Port Angeles comes up short with a chance at a sweep. (Photo Courtesy of Maevis Photography)
Lefties lose on a walk off
Written by: Ryan Wike
The Lefties were one call away.
In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Walla Walla’s Easton O’Neal (University of Washington) came up to the plate with the bases loaded and his team down by one. He slapped a fly ball to left fielder Jeremy Giesegh (California State, San Bernardino), who grabbed it and made an excellent throw to catcher Jack Kleveno (University of Utah) with a chance at a game-ending double play.
Kleveno seemed to lay the tag down on Logan Meyer — who was attempting to score from third — but home plate umpire Terry Granillo disagreed and O’Neal was credited with a game-tying sacrifice fly.
The Sweets won the game three pitches later, as Kennedy Hara (Colorado Mesa) scored off a wild pitch to walk it off, giving the home side the 4-3 win at Borleske Stadium. Port Angeles missed the opportunity at its first WCL sweep since June 16-18 of last season. .
Yahir Ramirez (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) and Roberto Garza-Nunez (Embry-Riddle) both had multiple hits. Julio Vasquez Jr. (Henderson State) also left the yard with an extreme show of muscle, clearing the fence and giving the Lefties what could have been the winning run if not for Walla Walla’s ninth-inning comeback.
Despite the loss, the Port Angeles pitching staff continues to impress. Jake Cumming (Nevada, Reno) had his first start of the season and tossed four innings. He was scoreless through three, only giving up two in the fourth. The ‘pen then went to Francisco Lopez (Yakima Valley College) who threw well in his season debut.
The Lefties found themselves in the ninth inning with a one-run lead. In trouble, bases loaded, the ball went to Jack Joyce (Mount Hood) who got the save in the Lefties’ series-clinching win the night prior. He pitched for two outs only to see the Sweets tie it up and walk it off.
Although missing the full sweep the Lefties win the series and will travel to Corvallis. Friday night will be the first game of three against Corvallis and is set to start at 6:35.
