APPLESOX 2018 SEASON BEGINS TONIGHT

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Victoria HarbourCats (0-0)

June 1-3

The AppleSox begin their 2018 season with a trip north of the border to take on the Victoria HarbourCats from June 1-3 at Royal Athletic Park.

Since the series started in 2013, the AppleSox and HarbourCats' series is tied 15-15. The HarbourCats have won seven of the 12 meetings in Victoria.

In their 18 previous seasons, the AppleSox have relished season-opening games. They've gone 12-6 in season-openers with seven of those wins against league opponents. When opening on the road to begin a season, the AppleSox are 4-1 and tonight will be the first time that they have begun a season in Canada.

Probable pitchers (all stats from this past collegiate season)

Tonight

AppleSox: Grady Miller (6-3, 4.65 ERA with Central Arizona)

HarbourCats: Ethan Fox (DNP in 2018 for Avila)

Saturday

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (2-1, 3.81 ERA with VCU)

HarbourCats: Garrett Goodall (3-4, 5.79 ERA with Embry-Riddle)

Sunday

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (2-7, 3.69 ERA with Idaho)

HarbourCats: Connor Nantkes (0-0, 6.00 ERA with Washington State)

Last year vs the Harbourcats

Last season, the AppleSox took four of the six meetings with the HarbourCats, including two of three in Victoria. The two teams played all six of their games from June 5-10, 2017, with the AppleSox take two of three in Wenatchee, then winning the first two in Victoria to claim the season series.

Roster breakdown

Of the eight returnees, the AppleSox are bringing back some important contributors from last years’ team. The AppleSox get back last summers’ best hitter (Jacob Prater, .356 batting average) and third-most used pitcher (McKabe Cottrell, 49.1 innings pitched) among a talented returning squad.

Now, they’ll look to add to that group with more talent. The AppleSox will have 18 players from Washington, including two from Wenatchee. Twenty players come from outside of Washington and come from as far away as Hawaii and as nearby as Oregon.

What’s next

Following the series with Victoria, the AppleSox return to Wenatchee and begin the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday, June 5 when they play the River City Athletics in the first of three consecutive games against three different non-league opponents. Tickets can be purchased on applesox.com.

Prior to the home opener, the AppleSox will hold their Fan Fest on Monday, June 4. Attendees will have the chance to watch the AppleSox practice, purchase tickets and get food and drinks at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. The Coyote will also be present as the team prepares for its 19th season. Admission is free to all fans.

FAN FEST SET FOR JUNE 4

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Monday, June 4, the AppleSox will hold their annual Fan Fest at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Fans are encouraged to come out and get their first look at the 2018 edition of the AppleSox by watching a live practice. The Fan Fest will run from 5-7 p.m. and is free to attend.

In addition to watching practice, fans will have the opportunity to pick up their season ticket packets or buy tickets for upcoming games.

There will be food and beverages available to purchase while at Fan Fest. Merchandise will be for sale so that fans can get gear to wear for games all summer.

The AppleSox’ mascot, the Coyote, will also be present to meet and greet fans.

The AppleSox open the 2018 season on Friday with the first of a three-game set against the Victoria HarbourCats north of the border. The first AppleSox home game comes on Tuesday, June 5 when they welcome the River City Athletics to Paul Thomas Sr. Field for the first of three consecutive games against three different non-league opponents. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX ANNOUNCE OWNERSHIP CHANGE

Jose Oglesby Takes the Helm as AppleSox Owner and Operator

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox has been sold by founder Jim Corcoran to Jose Oglesby, a former Microsoft manager. 

The team, entering its 19th year, will continue to play at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College. Assistant general manager and co-owner Ken Osborne will remain with the AppleSox and has been promoted to the team’s general manager and chief operating officer. Corcoran will stay on as an advisor with the team over the summer to assist with the transition.

The new owner, Jose Oglesby, is a lifelong baseball fan who grew up in Colombia and the Panama Canal Zone listening from far away to Major League Baseball radio broadcasts. After coming to the United States, Oglesby got the chance to attend hundreds of major and minor league games in person over the years.

“I’d like to thank all the fans, sponsors, coaches, and players that made owning and operating the AppleSox such a wonderful experience since our launch in 2000,” said Corcoran. “The last twelve years I have been extremely fortunate to work side-by-side with Ken Osborne. Ken became a part-owner and has been such an integral part of the AppleSox for over a decade, I know he will be fantastic in his new role. Between Jose’s vision for the future of the team and Ken’s promotion, this makes for the smoothest possible passing of the torch."

After a long career in software engineering including 26 years at Microsoft, Oglesby is realizing a lifelong dream by operating the AppleSox franchise. His goal is to continue the team’s commitment to customer service and community involvement.

“The AppleSox will continue to provide a wonderful entertainment value for the community. We will maintain all our current community relationships and develop new ones. We intend to maintain our tradition of excellence on and off the field,” said Oglesby.

Corcoran started the AppleSox in 2000 and has owned and operated the team since. The team has enjoyed considerable on-field success, winning five West Coast League Championships (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012) and one Pacific International League Championship (2003). Eleven former AppleSox players have gone on to reach the major leagues, including Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners and Jason Hammel of the Kansas City Royals.

The AppleSox open the season June 1, 2018 on the road against the Victoria HarbourCats, and play their home opener in Wenatchee June 5 against the River City Athletics. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX ANNOUNCE 2018 PITCHING STAFF; FINALIZE ROSTER

The Wenatchee AppleSox open play June 1, at the Victoria HarbourCats. and return home June 5 against the River City Athletics.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open play June 1, at the Victoria HarbourCats. and return home June 5 against the River City Athletics.

The Wenatchee AppleSox are welcoming 10 pitchers to join existing arms, Hunter Boyd, McCabe Cottrell, Connor McCord, Alek Jacob, Gerald Hein, Dawson Day, Drake Maningo, and Nick Seamons – as well as the team’s 18 other announced players to round out this season’s expected roster Head Coach Kyle Krustangel announced, Friday.

Jeremy Yelland, Hunter McMahon, Sam Wong, Karver Pate, Josh Harrington, Kyle Bosworth, Dylan Orlando, Brian Marquez, Troy Stainbrook, and Tyler Chipman round out the AppleSox expected 36-man roster.

Yelland, a Spokane native and freshman at the University of Hawaii, has worked in 22.1 innings this season for the Rainbow Wahine, tossing 24 strikeouts, while surrendering 16 earned runs. The left hander was formerly ranked the No. 3 high school southpaw in the state of Washington.

McMahon, a redshirt-freshman right hander at Coffeyville CC, hails from Kansas City, Mo. In 36.2 innings, he has registered 49 strikeouts for the Red Ravens. He has appeared in 10 games with seven starts.

Wong, a 6-4 junior left-handed pitcher from Boise, comes to the AppleSox from Montana State-Billings. This year, in 60.2 innings, the lefty has allowed just 34 earned runs, while tallying 37 strikeouts. He carries a 5.04 ERA and a 4-4 record. Previously, Wong pitched at Treasure Valley CC.

Pate, another left-handed option for Krustangel, has spent his redshirt-junior and redshirt sophomore seasons at Northern Colorado, after transferring fro Columbia Basin College. This year, the Spokane native has worked in 34 innings, with only a staggering 10 earned runs allowed. He has 36 strikeouts to 17 walks.

Harrington, from Missoula, Mont. represents a third pitcher for the AppleSox from MSU-Billings. In 15.2 innings, he has given up 16 earned runs and struck out 11 batters. He has a save this season.

Bosworth, a right-handed junior from Texas Rio Grande Valley has not appeared in a game for UTRGV this year after transferring from Pierce College. Last year he was 4-1 in 12 games including five starts. He threw 43.1 innings.

Orlando, a freshman lefty for Washington State University, has seen limited action for the Cougars this spring. In 3.1 innings, the Sin City native has given up two runs, with two strikeouts.  Over his high school career at Palo Verde in Las Vegas, he totaled 138 strikeouts and is originally from Fayetteville, N.C.

Marquez, a freshman lefty for UC Irvine, has also worked 3.1 innings this year. The San Diego native has given up three earned runs, while posting four strikeouts. Last year, as a senior at Rancho Bernardo HS, he tossed two no hitters.

Stainbrook, a towering 6-7 left-handed pitcher from Biola University, has been a workhorse this season for the Eagles. Over 61.1 innings, the Visalia native has allowed 29 earned runs and tossed 47 strikeouts. His 4.26 ERA is accompanied by a 5-3 record.

Chipman, a Cashmere native and commit to Gonzaga, has a season ERA of 0.93 for the Bulldogs. He has appeared in 15 innings and registered 28 strikeouts. He is also batting .406 with 13 hits and 12 RBI. His Cashmere HS Bulldogs are currently 18-2 including an 11-1 record in league play.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 19th season of play June 1, 2018 at the Victoria Harbourcats, and play their home opener in Wenatchee June 5 against the River City Athletics. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX WELCOME 2018 POSITION PLAYERS

17 new players now add to a 27-man roster for Head Coach Kyle Krustangel. The team's final roster announcement is set for Friday. 

17 new players now add to a 27-man roster for Head Coach Kyle Krustangel. The team's final roster announcement is set for Friday. 

Position players from 16 different collegiate institutions, will help patrol the field for the 2018 AppleSox, Head Coach Kyle Krustangel announced Monday.

With his second roster announcement, Krustangel welcomes 17 players to join 10 returners, named to the squad last week. The team’s final roster announcement will come Friday.

Johnny Sage, Collin Montez, Conrad McMahon, and Isaac Barrera will be outfielders for Wenatchee.

Sage, currently the NWAC’s leading hitter for Krustangel at Yakima Valley College, boasts a .408 batting average. He also leads the league with 63 RBI, 22 doubles, and 64 hits.

Montez, from Washington State, is batting .212 during his freshman year on the Palouse. The left-handed bat from Marysville and was a 2A All-State selection by the Lynden Tribune last year.

McMahon, of Texas Rio Grande Valley, is currently batting .317 for UTRGV with 23 RBI. He played last summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Barrera, from Gonzaga, is a .278 hitter for Coach Machtolf in Spokane. He has driven in 10 runs and chipped in three doubles to the Zags’ cause.

Dawson Bacho, Kody Darcy, Joey Magro, Cory Meyer, JT Schwartz, and Mason Marenco will all work on the infield.

Bacho, from Sacramento State, has not played yet this season for the Hornets, but started in 32 last season with a .243 average, 12 RBI, and 13 runs scored.

Darcy, a commit to Xavier University, will play for the Musketeers after a summer in Wenatchee. Currently a Kentridge Charger in Kent, Wash., Darcy will play in a playoff game for his HS team Tuesday afternoon.

Magro, from Biola, is hitting .332 for the Eagles this season, after leading the team in hitting a season ago. He has driven in 27 runs with 14 doubles this year in NCCAA play.

Meyer, from Washington State, hit .290 last season with 20 RBI for the Cougars, and has not played in 2018 for WSU. He was formerly a junior college player at Spokane Falls Community College.

Schwartz, a commit to UCLA, will come to the Bruins from Corona del Mar High School. He comes to the AppleSox as a career .379 hitter in high school, with 13 home runs, 25 doubles, and 124 hits.

Marenco, of Gonzaga, is a redshirt for the Zags this season. From Mount Si High School in North Bend, he hit .410 as a senior and was the KingCo 4A Player of the Year, as well as a First-Team All-State selection.

Dawson Day, Drake Maningo, and Nick Seamons are all listed as utility options for the 2018 AppleSox.

Day, has seen limited action this year in the field at Seattle U. In 7 games he has driven in two runs with a single hit. On the mound, he is 1-1 over 13 appearances and four starts. He has a 5.67 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings.

Maningo, also from Seattle U, has also only taken 8 at bats this year for the Redhawks. In 12 relief appearances, he has tallied an 8.22 ERA with an 0-1 record and has struck out 12 batters in 15.1 innings.

Seamons, an incoming freshman to Nevada, has hit .321 this year for Rancho Bernardo High School. He also has a 1.77 ERA with nine wins over 75.1 innings and 65 strikeouts this season. Opponents hit .164 against him.

Alix Garcia (20-game), Sam Swenson (20-game), and Nolan McCafferty (half-season) will all play on temporary or partial-season agreements for Wenatchee.

Garcia, who will be headed to Oklahoma State from Central Arizona College, has been a .368 hitter this season for the Vaqueros. He has 108 career RBI at CAC with nine home runs, including six this season.

Swenson, is batting .333 this year at George Fox University, and owns 71 career RBI, 10 home runs, and 89 hits for the Bruins.

McCafferty, from Pomona Pitzer, is hitting .296 on his freshman season for the Sagehens. He has driven in 32 runs with 42 hits, 10 RBI, and one home run.

The AppleSox final roster announcement, Friday, will highlight this year’s new pitchers.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 19th season of play June 1, 2018 at the Victoria Harbourcats, and play their home opener in Wenatchee June 5 against the River City Athletics. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX 2018 ROSTER HEADLINED BY 10 RETURNERS

Wenatchee native, Jacob Prater - the AppleSox leading hitter from a summer ago - will lead a group of ten returners back to the Valley this summer.

Wenatchee native, Jacob Prater - the AppleSox leading hitter from a summer ago - will lead a group of ten returners back to the Valley this summer.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – 10 collegiagte baseball players with prior playing experience for the Wenatchee AppleSox will be on the club’s 2018 roster, Head Coach Kyle Krustangel announced, Wednesday.

Hunter Boyd, Connor McCord, Jake Taylor, Jacob Prater, Michael Spellacy, McCabe Cottrell, Gerald Hein, Steen Fredrickson, Jordan Rathbone, and Grady Miller all have spent summers in the Wenatchee Valley. Eight of the 10, with the exception of Rathbone and Miller, played for the AppleSox a season ago. Rathbone was a two-year member of the AppleSox in 2015 and 2016, while Miller, a Wenatchee native, played in just 2016.

Boyd, who has spent this spring at the College of Idaho, appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for Wenatchee last season. He went 3-2 with 53 strikeouts in 57.2 innings.

McCord, from perennial college powerhouse Western Oregon, was a two-way player for Wenatchee. Like Boyd, he went 3-2 with six starts over nine appearances a year ago. He tallied 39 strikeouts in 42.1 innings on the mound. He hit a home run and a double last season for the AppleSox to supply three RBI for his season.

Taylor and Prater will be two of four players on the 2018 AppleSox from Seattle U. The roommate tandem from a year ago features the team’s leading hitter in Prater (.359) and second-most played player in Taylor (41 games). Prater collected 47 hits including 17 for extra bases. He drove in 21 runs. Taylor tied for the second-most home runs on last year’s team with four, while also driving in 23 runs.

Cottrell, a pitcher from Gonzaga, really turned it on late last season as an incoming collegiate freshman. His second-to-last start of the year was a complete game two-hitter, for his first collegiate-level win at Port Angeles. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was nearly 3:1 last year, as he tallied 49 strikeouts with only 17 walks allowed. In 11 games, he made 7 starts.

Spellacy, also from Gonzaga, was a two-player last summer. He accumulated the team’s second-highest batting average at .356 and drove in seven runs. Also a relief pitcher, he appeared in 14 games last season for Wenatchee and posted 19 strikeouts with a 4.56 ERA.  

Hein, from LC State, started 3 games in June and struck out 14 batters in 15.1 innings. He allowed no more than six hits in each of his three starts.

Fredrickson of Montana State University-Billings pitched in 11 games with three starts last summer. He struck out 28 batters and posted a 5.18 ERA.

Rathbone has been playing this spring at South Mountain CC and brings a wealth of WCL plate appearances to this year’s club. Over two summers and 58 games, Rathbone was a .278 hitter for Wenatchee. He drove in 28 runs with 15 extra-base hits, including 5 triples during his two summers in the Wenatchee Valley.

In 2016, Miller went 3-4 for Wenatchee on the mound. Now headed to the University of San Diego, he hopes to build on his 10 starts for the AppleSox two summers ago. He will spend the first 15 days of his summer collegiate season in the Cape Cod League.

The AppleSox next wave of roster announcements will highlight this year’s new position players, followed by the pitchers in a later release.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 19th season of play June 1, 2018 at the Victoria Harbourcats, and play their home opener in Wenatchee June 5 against the River City Athletics. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX TAB JOEL NORMAN AS BROADCASTER/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – Wenatchee AppleSox owner Jim Corcoran announced Monday afternoon the hiring of Joel Norman as the team’s new radio play-by-play broadcaster and director of communications.

"I'm humbled and thrilled to become the next communications director and play-by-play broadcaster of the AppleSox. Trevor Williams left behind big shoes for me to fill, so I'm looking to live up to the example that he left behind and make my own mark with the AppleSox. I'm excited to move out to Wenatchee and get to know the community this summer."

Norman will come to Wenatchee after completing his undergraduate education at West Virginia University. Most recently he has served as a communications intern for the Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network, while also holding positions as a beat writer for the Daily Athenaeum, sports reporter and baseball producer for WWVU FM in Morgantown, technical assistant for the WVU IMG Sports Network, and sports reporter for Pirates Breakdown.

Norman’s previous baseball experiences include stints with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Butler Blue Sox. He also has served as a hockey play-by-play broadcaster at WVU each of the past two seasons.

“We’re confident that Joel will carry on a tradition of providing excellent radio broadcasts for the AppleSox. We’ve assembled one of the largest networks of radio coverage in the northwest and we know our fans love to listen to the games throughout north central Washington. Baseball on the radio creates a special experience for listeners, and I know Joel Norman will paint those pictures with skill and passion. We’re glad to have him on our team.”

Fans can hear Norman broadcast WCL Baseball on the AppleSox Radio Network, and flagship station Sunny FM. Wenatchee will carry all games, home and away, live throughout the 2018 season.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 19th season of play June 1, 2018 at the Victoria Harbourcats, and play their home opener in Wenatchee June 5 against the River City Athletics. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX HOT STOVE PARTY, JAN. 28!

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Come gather around, warm up your winter, and talk baseball with the AppleSox! 

Shake off the winter blues with the AppleSox Baseball Club at the Abby’s Pizza location in Wenatchee, as we look forward to the 2018 season!

Hear from AppleSox Head Coach, Kyle Krustangel… and you could win some terrific AppleSox merchandise! 

The event is Sunday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Abby's Pizza in Wenatchee. 

FREE FOR APPLESOX SEASON TICKET HOLDERS AND SPONSORS. All other fans can attend for $15 per person, including a pizza and salad buffet. Beer and wine is available. 

**This event is for fans 21 years of age and older. 

RSVP to Ken Osborne by January 25th by calling (509) 665 6900 or e-mail ken@applesox.com

APPLESOX ANNOUNCE 2018 SCHEDULE

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WENATCHEE– The Wenatchee AppleSox have finalized their schedule for the organization’s 19th season, the team announced Tuesday. The 59-game schedule features 54 West Coast League matchups and five non-league games, with one on the road, throughout June, July, and August.

The calendar features 31 home dates, with 27 of those games being league contests.

The AppleSox open up the year June 1-3 in league play at Victoria, before coming home June 5 to take on a trio of non-league opponents.

Opening Night Presented by Gesa Credit Union is scheduled for June 5, with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch against the River City Athletics. The Athletics were a new opponent for the AppleSox in 2017, and are comprised of junior college players from around the Northwest. Wenatchee won last years’ meeting 5-4, in an exciting contest.

The other two non-league opponents set to face the AppleSox June 6 and June 7 are the Northwest Honkers and Highline Bears. The only other meeting between the AppleSox and Honkers came June 12, 2014, when Wenatchee won 18-7. Wenatchee and Highline met a season ago, and the AppleSox will look to avenge an 8-5 loss from last season’s Hawaiian Night.

For the first time since 2004, Wenatchee will play a road non-league game. The AppleSox take on the Gresham GreyWolves (formerly of the WCL) on June 11 in Gresham, Ore.

The single game falls between back-to-back road series. The first of the two road league series surrounding the non-league matchup is in nearby Portland, against the WCL’s newest franchise, the Portland Pickles. After the non-league game, Wenatchee continues on to face Corvallis.

The AppleSox annual Fireworks Night and Fourth of July celebration, presented by Numerica Credit Union is July 3 against the Yakima Valley Pippins. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m., and the AppleSox will wrap up the three-game series with the Pippins on Independence Day, July 4.

League home series include matchups with Kelowna, Walla Walla, Bend, Yakima, Bellingham, Portland, Cowlitz, and Port Angeles.

Wenatchee concludes the regular-season portion of its schedule on the road at Kelowna, Aug. 6-8, and the WCL Playoffs will follow.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 19th season of play June 1, 2017 at Victoria, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Tuesday, June 5, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX SEASON ENDS ON EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE

AppleSox players pause for a moment of silence, Monday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The AppleSox payed their respects to teammate Tommy Watanabe, who passed away unexpectedly this past weekend. He was named the team's starting pitcher in the final ga…

AppleSox players pause for a moment of silence, Monday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The AppleSox payed their respects to teammate Tommy Watanabe, who passed away unexpectedly this past weekend. He was named the team's starting pitcher in the final game of 2017. His jersey was taken to the mound for the moment of silence and Anthem. Watanabe played with Wenatchee through July 22nd. Photo by Alyssa Taylor.

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (29-25, 14-13) finished the 2017 season in a 12-1 loss at home to the Corvallis Knights. More importantly, they were able to pay special tribute to teammate Tommy Watanabe, who passed away unexpectedly this past weekend, after playing with the AppleSox through July 22.

Watanabe was the starting pitcher in the team’s final game, and his teammates took his jersey to the mound one final time for a moment of silence and pregame Anthem.

A Sacramento native, Watanabe was headed to Nevada-Reno this fall, and previously pitched at the College of San Mateo.

The AppleSox organization sends its deepest condolences to Tommy’s family. They, and all who know him, will stay in the team’s hearts forever.

Wenatchee also honored each of its host families in the pregame, and would like to extend a warm ‘thank you’ to all who housed the players and staff this year. Without their willingness to make AppleSox team members part of their families each summer, 18 seasons of AppleSox Baseball wouldn’t be possible.

First and Second-Half South-Champion Corvallis, played to its WCL-leading record, Monday. The AppleSox converted late for their final run, following a single for Wenatchee product, Cody Simmons, and an RBI double for fellow former Wenatchee High School graduate, Jacob Prater.

In total, 42 young men donned the red, white, and blue, for the AppleSox this summer, and earned the team’s best finish since 2014.

Evan Johnson finished tied with Kelowna’s Taylor Wright for the new West Coast League record in Runs Batted In, with 54. They passed the old record of 51, held by Vince Fernandez (2014) of the Yakima Valley Pippins.

Collin Maier tied for the WCL lead with six wins, and the team finished with its best home run total, clubbing 32.

The team’s 16 home league wins (19 overall) were the most since the 2013 squad won 20 games in WCL play at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The AppleSox also set a league single-game scoring record, when they plated 25 at home, back in June against Yakima Valley.

Monday, fans had the opportunity to bid on the replica Wenatchee Chiefs uniforms that they players wore throughout the 2017 season, in honor of the 80th Anniversary of the establishment of the old Wenatchee Chiefs minor league baseball franchise in Wenatchee. A portion of the proceeds went to the Wenatchee High School Interact Club’s Habitat for Humanity Project.

Over 31,000 fans saw the AppleSox play in 2017, and the team couldn’t be more grateful for the support of the local community, sponsors, players, and coaching staff. The AppleSox say ‘thank you’ for a tremendous season, and can’t wait to continue the tradition next June, in the team’s 19th season.

AppleSox to Host Final Game of 2017, Monday - Host Family Appreciation and Chiefs Jersey Auction

The Wenatchee AppleSox (29-24, 14-12) will play host to first and second-half WCL South Champion, Corvallis, Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in Wenatchee, after the Bellingham Bells secured a walk-off, 5-4, win over the AppleSox Sunday night, which eliminated Wenatchee from WCL Playoff contention.

Monday’s game is the third make up of the three-game series that was “smoked out” in Wenatchee last week. The result of the game decides if Victoria or Bellingham will serve as the WCL North Second Half Champion. It will be the AppleSox final game of the 2017 West Coast League season.

Any tickets from last week’s Tuesday-Thursday series vs. the Corvallis Knights can be exchanged for a ticket to Monday night’s game. It is also the last chance for fans to use 2017 MVP punch cards.

The AppleSox will hold Host Family Appreciation Night and the Chiefs Jersey Auction, Monday. Gates open at 6 p.m., with first pitch following at 7:05 p.m.

Sunday afternoon’s game in Bellingham saw the AppleSox jump to an early 4-0 advantage in the first three innings, but Wenatchee couldn’t hold off Bellingham late, as the Bells scored the game’s final five runs to walk off an RBI single for Kyle Stowers in the ninth inning.

If Wenatchee beats Corvallis, Monday, Bellingham will head to the WCL Playoffs as the North second-half champion, and if Corvallis wins, Victoria will represent the North as second-half champions.

Corvallis will play its Divisional round game Tuesday at Yakima Valley at County Stadium in Yakima. Kelowna will take on either Victoria or Bellingham.

The AppleSox would like to thank all 2017 sponsors, host families, and fans for a great season. They look forward to celebrating, Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium for one last time, this summer.

APPLESOX AXE BELLS FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION, WIN BY TEN RUNS, SATURDAY

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (29-23, 14-11) evened the series in an 11-1 final over the Bellingham Bells (30-23, 14-12) and eliminated the Bells from WCL North playoff contention, Saturday night at Joe Martin Field.

The AppleSox opened the game with a three-run outburst in the first inning, spearheaded by back-to-back lead off doubles for Michael Spellacy and Jacob Prater. The second drove in Spellacy for the early 1-0 lead. Jalen Garcia also contributed an RBI fielder’s choice in the first inning and Jake Taylor drove in a run on a hit-and-run off of Bellingham starter Zach Pettway.

All AppleSox starters collected at least one hit in the contest.

Freshman Alek Jacob (2-0) was phenomenal on the mound for Wenatchee. He tossed a scoreless first inning, while retiring the Bells in order, and didn’t allow a hit in the first three innings. He only gave up three hits throughout his entire outing, as Wenatchee cruised in game two.

Wenatchee added a run against Bellingham in the third inning when Jalen Garcia scored on a balk, following a single and a passed ball and fielder’s choice.

The AppleSox big inning came in the fourth, when they cashed in for five runs, punctuated by a two-out three-run home run for Adrian Damla to right center field, which followed RBI singles for Evan Johnson and Adrian Vela.

Wenatchee added an RBI single in the fifth inning for Spellacy, and a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for Prater, to complete the 11-run tally.

Garcia robbed a home run on the defensive side of things in the third, following an inning-ending double play in the second.

The AppleSox defense committed one lone error and supported Jacob to the end of his 7.2 innings. He allowed one unearned run in the sixth inning on an RBI single for Austin Shenton, following an Austin Pinorini bunt single, and two-base throwing error, E5.

Michael Spellacy closed the door in the eighth inning with runners on first and second base, thanks to a strikeout, and then punched out two of the final three men in the ninth inning to secure the 11-1 win for Wenatchee.

The AppleSox eliminated Bellingham from WCL playoff contention with the win, and now face a scenario, Sunday, where a win over Bellingham combined with a Victoria loss to Port Angeles clinches the WCL North second half for the AppleSox.

If both Victoria and Wenatchee win or lose, then, Wenatchee will need to win a one-game make up, Monday, versus the Corvallis Knights.

The AppleSox play game three of the series in Belingham, Sunday, at 3:05 p.m. Mike Townsend is on the mound for the AppleSox in a game that could clinch the team’s first WCL playoff appearance since 2013.

APPLESOX FACE NEAR MUST-WIN SATURDAY NIGHT AT BELLINGHAM

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (28-22) - (13-11, 2nd Half)
at
Bellingham Bells - (30-18) - (14-11 2nd Half) 
6:35 pm
Joe Martin Field
Wenatchee, Wash.

APPLESOX PLAYOFF PICTURE
Scenario 1: If we win BOTH of the next two games against Bellingham, Victoria must lose one OR both of its next two versus Port Angeles. IF Victoria sweeps Port Angeles, we will have to make up the third game of the previous Corvallis series, that remains unplayed due to smoke... If the AppleSox won that game, we are in to the playoffs in the North (head-to-head tie breaker with Victoria).

Scenario 2: If we only win one of the next two games vs. Bellingham, Victoria must lose EXACTLY ONE of its games to Port Angeles. In this scenario, to make the playoffs, the AppleSox will have to win a Monday make up game vs. Corvallis to force a three-way tie breaker with Bellingham and Victoria, which Wenatchee would win, based on its winning percentage vs. the North Division in the second half.

What we don’t want: If Wenatchee loses both of the next two games, we cannot make the playoffs. No Monday game would be needed for North teams, but still could be played based on the WCL South Playoff picture and the tiebreakers that it needs.

THE FROSH BATTLE
Tonight, Zach Pettway of UCLA and Alek Jacob of Gonzaga, go head-to-head, or hand-to-hand in a battle of incoming freshmen...the game potentially keeps Wenatchee in better playoff hopes, and could move Bellingham a game away from clinching the North...Pettway was the winning pitcher back in Wenatchee, July 23, allowing two runs over six innnings...that win was the second in a string of three-consecutive for the freshman.

KEEP THEM IN THE YARD
Bellingham has clubbed 8 home runs against Wenatchee in four games this year...Chase Illig, the league-leading home run hitter, has three of the bombs and Kyle Stowers has hit two.

APPLESOX LOSE GAME ONE AT BELLINGHAM, HALF BACK IN THE WCL NORTH RACE

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (28-23, 13-11) fell 7-3 to the Bellingham Bells (30-22, 14-11) in the first game of a three-game series, Friday night at Joe Martin Field.

The AppleSox are now in second place in the WCL North second hald standings, and a half of a game back of the Bells and Victoria HarbourCats with three games left to play.

The AppleSox scored first in the second inning on an RBI single for Michael Spellacy, following walks of Jake Taylor and Jack Reisinger off of Holden Powell.

Bellingham answered in the home half of the second inning, with a solo home run from Kyle Stowers to left field. It was Stowers’ second home run of the season against Wenatchee.

In the third, Bellingham continued on against Steen Fredrickson (1-4) to take the lead on a solo home run by Austin Pinorini.

The 2-1 score held to the sixth inning, and the AppleSox evened the score on Cooper Misic when Jordan Prendiz got on via an infield single and moved to second base on a throwing error. A sacrifice fly moved him to third base and a wild pitch brought home Prendiz to tie the game.

Bellingham promptly untied the game in the bottom of the sixth on a Ryan Mendoza RBI single, and Pinorini drove home a run with a sacrifice fly for a 4-2 lead.

Adrian Damla drove in a run in the top of the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Wenatchee couldn’t convert in a one-out, corner runner situation. Tanner West came in for Bellingham in relief and struck out the next two batters.

Bellingham piled its final runs on in the seventh inning on a 2-RBI double for Brock Anderson, and Austin Pinorini’s second home run of the game – a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to right field.

Wenatchee was put down in order in the ninth by Josh Zavisubin to complete the game-one win for Bellingham.

Game two is Saturday night and Alek Jacob is up on the mound for Wenatchee at 6:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field.

APPLESOX WALKOFF GAME ONE, SPLIT DOUBLE HEADER AT CORVALLIS

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (28-22, 13-10) walked off the Corvallis Knights (31-19, 14-9) in the first of a double header at Goss Stadium, 10-7, on the strength of a Jake Taylor three-run home run, and Corvallis split the double header with a 6-3 game-two win, Thursday night.

The double header featured two seven-inning games, after games one and two of a scheduled three-game series in Wenatchee were postponed due to unhealthy air quality in Wenatchee.

The AppleSox played as the home team in both games of the double header, and Wenatchee started hot it game one, jumping to a 4-0 lead on four RBI singles for Evan Johnson, Jalen Garcia, Adrian Vela, and Adrian Damla in the first inning.

Johnson’s RBI single in the first, set the team record for RBI in a single season, passing Mitchell Gunsolus’ 2012 mark of 48.

Wenatchee took a punch back in the second inning on a seven-run frame for the Corvallis Knights, off of starter Hunter Boyd.

The score stayed at 7-4 all the way into the bottom of the seventh inning, When Wenatchee used a 2-RBI double from Vela and an RBI single from Adrian Damla to tie the score, against Tanner Howell (1-2), who was in relief of Cameron Richman and Connor Redmond.

Jake Taylor smashed a walk-off three-run home run over the left-field fence in the next at bat to give Wenatchee the 10-7 win and 15th come-from-behind win of the year.

Michael Spellacy (3-0) finished the sixth and seventh innings behind Boyd for the game-one win.

Game two featured a fast start for Corvallis, who jumped out to a 5-0 lead over Wenatchee in the first two innings against starter McKabe Cottrell (1-3).

Wenatchee was held quiet into the fourth inning, until they loaded the bases with two outs against starter Trenton Toplikar. Reliever Trevor Wells (2-1) came in to get the final out of the frame, and kept Corvallis ahead 5-0.

Wenatchee was down 6-0 into the bottom of the seventh, but scored three runs on a 2-RBI double for Johnson and an RBI ground-rule-double for Damla.

Still, the AppleSox couldn’t finish the comeback and fell 6-3.

Wenatchee moves to Bellingham, Friday-Sunday for a three-game series versus the Bells. First pitch Friday, is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field.

APPLESOX FACE TOP WCL TEAM, CORVALLIS IN DOUBLE HEADER, AFTER SERIES MOVED SOUTH DUE TO SMOKE

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (27-21) - (12-9, 2nd Half)
VS
Corvallis Knights - (30-18) - (13-8 2nd Half) 
6:00 pm and approx. 8:30 pm
Goss Stadium
Corvallis, Ore.

LEADERS OF THE PACK
Tonight is a battle of first-place North and South WCL teams...fitting, as Wenatchee and Corvallis have won a combined nine of the WCL’s 12 Championships...Wenatchee leads the league with five Championships won, and Corvallis follows with four...Bend, Bellingham, and Moses Lake are the other three Champions.

BROKEN TIES
The AppleSox have a little extra boost in the final six-game race in the WCL North...Wenatchee only needs to equal the record of Victoria...it holds the tiebreaker over Victoria (4-2 season record)...if the AppleSox win the final series at Bellingham 2-1, they hold the tiebreaker by a better intra-division record in the second half...if they Sweep Bellingham, they’ll own a 4-2 advantage on the season series.

DRAW SOME WALKS
The AppleSox are the second-best team in the WCL at drawing walks...with 222, they are only 4 behind league-leading Corvallis...Corvallis’ projected starters for the series have only allowed 8 total walks on the season, while tossing 61 strikeouts...Wenatchee strikes out the fifth-fewest times in the WCL.

LAST TIME THEY WERE HERE...
Even though Wenatchee struggled to a 19-35 record last season, the AppleSox took 2-of-3 games from Corvallis at home after an 0-7 start to the season...Corvallis swept the later series at their place, 3-0, en route to their fourth West Coast League Championship.

LEAN ON YOUR BEST
Hunter Boyd and McKabe Cottrell are two of the AppleSox leading starting pitchers, after the departures of Collin Maier and Connor McCord due to summer playing limits...Wenatchee’s best playoff scenarios include at least a 2-1 series win over Corvallis, before finishing the year at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham.

APPLESOX AND CORVALLIS TO MOVE DOUBLEHEADER ALL THE WAY BACK TO OREGON

WENATCHEE, Wash. – As air quality conditions in the Wenatchee Valley, and now Yakima Valley, remain in the “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” ranges, the Wenatchee AppleSox and Corvallis Knights have made a final decision to move Thursday’s double header to Corvallis, Ore. at 6 p.m.

Conditions in Wenatchee have exceeded 200 on the Department of Ecology’s air-quality index in Wenatchee, and are over 150 in Yakima.

Because of these readings from the Department of Ecology, both Corvallis and Wenatchee agreed to move the game to Oregon, to try and ensure that this situation impacts the league playoff race as minimally as possible, while also ensuring player and spectator safety.

Because Corvallis and Wenatchee are able to make up just two of the three games, if the remaining game of the series holds playoff implications in the North or South Divisions, the teams will meet again for one more make-up game on Monday, August 7th at 7:05 PM.

AppleSox fans will be alerted as soon as possible if the additional makeup game is necessary. The team may not know this until as late as Sunday night.

Although playing at Corvallis’ Goss Stadium, Wenatchee will play as the home team in the double header, Thursday. The AppleSox will continue on to Bellingham after the double header for a three-game series with the Bellingham Bells, Aug., 4-6.

APPLESOX SERIES-OPENER VS CORVALLIS POSTPONED TO WEDNESDAY 5:05 p.m. DOUBLEHEADER DUE TO AIR QUALITY

The Wenatchee AppleSox series-opening game versus the Corvallis Knights has been postponed to Wednesday, Aug. 2, due to poor air quality in the Wenatchee Valley. The game will be played, Wednesday, as part of a doubleheader with Corvallis, starting at 5:05 p.m.

Fans who purchased tickets to Tuesday’s game will be able to redeem them for admission to Wednesday’s doubleheader.

Both games of Wednesday’s doubleheader will be seven-inning games, the first of which starts at 5:05 p.m. Game two will follow the conclusion of game one, after both pitchers have been allowed a reasonable warmup period.

The AppleSox are currently tied for first in the WCL North and finish the series with the Corvallis Knights Wednesday, Aug. 2 and Thursday, Aug. 3, before heading to Bellingham Saturday-Sunday.

APPLESOX TO HOLD SILENT AUCTION FOR CHIEFS JERSEYS AT AUGUST 3RD GAME

AppleSox bullpen catcher and Wenatchee native, Cody Simmons, models the 1937 replica Wenatchee Chiefs uniform the AppleSox have been wearing this season.

AppleSox bullpen catcher and Wenatchee native, Cody Simmons, models the 1937 replica Wenatchee Chiefs uniform the AppleSox have been wearing this season.

The Wenatchee AppleSox will send fans home with jerseys after Thursday night’s regular-season home finale versus the Corvallis Knights. A silent auction will be held throughout the game, Aug. 3, to give fans an opportunity to win the game-worn jerseys. First pitch of Thursday’s game and all three games in the series against the Knights are at 7:05 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Wenatchee High School Interact Club, to help fund their Habitat For Humanity project.

The Wenatchee AppleSox have been paying tribute to the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Minor League Baseball in the Wenatchee Valley, by wearing throwback 1937 Wenatchee Chief uniforms once-per-home series this season.

The Wenatchee Chiefs were a minor league baseball team that played in the Class B Western International League (1937-1954) and founding member of the Northwest League (1955-65).

The Chiefs utilized Recreation “Rec” Park downtown, and bleacher seat tickets cost only 5 cents for games during the teams’ early years. If you wanted to sit in the grandstand, your ticket was a hefty 40 cents!

The franchise operated for a total of 25 years (the Western International League suspended play for World War II from 1943 through 1945) and was a minor league affiliate for the New York Yankees (1938-40), the Cincinnati Redlegs (1957-58), and the Chicago Cubs (1961-65).

The 1937 replica jerseys were designed by BSN SPORTS.

McKabe Cottrell Named WCL Pitcher of the Week

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (27-21, 12-9 second half) were led to a pivotal series sweep at Port Angeles this week by freshman McKabe Cottrell, and the WCL has named him Pitcher of the Week for his efforts, league president Brian Sloan announced, Monday.

Cottrell is the second AppleSox player to take home a Player of the Week honor for the AppleSox this season (Evan Johnson, week of June 1). He is also the first true freshman to win a Player of the Week honor since the AppleSox began tracking Player of the Week results in 2014.

This is also the first time since the AppleSox began tracking Player of the Weeks, that Wenatchee has had two Player of the Week honors in the same season. Cottrell is the first to take home a Player of the Week accolade in July or August.

Cottrell was unbelievable in a complete-game shutout win at Port Angeles, July 27. The victory secured a sweep for the AppleSox, who are now .5 games out of first place in the WCL North Second-Half playoff race. Cottrell took a Perfect Game into the sixth inning at Port Angeles, before it was broken up on a two-out bunt.

He ended up only allowing two hits, and struck out 10 batters for the team’s first complete-game shutout since 2011 (Owen Jones).

Cottrell also kickstarted a string of three-straight victories for true-freshman AppleSox pitchers. Alek Jacob won his first collegiate game July 29 vs. Walla Walla, and Mike Townsend followed it up with his first collegiate win, July 30 in the 2-1 series victory over the Sweets.

AppleSox fans can expect to see Cottrell start game two vs. Corvallis, Aug. 2, in the team’s final regular season home series.