This past weekend at Avista Stadium, the Tri-City Dust Devils experienced the full spectrum of the game—from the sting of defensive errors to the pure adrenaline of a multi-home run performance. It was a weekend where individual grit, like Matt Coutney’s relentless hitting streak and Anthony Scull’s explosive power, reminded us why we follow the journey of these athletes in the first place.
Friday: Pitching Through the Shadows
Friday night was a masterclass in poise under pressure for right-hander Peyton Olejnik. Despite a surprising gauntlet of five defensive errors by his teammates, the Indiana native refused to unravel. Olejnik “weaved” his way through five scoreless innings, escaping a bases-loaded threat in the second with back-to-back strikeouts.
The game was ultimately decided by a single swing—a three-run shot in the sixth—but the narrative was Olejnik’s “quality start” and Matt Coutney’s quiet consistency. Coutney extended his hitting streak to 11 games, proving that even in a 3-0 loss, the Dust Devils possess a professional grit that keeps them in every contest.
Saturday: An Offensive Explosion
The tide turned on Saturday night as the Dust Devils’ bats came alive with a seven-run outburst in the first three innings. Jake Munroe sparked the energy with a two-run home run in the second, providing Yeferson Vargas with plenty of support.
But the real story of the weekend began to take shape with Anthony Scull. The outfielder, who brings a vibrant energy to the lineup, launched his first home run of the series in the fifth and added a double in the seventh. Behind a 9-5 victory, the team showed exactly what happens when their “pass-the-baton” mentality clicks, turning a road game into a Tri-City highlight reel.
Sunday: The Scull Show and the Sunday Split
Anthony Scull, the Cuba-born and Miami-raised outfielder, delivered a performance for the ages, hitting two home runs in his first two at-bats. It capped an incredible 7-for-9 stretch for Scull over the final two games of the series.
Though the Indians countered with a grand slam to secure an 8-3 win and the series victory, the Dust Devils found a silver lining in their individual progressions. Matt Coutney added another solo shot to his season total, continuing his remarkable on-base streak. It was the team’s first Sunday loss of the season.
Coming Home: The Emeralds Arrive at Gesa Stadium
The Dust Devils now return to the Mid-Columbia to host the league-leading Eugene Emeralds. The six-game series kicks off this Tuesday, May 12, for a “Coca-Cola Tuesday.”