end the game and give the Sweets the victory in a high scoring affair by the final of 12-6.

The Sweets have an off-day on Monday but will take to the road on Tuesday to begin a three-game series against the Wenatchee Applesox with first pitch of game one slated for 7:05 PM.

Walla Walla, Wash. – It was another wild finish for the Walla Walla Sweets and they would take home the victory by a final score of 8-7 over the Bend Elks. Walla Walla got the power bats going early but would have to rally late to come back to seal the victory.

Zach Penrod got the start for the Sweets and the hard throwing left-hander from Northwest Nazarene University was absolutely lights out on the mound. He tossed five scoreless innings and struck out eight Elks while only allowing two hits.

Walla Walla got on the board first as Nick Nyquist led off the bottom of the fourth inning being hit by a pitch. Penrod flied out to centerfield which brought Josh Prizina to the plate with one away and a runner on first and he promptly hammered a line drive deep into the left-centerfield gap that cleared the wall for a two-run homerun, the first homerun of the 2018 season for the Sweets, to give them a 2-0 lead.

Then in the bottom of the fifth, Mitch Lesmeister got plunked in the helmet with one away which resulted in him being replaced in the lineup by Tyler Pritchard. So with one out and a runner on first, Jack Filby strode in and launched a shot deep to right field for a no-doubt two-run homerun and extended the lead out to 4-0.

The Elks would start their rally in the top of the seventh inning as they got the first two batters of the inning on base via a single and a hit-by-pitch off Sweets pitcher Patrick Collins. A sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position and with one away, Ty Holmstrom smashed a double to right-centerfield and plated both runs to make it 4-2.

That brought Tanner Cunha to the mound for Walla Walla and he walked the first batter he faced to make it runners on first and second with one away. The next batter drilled a hard groundball to the second baseman Pritchard who could not field the ball cleanly to turn the double play and settled for the out at first which moved both runners up 90 feet and into scoring position once again in the inning.

The next batter Brett Auerbach stepped in and he delivered a double to left-centerfield to score both runners which tied the game at 4-4.

Carson Woolery then took to the mound for the Sweets and despite his early season success, he struggled to find outs early in his appearance. He gave up a leadoff single to Tristen Alvarez and the next batter Jake Holton came up and lifted a deep drive to right field that just barely cleared the wall for another two-run homerun, this time for the Elks, to make it 6-4.

A single and two stolen bases for the next hitter Michael Warkentin put him on third base, and with two outs, Jerred Seamons pushed a single through the left side of the infield to score Warkentin and extend the Elks lead out to 7-4.

The bottom of the eighth would prove to be the decisive inning for the Sweets as they were able to put together a comeback of their own. Ryan Johnston led off with a walk, Nyquist doubled, and Penrod walked to load the bases with nobody out in the inning.

Ace Embree then took over on the mound for the Elks and he promptly struck out the first two batters he faced, and it looked momentarily as though the Sweets rally hopes would be put to bed. That would prove not to be the case as Cesar Lopez strode to the plate and smoked a hard groundball past the Elks first baseman to score two runs easily.

Penrod got caught hanging off third base but the thrown back to the bag to try to retire him got up the line and into the left field bullpen which allowed him to score the third run on the play and tie the game at seven which also advanced Lopez to third base.

The next batter Jalen Garcia came up and he pushed a single through the hole between the third baseman and shortstop to score the runner Lopez from third and give the Sweets the lead once again at 8-7.

Then Samuel Reed came on to close the door in the ninth and he did so successfully in front of an energized crowd at Borleske Stadium. He sent the Elks down 1-2-3 with a strikeout, a flyout and a strikeout to end it to earn the save and give the Sweets the victory in a wild finish on Saturday night.

The Sweets square off with the Elks for the series finale on Sunday afternoon as they search for their fourth straight WCL victory and a series sweep with first pitch slated for 4:35 PM.

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets took the victory in the opening game of the three-game series against the Bend Elks by a final score of 5-1. The Elks continued their streak of struggling to settle into games early, while the Sweets offense sustained their early run production from over the last few games.

It did not take long for the Sweets to get on the board in this one, as things quickly unraveled on the mound for Elks starter Brett Swartz. He gave up back-to-back walks to start the game to Jack Filby and Cesar Lopez, which brought Nick Nyquist to the plate and he promptly roped an RBI single into centerfield to score Filby and give the Sweets a 1-0 lead.

Zach Penrod then dug into the batter’s box and was hit by a pitch to load the bases with still nobody out. That brought up Robert Teel, who drew a four pitch walk to push across another run and extend Walla Walla’s lead out to 2-0.

So with the bases loaded and still nobody out, Tyler Pritchard strode in and ripped a single through the right side of the infield which scored two runs and pushed the lead out to 4-0 in the first inning.

Having the first six batters of the game reach base safely ended Swartz day without him recording an out and that brought Brennan Patterson to the mound for the Elks and he retired the next three Sweets hitters to get out of the first without allowing any more damage.

Walla Walla then scored in the third inning as they loaded the bases once again but this time with two outs, and a walk to Lopez would score Willy Chang from third to give the Sweets their fifth run of the game.

Darius Vines was just as terrific in the start on Friday as he was in his first start of the year, going five strong innings, striking out seven and only allowing four hits. The only blemish for him on the day came in the fifth inning when he fielded a dribbler back to the mound and his throw to first was wide and into the basepath which was unable to be snagged by Nick Nyquist and got up the line to allow an unearned run to score.

Sean Sullivan came on in relief in the sixth and the California, Berkeley commit shined once again as he threw three shutout innings and struck out four in what was yet another dominant bullpen appearance for the young right-hander. Tyson Quolas then took to the mound in the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 inning to close the books on the game and seal the victory for the Sweets.

The Elks and Sweets will square off for game two of the series Saturday evening at Borleske Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM.

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets were able to get the victory Tuesday night in a non-league matchup against the Highline Bears by a score of 4-0. With the win, the Sweets move to 30-4 all-time against non-league opponents.

Several new arrivals for Walla Walla got the offense to arrive early on in the game as Cesar Lopez got the bottom of the first inning started off with a bang by drilling a ground rule double to right field. Then with one out Robert Teel would get plunked in the back by a curveball to make it first and second, and then a groundout to the right side by Jalen Garcia would advance both runners 90 feet into scoring position.

So with two outs and runners on second and third, Tyler Pritchard came to the plate for his first at-bat in a Sweets uniform and he delivered. He lifted a flyball into shallow centerfield and Highline’s Ben Ranieri would hustle in and lay out but be unable to make the catch which would allow Pritchard to reach second with a double and both runs to come across to score to give the Sweets an early 2-0 lead.

Walla Walla Community College Warrior Brayde Hirai would get the start for the Sweets and he was exceptional in picking up the win. He would go five shutout innings and only allow two hits through those five frames.

Hirai was not the only W2 pitcher who was tremendous on the mound, as both relievers who came on were equally as lights out. Sean Sullivan appeared in the sixth and seventh innings, did not surrender a hit and would strike out five of the six batters he faced. Tanner Cunha would then come on to close the door and he did just that, allowing just one base hit and striking out four in his two innings of work.

The Sweets would tack on some insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning but in rather unceremonious fashion.

The first three batters of the inning would reach base safely on a single, a hit-by-pitch and a walk, to load the bases with nobody out. Josh Kutzke would then ground into a 5-2-3 double play and not allow any runs to score.

Then with two outs and runners still on second and third, Dimick Wood came to the plate and looked at a ball in the dirt that got away from Highline’s catcher and would allow Pritchard to score from third on a past ball to make it 3-0. Wood ultimately drew a walk and with runners on the corners and two outs, he would get into a pickle between first and second which allowed Josh Prizina to score from third before Wood was tagged out to end the inning and give the Sweets their fourth and final run of the ballgame.

The Sweets host the Highline Bears once again on Wednesday evening with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM.

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets had their game scheduled for Saturday night postponed due to rain, which resulted in the team hosting the Corvallis Knights for two seven-inning games on Sunday evening. The Sweets would drop the first game in a pitcher’s duel by a score of 2-1 but would rally in the second game and win a thriller by a final of 10-9.

Bryce Moyle got the start for the Sweets in game one and threw well through two frames but struggled in the third. Briley Knight drilled a ball deep into left field that eluded Sweets left fielder Matt Elser and glanced off the wall, allowing Knight to reach third base with a triple and just one away in the inning.

The next batter Chad Stevens hammered an RBI double to the left-centerfield gap to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Following a groundout, Cameron Haskell dug in with two outs and punched a single through the right side of the infield to score Stevens and make it 2-0.

The Sweets would go scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, when they tried to spark a late-game rally. Josh Prizina led the inning off with a single through the right side of the infield and was promptly pinch ran for by Tyson Quolas.

The next batter would strikeout, bringing Jalen Garcia to the plate and he smacked a single into left field to give the sweets runners on first and second with one out in the inning. Haydn King would come on as a pinch-hitter and look at ball one in the dirt that got past the Knights’ catcher Austin Baek and move both runners into scoring position at second and third.

King lifted a fly ball into centerfield and in a full sprint, Chandler Anderson would slide in and make a beautiful grab to record the out, but Quolas would tag up from third and advance home for the Sweets first run of the ball game.

Garcia was able to advance on the play as well, so with a runner on third and two outs in the bottom of the seventh Willy Chang strode in as the Sweets’ last chance to try to extend the game. He would battle in his at-bat against newly entered pitcher Eli Morse, but Chang ultimately struck out swinging to end the game and the Knights took the victory by a score of 2-1.

Game two would be a much more high-scoring affair and it did not take long for the offense to show up for both teams.
In the top of the first inning, Knight would double to centerfield with one out and the very next batter Cody Hawken would come to plate and crush a 2-0 fastball off Sweets’ starter Ty Hueckman over the left field fence to give the Knights a quick 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, the Sweets would strike back as they were able to load the bases off Knights’ starter Trevor Wells on a pair of singles and an error. So with no outs yet recorded, Zach Penrod would come up and draw a walk to push across a run and make it 2-1.

That would bring up Prizina, who dug in and promptly smoked a double down the left field line that would plate all three baserunners and give the Sweets a 4-2 lead. Matt Elser would be next as he peppered a ball hard to the shortstop Stevens who was unable to field the ball cleanly and allowed Elser to reach safely and advance Prizina to third.

Following a strikeout and a flyout, Jordan Hovey came to the plate with runners on the corners and two away in the inning and looked at a ball in the dirty that got past the catcher and allowed Prizina to come across to score for the fifth run of the inning to make it 5-2.

Both teams would tack on another run in the second inning to push the score to 6-3 and that’s where the score would stand until the bottom of the fourth inning. The Knights brought on the young right hander, Dennis Boatman who would give up three consecutive walks to start the inning and load the bases with nobody out.

Corvallis would then go to their bullpen once again and bring in Louis Crow, but Penrod would be up to the task as he delivered a two-RBI double off the right field wall to extend the lead out to 8-3. Then with one out and runners still on second and third, Elser would chop a ball to the second baseman with the only play to be made at first which would allow another run to come across on a fielder’s choice and give the Sweets a 9-3 lead.

That comfortable lead quickly evaporated however as the Knights would put together their own carousel inning in the top of the sixth. The first two batters would reach safely on an error and a ground rule double off Sweets’ pitcher Tanner Cunha, which would send Penrod to the mound in relief.
He would surrender a base hit to the first batter he faced, Alec Cook, which would score the first run of the inning. A walk to the next hitter would load the bases, and a single would push across another run and keep the bases loaded with still nobody out.

A strikeout and a fielder’s choice would give the Sweets two outs in the inning, but another run would score on the FC and keep runners on second and third. Haskell would come up for Corvallis and drill a single back up the middle to score both runners and cut the Sweets lead down to one as the inning would come to a close with the score now 9-8.

The Sweets would score a much-needed insurance run in the bottom of the sixth after Josh Kutzke would single up the middle and be pinch ran for by Darius Vines, who would advance to third on a double by the next hitter Elser.

Garcia would then come up and drive a double to left field but only score the runner from third as both runners had to wait to ensure that the ball would not be caught. That unfortunately would be the only run the Sweets would scrape across in the inning, but fortunately it would be just enough.

In the top of the seventh, Samuel Reed would come on in relief for Walla Walla and surrender a walk, get a strikeout, then another walk to make it first and second with one out. That would send Jack Filby to the mound to try to close out the game and seal the victory.

He would give up a base hit to the first batter he faced and load the bases with still one out. A ground ball to the newly entered shortstop Quentin LaFontaine would be flipped on to the second baseman for a fielder’s choice and the second run of the inning, but a run would score and cut the Sweets lead down to one.

So with two outs and the tying run just 90 feet away at third base and the go-ahead run on first, it would be Filby against Knight for the biggest at-bat of the game. The talented UCLA commit Filby would win the showdown as he would strikeout Knight swinging on three pitches to end the game and give the Sweets the victory in a thrilling, rollercoaster of a game by a final score of 10-9.

With the split in the doubleheader, the Sweets were able to take the series against the Knights 2-1. Walla Walla will be back in action on Tuesday as they open up a two-game non-league series at home against the Highline Bears with the first game scheduled to begin at 6:35 PM.

At 3:30 pm, the field was very wet, standing water throughout the stadium, and a forecast that showed 40-60% chance of rain from 6 PM – 10 PM. Given the circumstances, game officials made the decision to cancel the scheduled contest between the Sweets and the Corvallis Knights on Saturday, 6/9. The game will be rescheduled as part of a double-header on Sunday, 6/10.

The start time for Game 1 remains the same – 4:35 PM first pitch, with a 4:00 pm gates open. Game 2 will begin 30 minutes following the conclusion of Game 1. Both contests will be 7-inning games.

“This isn’t ideal for anybody,” said team president Zachary Fraser. “It creates significant logistical challenges for both sides, but you make the call based on the information you have in front of you at the time.

“In consultation with our turf management team, we made the decision early to allow both teams to avoid getting players warmed up only to shut them down early. Just our luck that the forecast keeps pushing out later into the evening!”

For fans who had tickets for the 6/9 contest, the rain-out policy can be found here: https://wallawallasweets.com/tickets/season-tickets/ 

Tickets are not refundable for cash or tender. In the event that a legal (4 1/2 innings if the home team is ahead, 5 innings if the visiting team is ahead) or made-up game is not played, your ticket will become a coupon, good for exchange for any subsequent ticket for a regular price, regular season game during this current season (subject to available inventory when presented). Exchanges may be made at the Sweets Shoppe or at the Borleske Stadium Box Office, and coupon must be surrendered.

The team will work with different customers that have the same tickets for Game 1 and Game 2 (meaning they would be sharing a seat) to make sure that both parties are taken care of with comparable seat placement.

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets came away with the win on Opening Night at Borleske Stadium by a final score of 2-0 against the Corvallis Knights. Walla Walla’s pitching staff has now allowed just two runs over the last 31 innings.

Darius Vines (RHP) got the start for the Sweets and pitched to the same caliber that had him tabbed as the #8 prospect in the West Coast League following the 2017 season with W2. He went six strong innings allowing just three hits, no runs and struck out three batters.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Zach Penrod (Utility) drew a walk and stole second base to advance into scoring position with one away in the inning. That brought to the plate three-year Sweet and two-time WCL All-Star Nick Nyquist who drove a base hit into left field to plate Penrod for the first Walla Walla run in the ball game.

Then in the bottom of the seventh inning, Mitch Lesmeister (IF) drew a walk with two outs and stole second base to give an RBI opportunity to Jack Filby (IF), and he delivered. On a two-strike count, Filby ripped a single back up the middle to drive in Lesmeister and give the Sweets a 2-0 lead.

Brayde Hirai (LHP) and Sean Sullivan (RHP) threw back-to-back scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth inning respectively to give the Sweets a chance to win it in the ninth.

Carson Woolery (RHP) then came on for his second save opportunity of the season and kept Sweets fans on the edge of their seats before closing the door.

Woolery would walk the leadoff man, strike out the next, bean the next batter, then strikeout the next. So with two outs and runners on second and third following a double steal, Woolery would get Trace Tammaro (IF) to ground out to Walla Walla’s second baseman Jordan Hovey (IF) for the final out of the ball game and give the Sweets the victory on Opening Night at Borleske Stadium by a score of 2-0.

The Sweets will take on Corvallis again on Saturday night for the second game of the series with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM.

Walla Walla, Wash. – Over the last few days, seven former Sweets were selected in the 2018 MLB Draft. Of the seven selections, four of them went in the first 11 rounds.

4^th Round – 132^nd Pick / Houston Astros:

Alex McKenna (OF) – Cal Poly

6’2” 200   Bats: R   Throws: R

McKenna played with the Sweets in 2015 as a senior coming out of Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California.

7^th Round – 220^th Pick / Boston Red Sox:

Jarren Duran (IF) – Long Beach State University

6’2” 200   Bats: L   Throws: R

Duran was a member of the 2016 Sweets team and was one of the premiere players on the team.

9^th Round – 276^th Pick / Colorado Rockies:

Willie MacIver (C) – University of Washington

6’2” 200   Bats: R   Throws: R

MacIver played for the Sweets in 2015 and 2016 and was named the No. 10 prospect in the West Coast League following the 2016 season.

11^th Round – 323^rd / Oakland Athletics:

Joe DeMers (RHP) – University of Washington

6’2” 230   Bats: R   Throws: R

Coming out of College Park High School in Pleasant Hills, California, DeMers joined the Sweets for the 2015 season and was one of the best arms on the team even at such a young age.

20^th Round – 596^th Pick / Toronto Blue Jays:

Vinny Capra (IF) – Richmond University

5’9” 160   Bats: R   Throws: R

Capra was a member of the 2017 Sweets team and was exceptional both offensively and defensively.

25^th Round – 748^th Pick / Seattle Mariners:

Connor Kopach (IF) – Southern Illinois University

6’0” 170   Bats: R   Throws: R

Kopach played for the Sweets following his first year at SIU and was one of the team’s best hitters throughout the season. Following the 2018 season, he was named a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award which recognizes the best college baseball shortstop of the year.

39^th Round- 1184^th Pick / Los Aneles Dodgers:

Jordan Myrow (OF) – San Jacinto College

5’10” 185   Bats: R   Throws: R

Bellingham, Wash. – It took a while, but the Sweets offense finally came back to life as they took the final game of the series versus the Bellingham Bells by a score of 5-1 in 13 innings. In a game that had no shortage of dramatic moments, the Sweets showed they possess the ability to come together as a team and close a game out when needed.

Haydn King (LHP) got the start for Walla Walla and had a strong showing in his 2018 season debut. He allowed just two hits in five innings of work but did allow the only run of the game for the Bells, albeit an unearned run, on an error with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning by left fielder Tyson Quolas (OF).

With the Sweets not having scored in the previous 27 innings, they would finally push a run across the plate in the seventh inning of this one. Zach Penrod (Utility) led off the inning with a walk, stole second base, advanced 90 feet to third base on a bloop single by Matt Elser (Utility), and with one away in the inning, King would come to the plate and lift one just deep enough into centerfield to allow Penrod to come across to score on a sacrifice fly.

Samuel Reed (LHP) came on in relief of King and threw three solid innings but faced trouble in the bottom of the eighth. With runners on second and third and two away in the inning, the batter Dusty Stroup (IF) smoked a hard ground ball down the third base line, but Willy Chang (Utility) laid out to make the diving stop and in one motion got up and threw the ball in time to first base to retire the side and keep the game tied at 1-1.

Then in the bottom of the ninth, Brian O’Rourke (RHP) would take over on the mound and immediately beaned the first two batters he faced. The Sweets would then turn to Darius Vines (RHP) to try to work out of the jam and extend the game to extras.

The next batter, Marques Carlson (OF), tried to drop down a sacrifice bunt but the placement made it a tough play. Vines would come off the mound and field the ball cleanly but throw wide to first base resulting in second baseman Jordan Hovey (IF) having to lay out to corral the ball in, and he did so successfully to keep the ball on the infield with the runner reaching first base safely.

So with the bases loaded and nobody out in the inning, Vines would face what could be considered the most difficult situation possible for a relief pitcher with the winning run standing just 90 feet away at third base. Ben McKay (IF) promptly grounded out to the catcher Elser, who quickly fielded the ball out in front of home plate and tagged out the runner from third trying to advance home.

With one away and the bases still loaded, the hottest hitter in the West Coast League Jordan Stoner (OF) would stride in, and Vines rose to the occasion as he struck out Stoner for the second out of the inning. Guthrie Morrison (OF) dug in next and chopped a ground ball back over the mound, and on a tough play, Jack Filby (IF) would hustle in to field the ball and throw on to first to retire the side and send the game to extra innings.

In the top of the thirteenth inning, the Sweets would finally hit paydirt with a few fortunate bounces along the way. Chang would lead off the inning by drawing a walk which was followed by a botched bunt attempt that went foul with two strikes by Quolas for the first out.

Filby would come up next and hammer a ground ball to the second baseman Grant McCormick (IF), who was unable to field the ball cleanly and allowed both runners to reach base safely. Jalen Garcia (OF) would then deliver the biggest hit of the game as he drilled a single into left field that allowed Chang to come all the way around to score from second base to give the Sweets a 2-1 lead.

Hovey would draw a walk to load the bases and that would bring up Penrod who hit a hard ground ball to the second baseman McCormick, and he bobbled the ball which would force the Bells to take only the out at second base and pushed across another run on the fielder’s choice to extend Walla Walla’s lead out to 3-1.

Josh Prizina (Utility) would draw a walk to load the bases once again, bringing Elser to the dish. He would strike out swinging, but the drop third strike would get past the Bells’ catcher Cody Pasic (C) and allow two more runs to come across the plate giving the Sweets their final tally of five runs in the game.

Quolas would get his redemption on the mound as he was sensational coming on in relief in the tenth and throwing four shutout innings to close the book on the game and take home the victory as Walla Walla would win a wild extra-inning game by a final score of 5-1.

The Sweets will have a much needed off day on Thursday but will be back in action for their home opener on Friday night as they take on the Corvallis Knights with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM.

Bellingham, Wash. – The Sweets lost a pitchers’ duel Tuesday night 1-0 in the second game of the series against the Bellingham Bells. Walla Walla has now lost four straight after taking the opening night victory from the Pippins.

Zach Penrod (Utility) got the start for the Sweets and went four strong innings on the mound. He allowed no hits and no runs but walked four batters through those four frames.

The young right-hander Patrick Collins (RHP) came on in the fifth in his first appearance for the Sweets and looked strong. He did allow the only run of the game after giving up a leadoff double to Connor Mack (OF) and allowing him to come around to score on an RBI single from Guthrie Morrison (OF), but Collins only allowed those two hits in his two innings of work and stuck out two batters.

Carson Woolery (RHP) would come on in the seventh and go two strong innings to close out the game for the Sweets. He surrendered just one hit and struck out one batter in his appearance out of the bullpen.

Walla Walla had limited opportunities offensively to push across any runs as they only had two hits in the game and were only able to advance runners into scoring position twice.

The Sweets look to get their offense back on track in the series finale against the Bells on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.

Bellingham, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets dropped the opening game of the three-game series versus the Bellingham Bells by a final score of 5-0. With the loss, the Sweets have now lost three straight and currently sit at 1-3 here early on in the season.

Tanner Cunha (LHP) got the start for the Sweets and threw well but dealt with a tight strike zone in the first inning. He allowed just one hit in the inning but walked three batters and surrendered a hit-by-pitch ultimately resulting in two runs coming across to score.

The first inning continues to be a challenge for Walla Walla pitchers, as now over the last three games the team has allowed nine runs in the first inning.

Cunha settled in nicely but ran into some trouble again in the fourth inning. After getting the first two outs in the inning, he walked the nine-hitter in the Bells lineup which gave Jordan Stoner (OF) an opportunity to hit, and he crushed a two-run homerun over the left-centerfield fence to extend the Bells’ lead out to 4-0.

After going 3-for-4 in the game tonight against the Sweets, Stoner now carries a .733 batting average through the first three games of the 2018 West Coast League season.

The Sweets would have several opportunities to score, as they were able to get two runners on to start both the fourth and the eighth inning, but unfortunately were unable to push across any runs in either instance. UCLA commit Jack Filby (IF) continues to be a bright spot at the top of the Sweets lineup, going 2-for-4 in the game and now possessing a .467 batting average on the season through four games.

In the bottom of the eighth inning the Bells would push across their fifth and final run of the evening as Cody Pasic (C) drew a walk and would come all the way around to score from first base on an RBI-double by Will McGillis (IF).

Walla Walla looks to get back on track as they take to Joe Martin Field once again tomorrow night and look to even the series at one game apiece with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM.

5 - 0

Yakima, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets lost to the Yakima Valley Pippins in the rubber match of the series by a final score of 8-1. With the loss, the Sweets dropped the series 2-1 to the Pippins.

The Sweets fell behind early for the second consecutive game as the Pippins were able to score 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning on RBI singles by Chris Arpan (OF) and Grant DeLappe (IF), which were followed by an RBI walk with the bases loaded by Jonathan Imperial (OF).

After back-to-back 1-2-3 innings by Sweets starter Michael Peterson (RHP) in the second and third innings, the fourth inning was led off by a solo homerun by Imperial.

Walla Walla would score its first and only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning when Jack Filby led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, was moved to third on a single by Jordan Hovey, and then came across to score on a wild pitch.

The Pippins would answer with two runs in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back RBI singles by Andrew Schleusner (C) and Tyler Hollow (IF). They would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from Connor Allard (IF) with a second run coming across on the play from a throwing error by Sweets’ catcher Matt Elser (Utility) for the game’s final tally of 8-1.

The Sweets open up another series on the road tomorrow against the Bellingham Bells with first pitch of the first game slated for 6:35 PM.

8 - 1

Yakima, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets dropped the second game of the 2018 season to the Yakima Valley Pippins by a final score of 8-5. The Sweets rallied from an early five run deficit, but ultimately fell behind late and were unable to come back for a second time.

The Pippins struck early, pushing across four runs in the bottom of the first inning off Sweets’ starter Brayde Hirai (LHP). Vakima Valley was able to get another run in the third on a bloop single down the right field line that split the Sweets defenders.

Facing a five-run deficit, the Sweets mounted their comeback. Jordan Hovey (IF) led off the fourth inning with a single and was eventually able to come around and score on a Matt Elser RBI single to center field, giving the Sweets their first run of the ball game.

In the sixth, the Sweets loaded the bases with one out and were able to score a run on a walk to pinch hitter Josh Kutzke (IF).

The seventh inning was led off by a Jack Filby (IF) double and was followed by a fielding error by the Pippins’ left fielder Jonathan Imperial (OF) on a fly ball hit by Danny Sinatro (OF). With runners on first and second, Hovey came to the plate and drilled a ball into the right centerfield gap, scoring both Filby and Sinatro, as he wound up at third base with a two-RBI triple. The next batter, Zach Penrod (Utility) hit a ball back up the middle with enough on it to prevent the throw from coming to the plate and drove in Hovey on an RBI fielder’s choice to tie the game at 5-5.

But that would be all the offense the Sweets could muster in this one as in the bottom of the seventh, the Pips took the lead for good on an RBI double by Cole Jones (OF). They were able to score again in the inning on an RBI single from Imperial, who was able to get his revenge after making a pivotal error in the half-inning prior.

Then in the eighth, Pippins leadoff man Tyler Hollow (IF) singled to leadoff the inning and came around to score the eighth and final run of the game for Yakima Valley, and that was where the score would stand as the Sweets went 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth to end the game.

The Sweets and Pippins will square off on Sunday for the rubber match of the series with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM.

8 - 5

Yakima, Wash. – The Walla Walla Sweets took home the victory on the opening night of the 2018 season against the Yakima Valley Pippins by a final score of 3-2, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the first game of the season. Pitching and defense was the name of the game, and the Sweets managed to best in Pippins in both facets.

Walla Walla kicked off the first inning by drawing three walks off Pippins starting pitcher Tom Scheffler (RHP) but were only able to push across one run. With the bases loaded and one out in the inning, Josh Prizina (C) lined a base hit into right field to plate a run, but then chaos ensued.

Matt Elser (Utility) got caught between second and third, anticipating the lead runner Zach Penrod (OF) to be sent home on the base hit. When Penrod was held up at third, Elser got caught in a pickle and was tagged out, and as Penrod tried to break for home amid the pickle, he was tagged out sliding into home plate for the third out of the inning.

The Sweets would bounce back though and hold the Pippins in check as Sweets’ starter Bryce Moyle (LHP) allowed just one baserunner through the first two frames. Then in the third inning, the Pippins offense came alive as they struck for four base hits and scored two runs on a two-RBI single by Sam Mitchell (OF).

That would be the only scoring done by the Pippins in the game however, as Moyle went six strong innings allowing just the two runs and five total base hits.

Walla Walla’s offense arrived once again in the sixth inning when they took the lead and didn’t look back. Jack Filby (IF) led the inning off with a base hit and was followed up by Jordan Hovey (IF) who tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt but instead wound up with an infield single as the throw down to second base from Andrew Schleusner (C) was not in time to beat the speedy Filby.

Penrod drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out in the inning and then Elser lifted a fly ball just deep enough into centerfield to score Filby on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2. A double-steal by Hovey and Penrod put both runners in scoring position with one out and with the infield drawn in, Prizina drilled a ground ball to the shortstop Grant DeLappe (IF), who was unable to field the ball cleanly and ultimately had to settle for the out at first base which allowed Hovey to come in to score what would end up being the decisive third run of the game for the Sweets.

Tyson Quolas (LHP) came on in relief in the seventh inning and threw two impressive shutout innings, stranding the tying run on third base in both innings. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Carson Woolery (RHP) was called on to shut the door and he did just that, retiring the Pippins 1-2-3 with back-to-back punch-outs to end the game.

The Sweets will take on the Yakima Valley Pippins once again on Saturday, June 2 with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM at Yakima County Stadium.

Walla Walla, Wash. – In front of a great crowd Wednesday night, Borleske Stadium played host to the 2nd Annual Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game. The Sweets won the exhibition game by a score of 6-0 in seven innings, but the final score was not nearly as important as the Sweets taking the field together for the first time in addition to the exposure to collegiate competition for the high school showcase team.

Matt Elser (Utility) had a strong showing for the Sweets, doubling to lead off the second inning and coming around to score the first unofficial run of the Sweets season on a two-out RBI single by Tyson Quolas (Utility). Elser would finish the game going 2-for-4 with a double, a single, an RBI and a run scored.

The top of the Sweets’ lineup was propelled by leadoff man Jack Filby (IF), who went 2-for-4 with a double, a single, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. He was followed up by Jordan Hovey (IF) who finished the game going 1-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored.

Zach Penrod (Utility) showed out both at the plate and on the mound in the game. He struck out the side in his one inning of work on the bump and finished the game going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a stolen base, a sacrifice fly and three RBI.

Hits were understandably hard to come by for the high school showcase team, given the fact that this was the first time many of the players were exposed to collegiate-caliber pitching. Jesus Vela (IF), Ben Ortiz (Utility), Kyle Tiner (OF) and Josh Bergevin (Utility) all finished the game going 1-for-2 with every hit being a single.

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets announced on Monday the players who will join the team on 10-day contracts to begin the 2018 season. The group will initially include a crop of talented local players from Walla Walla Community College who will travel with the team to take on Yakima and Bellingham then come home for the Corvallis series.

The five WWCC players include three full-time pitchers, one infielder and one player who can double in the field and on the mound, with all five likely to see plenty of playing time early on and will look to contribute to the Sweets’ early season success. Walla Walla head coach Frank Mutz knows a great deal about the program at WWCC and is confident the group of players the Sweets have added will fit in nicely to get the ball rolling to kick off the year.

“We have a strong, historic relationship with Walla Walla Community College,” Mutz said. “From some of the best players in our history, to recent players who have made meaningful contributions, we are grateful for the chance to continue our relationship with Coach Meliah.”

Players:

Dimick Wood

Quentin LaFontaine

Brian O’Rourke

Brayde Hirai

Michael Peterson

Walla Walla, Wash. – See how other West Coast League teams are filling out their rosters as Sweets Opening Day is just two weeks away with the WCL Team Preview of the Wenatchee AppleSox and the Victoria HarbourCats.

Wenatchee AppleSox

Record Last Year: 29-25 (2nd in WCL North)
Head Coach: Kyle Krustangel – 2nd year
Assistant Coaches: Cash Ulrich, Riley Drongesen

The Wenatchee AppleSox had a down year in 2016 but rebounded well this past season in 2017, unfortunately coming up just short of the playoffs despite finishing above .500 in both halves of the regular season. Kyle Krustangel took over the club last year and is back for his second year with Wenatchee after leading them to their best regular season finish since 2015. The AppleSox roster for the 2018 season is rounding into form and looks to have the caliber of some of the teams of years prior that have taken home five West Coast League Championships. The team’s strength will be on the infield and will feature a group of talented players including Connor McCord (IF) from Western Oregon University and 2017 All-WCL honorable mention infielder Jake Taylor (IF, Seattle University). Two talented high school seniors will also bolster the AppleSox infield with the duo of Xavier University commit Kody Darcy (IF) and UCLA commit J.T. Schwartz (IF). Utility player Jordan Rathbone (C, OF) from South Mountain Community College will look to maintain the hot bat that he carried throughout his collegiate season, and Johnny Sage (OF) from Yakima Valley College, who hit over .400 on the season, will be an imposing threat to pitchers throughout the WCL. On the topic of pitchers, 2017 All-WCL honorable mention Hunter Boyd (RHP) from the College of Idaho is back with the AppleSox again this year and will look to have another strong summer in 2018. Nick Seamons (RHP) had a tremendous final high school season and will continue his collegiate career at the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall but first will look to shut down hitters in the WCL. Alek Jacob (RHP) proved to be an innings-eater for Gonzaga University this past season and will likely see plenty of time on the mound this summer for Wenatchee.

Key Position Players:

Key Pitchers:

*Stats are from 2018 College or High School season*

Victoria HarbourCats

Record Last Year: 29-25 (3rd in WCL North)
Head Coach: Brian McRae – 2nd year
Assistant Coaches: Ian Sanderson, Todd Haney, Troy Birtwistle, Jason Leone

The Victoria HarbourCats put together another impressive season in 2017 after having won 40 games in the regular season the year prior. They came up just one win short of the 2017 WCL Championship after taking the first game in the three-game series against the Corvallis Knights, but lost two straight to come up just short of the team’s first championship hardware. HarbourCats head coach Brian McRae is back for his second year with the team and has put together a roster that looks to be a threat to any WCL team in 2018. The team’s strength will certainly be their depth as they have talent across the diamond. 2017 All-WCL second teamer Hunter Vansau (OF) from Mississippi State will look to repeat a strong summer and help lead the team back into the postseason. Victoria fields a plethora of capable catchers this season including the likes of Tanner Rempel (C) from Colorado-Mesa University and Matt Clayton (C) who just finished his high school senior season with a .600 batting average and will continue his playing career at the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall. The team’s infield will be spearheaded by Nick Plaia (IF) from California Baptist University and Rowdey Jordan (IF) from Mississippi State University, both of whom finished their respective seasons with batting averages above .300 and feature plus defending skills as well. The HarbourCats rotation will likely be aced by Tyler Thomas (LHP) from Baylor University who had an impressive freshman season for the Bears. WCL teams will have their hands full if they get to the Victoria bullpen with the lefty-righty pair of Joshua Candau (LHP) from UC Santa Barbara and Michael Stovman (RHP) from Indian River State College, as both players can come in and shut the door on any game with the best of them.

Key Position Players:

Key Pitchers:

*Stats are from 2018 College or High School season*

Walla Walla, Wash. – With the Sweets’ home opener just over two weeks away, everything is coming together in preparation for another exciting season of Sweets baseball, including the brand-new video stream. Fans can now purchase their season subscription on Boxcast to be able to catch every Sweets home game for the 2018 season.

To do so, follow the link below to purchase your Channel Ticket:

The price for the Channel Ticket will be $189.99 + tax and will include all thirty-two regular season home games. The cost per game for the season subscription breaks down to $5.93/game/stream. It is important to note that streams will not be available for mass distribution or for sharing and are intended for private viewing only.

Additionally, fans who purchase a season subscription (Channel Ticket) will receive a confirmation email containing their viewing link for the season. That link is how individuals will access ALL games, so they should NOT delete the email. The club recommends bookmarking the confirmation email, so fans with the Channel Ticket know right where it is and don’t accidentally delete it.

Single-game tickets will also be available throughout the course of the season for fans to purchase if they are unable to make it out to the ball game that evening. The price for the individual Game Ticket for the stream will be $8.99 + tax. Be sure to follow our social media feeds on Twitter and Facebook to get the link to the stream on the day of the game to purchase single-game streaming tickets.

The Sweets video broadcast will be a single-camera operation in 2018, traditional to what is seen with many colleges across the country. Development is already in place to allow for a multi-camera broadcast in the 2019 season. The video stream will be a simulcast of audio from award-winning Sweets’ radio broadcasts on KTEL Fox News Radio 1490 AM and 99.7 FM with new, separate advertising opportunities available through the video platform.

Twice this season, the Sweets will be featured as the WCL Game of the Week where the broadcast will be shared league-wide via the WCL website. These dates will be Thursday, July 19 against the Bellingham Bells and Thursday, August 2 against the Kelowna Falcons.

Walla Walla, Wash. – Over $10,000. That’s a lot of money for good in the Walla Walla Valley.

That is the combined total amount raised since 2016 by area non-profits who have participated in the Walla Walla Sweets Chuck-A-Ball, presented by your local Les Schwab Tire Centers.

The good news? It’s back for the 2018 season.

Fans will once again have the chance to purchase – and than “chuck” – a tennis ball through designated targets down the right field line for the chance to win great prizes while benefiting some of the many non-profits in the Walla Walla Valley that support youth development.

“We’re proud of our long-standing relationship with our local Les Schwab Tire Centers to provide fun ways to engage with our fans and community,” said Sweets president Zachary Fraser. “They jumped at the chance to tie their name to our launch of Chuck-A-Ball in 2016 because it aligned with their goals of not only marketing with the team, but engaging in improving our communities.

“We’re excited that it’s back for this season.”

You’ve seen the spectacle on the field, the hats around the community – you may even be wondering how your non-profit can participate to help raise needed funds. Here are some FAQs to help answer those questions:

What is Chuck-a-ball?
Chuck-A-ball is an in-stadium fundraising opportunity for local non-profit organizations, organizations focused on youth, or local youth teams.

Who does Chuck-a-ball benefit?
The proceeds stay with the organization that is taking part in the fundraiser for that individual game.

How do I win prizes for Chuck-a-ball?
Sweets fans purchase numbered tennis balls during the game from said organization/team, and during the 6th inning come down to the field and try and throw them into targets. Whoever makes it into the net wins a prize! The prizes vary from smaller, immediate prizes available that night (such as the sweet caps) to larger opportunities such as Sweets Season tickets, gift certificates to Les Schwab, and other prizes.

Why should I get my organization involved with Chuck-a-ball?
Organizations are restricting fund availability for groups/non-profits, making it difficult to continue their programming. This leads to cut-backs of either staff, programs, or resources such as uniforms, trips to regionals/nationals, etc. The Chuck-a-Ball opportunity puts them right in front of a captive and supportive audience who are passionate about helping local organizations.

How do I get my organization involved with Chuck-a-ball?
Contact Sweets General Manager Dan Ferguson to coordinate your organization’s ability to bring your group to the ballpark for the evening to raise money for your organization.

Dan Ferguson
509-522-2255
dan@wallawallasweets.com

Walla Walla, Wash. – The roster for the 2018 Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game has been announced and includes some of the most talented high school baseball players in the Valley. The team is comprised of 14 players and they will take on the Walla Walla Sweets in a modified showcase-style exhibition game that will take place at Borleske Stadium on May 30 with first pitch slated for 6:35 PM.

Proceeds from the game will go to the Walla Walla Valley Youth Baseball & Softball non-profit organization. These funds are used by area youth teams and programs to fund operations, travel expenses and other developmental needs associated with providing youth of all backgrounds a chance to play baseball and softball – last year this event raised nearly $5,000.

Purchase tickets for the event here: Tickets to Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game

The showcase team will once again be managed by Sweets partner Jeff Cirillo. He played 14 years in Major League Baseball, was a 2-time All-Star and played collegiate baseball at USC. Cirillo continues to coach amateur baseball in the Seattle area and is also a scout for the Los Angeles Angels.

For more information on the game istelf, read the full story here: Sweets Set to Host 2nd Annual Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase Game

Participating High School Players:

Connor Lemma is graduating from Wa-Hi this summer, where he lettered with the varsity baseball team for three years. During the summer, he played his baseball with River City Athletics. Outside of baseball, he said he enjoys skiing, hiking and photography. This fall, Lemma will be attending Pacific Lutheran University to play baseball and plans to pursue a degree in physics and philosophy.

“I am honored to be able to play against the Sweets, as I have been watching them since their inaugural season,” Lemma said.

Jesus Vela is a graduating senior from McLoughlin High School where he was a three-sport athlete having played baseball, soccer and basketball. He said though, by far, baseball is his favorite sport. Outside of sports, Vela said he enjoys bike riding and hiking. He plans to attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall and is attempting to play either baseball or soccer there.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the showcase game because it gives me the chance to show others that I have what it takes to play at the next level,” Vela said.

Kobe Morris put together one of the most impressive seasons in all of the Valley for College Place High School in 2018. He finished the regular season with a .538 batting average, four homeruns, and 36 RBI. On the mound, he had an unblemished 8-0 record with a 1.29 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. Those numbers allowed him to take home the SCAC League Player of the Year honors as well as an SCAC All-Conference nod. Morris is currently undecided on where he will attend college, but a 3.8 GPA student and talented ball player such as himself should find a home before too long. His younger brother, Kyren, is also participating in the Showcase Game.

“It is an honor that my local community thinks I am worthy to play with my peers on such a high level in the Showcase Game,” Morris said. “More importantly, this game is a special recognition that I get to share with players that I’ve played with and against for more than 12 years. These other players have become my friends and people I admire, so being in the dugout with them one last time will be a special moment.”

Kyren Morris had an equally impressive season to the one his older brother Kobe put together in 2018 for College Place High School. Kyren finished the regular season with a .517 batting average, 39 runs scored, 33 RBI and was named to the SCAC All Conference team. Morris is just one of two high school juniors who will be participating in the showcase game, a nod to how gifted of a player he is at a young age. Smart as he is talented at baseball, Morris also carries a 3.95 GPA in school.

“It is an honor to play in this showcase event and I look forward to playing with my teammates, friends, and for the coaches I’ve had throughout the years who have impacted me as a player and a person,” Morris said. “The showcase is a special recognition that I don’t take lightly, and I am grateful for those that think my play is worthy.”

Turner Edwards is back to compete in the Showcase Game for the second consecutive year after putting together another impressive high school season. He is a graduating senior at Wa-Hi who is committed to play baseball at Walla Walla Community College in the fall. He said without all the great players and coaches in the area, that he wouldn’t be the player he is today.

“It is a great honor to be a part of this showcase game for the second year in a row,” Edwards said. “I take pride in my game and knowing that other people in the community can see that as well makes the game that much more special.”

Josh Bergevin has been a household name in the Valley when it comes to baseball all throughout his life. He has been a part of two Little League City Championships, two American Legion State Championships and the second most successful finish of any Walla Walla High School baseball team in 2017. He said that baseball has provided him with many memorable experiences, including a 12-day trip to Alaska last year and a tournament this summer that takes place in Omaha, Nebraska during the College World Series. He is undecided between Walla Walla Community College and Blue Mountain Community College but hopes to have the opportunity to continue his playing career at either school next year.

“It is a great honor to be nominated and selected to this showcase game,” Bergevin said. “I’ve never been the biggest, strongest or fastest player in my baseball career, so it’s extremely satisfying to know that hard work pays off and is recognized. I will be sure to remember this experience for a very long time.”

Daniel Naughton is another returner to the Showcase Game after participating in the event last year, and a big reason why is because of the tremendous season he put together for Pendleton High School. He was named the Columbia River Conference 2018 Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, first team All-Conference pitcher, second team All-Conference infielder and was recently named an Oregon first team All-State Pitcher. This summer, Naughton will take his talents to Bend, Oregon and play for the Bend Elks in the West Coast League. Following his summer season, he will begin his collegiate-baseball career at Gonzaga University.

“I’m honored to be invited to the Walla Walla Valley High School Showcase game for the second year,” Naughton said. “I am looking forward to playing under head coach Jeff Cirillo and alongside the area’s best high school baseball players.”

Nick Zehner was a two-sport athlete at Walla Walla High School, playing both baseball and football. He was the ace for the baseball team and was the starting quarterback and safety for the football team. He will continue attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall, where he plans to join the electrician program.

“I’m excited to be in this showcase because I’m able to show off my talent and play with some of the best high school players in the area,” Zehner said.

Zander Norris was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Walla Walla. He said that he has been fortunate to have played with and be coached by some great people in the Valley since he began his baseball career. In the fall, Norris will attend Oberlin College in Ohio and plans to pursue a degree in economics and history while competing on the baseball team.

“It’s an honor to be invited to play with the Sweets and some of the most talented players from all over the Valley in the Showcase Game,” Norris said.

Parker Likes will graduate from Walla Walla High School with a cumulative 3.9 GPA. He said that he enjoys a good round of Fortnite and is interested in underwater basket weaving. Likes will attend Walla Walla Community College in the fall and be a part of the school’s honors program, but he plans to eventually transfer to Washington State University and pursue a degree in engineering.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to take part in the Showcase Game,” Likes said. “I’m looking forward to lacing it up and playing one last time with the boys.”

Silas Shumate has been a staple of College Place High School baseball, having played there for the last four years. He said that outside of baseball, he enjoys hunting, fishing and farming in the summer. He will be attending the College of Idaho in the fall, where he will play for the school’s baseball team. Shumate plans to major in environmental studies with minors in education, criminal justice and history.

“It’s a great honor to get to play in the Showcase Game,” Shumate said. “I think it’s a great way to really see what you got alongside some of the best high school players in the area.”

Joseph Helm has grown up in the Valley his entire life and he said he takes a lot of pride in that. He originally lived in Walla Walla but moved to Dayton when he was in third grade. Helm said that his father is a very important person in his life, having been coached by him from t-ball all the way up through his freshman year of high school. He also said that he’s made a lot of connections through sports and that they have played a huge role in his life. Helm will attend Willamette University in Salem, Oregon in the fall and will play football there while he pursues a career as a criminal profiler.

“I feel honored to have been chosen to represent the Dayton-Waitsburg communities for the Walla Walla Valley,” Helm said. “I have received an enormous amount of support and encouragement from both communities and hope to make them proud. Being a part of this showcase game has taught me that working hard and dedicating myself does not go unrewarded.”

Kyler Tiner is one of two juniors participating in the showcase this year, which should give fans an idea of how talented this young man is. He plans to go to school in-state somewhere in Washington but is currently undecided. He plays for the College Place High School varsity baseball team and on the season carries a .500 batting average in 62 at-bats.

“It is an honor to be a part of this showcase game,” Tiner said. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call, it all seemed surreal.”

Benjamin Ortiz is currently a senior at Walla Walla High School, but this is only his first year at the school after transferring from Touchet this past fall. On the season for the Wa-Hi varsity baseball team, Ortiz finished with a .375 batting average. He plans to go to Whitman College in the fall and continue his education as well as his baseball career.

“It is very special that I am able to be a part of this showcase game,” Ortiz said.

Walla Walla, Wash. – What better way to start off your evening at the ballpark than arriving early to watch some of the best college players in the country drill shots around the field during batting practice while you get to sip on affordable drinks and take in the perfect Eastern Washington sunshine. Fans will have the chance to do exactly that as the Sweets will host Bud Light Batting Practice on select days throughout the 2018 season.

Bud Light Batting Practice Dates:

On those dates, gates will open at 5:30 PM, a full half hour earlier than usual, and the right field Blue Mountain Cider house will be open and offering great deals on Budweiser and Blue Mountain Cider products. There will also be various delicious food options available including tacos provided by Del Taco, and of course, fans will get to compete against one another in a fan-favorite game of cornhole on our very own Blue Mountain Cider Sweets boards.

A perfect summer Happy Hour to kick off your night at Borleske Stadium awaits! To purchase tickets for these games, click on the dates you’re interested in, in the table above and follow the links to reserve your spot at Bud Light Batting Practice.

Walla Walla, Wash. – See how other West Coast League teams are filling out their rosters as the season nears ever closer with the 2018 WCL Team Preview of the Corvallis Knights and the Bend Elks.

Corvallis Knights

Record Last Year: 34-20 (1st in WCL South) 2017 WCL Champions
Head Coach: Brooke Knight – 11th year
Assistant Coaches: Ed Knaggs, Youngjin Yoon, Kellen Camus

The Corvallis Knights took home the WCL Championship in 2017, defeating the Victoria Harbourcats 2-1 in the three game championship series. The 2017 championship made the Knights just the 2nd WCL franchise to win back-to-back WCL championships, with the AppleSox doing it in ’05-’06 and ’09-’10, and was also the Knights’ fifth WCL Championship overall. Corvallis head coach Brooke Knight will be back for his 11th year with the team and has lead them to all five of their WCL championships, eight total championship series appearances, and has qualified for the playoffs every year that he’s been at the team’s helm. The Knights will be led at the offensive end by their outfield pair of Beau Brundage (OF) from the University of Portland and Austin Feist (OF) from Saint Martin’s University, both of whom hit for power, average . The team’s strength will certainly be on the mound as the freshman pair from Stanford University of Brendan Beck (RHP) and Jacob Palisch (LHP) will compete with one another throughout the season to see who will be the Knights’ ace. Talented prospect Jake Miller (RHP), a senior at Newbury Park High School who is committed to play at the University of San Diego next year, will also help to bolster the outstanding arms that Corvallis will have at their disposal.

Key Position Players:

Key Pitchers:

*Stats are from 2018 College or High School season*

Bend Elks

Record Last Year: 26-28 (4th in the WCL South)
Head Coach: Alan Embree – 8th year

The Bend Elks improved over their 2016 season in 2017 but still fell just a few games short of the .500 mark and failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season, but the team will look to get back to their winning ways that led them to the WCL Championship in 2015 here in the 2018 season. Alan Embree is back for his eighth year as head coach of the Elks and has put together a talented roster for the upcoming season. The team has an abundance of offensive firepower that will be spearheaded by junior Trevor Snyder (IF) from Morehead State Unversity, who mashed 17 homeruns and accounted for 113 runs over 46 games for the Eagles, an average of 2.46 runs per game this season. Michael Emodi (C) from Creighton University was recently named a Johnny Bench Award semifinalist thanks in large part to his defensive prowess, having thrown out 50% of runners attempting to steal on him this season. He will split time behind the plate with Brett Auerbach (C) from Saddleback College who has proven more than capable offensively. While the catching duties may be divvied up between the two, one would have to assume that Coach Embree will frequently try to find a way to keep both talented backstops in the lineup throughout the season. Grant Larson (LHP) from Chico State University will be the main man on the mound for the Elks, and the 6-foot-7 hurler proved this season with CSU that he can eat up a lot of innings and keep opposing hitters at bay.

Key Position Players:

Key Pitcher:

*Stats are from 2018 College or High School season*

Walla Walla, Wash. – Everybody loves a good underdog story, a story about hard work, determination and dedication paying off. Such is the story of the Sweets latest signing of freshman walk-on Cesar Lopez (OF) from Cal Poly Pomona.

“I felt like it was a great opportunity and that I could contribute to the team,” Lopez said of joining the Sweets. “It’s the kind of experience where I can develop my game around some older guys, see what they do, how they go about their business and learn from them.”

A native of Downey, California, Lopez went to St. John Bosco High School and was a solid player for the baseball team. He finished his senior season with a .304 batting average, 16 runs scored, 10 RBI and five doubles.

“It was a really good experience at Bosco, we had a really close-knit group,” Lopez said. “My sophomore year we got a new head coach for the team, Don Barbara. He could get emotional at times, but you could tell he was passionate about the game. He was a great hitter when he played at Long Beach State, so he was just a great teacher to have.”

Coming out of high school, Lopez drew very little interest from the baseball programs that he had eyed as potential suitors. He chose to attend Cal Poly Pomona primarily for the academics, but said he realized that the Broncos had a winning baseball team, a great program and he wanted to be a part of it.

Lopez talked with the coaching staff and attended the walk-on tryout that the team held this past fall. He said there were give or take around 20 players who participated in the tryout, and that out of those 20, Lopez was the only one selected to be a part of the Broncos baseball team.

“It was a little bit nerve wracking, but at some point, you just have to go for it,” Lopez said. “I had to put a lot of work in, but the time and effort paid off. I was able to get a spot and an opportunity to get some playing time.”

The opportunity for playing time was not always on the table, as the coaching staff had originally planned to redshirt Lopez. However, a last-minute change of heart gave the walk-on outfielder an opportunity to play in the opening series of the season against California State San Marco and he took full advantage.

Over the four-game series, Lopez went 5-for-14 with three runs scored and two walks. After that, the coaching staff felt like he had proven himself to be a more than capable player and Lopez was able to work his way into a starting role for the team. He started 46 games and finished the season with a .291 batting average, 25 runs, 26 RBI, nine doubles and three homeruns.

“Overall it was just a really great season and a good learning experience to have,” Lopez said. “The game is a lot faster at this level because everybody is good. The coaching staff was great too, I learned a lot from them and they helped me out a lot when I was struggling a bit.”

Sweets team president Zachary Fraser said he is pleased to add yet another quality player to the team’s talented roster for the 2018 season, noting that the work ethic and determination Lopez displayed in earning a walk-on spot at Cal Poly Pomona is an invaluable asset to any team.

“We’re excited to welcome Cesar to #SweetsCountry,” Fraser said. “I am particularly impressed with his back-story, and our coaching staff – Raul especially – was very excited when he saw what he could do during games. Lopez will provide depth and versatility, and most importantly, an attitude of not settling that is important to clubs looking to win titles.”

Walla Walla, Wash. – Tuesday, the often forgotten and frequently underappreciated day of the week. Certainly not the case during the Sweets season as the team once again brings back Terrific Tuesdays presented by Gesa Credit Union.

“Our recurring Terrific Tuesdays promotion gives fans a chance to add some fun to their early week routine at great, discounted prices,” said Sweets general manager Dan Ferguson. “Gesa Credit Union has been tremendous to work with in helping to bring this promotion to life at the ballpark.”

Every Tuesday home game at Borleske Stadium, fans will have the chance to purchase $2 Reserved Tickets when they purchase them online with the promo code GESAROCKSWW. Tickets can also be purchased in downtown Walla Walla at the Sweets Shoppe.

To buy tickets online for Terrific Tuesdays, follow the links here:
June 12 – Tickets
June 26 – Tickets
July 31 – Tickets
Once again, be sure to use the online promo code GESAROCKSWW to receive the $2 Reserved Tickets discount!

Food and beverage will also be available at discounted prices with $2 20 oz. bottles of water or Pepsi products and $2 Lil’ Lou Hot Dogs. There will also be $2 Rolling Rock cans available at the stadium through the 7th inning. Please drink responsibly!

On June 26, Terrific Tuesday will also feature special guest Mariner Moose, as Seattle’s lovable mascot spends the evening patrolling the stands and wreaking havoc on Sweets on-field MC Sean McKillip.

Editors Note: Many of our fans are familiar with the satirical musings of The Onion. Since we are ACTUALLY named after the vegetable, we thought it only appropriate to give this medium a shot. We’re grateful to our friends in Victoria for providing the opportunity and the content.

—

Walla Walla, Wash. – PBV’s long-term vision is focused on bringing fans ever closer to the action in ways never before imagined. Recent news out of Victoria showed the H’Cats advancing the concept of bringing fans into areas that were traditionally reserved for baseball teams. These changes are now paving the way for others to consider equally thoughtful yet potentially disruptive ways to remove these barriers.

“We’ve kept a watchful eye around the league and are particularly inspired by things happening up north,” said team president Zachary Fraser. “Once people are able to look past minor issues like safety and ground rules or the potential of a left fielder needing to throw a ball through the crowd to reach home plate, I think they’ll appreciate the addition of premium seating and increased revenue opportunities for their hometown teams.”

The final rendering of Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla includes the addition of Canadian based Tim Hortons beyond second base.

“We’ve discussed this with our coaching staff, ownership, stadium board and everyone is 100% in support of this revenue-generating idea,” said Fraser. “Up until now, the only non-baseball personnel that have had access to the field – traditionally from the dugouts and the fence line on into the playing field – between the 1st and 9th innings are groundskeepers, streakers and the security guards tackling those streakers.”

The fast-serve diner will offer a full menu which includes donuts, coffee and sandwiches. Authenticity of the experience is paramount to Fraser, who will ensure that his favourite pastry – the honey glaze French cruller – will be on the menu. Additionally, the service staff will be bi-lingual – offering products in both French and English. Fraser, who spent two years living in Quebec and claims the province as his ancestral home, has been busy teaching French classes at night in preparation of the grand opening.

“Honestly, I think they ball got rolling down in Houston years ago with Tal’s Hill in center field – that hill probably still exists today if moms and dads are able to lay out the beach towel with their kids and actually use it,” Fraser mused.

In a similar development, the Yakima Valley Pippins will welcome the Floyd’s Diner Food Truck to enhance the experience at the Orchard in Yakima this summer. The truck will park between third base and shortstop. The popular Victoria spot has signed a multiple-year deal that has them splitting time between Victoria and Yakima during months of June through August. The projected gas bill is something that the team and Floyd’s have been working to finalize.

“We’ll see how it goes,” said Pippins GM Jeff Garretson. “The six hole was generally thought of as off-limits to fans until now, but it’s a new world we live in.”

“We anticipate some great vantage points for our fans.”

Tentative plans will allow for fans to enter through the third base gate and line up around the rim of the infield to take part in the fare. Representatives from the organization say if things go well they may add a permanent concrete pathway for the expected constant stream of fans lined up for delicious burgers all summer.

“I can’t think of anything more exciting than having a line drive clamor off the side of their van next to ducking fans with the Shortstop picking up on the rebound and making a spectacular play,” added the Pippins GM.
“Maybe he’ll catch it off the carom – we’ll make sure the ground rules call that an out.”

Note: Below is an image of the actual deck being built into foul territory – with foul territory in front of and behind the deck – in Victoria. We’re not making this up. 

Walla Walla, Wash. – See how other West Coast League teams are filling out their rosters as the season nears ever closer with the WCL Team Preview of the Yakima Valley Pippins and the Bellingham Bells.

Yakima Valley Pippins

Record Last Year: 28-26 (2nd in WCL South)
Head Coach: Marcus McKimmy

The Yakima Valley Pippins had a strong showing in the 2017 season finishing 2nd in the WCL South and making it to the WCL Playoffs. They were bounced in the first round by the eventual champion Corvallis Knights, losing the series 2-1. Pippins head coach Marcus McKimmy is back for his fifth season with the team, having remained the head coach since the team’s inception. McKimmy will have a slew of talented players available to him this upcoming season and the team’s biggest strength will be behind the plate as two of the team’s best performers from the collegiate season include Andrew Schleusner (C) of Montana State University Billings and Chris Ceballos (C) of Point Loma Nazarene University. First team All-WCL selections from 2017, Taylor Dollard (RHP) and Connor White (RHP) will be back for the Pippins this season and both players will look to put together another strong campaign in 2018. Additionally, a pair of graduating high school seniors will take to the mound for the Pippins in the form of Sean Mullen (RHP) and Mason Wells (LHP), both of whom will be imposing threats to WCL hitters even at their young age.

Key Position Players:

Key Pitchers:

*Stats are from 2018 College or High School season*

Bellingham Bells

Record Last Year: 31-23 (1st in WCL North)
Head Coach: Bob Miller
Assistant Coaches: Jim Clem, Jake Whisler, Darrien Moran

In 2017 the Bellingham Bells were able to put together their fourth consecutive 30+ win season, and their fifth in the last six seasons, leading to them taking home the WCL North crown but they still fell one game short of the playoffs. The team was awarded the Jim Dietz Team Sportsmanship Award and were led by Chase Illig (C) from West Virginia University who took home the WCL MVP award. Bob Miller is taking over as manager of the Bells for 2018 and he currently serves as the head coach of Cuesta College, where has led them to the playoffs in 13 of his 15 seasons, capturing eight conference championships along the way. Miller has spent time in the WCL previously, having served as the manager of the Victoria HarbourCats in 2013 and 2014. The Bells look to put together another strong campaign in the 2018 season and they have certainly compiled a roster to do so. The team’s strength this year will be in the infield, as they have put together a slew of plus defenders with strong hitting abilities that includes the likes of Blake Billinger (IF) from Valparaiso University, Dusty Stroup (IF) from Missouri Western State College, and 2017 WCL All-Star and All-WCL second team selection Ernie Yake (IF) from Gonzaga University. The Bells’ pitching staff will be led by Elliott Carney (RHP), who put together one of the most impressive seasons in all of college baseball for Edmonds Community College. The young hurler Nick Nastrini (RHP) will be tested early and often against WCL hitters but the UCLA commit looks to be up to the task. When the Bells need to shut the door this season, they will frequently look to Alex Gregory (RHP) who is as stingy as they come out of the bullpen.

Key Position Players:

Key Pitchers:

*Stats are from 2018 College or High School season*

Walla Walla, Wash. – A team can never have enough capable lefties at their disposal out of the bullpen and the Sweets have added another for the 2018 season. Samuel Reed (LHP) from Concordia University Irvine will take to the mound this summer for Walla Walla.

“I’m just so excited for the fan base out in Walla Walla,” Reed said. “Having an atmosphere, you can’t beat it playing the game. It’s all about the fans and having a good time with that. So I couldn’t be more excited to come play in an intense environment of want-to-win baseball every single day in one of the best summer collegiate leagues in the nation.”

A native of Denver, Colorado, Reed went to Thomas Jefferson High School where he was a standout player for the baseball team. He was a four-year varsity letterman, a three-time All-Denver Public Schools first team selection and was named to the All-Colorado second team his senior year in 2014.

“I went to an inner-city high school, so baseball wise I was pretty quick to make varsity in the freshman stages of things,” Reed said. “I was just a leader out there. I developed some characteristics of a leader and it was really great overall.”

The first two years of Reed’s collegiate career were spent at the Colorado School of Mines where he began to hone his pitching ability out of the bullpen. He finished his sophomore season with a 1-0 record, one save and 23 strikeouts over 27.2 innings pitched.

“My freshman year, we were not a very good team, but my sophomore year we were one game away from winning the conference on the last day,” Reed said. “It was very competitive baseball. For the most part in Colorado the ball flies, so it teaches you how to keep the ball down when you pitch – otherwise it’s going over the fence.”

Reed said he was drawn to Concordia Irvine because of the beautiful southern California weather. Despite having been lightly recruited by the school, Reed was able to convince them to sign him with a single bullpen session.

“Really it was being able to come down to southern California to play baseball; it’s one of the best places to play baseball because it’s perfect weather every day,” Reed said of why he chose to play at CUI. “I didn’t really meet many coaches prior to signing, it was just a connection I had. I set up a bullpen for me to throw in front of one of their assistants and they liked what they saw enough to pick me up for the year.”

Having recently wrapped up his first year with the Eagles, Reed said he has enjoyed his time there and the role in which he has been used – as a closer and lefty specialist. He appeared in 18 games, earned three saves and racked up 24 strikeouts over 24.1 innings pitched.

“As a team, we are going to finish fourth or fifth out of our eleven-team conference, so as a whole we did okay, Reed said. “But my experience was great. I’m a bullpen guy and they used me for the most part as a lefty specialist and sometimes to close out ball games, as well. I love pitching out of the bullpen and they let me do what I like to do so it was a good deal.”

With Opening Day a month away and the college baseball regular season winding down, stay up to date with how our players are performing with another edition of “10 Things to Know”!

1. One of the best performances of the year for any Sweets player, past or present, was put together by Zach Penrod (Utility) for Northwest Nazarene University last week. The Nighthawks hosted Western Oregon and split the four-game series, but Penrod went OFF. He went 12-17 with eight runs scored, four RBI, three doubles, a homerun, two walks, had a five-hit game on Friday and was just named to the GNAC Baseball All-Conference second team.

2. Central Washington University went on the road for a four-game series against Montana State University Billings in a late week matchup that saw the two teams split the series two-to-two. Mitch Lesmeister (IF) was exceptional throughout for CWU as he went 8-for-15 with four runs, six RBI, a double, a homerun and two walks. Jalen Garcia (OF) was held in check for MSUB, relatively speaking, as he went 3-for-15 with a run scored, two RBI, a double, a triple and was just named to the GNAC Baseball All-Conference first team. Carson Woolery (RHP) appeared in one game for the Yellowjackets and surrendered just one hit over one inning and added a strikeout.

Zach Penrod (Utility) – Northwest Nazarene University
Image from: nnusports.com

Jalen Garcia (OF) – Montana State University Billings
Image from: MSU Billings

3. Nate Ostmo (IF) has put together a strong finish to his junior season as he helped Dartmouth sweep a three-game Ivy League series against Princeton. Ostmo went 5-for-12 with four runs scored, two RBI, a triple, a homerun and two walks. (HIGHLIGHT)

4. USC hosted the University of California in a Pac-12 matchup over the weekend that saw the Trojans take two of the three games. Tyler Pritchard (IF) was a big part of USC’s victories as he went 4-for-10 in the series with four runs, three RBI, a double and a homerun. (HIGHLIGHT)

5. UC Irvine was able to take two of three games at home against the University of Oregon this past weekend. Dylan Riddle (LHP) appeared in all three games for Irvine and surrendered just one run in 2.0 innings of work and added a strikeout.

6. An upcoming matchup where Sweets fans will be able to catch some future players in action will be when Dartmouth hosts Harvard in a three-game Sunday-Monday series. Nate Ostmo (IF) will take to the field for the Big Green and Jake Suddleson (OF) will oppose him for the Crimson. Information on how to follow the games can be found here: LINK

7. Sweets head coach Frank Mutz has to be pleased with how Chaminade College Prep High School has been performing as of late. With a 10-4 victory against Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks yesterday, his team has now won four straight with four games remaining on the schedule before they gear up for the playoffs.

8. Washington State hosted #3 Oregon State in a series over the weekend that saw the Cougars drop two games and had the final game end in a 10-inning tie. Former Sweet J.J. Hancock (OF) appeared in all three games for WSU and went 4-for-8 with three runs, an RBI, a homerun and two walks.

9. 2016 Sweet Hayden Duer (C) had a strong series for California State University, Monterey Bay as his team was able to take three of four games against California State University, East Bay. Duer went 5-for-18 with three runs scored, four RBI, a double and a homerun.

10. California Baptist University defended their home turf as they were able to sweep Academy of Art University in a four-game mid-week series. Former Sweet John Glenn (IF) appeared in two games and went 2-for-8 with one run, three RBI, a homerun and is now hitting .322 on the season.

Walla Walla, Wash. – Opening Day is coming – now just a month away. The team’s home opener will be on June 8 and is being presented by Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Walla Walla and is set to be bigger and better than ever.

“Opening Day has become one of the coolest traditions that we have with the Sweets, as it has become such an event in and of itself,” said Sweets general manager Dan Ferguson. “It is always exciting to begin a new campaign at Borleske. The electric atmosphere on Opening Day generated by the Sweets faithful who pack into a sold-out stadium is really something special to behold.”

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE: Sweets Opening Day Tickets

There will be two giveaways on Opening Day, as the first 1000 fans will receive a Walla Walla Sweets baseball cap, and 2018 Sweets Magnet Schedules will also be available courtesy of the Union-Bulletin and KTEL 1490. The Jumpin’ Jelly Beanz Summer Fun Zone will also be active that evening for youngsters to run around in and explore throughout the game.

The biggest news will be the formal unveiling of the new 3rd base concourse and grandstand. Continuing with the history of improvements to the historic ballpark, the finished product will feature new food options (garlic fries, shrimp po’ boys, fish and chips, and shaved ice), a dunk tank, and improved 3rd base grandstand seating.

“We’re never finished improving the ballpark,” said Sweets president Zachary Fraser. “However, this feels like a big step forward in improving the experience for our fans – one that was always in the back of our minds when we started at Borleske in 2010.”

Fireworks are back and better than ever at Borleske, starting on Opening Day, as they will take place following the conclusion of the game.

“It really is the way that our community kicks off summer – Sweets at Borleske,” said Fraser.

Walla Walla, Wash. – With the 2018 season just a month away, the Sweets are still in search for a few families interested in hosting players for the summer. The host family program is one of the most integral pieces of community involvement with the Sweets, and the club wants your family to join the team!

“As we approach nine years of #SweetsCountry, I look back on the relationships built and maintained through our host family program – it is truly special and unique to the West Coast League in the caliber of the families and experiences players receive,” said team president Zachary Fraser. “I invite you and your family to become part of one of the best, most community-centered groups in the Walla Walla Valley and host a Sweets player this season.”

Last week, Fraser shared a letter on his personal Facebook page outlining the specific reasons why host families are used at this level of the game. Here are some of those reasons (as quoted from the letter):

Financial. Bluntly, there is no way that we can afford to house 30-35 players for three months at the expense of the team. It would total more than $70,000 a year – and that is assuming housing (about 8-10 homes, housing 4-5 players per home) would be available for a 3-month lease. Dorms are not an option. That $70K includes rent and utilities. It doesn’t include furniture, appliances, etc. Like most small businesses in Walla Walla, our margins are razor-thin when not non-existent. To pass that kind of cost to our customers/fans (a common comment) would not work (unless Walla Walla is ready for $20 bleacher seats at Borleske). We’re already juggling the advent and arrival of $15/hr minimum wage without burying our customers with cost increases. Most of you have seen where I live – the 1948 rambler with the rustic fence isn’t glamourous only because I’m siphoning off huge profits and keeping my family well-heeled – it’s because I’m so handy around the house (please note the dripping sarcasm). In all seriousness, every dollar greater than expenses is often poured back into the program, developing people and product and facilities, recruiting better players, and donating cash and services to dozens of non-profits in the Valley. I’m high-fiving my partners when the single-digit number at the end of the season is a black one, not red.

Integration. The reason the Sweets are Walla Walla’s team – after 9 years – has almost everything to do with the fact that, to the best of their limited ability, our players are integrated into the community. There are 200 people EVERY NIGHT that line the 3^rd base fence to get autographs because the players are accessible. I’ve seen our players out with their families and host families shopping and eating and engaging our advertiser’s businesses. Our former players COME BACK to visit because this place feels like home in large part because of the host family program.

It is the model, even in professional baseball. Players are hosted in local homes in all levels of game, even in professional baseball (typically through at least single-A baseball and in a few markets in AA-ball, although very rare). Points #1 and #2 are some of the reason why, but I personally believe that it is one of the traditions that keeps the game and communities connected. If there is a better model – that accomplishes #’s 1 and 2 – I am all ears. It is also what I would hope happens for our kids when they pursue something like this in a strange community.

Rosanna Morgan has been a host for the Walla Walla Sweets since the team’s first season back in 2010. She decided to become a host because she wanted to “grow” her family and said that the experience has been far more rewarding than she could have ever expected.

“We really did grow our family, but so much more than we ever could have expected,” Morgan said. “Regardless of the years that pass, we keep in contact to share what’s going on in the family. We have seen the players move on and begin their careers, and one has even gotten married. Our family has truly grown all by simply hosting a Sweets player for the summer.”

Host families will be invited to a private host family and player barbeque at the end of the season and will also be recognized on-field at Borleske Stadium prior to a game near the end of the season for their contributions to the Sweets organization and their individual players. Each member of the host family household will also receive a General Admission season ticket and 20% off all merchandise and apparel in the Sweets Shoppe throughout the 2018 season.

For more information, including learning what the host family expectations are and the additional benefits and commitments that come with being a host family, please visit the Host Family page on our website here: Sweets Host Family Page

A staple of the #SweetsCountry experience has been the Pepsi bottomless cup. The Sweets and their partner in pouring have stepped up the game this season – with a new program that both keeps the most popular elements of the fan experience program (bottomless), and makes it even more fun for the 2018 season.

New this year, the team will feature key returning players from the 2017 roster. Each player will have his “own” games, with the following schedule of games below.

The goal is to collect the whole set – 6 total cups. Each of the 6 cups will be eligible for the $2 re-fill during the regular season.

The schedule is as follows (subject to change, and without guarantee that the player(s) will be available or with the team the date(s) of their promotion):

• June 8-9-10-12-13: Nick Nyquist – a 3-year Sweet, a 2X WCL All-Star, and 1st Team All-WCL
• June 15-16-17-22: Ryan Johnston – a 3-year Sweet, and a team leader in many statistical categories, on and off the mound
• June 23-24-25-26-27: Jake Suddleson – returning for his second season, Jake was a WCL All-Star in 2017 and a team leader in homeruns
• July 5-6-7-8: Darius Vines – one of the top pitching prospects in the 2017 WCL season, known for dramatic strikeouts at Borleske
• July 13-14-18-19: Dylan Riddle – back for his 3rd WCL season, 2nd with Walla Walla, this dynamic lefty is poised to lead the pitching staff in 2018
• July 20-21-22-23: Danny Sinatro – an electrifying outfielder who uses speed and defense to change games, he is back for a 2018 WCL title run
• July 31-August 1-2-3-4-5: Get the one you missed!

A next-level step in the promotion – Player Collectible Cup Night June 13 vs. Highline. We will give away (100) of each of the players cups at the front gate (including a free fill!) – we’re helping you start your collection by getting the first one on us. So…if you get a Nick Nyquist on Opening Night, pick up the Dylan Riddle on June 13 – you’re 33% of the way to the full collection!

Who’s thirsty?!

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets have added two talented California JUCO players to their roster. Matt Elser (Utility) and Adrian Chaidez (RHP) will be in action at Borleske Stadium for Walla Walla this summer.

“I feel that this will be a great opportunity to go up to Walla Walla for the summer, see what it is really about, travel with the guys, and just have a blast,” Elser said. “I treat baseball as having a lot of fun. If you are not having fun, then why play? So, it is a really good opportunity for me.”

“When coach Hutting told me about the opportunity and how great the league is, I could not say no,” Chaidez said. “I had a couple teammates who played in the West Coast League last year and they said it was one of the best times of their life.”

Elser is a native of Santa Clarita, California where he went to Hart High School and was a standout athlete. He finished his senior season with the baseball team hitting .354 with 16 runs scored, 17 RBI and six doubles.

“Looking back on those four years playing at Hart, it really helped me get ready for the future – college-wise and academic-wise,” Elser said. “Playing for Jim Ozella, he really showed me how to be a student of the game and really pushed me to reach my goals.”

A utility player who can play both catcher and outfield, Elser is now attending Los Angeles Mission College. He said he was drawn to the program because of the school’s excellent academics and head coach Joe Cascione’s approach to the game.

“Mission really stood out because of Coach Cascione and how he has the drive to make someone better as a person and a baseball player,” Elser said. “Going through every-day practice, everything is always 120 percent and that’s what I like. I don’t take days off; I like to go through the game playing hard and working towards a goal.”

Elser just finished his freshman campaign with LA Mission and appeared in all 40 of the team’s games this season. He ended the year with a .284 batting average, 22 runs, 26 RBI, 12 doubles and two homeruns.

“Throughout the season, we had our ups and downs,” Elser said, “but at the end you can look back and say, ‘I had a really fun time and I learned a lot about the sport.’ And we will push forward to next season.”

Chaidez is from South Gate, California and went to Warren High School where he excelled for the baseball team.

“I just had such a great time at Warren,” Chaidez said. “Everyone there, we were all close. Our coach got on us when he had to, but everything else was laid back, our practices were great. I had a fun time … one of the best times of my life.”

The right-handed hurler is currently enrolled at Cypress College. He said he chose to go there because of the school’s reputation for developing players and getting them to the Division I level.

“They have such a good background of getting their players to the next level and that’s what I wanted to do, get to the next level,” Chaidez said. “They have a great coaching staff and that’s all you can really ask for.”

While he is a pitcher now, Chaidez was recruited as a two-way player after being primarily a catcher in high school and only pitching briefly his senior year. He said that when he got to Cypress they told him that he was going to pitch and the coaching staff helped him a great deal.

“It was a difficult transition because I had just started out and I am competing against guys who had been pitching their whole lives, so I was very far behind,” Chaidez said. “I had to learn how to throw my curveball, changeup and cutter. It was difficult but it all paid off with the hard work with the coaches.”

In his first collegiate season – his first full season of pitching, Chaidez made great strides throughout the year. He finished with 16 appearances and a 4.01 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 24.2 innings pitched.

“We had a pretty solid season; our baseball program is really solid,” Chaidez said. “Most of our returning guys are freshman, so we are going to have an even better team next season.”

Sweets head coach Frank Mutz had high praise for both Elser and Chaidez and feels because of his familiarity with both players that he knows these two will be very important to Walla Walla’s success this summer.

“We are getting one of the top JUCO catchers in Southern California with Elser,” Mutz said. “He is not only an outstanding receiver, he is very capable offensively and will be used as an outfielder and DH when he is not catching. Chaidez will be a welcome addition to our pitching staff this summer. He is a strike thrower who loves to compete and will be of our starters or long relievers.”

With the Sweets home opener just a little over a month away, stay up to date with how our players are performing as they wind down the college season with another edition of “10 Things to Know”!

1. In a late week series, Zach Penrod (OF) helped lead Northwest Nazarene University to win three out of four games against Concordia to keep their GNAC Championships hopes alive. He appeared in all four games and went 9-for-16 with a double, five runs scored, seven RBI, two walks, and on Monday, was named GNAC Baseball Player of the Week.

2. Saint Martin’s University should not feel badly that they could not slow down Jalen Garcia (OF) as seemingly nobody has been able to this season. Montana State University Billings split a four-game series with SMU this weekend, but Garcia went 9-for-18 with two doubles, two triples, a homerun, four runs scored, six RBI and three stolen bases. He is now batting .380 on the season for the MSUB Yellowjackets.

3. Jake MacNichols (C) continued to show off his extra-base hit prowess as Santa Clara University won two of three games against the University of San Francisco over the weekend. MacNichols appeared in two games and went 4-for-7 with two doubles, a homerun, three runs scored, five RBI, a walk and a stolen base.

4. Harvard dropped two of three games in an Ivy League conference matchup against Cornell this past weekend, but Jake Suddleson (OF) still had a strong showing. He went 4-for-12 in the series with two doubles, two runs, three RBI, two walks and a stolen base.

5. Tanner Cunha (LHP) helped wrap up a three-game sweep for Sacramento City College as they took down Folsom Lake College in action last week. He appeared in the final game of the series and struck out two over 1.1 innings of work and earned the win.

Zach Penrod (Utility) – Northwest Nazarene University
Image from: nnusports.com

Jalen Garcia (OF) – Montana State University Billings
Image from: msubsports.com

6. Washington State University lost their matchup on the road against Seattle University last Wednesday. Bryce Moyle (LHP) limited the damage for the Cougars, however, as he came in and only allowed two hits in 2.0 innings of work and added a strikeout without surrendering a run.

7. Jack Filby (Utility) has been flying around the bases as of late for C.K. McClatchy High School. Over his last two games, Filby has two triples to go along with two RBI. On the season, he carries a .368 batting average with a 1.096 OPS.

8. Richmond University won two of three games in an Atlantic 10 matchup against the University of Dayton and senior captain Vinny Capra (IF) played a key role in the team’s success. The former Sweet finished the series going 6-for-13 with a homerun, four runs scored, three RBI, two walks and a stolen base. He now has a .335 batting average on the year.

9. After a four-game slide in the middle of April, Frank Mutz has Chaminade College Prep back on track as they begin to look toward the postseason. They are 6-2 over their last eight games and have a 19-8 record with three games remaining in the regular season.

10. A series where Sweets fans will have the chance to see several 2018 players in action will be when Central Washington University travels to take on Montana State University Billings in a four-game series on Thursday (5/3) and Friday (5/4) of this week. Jalen Garcia (OF) and Carson Woolery (RHP) will look to defend their home turf for MSUB as Mitch Lesmeister will oppose them for CWU. There will be double headers played on both days and more information on the games can be found here: LINK TO SCHEDULE

Walla Walla, Wash. – This morning, the West Coast League announced the addition of Commissioner to its league leadership structure, and that former ESPN and Fox Sports journalist Rob Neyer will be filling the position, effective immediately.

Neyer is the league’s first commissioner since ABCA Hall of Fame head coach Jim Dietz of San Diego State presided over the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League, during the circuit’s formative years.

“We are thrilled to have Rob Neyer represent the West Coast League and act as our league’s commissioner,” said WCL president Tony Bonacci. “His knowledge of the game and passion for what we are doing, not to mention his contacts in baseball, should help us elevate the league to new heights.”
“We can’t be more pleased that Rob has joined us as our commissioner.”

Currently residing in Portland, Oregon, Neyer is baseball writer known for his pioneering use of statistical analysis and sabermetrics and began his career working for Bill James and STATS, Inc.

He’s also worked for 15 years as a columnist and blogger for ESPN, and was National Baseball Editor at Vox Media’s SB Nation from 2011 to 2013, then Senior Baseball Editor for Fox Sports through 2015. His recent work has been featured in The New York Times, Vice Sports, Complex Sports, and Yahoo, among others.

This October, HarperCollins will publish POWER BALL: Anatomy of a Modern Baseball Game, Rob’s seventh book.

“I’m a passionate, longtime fan of baseball history generally, and Pacific Northwest baseball specifically,” Neyer said. “So it’s difficult for me to imagine a more exciting opportunity, and I’m honored to be associated with such a fine organization. This summer, as I connect with the owners and visit all the beautiful ballparks, I’ll do everything I can to help this great league become even greater.”

WCL members will look to the league’s new commissioner to arbitrate and regulate during the season; to further connect the league and its teams with the baseball community, its markets and those that follow the game; and to act as a league ambassador.

Walla Walla, Wash. – One of the most significant components to Sweets baseball is the impact the team has on the young athletes in the Valley. That continues for the 2018 season as the Sweets will once again host two youth baseball camps at Borleske Stadium.

“It’s one of the best things we do with the Sweets,” said Walla Walla manager Frank Mutz. “Being able to teach and impact the young ball players in our community is so important to our culture. With these camps, we are able to make a lasting impact on young athletes and create Sweets fans for life.”

Sweet Lou’s Skills Camp will be the first one to be held and will take place from June 25 through June 27. This camp is for athletes ages 5-to-9 and is perfect for your first-time player or little sprout.

The cost for Sweet Lou’s camp is $100 but discounts are available for multiple siblings who register together as well as YMCA members. The early bird 20% discount ends tomorrow, May 1, so register now to be eligible to receive it.

The Sweets Prospect Camp will be held from July 18 through July 21 and is for athletes ages 8-to-14. This camp will feature games every day, sliding practice (which is always a favorite), and is great for those looking for more specific instruction and fine-tuning of their game.

The cost for the Prospect Camp is $125 but discounts are available for multiple siblings who register together as well as YMCA members. The early bird discount is also available for those who register by June 1.

For both events campers will receive a t-shirt, a ticket to a Walla Walla Sweets home game, a new pair of baseball cleats donated by Miguel Colin from Country Financial, a pizza party on the last day of the camp, and of course instruction from some of the nation’s best baseball coaches and players.

REGISTER for Sweet Lou’s Skills Camp
REGISTER for Sweets Prospect Camp

Walla Walla, Wash. – Construction is currently underway to upgrade and update the historic home of the Walla Walla Sweets. Borleske Stadium is undergoing renovations to enhance the fan experience at the ballpark for the upcoming 2018 season.

Perhaps the most notable change that Sweets fans will notice as they enter the ballpark will be the replacement of the third-base side grandstand, a piece that dated back to the 1950s. While historic, it was no longer suitable to host fans after doing so for nearly 70 years.

In its place will be a re-purposed set of grandstands that will feature safety rails on the outside and hand rails on the aisles. The new seating will run approximately 20-to-25 feet further down the line than the original grandstand, creating more fantastic viewing options for fans without detracting from popular seating locations like the Beer Garden tables. In addition to a cleaner, more professional look, the new seating will be much safer.

The concourse on both sides of the field is also undergoing an overhaul to provide a much cleaner look than what had been in place before. The area had previously been a combination of asphalt, gravel, warning track stone and concrete but will now be completely refurbished and will feature improved drainage on the first base side.

This renovated concourse area will create new plaza opportunities adjacent to the Home Plate Hangout, where new food options are being added for the 2018 season and a new fundraising platform for non-profits will also be located, the details of which will be released in May.

In addition, the safety netting that lines the fence and frequently prevents foul balls from searing into the seats will be extended all the way down the fence line on both sides of the field, encompassing boxes 1-to-6 on the first base side and in front of the bleaches that constitute general admission seats on the third base side. The netting will also be raised in height in front of boxes 1-to-3.

These netting additions parallel the changes being made across the landscape of baseball to provide greater fan safety while still maintaining the intimacy of the ballpark. Furthermore, the batting practice nets will now be moved to a new storage location down the left field line and out of access to fans.

All of these improvements are being funded by a partnership of the Borleske Stadium Assocation and privately contributed funds. Sweets team president Zachary Fraser said this group has worked extremely hard to enhance the historic ballpark while maintaining its tradition that fans have come to know and love.

“Since our very first season, the Stadium Association partners have been great to work with as we effort together to improve our historic facility,” Fraser said. “As the oldest stadium in the West Coast League – and one of the oldest still in operation in the country – we want to strike a balance between the tradition of the stadium while also making improvements that benefit fans and players. In addition to safer viewing, I know fans will appreciate the finished look and feel of the third base side of the ballpark.”

Walla Walla, Wash. – Sweets’ fans will have the chance to follow the team’s home games in a new way this year which will allow them to see more of the action. The club has announced that they will be launching live-video streaming of all games at Borleske Stadium for the 2018 season.

“We are thrilled to bring the production of a video broadcast to Walla Walla fans this season,” said Sweets general manager Dan Ferguson. “The tremendous crowds and electric atmosphere at Borleske will now be brought directly to fans across the country and the world. We are confident that Brandon [Pavlina], our broadcaster, will be exceptional at calling the action on the broadcasts as fans that can’t be in Borleske, for the first time, will be able to follow the games via video.”

The move to incorporate a video broadcast at Borleske Stadium is in conjunction with a WCL-wide initiative to bring a visual medium to each ballpark in the league. Starting with the Sweets and the Yakima Valley Pippins launching a rudimentary Periscope broadcast in 2014, the process was greatly improved when the Victoria Harbourcats brought a multi-camera platform to the league in 2016. At the 2018 Winter Meetings in Portland, the WCL board of directors approved an initiative to help each club capitalize a video-stream service in each park. For the 2018 season, it is anticipated that all clubs in the league will have some variety of a live-stream available to fans.

The Sweets video broadcast will be a single-camera operation in 2018, traditional to what is seen with many colleges across the country. Development is already in place to allow for a multi-camera broadcast in the 2019 season. The video stream will be a simulcast of audio from award-winning Sweets’ radio broadcasts on KTEL Fox News Radio 1490 AM and 99.7 FM with new, separate advertising opportunities available through the video platform. The video broadcast will be a pay-per-view style format for fans with season and single-game passes available starting in May.

The live-video stream is being built with the partnership of the Sweets with Rob Snow and Michael Sanders of Walla Walla. Snow and Sanders have been part of developing streaming entertainment options throughout the Valley over the past five years, including Whitman Athletics. The Sweets have opted to use Boxcast, a comprehensive cloud-based solution that includes a full production suite to allow for a great viewing experience.

This platform will also allow the Sweets to extend their long-standing working relationships with local high schools and colleges, as this new initiative creates paying jobs for developing multi-media and video production students. This is the aspect that most excites Sweets president Zachary Fraser.

“Similar to what we have been able to do for players and developing sports marketing professionals, this project will both fill a need for our customer, as well as create development opportunities for young men and women in our community that are interested in sports broadcasting,” Fraser said.

Twice this season, the Sweets will be featured as the WCL Game of the Week where the broadcast will be shared league-wide via the WCL website. These dates will be Thursday, July 19 against the Bellingham Bells and Thursday, August 2 against the Kelowna Falcons.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Sweets this season and cannot wait for the opportunity to bring a visual broadcast to Borleske Stadium for the first time,” said Sweets broadcaster and media relations manager Brandon Pavlina. “I have had a great deal of experience with simulcasts and am confident I will be able to utilize that experience to provide an engaging and insightful viewing experience for Walla Walla fans.”

The Walla Walla Sweets home opener is rapidly approaching! Check out how our players past and present performed last week with the latest edition of “10 Things to Know”!

1. Stop us if you think you have heard this one before… Jalen Garcia (OF) had a monster weekend helping to propel Montana State University Billings to a four-game sweep of Concordia University. Garcia went 8-for-18 with four doubles, a triple, a homerun, seven runs scored, nine RBI, two walks and a stolen base. He also supplied some late-game heroics for the Yellowjackets, as he drilled a double into the right-center gap to give MSUB the walk-off victory in extra innings in the second game of the series on Friday. (HIGHLIGHT)

2. Nate Ostmo (IF) had a great series for Dartmouth College over the weekend despite the Big Green dropping two of three games to Yale University. In the series, Ostmo went 5-for-10 with four runs scored, an RBI, two walks and a stolen base.

Jalen Garcia (OF) – Montana State University Billings
Image from: msubsports.com

Nate Ostmo (IF) – Dartmouth College
Image from: dartmouthsports.com

3. Santa Clara was swept in a three-game series against Washington State University over the weekend with several Sweets contributing for both teams. For Santa Clara, Jake MacNichols (C) went 3-for-12 with three runs scored, a double, a homerun and an RBI. For Washington State, Danny Sinatro (OF) appeared in two games and went 2-for-6 with two runs scored, two RBI and hit an inside-the-park homerun. (HIGHLIGHT)

4. Matt Richardson (IF) and the University of Utah were both held in check as the Utes were swept on the road in a three-game series against Arizona State University this past weekend. Richardson went 2-for-10 in the series with a double and two runs scored.

5. Central Washington University was able to win three of four games against Northwest Nazarene University in another Sweets-laden series over the weekend. Mitch Lesmeister (IF) cooled off for Central Washington, going hitless in the series but still drew two walks and scored two runs. Zach Penrod (Utility) continued to produce for Northwest Nazarene, as he went 4-for-10 with four runs scored.

6. In another Ivy League matchup over the weekend, Harvard University won two of three games at home against Brown University. Jake Suddleson (OF) appeared in all three games for Harvard and went 2-for-13 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk.

7. UCLA commit, Jack Filby (Utility) has been getting back on track as of late for the C.K. McClatchy High School baseball team. Filby carries a .333 batting average with three doubles, three triples and 15 RBI through 18 games this season.

8. While Southern Illinois University was swept in a three-game series against #25 Tennessee Tech, 2016 Sweet Connor Kopach (IF) stayed red-hot at the plate. He went 4-for-13 in the series with a double, two runs scored, two RBI and a walk. Now on the season, Kopach is hitting .354 and ranks in the top-10 in nearly every offensive category in the Missouri Valley Conference. Just recently, he was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, which recognizes the best shortstop in college baseball.

9. Former Sweet Hayden Duer (C) had a whale of a weekend for California State University, Monterey Bay, helping them take three of four games against Sonoma State. In the series, Duer went 7-for-15 with a double, two homeruns, five runs scored, seven RBI, five walks and now carries a .301 batting average on the year.

10. Orange Coast College took two of three games against Irvine Valley College last week and former Sweet Coby Kauhaahaa (IF) performed well in the series. He went 5-for-14 with a run scored, two RBI and is batting .333 on the season.

Walla Walla, Wash. – Walla Walla Sweets manager Frank Mutz has announced the coaching staff for the upcoming 2018 season. Mutz, Raul Camacho and Kyle Wilkerson will be back with the team again this season and Justin Speer will join the staff again after previously coaching with the Sweets in 2015.

“I’ve appreciated working with Frank, Kyle and Raul last season, and look forward to welcoming Justin back into the dugout,” said Sweets team president Zachary Fraser. “These are men that care about our community and about winning the right way.”

A native of San Fernando Valley, California, Mutz is currently the head coach at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in West Hills, California, one of the nation’s best programs at producing high school baseball talent. He is back for his fourth year with Walla Walla and said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Sweets.

“I’m grateful to be back in Walla Walla for my fourth season,” Mutz said. “The Sweets have treated me and my family so well that we feel like a part of the community. There is so much to appreciate about Walla Walla, especially the way the fans have supported our ball club since 2010.”

With the coaching staff now assembled, Mutz said this group of men love the game of baseball but most importantly they are all of high character. He also said that he is looking forward to getting back at it with the Sweets this summer with a very talented roster.

“I can’t wait to get the club together in June,” Mutz said. “The entire staff including the front office has done an amazing job putting this 2018 ball club together. With key returners like Nick Nyquist, Danny Sinatro, Jake Suddleson, Ryan Johnston, Dylan Riddle, and Darius Vines, we have a strong nucleus of very good players. If the Sweets can throw strikes, play solid defense, I am convinced we will be in a position to make a strong playoff bid and run this summer.”

Frank Mutz

Raul Camacho

Camacho is from Oxnard, California and is back for his second year with Walla Walla where he will serve as the team’s pitching coach. He said that from top to bottom, the Sweets are the best run organization that he’s ever been associated with and that the fan support has been incredible.

“From the front office to the fans, it is top notch,” Camacho said of the Sweets organization. “I loved the hospitality of the people of Walla Walla and really look forward to coming back to that this summer to differentiate from the pace of SoCal.”

Camacho is currently the assistant athletic director at St. Bonaventure High School and had a storied career as the school’s head baseball coach before retiring from the position in 2012. He believes the Walla Walla community deserves a winner and that the staff and the players will work hard to bring it to #SweetsCountry this season.

“I am looking forward to finishing what we started last year,” Camacho said. “I feel the front office has put the pieces in place for this team to be really successful this season. I’m also looking forward to continuing the friendships I have made within the organization and the community of Walla Walla, as well as my daily walks downtown and getting to know the locals.”

Justin Speer

Kyle Wilkerson

Speer is a native of Gresham, Oregon and is currently the head coach of the softball team at Walla Walla Community College. He took over the program in 2015, and over his first three seasons there he has compiled an impressive 84–43 record.

“Walla Walla Community College has been a phenomenal school to work for and I have been blessed with the opportunity to coach there,” Speer said. “The Walla Walla community has been exactly what me and my wife were wanting when we moved here. It has been a wonderful place to work, live and raise my family.”

This will not be Speer’s first tenure with the Sweets, as he spent time as an assistant with the team during the 2015 season. He said it was an exceptional experience his first time around and that he’s thrilled to be back coaching with Walla Walla.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be back coaching with the Sweets,” Speer said. “It means a great deal to be a part of such a professionally run organization like the Sweets that values their coaches, players and employees.”

Wilkerson is from Northridge, California and is back for his third year with the Sweets where he continues to serve as the team’s hitting coach. He said the experience with Walla Walla has been incredible, and that the best part is the small-town atmosphere because the community is so involved and supportive and it makes the drive to win that much more important.

Wilkerson said he is motivated by making his family proud, and that helps him to strive to always improve and get better. He is looking forward to getting to know the new players with the Sweets this summer and of course, a lot of winning.

Just 52 days remaining until the Sweets home opener! Stay up to date with how our players are performing with another edition of “10 Things to Know!

1. A conference rivalry matchup saw Harvard drop two of three games against Yale this past weekend. Jake Suddleson (OF) performed well in the series for the Crimson as he went 5-for-14 with two doubles, an RBI and scored a run.

2. Several Sweets squared off as Zach Penrod (Utility) and Northwest Nazarene traveled to take on Jalen Garcia (OF), Carson Woolery (RHP) and Montana State University Billings over the weekend. Penrod went 4-for-16 in the series with three RBI and two runs scored. Garcia helped MSUB take three of the four games against NNU and went 3-for-15 with five runs, three stolen bases and four walks. During the series, Garcia set the single-season record for stolen bases at Montana State and now has 20 on the season. He also made a tremendous defensive play, throwing out the would-be go-ahead run at home plate from center field. (Highlight)

3. Matt Richardson (IF) was finally held in check in the University of Utah’s series against UCLA this past weekend. The Utes were swept in three games and Richardson went 2-for-12 with one run and two RBI.

Zach Penrod (Utility) – Northwest Nazarene University
Image from: nnusports.com

Jake Suddleson (OF) – Harvard University
Image from: gocrimson.com

4. UC Irvine was able to win two of three games against UC Santa Barbara in their series over the weekend. Ryan Johnston (Utility) got two pinch-hit opportunities for the Anteaters and went 1-for-1 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. Dylan Riddle (LHP) made an appearance in the game on Saturday for UC Irvine, not allowing any runs and striking out one batter in one inning of work.

5. Santa Clara University was swept in their three-game weekend series against Pepperdine. For the Broncos, Jake MacNichols (C) appeared in all three games and went 2-for-9.

6. Another Ivy League matchup this past weekend saw Dartmouth College take to the road and win two of three games against Cornell University. Nate Ostmo (IF) played in all three games in the series for the Big Green and went 1-for-9 with an RBI and two walks.

7. A matchup where Walla Walla fans will be able to catch several future Sweets in action will be when Santa Clara University travels to Washington State University for a three-game series this weekend. Jake MacNichols (C) will suit up for SCU and be opposed by Danny Sinatro (OF) and Bryce Moyle (LHP) for WSU. The games will be played Friday through Sunday and all the information on the games can be found here.

8. It was former Sweets players who stood out in the series between Washington State and California, Berkeley over the weekend. JJ Hancock (OF) excelled for the Cougars, going 4-for-9 with one run, three RBI, four walks and delivered a walkoff RBI-single in the bottom of the 10th inning to win the game on Saturday. (Highlight) Ripken Reyes (IF) performed well for the Golden Bears, going 3-for-7 with three walks in the series. He is batting .293 on the season.

9. Few hitters have remained as hot as former Sweet and University of Richmond’s Vinny Capra (IF) has to this point in the season. The Spiders may have dropped two of three games against George Washington University over the weekend, but Capra still went 4-for-11 with a double, a homerun, a run scored, five RBI and two walks. He has a scorching .349 batting average on the season.

10. The University of Arizona was able to win two of three games against USC this past weekend, thanks in part to the performance by former Sweet Jacob Blas (IF). Although he did not record a hit in the series, Blas still drew four walks, scored two runs, had an RBI and made two great plays defensively for the Wildcats. (Highlight)(Highlight)

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets bring the glitz, glamour and sunshine from Los Angeles to the team this summer with the signing of a pair from the University of Southern California. Tyler Pritchard (IF) and Trevor Halsema (OF) will take to Borleske Stadium for Walla Walla in the 2018 season.

“USC is among the most prestigious baseball programs in the country,” said Sweets team president Zachary Fraser. “To be able to extend our strong relationship by adding players that Coach Hubbs trusts for future contributions is our honor. We expect these Trojans to deliver and look forward to both Tyler and Trevor being a big part of our season in Walla Walla.”

Pritchard is a native of Lake Elsinore, California and went to Temescal Canyon High School where he was a standout athlete. He played with the varsity baseball team for three full seasons and was named to the All-Sunbelt League team all three years. Over his varsity career at Temescal Canyon, Pritchard compiled a .347 batting average with 23 doubles, 41 RBI and 64 runs scored.

Now a sophomore with USC, Pritchard has appeared in 31 games over his Trojan career. He is studying business administration and plans to start his own business after the conclusion of his baseball career.

Halsema grew up in San Diego, California and went to Madison High School where he played four seasons with the varsity baseball team. Over those four years, he racked up a .334 batting average with 22 doubles, 54 RBI and 68 runs scored. He was named to the All-League team his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons and in 2017 was named to the Rawlings Perfect Game honorable mention team.

Currently a true freshman for the Trojans, Halsema is working to find his role with the club and anticipates that a summer in the WCL will help him develop that role. He has yet to declare a major but said that his ultimate goal is to become an FBI agent.

Sweets head coach Frank Mutz feels that both players from USC will be significant additions to an increasingly talented roster for the upcoming 2018 season.

“I’m looking forward to having a couple of Trojans with us this summer and am very familiar with Pritchard and Halsema, both having played their high school careers in Southern California,” Mutz said. “Tyler is a solid defender capable of playing multiple infield positions who will bring another left-handed bat and speed to our lineup. Trevor was considered one of the top high school prospects in Southern California coming out of school and will bring some additional power to an already explosive middle of the lineup.”

Another week of strong performances from Sweets past and present, stay up to date with how our players are performing with the latest edition of “10 Things to Know”!

1. Tommy Costello (LHP) has really been finding his groove on the mound as of late. He got the start for Yavapai College on Saturday as they took on Mesa Community College and only gave up two earned runs in six innings pitched. Now over his last three starts, Costello has a combined 1.93 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.

2. Santa Clara University was swept by BYU last week in a three-game series with the intended fourth game being postponed due to inclement weather. Jake MacNichols (C) appeared in all three games for SCU and went 4-for-12 with 2 runs scored and 2 doubles. On the season, MacNichols has four homeruns and 17 RBI.

3. Matt Richardson (IF) has remained one of the hottest freshman in the country for the University of Utah. The Utes lost two of three games against California, Berkeley over the weekend but Richardson still performed well. He went 3-for-10 in three games including four RBI and hit his first career collegiate homerun. Former Sweet Ripken Reyes also appeared in the series, but for the Golden Bears, and went 2-for-7 with a double and three RBI in two games.

Jake MacNichols (C)
Image from: Santa Clara Athletics YouTube

Matt Richardson (IF)
Image from: utahutes.com

Walla Walla, Wash. – From California to New Hampshire, the Sweets have added another pair of talented players to their roster. Nate Ostmo (IF/Dartmouth College) and Jake MacNichols (C/Santa Clara University) will take to the field for Walla Walla in 2018.

“I had a great experience last year in Ohio playing in the Great Lakes League,” Ostmo said. “One of the things that I wanted to do was to take my experience from last year in a good league and raise the bar, go to a more competitive league and play in a place that’s closer to home where I can be close to family. Playing in Walla Walla in the West Coast League satisfies all of those things.”

“I was talking to one of my coaches and we decided that the WCL was a great league for me to go to,” MacNichols said. “One of my old high school buddies played for the Bellingham Bells and he said it was a great experience and that I should try to play in the WCL.”

Ostmo is from Portland, Oregon and attended Lincoln High School where he was a star-studded athlete. A four-year letter winner in baseball, he served as team captain his final two seasons. His junior year he was named Portland 6A Player of the Year and his senior year he helped lead his team to the Portland Interscholastic League Championship.

“I had a great experience at Lincoln High School,” Ostmo said. “I was under Coach Rob Herder for three years before he left and then I was lucky enough to have some really good young coaches, CJ Watson and Michael Blake, come in and take over the program and they’ve done a great job ever since.”

Ostmo is now a junior at Dartmouth College and said he was drawn to the school because of the excellent academics and how much he loved the campus during his recruiting visit. In his first two seasons playing for the Big Green, Ostmo batted .260 with one homerun, four triples, and 23 RBI. Playing primarily at shortstop, he has 130 assists, 65 putouts, and an .899 fielding percentage.

While the team has struggled at times to string together winning seasons, Ostmo said his experience has been about so much more than that. He feels the relationships that he has built and the people with which he has surrounded himself with will go much farther than the wins and losses of his college baseball career.

“When I think about the baseball program here as a whole, [I think about] the high character and caliber of people that they bring in,” Ostmo said. “When you talk about baseball, you can get lost in wins and losses, but at the end of the day I’m glad to be here because my teammates here are going to be my friends for life. My experience has been defined by my teammates and the individuals that create the program, not so much the winning and losing.”



MacNichols is a native of Napa, California and attended Vintage High School where he was a highly touted prospect. He was invited to participate in the Area Code Games for the Oakland Athletics in the summer of 2015 and was tabbed by NorCalPreps.com as No. 31 in its Scouting Report’s Baseball Top 50 in 2016. Over his final two seasons with Vintage, MacNichols compiled a .348 batting average with 36 RBI, 16 doubles and four homeruns.

“We had a great group of guys there, a really tight group,” MacNichols said. “At one point during my junior year we had eight guys committed to play D1 baseball in our lineup, so that was pretty cool.”

Now a sophomore with Santa Clara University, MacNichols posted six homeruns and eight RBI in his first year with the Broncos. Behind the plate, he recorded 229 putouts with a fielding percentage of .974 and threw out 13 baserunners attempting to steal.

The team struggled mightily last year, finishing the season with a record of 13-40. Then Rusty Filter came in and took over as head coach of the program, brought a new coaching staff along with him, and MacNichols said that has completely changed the direction of the team.

“The culture we have now within the baseball team is unreal,” MacNichols said. “It’s always been strong but now that we’re winning with each other – it’s unreal – and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s basically the same group of guys making an impact this year as last year, which shows you what a new coaching staff can do. They haven’t changed anything mechanical, it’s all on the mental side of the game. We have the talent and ability to do it, so it’s just the mental part that they’re helping us out with.”

Both players expressed their excitement in getting out to Walla Walla, meeting the talented group of players the Sweets have put together, and having fun while competing for a WCL championship.

“Each summer team has a fun identity,” Ostmo said. “We’re all there to get better and develop, but I’m looking forward to having a good time with the guys while playing baseball at the same time.”

“Getting to know a whole new group of guys with everyone being from different sides of the country, I think that’s the best time,” MacNichols said. “When it turns into the dog days of summer and it starts getting tough, when you start winning that makes it even more fun.”

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets have announced a partnership with Micro Fantasy LLC to provide its play-by-play prediction contests to fans for all 2018 Walla Walla home games. Micro Fantasy LLC was formed in 2015 in Brecksville, Ohio, and its mission is to increase fan enjoyment in live sporting events through real-time, play-by play prediction contests.

All attendees of 2018 Sweets’ home games with the Micro Fantasy app installed on their mobile phones (iPhone or Android) can participate in Micro Fantasy predication contests. Those watching Sweets’ games online (wallawallasweets.com) or listening to games on the radio (Fox News Walla Walla 99.7 FM| 1490 AM) can also participate in the contests.

The Sweets open their 2018 season by visiting their sister team, the Yakima Valley Pippins, on June 1 as part of a three-game series. Whether fans travel to Yakima Valley to cheer on their Sweets for their first three games in as many days, or watch the games stream live, fans can play along with each batter in real time. With the free Micro Fantasy sports prediction app fans pick from ten options to guess whether the next batter might fly out, strike out, walk, or hit a home run!

“We are thrilled to partner with Micro Fantasy to bring their prediction gaming contest to Walla Walla fans this season,” said Sweets general manager Dan Ferguson. “Joel Crites has created a great game that brings the fun and essence of fantasy sports to fans of all ages. With how successful Micro Fantasy has been across the landscape of athletics, we have no doubt it will be a hit with Sweets fans.”

Walla Walla fans will have the chance to participate in three contests that last three innings over the course of a full nine-inning game. At the end of each third inning, the person with the highest score for those three innings will win a prize for one of the contributing sponsors which currently include Domino’s Pizza, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Walla Walla, and Legends Casino.

At the conclusion of each game, the person with the highest cumulative score over the three, three-inning contests, will win the grand prize from the contributing sponsor for the evening. At the end of the season, the person with the highest overall cumulative score for all 32 Sweets home games will receive a $500 Visa gift card.

The Micro Fantasy prediction contest mobile app is currently available for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play. An online version is also available on microfantasy.com. Micro Fantasy contests are available for baseball, softball and football games. Contests can be scaled for every level of play from pro to youth. Contests for other sports are in development.

“The Walla Wall Sweets have had an outstanding history since they began nine years ago. We are looking forward to being a part of their ongoing success as it relates to fan experience & delivering sponsor value,” said Micro Fantasy Founder and CEO Joel Crites. “We are extremely fortunate to work with a proven baseball executive in Zachary Fraser. His involvement will surely help us continue to improve our product to best meet the needs of teams in collegiate summer baseball.”

About Micro Fantasy LLC
Micro Fantasy LLC was formed in 2015 in Brecksville, Ohio. Its mission is to increase fan enjoyment in live sporting events through real-time, play-by play prediction contests. Prediction contests are delivered through the proprietary Micro Fantasy mobile app and web portal. The simple interface is easy to learn, and content is suitable for all ages. No gambling is facilitated through the mobile app or web portal. For more information about Micro Fantasy prediction contests, visit microfantasy.com.

Another week of the college baseball season in the books means another edition of “10 Things to Know” to keep you up to speed with how past and present Sweets are performing!

1. Several Sweets squared off in a series that saw Montana State University Billings take three of four games against Central Washington University over the weekend. The Yellowjackets were propelled by an offensive outpouring from Jalen Garcia (OF) who played in all four games, went 9-for-19, scored nine runs, had three RBI, a double, and two homeruns. Central Washington’s Mitch Lesmeister (IF) performed well in the series as he went 3-for-10 with three runs scored and two RBI in three games played.

2. Late-game heroics were the name of the game as Washington State University won two of three in the series against Arizona State this past weekend with both wins coming in walk-off fashion in extra innings. Danny Sinatro (OF) provided the heroics on Friday (3/30) as he was able to single up the middle in the bottom of the 11th inning to drive in former Sweet J.J. Hancock and give the Cougars the win. In his two starts in the series, Sinatro went 4-for-8 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.

3. Harvard’s Jake Suddleson (OF) had a big series in an Ivy League matchup against Columbia over the weekend. The Crimson dropped two of three games, but Suddleson went 4-for-12 with a homerun, a double, two runs scored, three RBI and made a terrific running catch deep in the alley to save extra bases.

Jalen Garcia (OF)
Image from: MSU Billings

Danny Sinatro (OF)
Image from: WSU Twitter @Cougbaseball

4. Zach Penrod (Utility) had another versatile performance for Northwest Nazarene University against Western Oregon this past weekend. The two schools split the four-game series and Penrod went 4-for-16 with three runs scored, an RBI and two walks. He also had a brief appearance on the mound and did not allow any runs as he struck out one batter in 0.2 innings pitched.

5. A pair of Sweets from UC Irvine appeared in the team’s series against Hawaii this past weekend. Ryan Johnston (Utility) went 1-for-4 with two RBI, a walk and a run. Dylan Riddle (LHP) had two strikeouts and only allowed one hit in 2.0 innings pitched.

6. Matt Richardson (SS) stayed hot over the weekend and helped the Utah Utes win two of three games against Oregon State. In the series he went 4-for-13 with three runs scored, four RBI and now carries a .306 batting average on the season.

7. Tommy Costello (RHP) has been in a groove on the mound as of late for Yavapai College. Over his last two starts, he has 15 strikeouts and just two runs allowed over 12.2 innings pitched.

8. Former Sweet Jacob Blas (IF) had a big game yesterday for the University of Arizona against New Mexico. He went 1-for-4 with a double, three RBI, a walk and two runs scored. On the season, Blas has a solid .304 batting average.

9. There will be quite a few Sweets facing off tonight as Washington State University gets set to host Gonzaga University. Danny Sinatro and Bryce Moyle will be in action for the Cougars and Nick Nyquist will oppose them for the Bulldogs. The game will take place this evening (4/3) at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Washington with first pitch slated for 5:00 PM (PT).

10. Sweets head coach Frank Mutz and the Chaminade baseball team have gotten off to a great start to their season. They have a record of 9-2, including going 5-1 in Mission League play so far. Their last three games all came against Crespi Carmelite and Chaminade won all three games by a combined score of 35-4. The Eagles next game will be tomorrow (4/4) against Buena High School and will be the team’s first game in the Righetti Spring Classic tournament.

Applications are now open for our 2018 Bat Boy-Girl positions. Applicants must be between 9-13 years old, able to work games in the evening, and able to pay attention to coaches, umpires, and players. Do you have a baseball-loving child that would be a perfect fit? Click on the link to apply!

BAT BOY/GIRL APPLICATION – CLICK HERE

Walla Walla, Wash. – The most talented players in the Walla Walla Valley who have excelled in their high school career will once again have the chance to showcase their talent against the current stars of college baseball getting prepared for their West Coast League season. Walla Walla Valley Youth Baseball & Softball (WWVYBS) and the Walla Walla Sweets have come together again to produce the second annual showcase event for talented Valley-wide high school baseball players for the 2018 season. This event will be hosted at Borleske Stadium on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 with the event starting at 6:35 PM.

The collection of top high school performers will play against the Sweets in a modified showcase-style event. The game will accomplish three goals:

1. Raise funds for youth baseball and softball in the Walla Walla Valley – net proceeds (game revenues less operating expenses) will go to the WWVYBS non-profit organization. These funds are used by area youth teams and programs to fund operations, travel expenses, and other developmental needs associated with providing youth of all backgrounds a chance to play baseball and softball – last year we raised nearly $5,000.

2. Prepare the Sweets for the upcoming WCL season – following the example of Major League Baseball teams that play pre-season exhibitions against area college programs, this game will allow the Sweets coaching staff to evaluate players on the roster in the context of Borleske Stadium – the first time that the baseball operations staff will have a chance to see the team together before the WCL season starts

3. Prepare the Stadium staff for the upcoming season – each year, the Sweets hire more than 75 people for food and beverage and stadium jobs – and for many, it is there first job. With Opening Day 2018 on pace to draw 2,200 people, there isn’t an event in town that can prepare the staff for crowds that size. This event will allow stadium operations managers and their staffs to be prepared for 45,000+ fans during the season in a real-time environment.

“After the tremendous success of this event last year, we are thrilled to once again partner with the Sweets in bringing this opportunity for local high school athletes to showcase their baseball skills while also raising funds to support American Legion Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, Blue Mountain Girls Softball and travel teams,” said Rick Eskil, president of Walla Walla Valley Youth Baseball & Softball. “The Sweets do a great deal for our community and its youth programs and this is yet another example of that.”

The roster for the showcase team will be selected by area high school coaches and will feature 15 players on the roster. Each player will wear customized hats and uniforms and will be given a personalized wood bat for the event. The game structure will be slightly different than a traditional baseball game, as showcase games include controlled pitch counts and other features that protect the health and welfare of players on both sides.

The showcase team will once again be managed by Sweets partner Jeff Cirillo. Jeff played 14 years in Major League Baseball, was a 2-time All-Star and played collegiate baseball at USC. He continues to coach amateur baseball in the Seattle area and is also a scout for the Los Angeles Angels.

“We are thrilled to be hosting this game again,” said Sweets general manager Dan Ferguson. “It is a fun and unique platform to help develop and raise money for youth baseball talent in the Valley, and the ability to have a former MLB All-Star be able to work with the kids in our community is just a fantastic opportunity overall. We are looking forward to another memorable event and the chance to raise even more money this year for the youth programs affiliated.”

How to get tickets for the public: Ticket commitments are available from teams associated with WWVYBS starting April 3rd. They will be selling the tickets to friends and family in the community. For information on how to acquire tickets from these teams, please contact WWYVSB Board member Mike Lemma (mlemma@charter.net). Tickets will be available at the Borleske Stadium Box Office on the day of the game, with the Box Office opening at 4:30 PM, and prior to the event online starting April 30th.

About Walla Walla Valley Youth Baseball & Softball:
Walla Walla Valley Youth Baseball & Softball was founded 34 years ago to raise funds for Babe Ruth Baseball and American Legion Baseball. Over the years, it expanded to provide funds for softball programs. In addition, WWVYB&S sponsors the Batter Up Program, which provides gloves and other equipment for baseball and softball players who cannot otherwise afford the necessary gear.

With the college season picking up speed and Opening Day for the Sweets rapidly approaching, stay up to date on how our players are performing with another round of “10 Things to Know”!

1. Tanner Cunha (LHP) from Sacramento City College has gotten off to a great start in his first collegiate season. His most recent outing against Cosumnes River College, Cunha got the start, only surrender two hits over five innings pitched and gave up an unearned run. In seven appearances on the season, he’s compiled a 2.33 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 19.1 innings pitched.

2. The University of Utah won two of three home games against Sacramento State this past weekend, and both Sweets players from the Utes played in the series. Matt Richardson (SS) went 2-for-10 with a run scored and 4 RBI over the three games. Justin Kelly (RHP) appeared in the rubber match of the series, allowed just one earned run in 4.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts and recorded the win.

3. Talented senior for C.K. McClatchy High School, Jack Filby (Util) has unsurprisingly been on a roll at the plate to begin the season. Through eight games, the UCLA commit has a .364 batting average to go along with two triples and nine RBI.

4. Central Washington University was able to take three of four games against Saint Martin’s this past weekend, and although Mitch Lesmeister (IF) cooled off slightly, he still contributed to the team’s victories. In the series, he went 3-for-15 including a double, a triple, two walks and five runs scored. He still carries a .316 batting average on the season.

5. Jordan Hovey (IF) has been getting back on track for the Creighton Bluejays as of late. He got the start this past Friday against Illinois State and went 1-1 with two walks, two stolen bases, and a run scored.

6. Several 2018 Sweets players squared off in the series between Northwest Nazarene University and Montana State University Billings over the weekend, with MSUB winning three of the four games. Zach Penrod (Util/NNU) went 4-for-13 in the series with two walks and two runs scored. On the mound, he threw for 1.1 innings over two appearances with two strikeouts and one earned run. Jalen Garcia (OF/MSUB) finally came back down to Earth after getting off to a scorching hot start, going 1-for-17 in the series, but he was still able to add three runs scored and three stolen bases.

Jordan Hovey (OF)
Image from: gocreighton.com

Matt Richardson (SS)
Image from: utahutes.com

7. Washington State University dropped two of three games on the road against the University of Arizona over the weekend. Danny Sinatro (OF) went 1-for-4 with a hit by pitch over two games, and in two appearances out of the bullpen, Bryce Moyle (LHP) gave up one earned run with one strikeout over 2.0 innings pitched.

8. An upcoming series where fans will get to see some future Sweets in action will be when Central Washington hosts Montana State University Billings this weekend. It will be a four-game series with a duo of doubleheaders on Friday (3/30) and Saturday (3/31). Stellar freshman Mitch Lesmeister (IF) will take the field for the Wildcats while Jalen Garcia (OF) and Carson Woolery (RHP) will oppose him for the Yellowjackets.

9. Former righty hurler for the Sweets, Chris Lincoln (RHP) has been performing well in his second season with UC Santa Barbara. He has appeared in 10 games, including two starts, and has a 1.93 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 23.1 innings pitched. His last outing came against San Jose State this past weekend where Lincoln started the game and went 6.2 innings with six strikeouts and one earned run.

10. Vinny Capra (SS), a member of the 2017 Sweets team, has been on fire to start his senior season for the University of Richmond. He has racked up a .341 batting average, 23 walks, six doubles and 16 RBI. In a three-game series against UMass this past weekend, Capra went 3-for-10 with three runs scored and four RBI.

We’re back! “10 Things to Know” is ready for the 2018 season. With 79 days until Opening Day, we strongly suggest you read along so that you are fully prepared for Opening Day in #SweetsCountry!

1. Pacing the Gonzaga offense as of late, two-time WCL All-Star Nick Nyquist (IF) put together a great series against Pepperdine this past weekend, driving in four RBI and scoring three runs. In eight starts this season and 10 appearances overall, he has a .320 batting average, two doubles and a homerun.

2. In just his first collegiate season with Central Washington University, Mitchell Lesmeister (IF) is already proving that he belongs. Just over a month into the season, the talented Walla Walla native has compiled a .344 batting average and a .901 OPS in 16 starts.

3. Jalen Garcia (OF) of Montana State University Billings has gotten off to the kind of start to his season that most players can only dream of. He has started all 18 games for the Yellowjackets and has accrued a .418 batting average, a 1.157 OPS, three homeruns, three triples, nine doubles and 26 RBI. In the series against Saint Martin’s this past weekend, Garcia helped his team take three of the four games and racked up 11 hits, seven RBI, and was just named the GNAC Player of the Week.

Mitchell Lesmeister (IF)
Image from: wildcatsports.com

Jalen Garcia (OF)
Image from: msubsports.com

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets added a couple of stingers to their roster by signing a pair of Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets. Jalen Garcia (OF/Junior) and Carson Woolery (RHP/Junior) have joined #SweetsCountry and will take the field at Borleske Stadium for Walla Walla this summer.

“My coach was trying to get me into different areas around the country, but then he said, ‘The Sweets are here for you, [you’ve] got a spot,’ so I said, ‘Sign me up!’” Garcia said. “I’m ready to play ball in the WCL and get going.”

“Ever since my freshman year when we went to the Sweets’ games, I was always telling my buddies that I wanted to play for this summer team eventually,” Woolery said. “It’s always been a team I wanted to play for, so I’m really excited to have the opportunity.”

Garcia is a native of Billings, Montana where he attended Billings Christian High School. Montana does not have state-wide high school baseball, so he played American Legion with the Billings Scarlets and had an outstanding career with them.

He was a three-time All-State selection and his senior year in 2015 was named Montana Baseball MVP and won the Montana state batting title. That same year, Garcia helped lead the Scarlets to a AA Montana baseball state championship and took home tournament MVP after going 13 for 22 with 11 RBIs in the team’s five games.

“I loved it; we had a great program and the coach was awesome,” Garcia said of his time with the Scarlets. “It was definitely different being the only guy from my high school [to play there]. I didn’t really know any of the guys, having not grown up or played ball with them, but it was a great experience. We were super good and winning state was awesome, too.”

Garcia spent his first year playing collegiately with Corban University and put up some excellent numbers. He started 30 games and finished the season with a .294 batting average, four doubles, a homerun and 11 RBI.

“It was definitely a learning experience,” Garcia said. “Getting to the college scene and getting comfortable was really good [for me].”

The talented outfielder then transferred to Montana State University Billings and had a terrific sophomore year with the Yellowjackets. He compiled a .327 batting average, 11 doubles, five homeruns, 38 RBI, and was tabbed second-team All-GNAC. He was recently named to the 2018 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason second-team All-West Region.

“Loved it,” Garcia said of the MSUB baseball program. “The coaches keep us working hard and run a really professional organization. They keep us on our toes, keep us on our grades, just keep us in line really well, and we’ve been having some success here.”

Garcia is now settled into playing at a four-year university but didn’t have that opportunity when he was coming out of high school. He was lightly recruited and garnered little interest from four-year programs, but not letting it discourage him, he has used it as a chip on his shoulder to continually motivate himself.

“When you’re coming out of high school, not having any D1 offers, not really having a whole lot of offers [in general] and being the Montana MVP and winning the batting title, you expect some [offers or interest],” Garcia said. “But it’s tough getting recruited out of Montana, especially when you only have Legion ball. So, it’s been a motivation for me my whole life, and I let it fuel me, but I don’t let it get to me.”

The Billings native had the chance to play in the West Coast League this past summer with the Wenatchee AppleSox, but despite putting up some solid numbers offensively, Garcia felt he could have had a stronger performance. He finished the season with a .276 batting average, 14 doubles, two homeruns, and 21 RBI.

“It was a good time, a great experience,” Garcia said of playing for the AppleSox. “I definitely wish I could’ve played a little better, which is definitely going to motivate me this year. But it’s nice to have a little experience under my belt and know what to expect, what the fields are like and the whole system.”

With the AppleSox Garcia had the chance to play at Borleske Stadium against the Sweets in the opening series of the season and was impressed with the support from the team’s fan base. He also said that Woolery has filled him in on what else he can expect to experience playing for the Sweets.

“Carson tells me about how crazy the fan base is there, how loyal they are, and how the players are like superstars around the community,” Garcia said. “When I was playing there in the outfield, it was definitely an experience opening there with so many people, it was awesome.”


A native of Caldwell, Idaho, Woolery went to Caldwell High School where he was a three-year varsity letterman in baseball. He said there were some ups and downs throughout his tenure there but that the team bonded over the adversity and that ultimately he feels the experience benefitted him in the long run.

“I feel like that really helped me grow as a player and as a leader overall because we had to take initiative at a young age because we didn’t have much handed to us throughout our high school career,” Woolery said. “So, overall it was a really good experience for me and my junior and senior years we had two really good seasons.”

Woolery played his first two college seasons for Walla Walla Community College and excelled on the mound for the Warriors. As a sophomore, he posted a 5-2 record with a 2.70 ERA over 53.1 innings. He was initially recruited as an infielder, but after a lackluster freshman season, he made the tough decision to convert to a full-time pitcher.

“Toward the end of my freshman year, my pitching coach, J.C. Biagi, pulled me aside and really sat me down and talked to me about if I wanted to come back the following year as a pitcher,” Woolery said. “He saw potential in me being on the mound, more so than being an infielder. Coming back to Walla Walla my sophomore year, I then made the choice that I wanted to do what I can to keep playing baseball, so I made the jump and became a pitcher. I tried to work really hard at it and pick Biagi’s mind because he’s a very smart man and made me the pitcher that I am today.”

The hard throwing right hander also spoke highly of Walla Walla Community College head coach Dave Meliah and the tremendous program that he runs.

“The two years I had at Walla Walla were so far the best two years of college that I’ve had,” Woolery said. “The city of Walla Walla, the school, and the baseball program were great experiences all around. It was a big family atmosphere that we had, so it was just a really great day-to-day grind.”

Woolery began to garner a lot of interest from four-year universities after his time with WWCC, but he ultimately chose to play for Montana State University Billings. He said he was drawn to the program because of head coach Aaron Sutton and his reputation for having an exceptional approach to the game.

“A big dream of mine during high school was to play for him because I heard so many great things about him,” Woolery said. “Just the way he ran programs, I was really interested in the opportunity to play under him.”

Though it’s still early on in his tenure with the Yellowjackets, Woolery said he has enjoyed his time so far in Billings and that it was a significant change of scenery but a smooth transition overall.

“It’s been really great, but it was a big change coming over,” Woolery said. “I really enjoyed eastern Washington, and I had never been to this part of Montana. But it’s a great team that I didn’t have trouble getting involved with or making friends with, so right away I felt like one of the guys.”

Having spent two years in Walla Walla, Woolery became familiar with the Sweets program and attended several games while there. He said he was extremely impressed with Borleske Stadium and the energy the fans bring, and after experiencing that, he knew it was something of which he wanted to be a part.

“It’s a great atmosphere, the fans are amazing, and it’s just really cool to see the whole town of Walla Walla come around one specific thing,” Woolery said. “Especially with a team like the Sweets that’s very family and fan oriented, it’s a really cool thing. Playing in [that environment] with the huge grandstand we have and everything, it’s going to be a really fun time.”

Sweets head coach Frank Mutz said he is excited with the prospect of adding yet another pair of talented players, this time from Montana State University Billings. He believes both players will play key roles in the Sweets’ success this season.

“Woolery has a big arm and will fit into one of the starting roles or could be a closer,” Mutz said. “With his success in the NWAC and his season at Montana State, he will add stability and experience to our staff. And I’ve been watching Garcia’s start to his 2018 season at Montana State. His numbers are unreal, and my hope is that he can put those kinds of stats up this summer in Walla Walla. I believe he should fit right into the top of our line up.”

There were Two.

Walla Walla, Wash. – In the long and decorated history of high school baseball in Walla Walla “two” is the number of programs that existed in the community for as long as most can remember. Long before College Place and Walla Walla Valley Academy donned their respective uniforms there were two options in town for aspiring young ball players – Walla Walla High School or DeSales Catholic High School. One was the “Big 9” 4A juggernaut, boasting names like Jared Jones, Eric O’Flaherty and Jason Grove; the other was perhaps one of the most decorated small schools in the nation led by names like Joe Levens, Dave Meliah and Pat Graham.

“Two” also represents the total number of times that the programs faced off in some hundred years of combined existence. The reasons were varied – size discrepancy/classification, public vs. private, scheduling conflicts; some in the community felt that one school had everything to gain and nothing to lose, while the other had nothing to gain and everything to lose. While players from both programs knew each other well, thanks to little league and summer programs played together in the Walla Walla Valley, it was a once-in-a-generation experience to play each other in a high school game that meant something. Loyal local baseball fans would remember those two beautiful sunny days in the late 90’s.

One remnant of that history is the venerable ballpark that has evolved so much since the teams last faced off there in the Spring of 1998. Wa-Hi once called Borleske ‘home’ before the construction of Murr Field. While the Irish of DeSales played home games across the ivy-laden fence to the east at Ray Lane, they were no stranger to Borleske, having competed in numerous district and regional tournaments en route to their many state championship appearances.

As luck would have it after those two games at Borleske Stadium in the Spring of ’97 and Spring of ‘98, the teams find themselves in the awkward baseball position of having one win apiece – an unsettled series tie.

That will change, starting July 16, 2018 at Borleske Stadium. Kind of.

The Walla Walla Sweets, members of the West Coast League and a community leader in using baseball and Borleske Stadium as a fundraising platform for community improvement, have partnered with Wonderboy Creative, a local marketing, web and design firm with roots in Sweets baseball and the Walla Walla Valley, to launch the Inaugural Alumni Classic. The event will pit alumni from the Walla Walla High School Blue Devils baseball program against alumni from the DeSales Catholic High School Fighting Irish baseball program in a 7-inning, wood-bat baseball game – with umpires and all. The game will be played at Borleske Stadium on Monday, July 16, 2018. While the competition on the field will be fierce, both alumni programs are coming together with the Sweets and Wonderboy to raise money for the respective school programs, with a portion of NET proceeds of the game being donated to the schools.

The school that sells the most tickets will be the home team, and there is skin in the game for the result of the game on the field: the winning school will take home 55% of the NET proceeds, with the losers taking home 45%.

“The goal is to help both sides find a fun, unique way to raise needed dollars to help improve the student experience,” said Sweets president Zachary Fraser. “Maybe the need is in the athletic department, maybe the need is new trombones for the music department. We don’t really have a specific fundraising goal other than to make it a large donation and to have fun with our community while doing it.”

The idea was hatched in the late nights of the early years of building the Sweets, when Wonderboy founder J.C. Biagi was an integral part of Fraser’s team in the Sweets front office. The two would float fun ideas to host events at the stadium while building desks, clubhouse lockers, guest services booths and other necessary projects for a start-up baseball team. With the Sweets now firmly rooted as a Walla Walla community staple, and Wonderboy starting to lead the way in creating remarkable customer brand experiences, the timing was right to pitch this event to the respective school communities.

“I think I speak for many when I say we’re grateful to our schools for the opportunities that we were provided in our youth,” said Biagi ‘00 – who coincidentally played baseball for Hall of Fame coach Kim Cox at DeSales. “As former players, we get to spend time with old friends and teammates while reliving some great memories at a beautifully renovated Borleske. Being able to do so while raising money for current students in our community is an incredible opportunity.”

Wa-Hi graduate and former baseball player Jason Magnaghi ‘96, now vineyard manager for Figgins Family Wine Estate, has been tabbed the team coordinator for Wa-Hi, while Biagi is taking the lead for DeSales. Rosters will consist of 21 players, 30 years old and over for each side. It will, no doubt, be difficult to whittle down from the many, many great players to have played for both programs. That is why the planning for the 2018 event is being done in such a way that this event develops into an annual summer tradition, creating opportunity to involve more alumni in the future.

“We hope that not only will it energize and unite the schools in a common community goal, but that it will also serve as a catalyst in the future to give people who grew up in the Valley and live away from here now another reason to come back and visit,” said Fraser.

Sweets season ticket members will have the opportunity to purchase seats for the event early, with game tickets open to the public May 1. Individual students will have a chance to participate in a ticket sales contest, with a $1000 scholarship on the line for the top seller among the two student bodies, a $500 scholarship contribution for the 2nd highest seller, and a $250 scholarship contribution to the 3rd place seller.

Ticket prices will be as follows:

Premium Seating (behind home plate, field boxes, and beer garden tables): $18
Premium Seating (behind home plate, field boxes, and beer garden tables) w/commemorative t-shirt in school colors: $28
General Admission Seating (1st base, 3rd base, outfield grandstands): $14
General Admission Seating (1st base, 3rd base, outfield grandstands) w/commemorative t-shirt in school colors: $24

Additional details will follow shortly, including links for purchasing tickets and promotional opportunities.

Event Contacts:

Zachary Fraser, Walla Walla Walla Sweets
zachary@wallawallasweets.com
509-522-2255

J.C. Biagi, Wonderboy Creative
jc@wonderboycreative.com

Walla Walla, Wash. – The Sweets have gone international with their latest signing, adding talented Taiwanese catcher Wei-Chieh (Willy) Chang from Kainan University.  He is set to join the growing talented Walla Walla roster for the upcoming 2018 season.

Sweets team president and owner Zachary Fraser expressed his excitement for having Chang as a member of the team this upcoming season and looks forward to incorporating him into the Walla Walla community.

“We can’t wait to introduce Willy to the Walla Walla Valley and vice versa,” Fraser said. “His talent will play well in the league and it will provide a great cultural opportunity for our staff, players and fans. #SweetsCountry has shown remarkable love towards every player to ever wear the Sweets jersey and I know that Willy will have a similar reception.”

A native of Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan located at the northern part of the island, Chang went to Ku-Pao Home Economics and Commercial High School where he honed his skills on the baseball diamond.

“It was very competitive,” Chang said of his time at Ku-Pao. “Everyone got along with each other very well.”

Chang first visited the United States as a young athlete playing baseball for the Taiwan National Team in the 2011 PONY League Baseball World Series hosted in Washington, Pennsylvania. His team came up just short, losing in the championship game, but Chang said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience and going to the American shopping malls and outlets.

The best part of the year is now upon us in the Walla Walla Valley. Spring Training is in full swing down south, annual stadium maintenance and improvements around the country are being finalized (including Borleske), and rosters are being solidified in preparation of the 2018 West Coast League Opener on June 1. While baseball is the core product, the Sweets take great pride in being the entertainment center of the Walla Walla Valley each summer. Fans young and old enjoy their time together, a cold drink, a few rounds in the bouncy houses, and ideal Eastern Washington weather have kept Sweets baseball at the forefront of “stuff to do” for the better part of the past decade.

2018 will be no different. In addition to ballpark favorites, the Sweets have added new promotions and operations to keep up the reputation as the place to be for 32 nights a year.

BUY YOUR 2018 SEASON MEMBERSHIP HERE

Leading off is Opening Day (6/8 vs. Corvallis) presented by Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Walla Walla. The annual tradition of the Opening Day cap is back on deck (first 1000 fans) and post-game fireworks will light up the sky.

Dog Days of Summer (6/15 vs. Bend) returns, as our friends at Associated Veterinary Medical Center of Walla Walla has invited all with a family’s best friend (canine division) to join the team at the ballpark. New this year will be a Canine Field of Dreams – contact general manager Dan Ferguson to make sure your pup in on the roster!

Women in Baseball (6/16 vs. Bend) Did you know that in the 19th century, women had to have a male escort to attend a baseball game? Ridiculous, we know. In 1883, the New York Giants owner realized that he was missing out on half the population, and on June 16th, declared the day “First Ladies Day” – all women were allowed in free to reserved and GA seating with no strings attached (like a Buy One, Get One) – and didn’t have to be escorted by a man. We’ve come a long way – and now women are a leadership and managerial force in the game. To celebrate all that women have done to grow the game, any woman can get a reserved or GA ticket at the box office on June 16th for free – no strings attached or escorts needed. Come learn about roles that women have played in being leaders in the sport, including playing, managing and owning teams. Our Field of Dreams will highlight moms and daughters together out on the field pre-game.

Fathers Day (6/17 vs. Bend) – a memorable way to hang out with Dad and the family on a warm summer late afternoon. A special ticket plan for the day will roll out in April, Dad will be able to get Fathers Only deals at the Sweets Shoppe in-stadium, and a lucky father in attendance will win $100 with a tweet from his family (details to follow – and the kids will be able to tweet, so don’t worry about it Dad…). Field of Dreams will be Dads with their kids, and the outfield will be open post-game to play catch as a family.

Home of Adam West (6/22 vs. Portland) – like the rest of our community, we were saddened by the loss of Adam West, one of many who helped draw positive attention to Walla Walla, his boyhood home, as the original Caped Crusader. We will celebrate him offering an Adam West collectible memorabilia piece (with permission from his family), Adam West-inspired uniforms, and theme-appropriate fireworks post-game. We don’t want any old Superhero Night…we celebrate the original Superhero who lived in our actual neighborhoods.

Abbott & Costello “Who’s on First”(6/23 vs. Portland) – did you ever wonder what the right fielders name was? Now is your chance to get that set once and for all on the lineup card. The Sweets will wear St. Louis Wolves Jerseys, with the popular skits player names set on the back (so WHO really WILL play first base). Team president Zachary Fraser and his son will reprise their re-enactment of the skit (from a 5th grade talent show…), and the person who submits the winning name via social media channels will join the team in the dugout for the game, presenting the authentic lineup cards with the manager, and get a version of the jersey to take home.

Walla Walla Wallabies Weekend (7/6 – 7/7 – 7/8 vs. Wenatchee) – did you know the Sweets were almost the Wallabies? It’s the truth. So – we are going to see what an alternative history would look like. The players will take the field in Wallabies uniforms all weekend long, plus other fun stuff that is being developed.

Free Bread Night is Back (7/21 vs. Cowlitz) – presented by Sara Lee, lots and lots of loaves of bread will given away so you can sample some for upcoming summer picnics. We’ll also feature a 2018 team poster.

Fan Appreciation (8/5 vs. Yakima Valley) will see Columbia REA get you ready for Labor Day weekend camping trips with the coolest canteen to ever be offered at a baseball stadium. Seriously. Columbia REA and the Union-Bulletin will help light up the sky with fireworks – and an annual tradition of the players at the gates will make for a memorable conclusion to the regular season.

Some other fun stuff:

Bud Light Batting Practice – gates for select games will open at 5:30 (instead of 6:00) and the right field Blue Mountain Cider house will be open, with great specials on Budweiser and Blue Mountain Cider products, tacos, corn hole, games and a perfect summer Happy Hour start to the evening while batting practice is on display. Dates include:

JUNE: 6/8, 6/13, 6/15, 6/16, 6/23, 6/27
JULY: 7/5, 7/6, 7/13, 7/14, 7/18, 7/19, 7/20
AUGUST: 8/1

Chuck-A-Ball is a fundraising opportunity presented in partnership with Les Schwab tire centers of the Walla Walla Valley. More than $9,000 have been raised over the past two seasons for youth sports and non-profit organizations. It’s back for 2018! Connect with us to find out how your group can participate and raise funds for your organization.

Family Evenings at Home Plate on Monday nights – Walla Walla Orthodontics is making it pretty easy to get a $500 Visa Gift Card just by being at the game. Purchase tickets to any Monday night game, and invite your friends and family to join you. If we scan 1,800 or more into the stadium, someone will have their name drawn in the 8th inning. Like Rotary, if you are there, you win the card. Games include: 6/25 vs. Victoria and 7/23 vs. Cowlitz.

We’re still in the lab drawing up promotions – some at the gate, some on the field, some online – that will keep our fan base at the top of the WCL. We may only have 35,000 people in our community, but #SweetsCountry has set the standard for the WCL of how to have fun at the park. We expect 2018 to be more of the same.