Sox Score Early and Often to Defeat Bears

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WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox scored in all but two innings to defeat the Highline Bears, 14-6, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Ryan Altenberger and Brett Gillis each finished a hit away from hitting for the cycle. Altenberger singled, doubled and homered while Gillis singled, doubled and tripled. Every AppleSox starter collected at least one hit and seven drove in at least one run.

Wenatchee used seven different pitchers, including three players making their AppleSox’ debut.

After giving up a two-out solo home run in the first inning to trail for the first time in a game in their last five games, the AppleSox resoundingly responded in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Altenberger led off with a solo home run and then, two batters later, Cole McKenzie responded with a solo shot of his own.

In the second, the Sox tacked on two more when Johnny Graham walked and scored on an RBI double by Kodie Kolden. Kolden swiped third and then scored on an RBI single by Altenberger.

The next inning, the Sox scored three runs in an inning for the first of two occasions. Dalton Harum walked and then Dylan McPhillips was hit by a pitch. Quinn Ayers plated both with a double and then he scored on an RBI single by Graham to make it 7-1, AppleSox.

The Bears cut the deficit to two runs with a four-run fourth inning, but the AppleSox got a couple runs back with a two-spot in the fifth. McPhillips singled, then was replaced by a pinch runner in Hunter Montgomery, who in turn stole second base. Montgomery scored on an RBI single by Graham, then Gillis plated Graham with a double.

Neither team scored in the sixth, but the Bears struck in the top of the seventh before the AppleSox scored three more times. Gillis led off with a triple and scored on a passed ball, then Kolden and Altenberger followed with a single and double, respectively. Back-to-back sacrifice flys by Tyler Detloff and McKenzie plated both runners.

The Sox concluded the scoring the eighth inning when Ayers led off with a walk, advanced to third on a couple wild pitches, then scored on a single by Gillis. Kolden reached on a fielder’s choice and then scored two batters later on a Detlfof single.

The AppleSox have now won all three non-league games that they have played this summer. Their next non-league game is on July 15 against the U.S. Miltary All-Stars. Wenatchee resumes West Coast League play on Tuesday against the Victoria HarbourCats. It’s the first of a six-game road trip that will have three games in Victoria and then three more in Cowlitz.

Listen to postgame interviews with Altenberger and head coach Kyle Krustangel below.