APPLESOX DROP SERIES OPENER WITH SWEETS

Wenatchee, Wash. - Jake Taylor homered but the Wenatchee AppleSox (4-8) lost 7-3 to the Walla Walla Sweets (8-5) on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

In a game that the AppleSox never led, they could not overcome two errors and three wild pitches.

The Sweets struck for their first two runs in the second with two singles and three wild pitches. They would take a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Taylor drew the Sox within one with his first home run of the season and the teams' second with his third-inning longball.

After the Sweets scored three runs on two hits and an error in the sixth, the Sox responded with two in the bottom of the inning. Evan Williams and Mason Marenco led off with consecutive walks and both would score thanks to an RBI single by Johnny Sage and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Rathbone to make it 5-3.

The Sweets made it a non-save situation with two in the top of the seventh to cap the scoring.

The AppleSox have now lost three in a row and are 1-4 in their six-game homestand. They will look to even up the series with the Sweets on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445029

HOMESTAND CONTINUES AGAINST SWEETS

APPLESOX (4-7)

v.s.

Walla Walla Sweets (7-5)

June 19-21

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

The AppleSox' six-game homestand rolls on with a three-game midweek set against the Walla Walla Sweets at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

After dropping two of three to the Kelowna Falcons, the AppleSox dropped to .500 (3-3) at home in league and non-league play this season. The Sox hope to bounce back against the Sweets, who are fresh off a three-game sweep of the Bend Elks. The Sweets come to Wenatchee on a four-game winning streak and were not in action on Monday night.

All three games will start at 7:05 p.m.

Probable pitchers

Tuesday

Sweets: Dylan Riddle (First appearance)

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (1-1. 3.85 ERA)

Wednesday

Sweets: Bryce Moyle (1-1, 3.37 ERA)

AppleSox: Sam Wong (0-0, 3.37 ERA)

Thursday

Sweets: Ty Hueckman (0-0, 6.00 ERA)

AppleSox: Connor McCord (0-1, 18.00 ERA)

Promotions

Tuesday: Appearance by the Mariner Moose, sponsored by ESPN 900 radio, and Taco Tuesday

Wednesday: Salvation Army Food Drive, sponsored by Cherry Creek Radio

Thursday: Save at Home Night, sponsored by the Chelan County P.U.D.

Last Game

Monday night, the AppleSox fell to the Kelowna Falcons 9-6 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The AppleSox took a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning but were outscored 9-3 the rest of the way.

More History

The past two weeks have been full of significant milestones for the AppleSox. Last Tuesday against Corvallis, the AppleSox picked up their 600th victory in franchise history and then they picked up their 200th win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on Saturday night against Kelowna.

Tonight, the AppleSox will make more history as they play in their 1,000th game. In 19 years of play, the AppleSox have won 601 games as well as five West Coast League Championships.

First-Inning Strikes

In each of the final two games against Kelowna, the AppleSox struck in the first inning. Including non-league games, the AppleSox have scored 10 runs in the first inning this season. That’s the second-most runs that they’ve scored in any inning this year.

Top of the Order on Fire

Since drastically switching up the batting order last Thursday, head coach Kyle Krustangel has seen improved production atop the order.

In the last four games, the AppleSox first three batters are batting a combined .369 (17-for-46) and have produced a .436 on-base percentage.

The three regulars atop the order have been Joey Magro, Mason Marenco and Johnny Sage in that descending order.

Magro, who has started in all but one of the last four games, is hitting .416 (5-for-12) and has moved become the AppleSox second-best hitter with an overall .370. Last Thursday, Magro was a home run away from hitting for the cycle.

Marenco leads the AppleSox with a .575 slugging percentage and is hitting .312 (5-for-16) over the last four games. He was especially productive on Monday, when he went 4-for-5 and scored twice. 

Sage has been the most productive of the three at the plate since moving into the three-hole. He’s hitting .428 (6-for-14) over the four games. He’s driven in five runs in that span.

MARENCO COLLECTS FOUR HITS BUT APPLESOX LOSE TO FALCONS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Despite outhitting the Kelowna Falcons (5-7) and taking an early 3-0 lead, the Wenatchee AppleSox (4-7) lost the series finale, 9-6.

Mason Marenco went 4-for-5 at the plate with hits in each of his first three at-bats and scored two runs. His second-inning double was his team-high fourth of the season.

The AppleSox entered the fourth inning with a three-run lead after striking in the first inning for the second straight day. With one out, Marenco single and Johnny Sage doubled him in. On the next pitch, Connor McCord drove home Sage with a single.

In the third inning, it was Sage again coming through with an RBI. After Joey Magro singled and Marenco doubled to put runners at second and third, Sage lifted a sacrifice fly to left to plate Magro. 

However, that would be the last lead that the AppleSox would hold. Kelowna struck for three in the fourth on four consecutive singles to tie the game.

After neither team scored in fifth, the Falcons added two more in the sixth after a couple of errors. A solo shot in the seventh along with a passed ball and a balk helped bring in three more runs in the eighth for the Falcons.

The AppleSox gave it a fighting chance in the ninth when they loaded the bases and Connor McCord cleared them with a three-RBI double, but that was all that they would get.

After dropping two of three to Kelowna, the AppleSox will face the Walla Walla Sweets from Tuesday through Thursday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. First pitch for each game is set for 7:05 p.m. 

Monday's full box score: http://westcoast.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445028

APPLESOX CAN'T HANG ON, FALL TO FALCONS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Despite scoring three runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning, the Wenatchee AppleSox (4-6) could not overcome a furious, four-run rally by the Kelowna Falcons (4-7) and lost, 7-5, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to tie and then take a two-run lead. After a two-run homer in the seventh gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead, the Sox sent eight men to the plate in the eighth to take the lead.

It started with Johnny Sage walking and being advanced to second on a Jacob Prater sacrifice bunt. Alix Garcia doubled to right-center to score Sage and tied the game. After Jordan Rathbone reached on an error, Jake Taylor was plunked to load the bases with one out.

Nolan McCafferty followed with a bloop RBI single to center to score Garcia and give the Sox their first lead since the seventh inning. They wouldn't stop there, though, as Joey Magro hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Rathbone and make it 5-3, Sox.

However, the Falcons responded with a big ninth inning to take the lead. With one out, a walk, an error and a single made it a one-run game. With two outs, a high hopper over the head of third baseman Jake Taylor brought in the game-tying run. An RBI-double by the next batter drove in two and gave the Falcons a 7-5 lead. 

Prior to the seventh, the AppleSox had a 2-1 lead thanks to a couple RBI knocks by Sage. In the first, he singled to right field to score Mason Marenco after Marenco walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sage got RBI No. 2 of the evening in the fifth when he doubled in Michael Spellacy.

The AppleSox can take the series tomorrow when they face the Falcons in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05 and Hunter Boyd (1-1, 5.55 ERA) will go for the Sox in the rubber match against James Brooks (0-0, 9.00 ERA).

APPLESOX TAKE DOWN FALCONS SATURDAY NIGHT

WENATCHEE, Wash. -  Despite two weather delays, the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Kelowna Falcons, 6-2, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

Michael Spellacy allowed one unearned run over six innings to pick up the victory in his first appearance with the AppleSox this season. Meanwhile, the Sox bats rallied for a three-run sixth to take a permanent lead.

Spellacy, an incoming sophomore at Gonzaga this fall, joined the team for the second straight season and made an impact immediately. After not making any starts last summer, Spellacy won his first start of 2018 and struck out four.

The Falcons scored first with a double and an error to take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third. The Sox responded with a run of their own when Joey Magro reached on an error by Kelowna shortstop Matt Voelzke then went to third after two wild pitches. Voelzke committed another error on a ball hit by Mason Marenco and Magro came in to score.

Despite tying the score, the AppleSox still did not record their first base hit until the sixth inning. John Sage hit a one-out single, Jacob Prater walked and then Conner McCord and Cory Meyer hit back-to-back singles to bring in two runs. A wild pitch during Jordan Rathbone's at-bat brought in McCord to make it 4-1, AppleSox. 

In the seventh, the Sox added another run when Isaac Barrera led off with a single and came around to score two batters later on Marenco's sacrifice fly to centerfield. Kelowna got a run in the eighth, but the Sox got the run back in the bottom half of the inning. Meyer was hit by a pitch, Rathbone singled and Barrera walked to load the bases. During Magro's at-bat, a passed ball scored Meyer.

Saturday's game was twice delayed by rain and lightning, first in the bottom of the eighth for 26 minutes, and again in the top of the ninth for 30 minutes.

The AppleSox go for the series win on Sunday night when Grady Miller (1-1, 2.53 ERA) takes the hill against Trevor Bridgen (0-2, 6.75 ERA) of the Falcons. First pitch on Father's Day is at 6:05 p.m. and, in addition to it being Wenatchee Valley Mall Night, it is a Spaghetti Sunday. Arrive at the park at 5 p.m. and grab a plate of spaghetti for just $7.75.

SECOND-LONGEST HOMESTAND OF SEASON BEGINS TONIGHT

APPLESOX (3-5)

v.s.

Kelowna Falcons (3-6)

June 16-18

Paul Thomas Senior Stadium

The Wenatchee AppleSox return to Paul Thomas Senior Stadium to play the Kelowna Falcons in the AppleSox’ first West Coast League home series of the 2018 season.

The AppleSox return home after a five-game road trip. Initially, it was supposed to be a seven-game stretch away from home, but all three of the AppleSox’ originally scheduled games in Portland were rained out. As a result, the Sox’ game with Gresham on June 11 was cancelled and the Pickles and AppleSox played a doubleheader on Monday.

Now, the Sox look to take their second West Coast League series of the season when they take on the Falcons. Kelowna enters Saturday’s game dead-last in the North after two weeks of play.

Last season, the AppleSox swept the season series, taking all six games from the Falcons.

Probable Pitchers

Saturday

Falcons: Owen Leonard (0-0, 5.40 ERA)

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (3-0, 4.56 ERA with AppleSox in 2017)

Sunday

Falcons: Trevor Bridgen (0-2, 6.75 ERA)

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-1, 2.53 ERA)

Monday

Falcons: James Brooks (0-0, 9.00 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (1-1, 5.55 ERA)

Promotions

Sunday: Wenatchee Valley Mall Night and Spaghetti Sunday

Monday: Cashmere Night

Last Game

The AppleSox lost 5-3 to the Corvallis Knights on Thursday night to drop two of three in the series. The Sox had Friday off and they will not have another day off until June 25.

Magro Heating Up

Though the AppleSox dropped two of three to the Knights, second baseman Joey Magro was a bright spot at the plate. The Biola second baseman went 6-8 in the final two games against the Knights.

In the series finale on Thursday, Magro was a home run away from hitting for the cycle. He is now hitting .421, team-best among Sox batters with at least 15 at-bats.

Stainbrook Stifling Batters

Through eight games, reliever Troy Stainbrook has proven his worth as a high-leverage reliever. The Southpaw from Biola has thrown a team-high three times over 5.2-innings and has yet to allow a run this season.

In Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the Knights, Stainbrook struck out four batters in two innings, including striking out the side in the eighth inning. The scoreless outing gave Stainbrook his first save of the season and the Sox their 600th win.

Tight Division

Even with identical 3-5 record in West Coast League play, the AppleSox are by no means in trouble. The North Division-leading Bellingham Bells (8-5) are only 2.5-games ahead of the Sox and have three games at hand.

KNIGHTS STRIKE LATE TO DEFEAT APPLESOX

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Corvallis Knights (4-4) scored two runs in the eighth inning to break a tie and take the series finale 5-3 against the Wenatchee AppleSox (3-5).

The AppleSox out-hit the Knights, 9-7, and had a chance to take the lead in the eighth, but could not bring the go-ahead across. 

Joey Magro continued his hot stretch at the plate by going 3-for-4 at the plate for the second straight game. The second baseman from Biola finished a home run away from hitting for the cycle.

Using a vastly different batting order from any of the season's previous 10 games, the AppleSox got on the board in the first. Magro led off with a double to right-center field and came around to score after back-to-back groundouts. 

The Knights responded in the bottom of the second with two runs on a couple hits and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead.

After neither team scored in the third, the AppleSox tied the game in the fourth on three consecutive singles. John Sage and Connor McCord started the inning off with consecutive singles, then Cory Meyer played Sage with a one-out single.

In the fifth, the AppleSox took the lead on a Mason Marenco RBI single after Magro tripled with two outs. The lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth when Knights used a leadoff triple and a one-out single to even the game back up.

The AppleSox had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the eighth. After Sage and Meyer reached base on walks and with two outs, Sage reached third on a wild pitch. With runners at the corners, Meyer took off for second and Sage took a healthy lead from third. Instead of the throw coming to second, it went to third and Sage was picked off to end the inning.

The Knights scored two runs in the bottom half of the same inning after a walk, a single and a triple to score both. The AppleSox were retired in order in the ninth to conclude the game.

Now, the AppleSox return home for their first homestand of the season that will come against West Coast League opponents. It begins on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with the first of three against the Kelowna Falcons.

APPLESOX DROP SECOND OF THREE TO KNIGHTS

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Corvallis Knights, 12-3, on Wednesday night at Goss Stadium. 

Joey Magro collected three hits in four at-bats, but it was not enough to lead the AppleSox. The team also collected 11 hits in the loss.

An RBI single in the second and another in the third gave the Knights a 2-0 lead. The AppleSox responded with a two-run fifth when they loaded up the bases. Mason Marenco drove in one with an RBI groundout to the right side and Jordan Rathbone singled in another to tie the game.

In the bottom half, Corvallis scored three times on three hits, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. The AppleSox would respond with an RBI walk by John Sage with the bases loaded, but that was all they would get. The Knights scored six runs on seven hits in the sixth and added another in the seventh to cap the scoring.

The AppleSox now look to take the series in the final meeting of the season between the two teams on Thursday at 6:35 p.m.

APPLESOX PICK UP 600TH VICTORY

CORVALLIS, Ore - With a 4-0 victory over the Corvallis Knights (2-4) on Tuesday night at Goss Stadium, the Wenatchee AppleSox (3-3) won their 600th game in franchise history.

Curtis Bafus struck out nine over seven scoreless innings and Cory Meyer went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the AppleSox to victory. Bafus attacked early with his fastball and late with his curveball to pick up his first win of the season. Meyer singled twice and was a couple of feet away from a home run, but settled for a double.

The AppleSox opened the scoring in the fourth inning when Conner McCord led off with a single. After a Jeremy Yelland single and a fielder's choice put runners at first and third, Nolan McCafferty lifted a ball to shallow right field that went in and out of the glove of Knights' second baseman Briley Knight and dropped for an error, scoring McCord.

Though that proved to be the eventual game-winning run, the AppleSox weren't finished. In the sixth, Meyer led off with a single and advanced to third after a single and a double play. He'd come around to score on Sam Waterman's RBI single to left field.

The AppleSox got out of several jams prior to tacking on their final two runs in the top of the ninth. After Taylor Poffenroth reached on a fielder's choice and Alex Garcia reached on an error by Knight, Garcia stole second to put runners on second and third. Conner McCord lifted a bloop single to center field in 'no man's land' to plate both runners and double the AppleSox' lead.

Troy Stainbrook tossed the final two innings to pick up the save. He struck out three batters in the eighth and another in the ninth to register his first save of the season.

The AppleSox will look to take the series from the Knights on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m.

APPLESOX, KNIGHTS OPEN THREE-GAME SERIES TONIGHT

APPLESOX (2-3)

v.s.

Corvallis Knights (2-3)

June 12-14

The Wenatchee AppleSox wrap up their five-game road trip with a three-game series against the Corvallis Knights that begins tonight at Goss Stadium.

The AppleSox and the Knights met three times last year with the two teams splitting a doubleheader on Aug. 3 and Corvallis taking the playoff play-in game on Aug. 7. 

Probable Pitchers

Tuesday

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (0-1, 9.64 ERA)

Knights: Aaron Shoup (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Wednesday

AppleSox: Steen Fredrickson (0-0, 1.00 ERA)

Knights: Connor Knutson (0-0, 12.27 ERA)

Thursday

AppleSox: Sam Wong (1-0, 2.57 ERA in one non-league start)

Knights: Daniel Slominski (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Last Game

With all three games from Friday to Saturday against the Portland Pickles postponed due to rain, the AppleSox canceled their non-league game with the Gresham GreyWolves scheduled for Monday and instead played a doubleheader with the Pickles. Portland took both games by scores of 3-0 and then 9-0 and held the AppleSox to just three hits.

Men Left On

Though they only collected three hits in yesterday's two games, the AppleSox still got runners on. The problem was, they couldn't bring them home.

In Game 2, despite only collecting one hit, six other Sox reached base via three hit by pitches and three walks. The AppleSox put runners on in every inning except for the fourth and fifth innings. In the first three innings, the AppleSox got a runner to at least second base, but could not score him. The AppleSox also left the bases-loaded in the third to strand three of their seven runners in the game.

Marenco Keeps Hitting

With his first-inning double in Game 1 yesterday, AppleSox infielder Mason Marenco continued his impressive start at the plate. He has collected all but two of the AppleSox' six extra-base hits and has the only triple and home run by AppleSox batters in league games this season.

Marenco, who will be a redshirt freshman at Gonzaga this fall, enters Tuesday night with a .412 batting average, third-best in the West Coast League. His four extra-base hits are the most by anyone in the West Coast League with five or fewer games played. 

PICKLES TAKE DOUBLEHEADER FROM APPLESOX

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Wenatchee AppleSox dropped their doubleheader with the Portland Pickles on Monday, losing 3-0 and 9-0 at Walker Stadium.

In two seven-inning games, the AppleSox completed two of the three games that were rained out this past weekend. The third game will be made up in the middle of July when the Pickles visit Wenatchee from July 18-20. 

In Game 1, Grady Miller struck out six and allowed three runs over 4.2 innings. Jake Cooper homered and Sam Novitske hit two RBI doubles to lead the Pickles to victory.

In the second game, the Pickles scored in every inning except for the first inning. The big blows were two-run outbursts in the second and fifth innings and a three-run surge in the sixth. 

The play of the day for the AppleSox came in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 1, when left fielder Sam Waterman robbed a would-be home run. Waterman reached over the left field fence to grab a fly ball hit by Daniel Lopez, then was flipped over the fence, but held onto the ball.

Now the AppleSox travel to Corvallis for a three-game set before heading back to Wenatchee. Tuesday's game against the Knights is at 6:35 p.m.
 

UPGRADE TO PAUL THOMAS SR. STADIUM COMPLETED THANKS TO DONORS

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium has undergone an upgrade with the addition of a new asphalt surface to the concourse area around the gates and seating areas. This improvement will increase safety and accessibility for fans. It was made possible by donations from Beth and Dennis Dobbs of Horan Estates Winery and the Names Foundation.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this project to help further enhance our community and support the young athletes who are following their dreams,” said Beth Dobbs, co-owner of Horan Estates Winery.

The AppleSox are matching the donation amount through advertising to promote the Horan Estates Winery through the 2020 season. In addition, the AppleSox will now serve Horan Estates wines at the stadium beginning this summer.

“This is really a huge win-win for fans,” said AppleSox founder Jim Corcoran. “We are extremely grateful for this incredibly generous donation and for the great work done by the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation in coordinating this project.”

The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for Wenatchee Valley College students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at www.wvc.edu/foundation.

APPLESOX, PICKLES TO PLAY DOUBLEHEADER ON MONDAY

PORTLAND, Ore. - Due to inclement weather, the AppleSox and Portland Pickles will play a doubleheader on Monday with the first game at 1 p.m. Both games on Monday will be seven innings.

Friday and Saturday's games with the Pickles were both rained out and as a result, Monday's non-league game with the Gresham GreyWolves has been canceled.

The AppleSox will start Michael Spellacy in the series opener on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Grady Miller, the original starter for Friday's game, will get the ball for Game 1 and Hunter Boyd will start Game 2. 

All three games will be broadcast on the AppleSox Radio Network. Fans can listen in Wenatchee on 93.9 FM KCSY Sunny and 1470 AM KBSN in Moses Lake or online.

APPLESOX, PICKLES MEET FOR FIRST HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

APPLESOX (2-1) 

v.s.

Portland Pickles (4-2)

Walker Stadium at Lent's Park

June 8-10

After taking two of three from three different non-league opponents at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium this past weekend, the AppleSox are back on the road for a seven-game road trip. The journey begins with three games against the Portland Pickles this weekend.

Friday will mark the first time that the AppleSox and Pickles have ever met head-to-head. The Pickles, founded in 2015, played their first two seasons in the Great West League before joining the West Coast League this season.

Probable Pitchers

Friday

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Pickles: Connor Pellerin (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

Saturday

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Pickles: Brad McVay (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (3-0, 4.56 ERA last summer)

Pickles: Colin Suter (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Last Game

The AppleSox defeated the Highline Bears 8-3 last night at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium. Tyson Yamane allowed one run over seven innings to record the fourth quality start by AppleSox pitching through six games this season.

At the plate, first baseman Sam Swenson homered and doubled in the fourth straight game that the AppleSox scored seven or more runs.

Capitalizing on Mistakes

In three of the last four games an AppleSox opponent has committed four or more errors in a game and Wenatchee has won all three of those games. Sunday, the AppleSox capitalized on six errors by the Victoria HarbourCats en route to a 14-2 victory. Five errors by the Northwest Honkers on Wednesday led to a 9-2 AppleSox victory and the Highline Bears committed four errors on Thursday in the AppleSox' 8-3 win.

Historic Night?

The AppleSox are looking for a monumental win tonight. If Wenatchee defeats Portland, then it will pick up its 600th win in franchise history. The AppleSox, established in 2000, are in their 19th season of play.

APPLESOX END HOMESTAND WITH CONSECUTIVE WINS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox wrapped up their first homestand of the 2018 season with an 8-3 victory over the Highline Bears. The AppleSox took two of three from three different non-league opponents in Wenatchee's first three home games of the season at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

In all three wins this season entering Thursday night, AppleSox starters have gone at least six innings. That trend continued on Thursday as Tyson Yamane allowed one run over seven innings. 

At the plate, AppleSox batters drew nine walks and collected four extra-base hits. The AppleSox also capitalized on four errors, marking the third time in four days that their opponent committed four or more errors.  

Three batters into the game, the Bears took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single after a double. However, the AppleSox tied it up in the bottom half. John Sage walked and advanced to third on a pickoff throwing error. Cory Meyer tied it up with a sacrifice fly to center.

In the second inning, another error led to two more runs. Jeremy Yelland and Joey Magro led off with walks and both stole third and second base, respectively. While taking the bags, Highline's third baseman Carter Wallace could not handle the throw and both runners moved up 90 more feet and the AppleSox took the lead. After the Sox drew two more walks, Sage singled in Magro to make it 3-1, AppleSox.

The next inning, the AppleSox scored three more runs, two of which came with two outs. Sam Swenson doubled with one and out and scored two batters later on a Magro single. After Nolan McCafferty singled, Taylor Poffenroth drove both runners in with an RBI double.

After neither team struck in the fourth, the AppleSox got another run on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Yelland reached on an error and scored two batters later on a double by McCafferty. 

Neither team would score again until Swenson hit a solo home run in the eighth. Highline answered with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth, but that was all they would get. 

The AppleSox now head to Portland for the first of a three-game set against the Pickles. It's the first time that the AppleSox and Pickles will meet in West Coast League play. First pitch on Friday is set for 7:05 p.m.

APPLESOX WRAP UP FIRST HOMESTAND OF 2018 TONIGHT

APPLESOX (2-1 WCL, 1-1 non-league)

v.s.

Highline Bears (0-4)

7:05 p.m.

Paul Thomas Sr. Field

After splitting their first two games against non-league opponents, the Wenatchee AppleSox wrap up their first homestand of the season on Thursday night against the Highline Bears of the Pacific International League. 

Probable Pitchers

AppleSox: Tyson Yasmane

Bears: TBD

Last Game

The AppleSox got in the win column at home with a 9-2 victory over the Northwest Honkers last night. Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, the AppleSox rallied to take a lead they would not relinquish, scoring all nine of their run in their final five innings at the plate. 

Sam Wong was strong on the mound, becoming the third AppleSox starter through five games this year to toss at least six innings and pick up the victory. He allowed two runs in seven innings and struck out five in his first start of the summer. 

At the plate, John Sage and Mason Marenco led the way. Sage reached base four base times and Marenco hit a pair of RBI doubles. Alix Garcia drew three walks and Jordan Rathbone had a second consecutive multi-RBI game with an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly.

Wednesday night marked the third straight game in which the AppleSox both scored seven or more runs and had a five-run inning. Last night, the big inning came in the sixth when the AppleSox sent 10 men to the plate.

Tonight's Promotion

Washington Trust Night.

What's Next

Following Thursday's game with Highline, the AppleSox hit the road for a seven-game road trip. It will start with the Sox' first-ever game against the Portland Pickles in the City of Roses.

APPLESOX DEFEAT HONKERS, PICK UP FIRST HOME WIN OF 2018

WENATCHEE, Wash. - On Wednesday night, the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Northwest Honkers, 9-2, to pick up their first home win of the 2018 season.

Sam Wong only allowed two runs in seven innings pitched and the AppleSox scored five runs in an inning for the third straight game. 

Wong, who struck out five by primarily relying on a strong changeup and devastating curveball, allowed both of his runs in the second inning. However, the AppleSox red-hot bats would pick him up. For the third straight game, Wenatchee scored seven or more runs.

The AppleSox got on the board in the fourth with a single run. Alix Garcia singled with one out and advanced to third after a single and a fielder's choice. Garcia scored when Joey Magro hit a ball to the left side that the Honkers' third baseman could not handle.

In the fifth, the AppleSox got two more to take a lead they would not relinquish. John Sage reached on a fielder's choice and scored two batters later on Jordan Rathbone's triple to left-center field. Rathborne scored a batter later on a wild pitch and a throwing error to the plate by the Honkers' catcher.

The next inning, the floodgates opened. Wenatchee sent a current season-high 10 men to the plate and scored five runs. McKenzie led off with a single and stole both second and third base and Nolan McCafferty lifted a ball to left field that neither the left-fielder nor the centerfielder could handle. The ball dropped and McKenzie scored to make it 4-2, AppleSox. 

Afterward, Taylor Poffenroth singled to put runners at first and second and Sage walked to load the bases. During Mason Marenco's at-bat, the Honkers catcher, Zach Zurbrugg tossed a ball back to the mound that the pitcher, Spencer Trautmann, wasn't ready for. On the play, McCafferty scored.

So, with runners at first and second, Marenco doubled to plate Poffenroth. Sage would score a batter later when Rathbone hit a sacrifice fly to right field. After Garcia and Swenson walked, Marenco scored on another error by Zurbrugg to cap the scoring.

All-in-all, the AppleSox faced four different Honkers' pitchers in the inning and the Honkers committed three of their five errors in the sixth.

The AppleSox concluded the scoring with another run in the seventh. With two outs, Poffenroth was plunked for the second time and he came around to score two batters later on Marenco's second RBI double in as many innings.

Thursday, the AppleSox will conclude their first homestand with a second consecutive game against a team from the Pacific International League when the Highline Bears come to Wenatchee. Tickets can be purchased on AppleSox.com.

APPLESOX READY FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE NON-LEAGUE GAME

APPLESOX (2-1)

v.s.

Northwest Honkers (2-6)

The Wenatchee AppleSox play their second of three consecutive non-league games tonight to open their 2018 home schedule when the Northwest Honkers visit Paul Thomas Sr. Field for the evening. The Honkers are a member of the Pacific International League, which allows for college graduates and former professionals to also play with current college players.

Wenatchee and Northwest last met in 2014, with the AppleSox claiming an 18-7 victory on June 12 at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

Probable Pitchers

AppleSox: Sam Wong (4-4, 5.02 ERA with Montana State University Billings)

Honkers: TBD

Last Game

On Tuesday night, the AppleSox fell to the River City Athletics at Paul Thomas Sr. Field in the 2018 home opener. In a non-league, the AppleSox took a 5-0 lead after the first, but would give it up after the Athletics scored three times in the third and added three more in the fourth. 

It was the second straight game that the AppleSox scored seven or more runs. Every AppleSox batter reached base at least once and eight batters reached two or more times. Additionally, the AppleSox thrived when batting with two outs, going 5-10 with three walks in those scenarios. 

Tonight's promotion

This evening, there will be wine tasting available for adult fans aged 21 and over. Horan Estates Winery and Icicle Brewing beer will both have tables on the third-base side near the concessions. 

What's Next

The AppleSox wrap up their first homestand of the year against the Highline Bears. First pitch at Paul Thomas Sr. Field is at 7:05 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the ballpark or online at applesox.com

DESPITE EARLY LEAD, APPLESOX DROP HOME OPENER

WENATCHEE, Wash. - In their first home game of the season, the Wenatchee AppleSox lost to the River City Athletics, 7-6, in a non-league game at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on Tuesday night.

The AppleSox got off to a strong start with a five-run first inning, but could not overcome the rough middle innings and suffered the loss.

For the second time in three days, the AppleSox sent all nine men to the plate in an inning and scored five runs. Sunday, it came in the second inning against Victoria, but tonight, it happened in the first. 

John Sage led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After Mason Marenco walked, Jordan Rathborne, playing in his first game of the season with the AppleSox, singled in Sage and Alix Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to score Marenco and make it 2-0, AppleSox.

Cory Meyer followed with a walk to put runners at first and second with one out. An out later, Joey Magro tripled to left-center to plate both runners. Nolan McCafferty singled to right to score Magro and make it 5-0. River City starter Jeb Callaghan exited after allowing five runs on four hits in the first inning.

After the Athletics sent nine men to the plate and scored three in the third and then used a three-run homer to take a 6-0 lead in the top of the fourth, the AppleSox responded in the bottom of that same inning. 

After a double play, the AppleSox went to work with two outs. Meyer and Cole McKenzie both singled to put runners at first and second with two outs. Nolan McCafferty picked up his second RBI single of the game to tie the game up. During Taylor Poffenroth's at-bat, River City's first baseman Drew VanKemske couldn't handle a throw over to first and his error allowed the go-ahead run, McKenzie, to score. 

Five of Wenatchee's seven runs on Tuesday night came with two outs. Overall, the AppleSox hit .500 (9-18) with two outs and also drew three walks.

The AppleSox took a 7-6 lead into the fifth, but two pitches into the inning, the Athletics' rightfielder Andrew Vargas homered to left field to tie the game up.

Neither team would strike again until the ninth, when VanKemske walked and scored two batters later on an RBI double by Vargas. The AppleSox put two on in the bottom of the inning, but could not complete the rally.  

Cashmere native Tyler Chipman got the start for the AppleSox and struck out four batters, but could not overcome eight walks en route to allowing six runs. 

Steen Fredrickson struck out seven batters in 3.1-innings of scoreless relief. Fredrickson struck out the side twice and now has nine strikeouts over 4.1-innings in two appearances. 

The AppleSox are back at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on Wednesday night for another non-league game, this one against the Northwest Honkers. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are still available at applesox.com and in person at the ballpark.

APPLESOX BEGIN HOME SCHEDULE TONIGHT

APPLESOX (2-1)

v.s.

River City Athletics (2-2)

June 5

Tonight, the Wenatchee AppleSox play their first home game of the 2018 season against the River City Athletics at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. This will be the second straight year that the AppleSox and Athletics clash, with Wenatchee taking both meetings last year.

Probable Pitchers

AppleSox: Tyler Chipman

River City: TBD

Last Series

This past weekend, the AppleSox opened up the 2018 season by taking two of three from the Victoria HarbourCats at Royal Athletic Park. Grady Miller tossed six shutout innings on Friday and a double-steal provided the game-winning run.

After dropping the second game of the three-game set, the AppleSox bounced Sunday, Hunter Boyd struck out eight batters in seven strong innings and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The offense scored 14 runs and capitalized on six errors by the HarbourCats.

Offensively, shortstop Mason Marenco led the way with six hits in 10 at-bats. Marenco, an incoming sophomore at Gonzaga, collected 

Local Boy Gets Home-Opening Start

Tyler Chipman, a Cashmere native and incoming freshman at Gonzaga, will get the ball in tonight's home-opener. Chipman, a 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, recorded a 0.93 in three appearances (15 innings) this past year for Cashmere High School.

What's Next

Following tonight's game, the AppleSox will remain in Wenatchee for two more games against non-league opponents. Wednesday, they will face the Northwest Honkers and then the Highline Bears on Thursday. Tickets to these games can be purchased in-person at Paul Thomas Sr. Field or online at applesox.com.