Trio of Warriors get 'Sweet' call

WALLA WALLA – Part of the dream for many junior college baseball players is to earn an opportunity to play high-level amateur baseball in the summers in a league such as the West Coast League. For three Walla Walla Community College Warrior players that dream became reality on Jan. 25 when Walla Walla’s own hometown Sweets signed pitchers Brayden Hirai and Michael Peterson, along with outfielder Brandon Wagstaff.

In the case of the two pitchers, they both return for a second season with the Sweets. Wagstaff, who redshirted due to injury last year, joins the Sweets for the first time.

Sweets Manager Frank Mutz discussed the two returning pitchers. “Hurai is a tremendous competitor. There were several instances last summer where we had to change the way we used him and he was ready every time we handed him the ball,”

In seventeen appearances, Hirai posted an impressive 3.79 ERA. In the case of Peterson, he made thirteen appearances and opponents hit a soft .238 against him.

Brandon Wagstaff was a key member of the WWCC Warriors 2017 team that finished in third place at the NWAC championships. He batted .295 and was a second team all-conference selection before redshirting in 2018, due to an injured labrum in his throwing shoulder.

“Playing for the Sweets will be a lot of fun, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Wagstaff said.