SOX DROP SECOND GAME AGAINST BELLS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox dropped the second game of their three-game set with the Bellingham Bells on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Bellingham evened up the series of six games in six days between the opponents after the AppleSox won the first game on Tuesday night, 6-2.

For the second straight game, Bellingham struck first. The Bells used a walk, a balk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly to plate their first run of the game in the top of the second. They added another in the third to take a two-run lead and would hold a multi-run lead for the rest of the game

Matt Jones hit a three-run shot in the fifth inning to pad the Bells lead and make it 5-0, Bellingham, but the AppleSox responded in the bottom of the inning.

Evan Williams hit a two-run double to right-center field to get the Sox on the board. Dawson Day reached on an infield single and A.D. Pena walked with two outs before Williams plated both a batter later.

The Bells added another run in the top of the seventh for their final run of the game.

Pena was a bright spot for the AppleSpx offense, going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks. He scored one of the AppleSox two runs.

The series in Wenatchee concludes tomorrow night when the Sox host the Bells at 7:05 p.m. Michael Spellacy goes against Nick Nastrini of Bellingham in the series finale.

PRATER'S BIG NIGHT LEADS TO APPLESOX VICTORY

Behind a four-RBI game from Jacob Prater, the Wenatchee AppleSox (12-15, 1-0 second half) defeated the Bellingham Bells, 6-2, on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Hunter Boyd picked up his second consecutive win in as many starts by allowing two runs, one earned, in six innings. Boyd finished a strikeout shy of matching his season-high of eight.

Alec Gomez returned to the team and tossed the final three innings to pick up his first save of the season. Using a curveball and an added changeup, Gomez struck out five of the 12 batters that he faced.

In the first inning, both teams traded runs. The Bells cashed in with a singular run on two errors to take the initial lead.

However, the Sox struck back in the bottom half. With two outs, Johnny Sage and Connor McCord both walked and Prater plated both with a three-run shot. Prater’s first dinger of the season was also the Sox’ second three-run home run of the season.

A sacrifice fly in the top of the second with the bases loaded drew the Bells a bit closer. However, with the Sox up 3-2, Boyd minimized the threat and didn’t allow any other runs to score.

The scoring wouldn’t stop there though. After J.T. Schwartz singled and stole second, he moved to third on an infield single by Isaac Barrera. Schwartz and Barrera teamed up to give the AppleSox a 4-2 lead by a executing a double steal.

The Sox added two more runs in the third inning on back-to-back RBI singles. After Sage reached on a two-base error, Prater drove in his fourth run of the game with a drag-bunt single. On the throw to home, Prater went to second and he scored on Cory Meyer’s RBI single, his team-high 16th RBI of the season.

The Bells and the AppleSox battle again on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Grady Millers tosses for the Sox against Wesley Moore in the second game of the three-game set.    

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445038

FOUR APPLESOX NAMED 2018 WEST COAST LEAGUE ALL-STARS

Tuesday afternoon, the West Coast League announced its All-Star rosters for the 2018 game in Port Angeles on July 17. Curtis Bafus, Mason Marenco, Cory Meyer and Jeremy Yelland were selected by commissioner Rob Neyer to represent the Wenatchee AppleSox in the mid-summer event.  

Bafus is 3-3 with a 2.94 ERA in six appearances, five starts, this summer. He is second in the West Coast League in innings-pitched, 36.2, and is third in strikeouts, 34. The VCU right-hander was named the West Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 2-8 by only allowing one earned run in two starts. He struck out 11 batters and only walked three in 13 innings-pitched. Bafus has tossed at least six innings in five of his six appearances this season, including tossing the final six innings against Port Angeles on June 24 to earn the victory.

Marenco is batting .284 and leads the AppleSox with 10 extra-base hits and a .481 slugging percentage. The redshirt freshman at Gonzaga is also tied for the team lead with six doubles this season and is tied for second with two home runs. On June 24 against Port Angeles, Marenco went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI. His two-run homer in the eighth inning brought the AppleSox from a run down to a one-run lead and an eventual win. 

Meyer, a recent transfer to Boise State, is hitting .299 and leads the AppleSox with three home runs and 16 RBI. On June 27, the Sox catcher became the first player in AppleSox history to hit two grand slams in a West Coast League game. He set the AppleSox single-game RBI record with eight runs driven in in the 13-2 victory over the Bend Elks. Meyer recently had his 14-game reached-base streak, the longest for any AppleSox player this season, snapped. His eight multi-hit games are tied for second-most on the team.

Yelland has no record and has not allowed any earned runs in seven appearances (one start) for the AppleSox. Yelland is the only player in the West Coast League to have made at least seven appearances and not allow an earned run. Five of his seven outing have been for multiple innings, including consecutive scoreless four-inning performances on June 26 against Bend and July 3 v.s. Yakima Valley. Yelland's 22 strikeouts are sixth on the team and he has only allowed one extra-base hit in 14.2 innings.

The Sox have six games to go before the All-Star Break including tonight's game. All six are against the Bellingham Bells. The AppleSox will get July 16 and 17 off before beginning their post-All-Star-Break schedule on July 18 against the Portland Pickles.

APPLESOX BEGIN SIX-STRAIGHT GAME STRETCH VS BELLS

APPLESOX (11-15)

v.s.

Bellingham Bells (19-10, 1-2 second half)

July 10-12

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

The Wenatchee AppleSox begin their second-half schedule on Tuesday night with the first of six consecutive games against the first-half North Division Champions, the Bellingham Bells.

While the Bells already have a 2018 playoff spot secured, the AppleSox begin the second half looking to claim the North Division’s other available spot. The first three games of this six games in six nights series will take place in Wenatchee, before the final three in Bellingham start up on Friday.

Probable Pitchers

Tuesday

Bells: Taylor Davis (2-0, 0.61 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (2-1, 6.07 ERA)

Wednesday

Bells: Wesley Moore (0-0, 3.05 ERA)

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-2, 5.40 ERA)

Thursday

Bells: Nick Nastrini (3-0, 0.64 ERA)

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-0, 4.28 ERA)

Promotions

Tuesday: Stitch & Pitch Night and Taco Tuesday

Wednesday: IBEW Night

Thursday: Cascade Autocenter Night

Scouting the Opponent

The Bells, like every team besides the AppleSox, have already begun their second half and are fresh off a 5-0 loss to the North Sound Emeralds in a non-league game on Saturday. Before that, Bellingham split a two-game set with the Corvallis Knights.

The Bells have been sensational on the mound this season and currently lead the league with a 2.12 team ERA. Six of their nine pitchers who have made at least five appearances all have ERA’s bellow 3.00.

Tough Road Ahead

Tonight is the first of six straight games against the First Half North Division Champions, the Bellingham Bells. However, that isn’t the end of a tough stretch for the AppleSox.

The back-to-back series with Bellingham take the Sox into the All-Star Break, but the competition doesn’t decrease afterwards. After two days off, the AppleSox host the First Half South Division Champions, the Portland Pickles.

While it is a difficult couple of weeks ahead, the increased competition could bring out the best in the Sox. If they were to win the majority of the next nine games, that would bode well for starting the second half.

Bafus Earns League Honors

Monday night, AppleSox right-hander Curtis Bafus was named the West Coast League Pitcher of the Week. Bafus is the first Sox pitcher to win the award this season.

Last week, Bafus pitched twice, only allowing one earned run across two starts. On July 2, he hurled six scoreless innings and struck out eight to garner the win in a 4-0 AppleSox victory over Yakima Valley.

The second outing was equally strong as Bafus allowed one earned run over seven innings against Walla Walla on July 8. Bafus has impeccable control in his two starts, only walking three batters in a combined 13 innings.

The righty from VCU enters play tonight third in the WCL in strikeouts (34) and second in innings-pitched (36.2). Overall, Bafus is 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA this summer.

FORMER APPLESOX PITCHER GONZALES MAKING MARK WITH MARINERS

When Marco Gonzales came to the Wenatchee AppleSox in the summer of 2010, he was just like any other baseball player in his position. Only 18, Gonzales was playing against college athletes for the first time in his baseball career.

That could have intimidated anyone. Gonzales was just looking to get in work before beginning school at Gonzaga in the fall. He could have come and gone with the blink of an eye like so many others do.  

Before the summer of 2010, Gonzales had been drafted by the Colorado Rockies and could have gone pro immediately. Had he done this, he never would have played with Wenatchee.

Instead, Gonzales gained an eternal place in AppleSox history.

“It was truly one of the most special summers of my life,” Gonzales said.

In that summer, Gonzales led the league with 66 strikeouts and was a crucial part of the 2010 West Coast League Championship AppleSox squad.

Playing with the AppleSox not only gave Gonzales ample opportunity to prepare to be a college athlete, but to also grow as a person.

“You look back on it and you think, ‘wow, those were some pretty special times.’ Especially as a college kid or as a high-school kid going into there, you start learning things, learning lessons that teach you how to be a man on and off the field.

“Some of my best friends have come from that team, guys that I still talk to today.”

Gonzales followed up the summer by going to Gonzaga and continuing that summer success. In three years there, he won two co-West Coast Conference Player of the Year Awards, a Freshman of the Year Award, a WCC Pitcher of the Year Award and a John Olerud Award.

Following his junior season, Gonzales was drafted 19th overall in the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Even with all the success in college, there have been roadblocks along the way for Gonzales as a professional. After making his major-league debut in 2014, the next three seasons were tumultuous. Nagging shoulder injuries in 2015 and Tommy John Surgery due to elbow pain in 2016 limited Gonzales to only one appearance.

He returned in 2017, but amidst a crowded Cardinals’ rotation. Gonzales started a game in June with St. Louis for his first appearance on a major-league mound since September 2015. It would be his final appearance with the team that drafted him.

The Cardinals shipped Gonzales to the Mariners a week before the 2017 trade deadline. It may have been the best thing to happen to Gonzales.

Adversity dealt Gonzales a harsh reality as a pro. However, he refused to let it define him. Gonzales said his “love of the game,” pushed him to keep persevering.

“I think I have such a passion for just being out there and contributing to a win,” Gonzales said. “I had no idea where this path would take me, but I think just fighting every day and finding something to get better at and just trying to keep that dream alive.”

This season, Gonzales is healthy and thriving. He leads the Mariners with nine wins and has a career-best 3.64 ERA. He’s tossed six or more innings in 13 of his 18 starts and is a huge part of the Mariners playoff push in 2018.

Health has been a huge part of Gonzales’s season, but he has also changed his mindset.

“I think I just made a good mental shift this year,” Gonzales said. “I’m staying aggressive, I’m attacking guys, I’m not shying away. I’m not trying to be timid out there, just really attack the zone and give us a chance to win, ultimately.”

The crown achievement of the season thus far was when Gonzales tossed a complete game in a 4-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on June 29. Gonzales struck out seven, allowed six hits and didn’t walk any batters.

After getting out of an early jam, Gonzales only felt stronger as the game went on.

"I think from the first inning on, after I picked that guy off of second base, I felt like ‘ok, I can start rolling here. We can start filling up the zone,’ and my arm was feeling great.”

Entering the season, the Mariners gave Gonzales a huge vote of confidence. Manager Scott Servais named the Gonzaga southpaw a starter during Spring Training, thus entrusting Gonzales with a hefty burden.

“The fact that I’m put out there every fifth day,” Gonzales said, “means I have a big responsibility in getting us a win. I take pride in preparing for that every fifth day and just doing my work every day to make sure that I’m healthy.”

Even with all the success since and the brief time he spent here, Gonzales is still grateful for his summer in Wenatchee. He made a point to give his host family, Rob and Tracy Thompson, a shoutout. Rob and Tracy also hosted Marco’s younger brother, Alex, who spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons with the AppleSox.

As Gonzales continues his already impressive baseball career and looks to help lead the Mariners to their first playoff berth since 2001, he still hasn’t forgotten about Wenatchee and his special 2010 summer here.

“It was very special times and I’m very thankful for it,” Gonzales said. “The people that are there is what I’ll remember most.”   

DESPITE DAZZLYING DEFENSE, SOX FALL TO SWEETS

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Curtis Bafus turned in his third quality start of the season, but the Wenatchee AppleSox (11-15) fell to the Walla Walla Sweets, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Borleske Stadium.

Bafus (3-3) allowed two runs, one earned, over seven innings and struck out three, but suffered the loss. In all six games that he has pitched this season, Bafus has figured into that games’ decision.

The Sweets scored singular runs in the first and third innings to pick up the series victory and take four of the six meeting with the AppleSox in the season series.

Defensively, the Sox made several impressive defensive plays to thwart further Walla Walla scoring chances. In the fifth inning, with a runner at second, Sox leftfielder Johnny Sage fielded a single to left and threw out the runner at home to end the inning.

The next inning, with runners at the corners the Sweets attempted a suicide squeeze, but popped up the bunt in foul territory. Third baseman Jake Taylor lunged to his left to catch the ball and flipped to shortstop Kody Darcy, who was covering third, to record an inning-ending double play.

In the eighth inning, the Sox had an excellent chance to break up the shutout. They loaded up the bases with no outs, but could not plate any of the runners.

The Sox wrapped up their first half with Sunday’s game and begin second-half play on Tuesday against the first-half North Division Champions, the Bellingham Bells. It will be the first of six consecutive games played against the Bells. The first three will take place at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in Wenatchee.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445148

SERIES EVENED WITH SWEETS AFTER APPLESOX DROP GAME 2

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Despite making a late charge, the AppleSox dropped the second game of their three-game set, 3-2, on Saturday night at Borleske Stadium.

The Sox had the tying run in scoring position when Cory Meyer singled and was sacrificed to second in the ninth inning, but a pair of pinch hitters could not drive him in.

Meyer was the player of the night for the AppleSox, going 3-for-4 at the plate and extending his reached-base streak to a team-best 14 games.

After allowing two runs in the bottom of the second inning, the Sox got a run back in the sixth when Johnny Sage hit a sacrifice fly to score Joey Magro following his leadoff double.

The Sweets followed up with a run in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead, but the Sox made it a one-run game once again in the eighth. Nick Seamons led off with a double and scored on Sage’s second RBI of the game, a blooper into center. Sage now has six RBIs in his last four games.

Connor McCord was strong on the mound, only allowing two runs in five innings, but he took the tough-luck loss.

The rubber match between the Sox and the Sweets takes place at 4:35 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. It will be the AppleSox' final game of the first half.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445147

APPLESOX RALLY IN NINTH, TAKE SERIES-OPENER WITH SWEETS

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Thanks to a furious, four-run ninth inning rally, the Wenatchee AppleSox (11-13) defeated the Walla Walla Sweets, 7-6, on Friday night at Borleske Stadium.

The AppleSox trailed, 6-3, entering the ninth inning but refused to quit. This was the second time in the last three games in which the AppleSox rallied from at least three runs down to tie or take the lead and the third time that they did so this season.  

Cory Meyer lead off the ninth with a solo home run to left field to draw the Sox within two runs. Jake Taylor followed with a single and two batters later, Evan Williams also singled. On a throwing error by Sweets centerfielder Danny Sinatro, both runners went to second and third.

Joey Magro singled up the middle to plate both runners and tie the game. With two outs, the AppleSox took their first lead of the game when Johnny Sage singled in Magro for his fifth RBI in the last three games.

Though the Sox had the lead, the bottom of the ninth would still have its own drama. After a couple deep flyouts to left field, the Sweets had runners at first and third with two outs. Karver Pate (2-1) was replaced by Jeremy Yelland to get the final out.

After Yelland’s first pitch was a ball, the two runners attempted a double steal. Behind the plate, Meyer faked a throw to second, but gunned down the tying run that was diving back to third base.

The AppleSox were down by as many as five runs in Friday’s game. After the Sweets sent eight men to the plate and scored two runs in the second, they plated three more in the third with an RBI single and a two-run homer.

Neither team scored in the fourth and fifth innings, but the Sox scored three in the top of the sixth. Connor McCord, Jacob Prater and Meyer all singled with one out to load the bases. Dawson Day doubled to right-center to clear the bases. Day was thrown out at third, but the score was now 5-3.

Nick Nyquist homered with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to two runs, but that was the final run they would get.  

Including Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over Yakima Valley, the AppleSox have now won consecutive West Coast League games for the first time this season. They look to take back-to-back series for the first time in 2018 when they face the Sweets again at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday night.

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445146

SOX LOOK TO GET HOT, FACE SWEETS ON ROAD

APPLESOX (10-13)

v.s.

Walla Walla Sweets (15-12)

Borleske Stadium

July 6-8

After playing 13 of their previous 16 games at home, the Wenatchee AppleSox travel away from Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium to face the Walla Walla Sweets.

As the temperatures begin to hike across north-central Washington, so too do the AppleSox look to heat up. The Sox, winners of three of their last four, just wrapped up a seven-game homestand play on the road for the first time since June 22-24.

They will do so against the Sweets for the final three games between the two teams this season.

Probable Pitchers

Friday

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-0, 2.81 ERA)

Sweets: Sean Sullivan (0-0, 4.97 ERA)

Saturday

AppleSox: Connor McCord (1-2, 9.00 ERA)

Sweets: Darius Vines (2-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (3-2, 3.33 ERA)

Sweets: Bryce Moyle (1-2, 3.62 ERA)

Last Game

Wednesday night, the AppleSox won their third West Coast League series of the season by defeating the Yakima Valley Pippins 5-2.

Hunter Boyd allowed two runs, one earned, over six innings to pick up his second win and the first league series-victory at home for the Sox. Dawson Day struck out six in three scoreless innings to earn his first save of the summer.

At the plate, Johnny Sage recorded his third consecutive multi-hit game with a 2-for-4 performance. Sage drove in a team-high four runs over the course of the three-game series. He enters this weekend fifth in the West Coast League with a .429 on-base percentage.

Last Time They Met

The Sweets came to Wenatchee and took two-of-three from the Sox from June 19-21 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox struggled defensively, committing a combined five errors in the three games. Offensively, the hit .205 against Walla Walla.

Sweets outfielder Ryan Johnston pestered the Sox all series, posting a team-high .533 on-base percentage. He walked three times in the series opener and then went 2-for-4 in both subsequent games.

Lots of Rest

Thursday’s off-day was the sixth of 10 scheduled off-days this season. Including the three games that were postponed due to rain in Portland from June 8-10, the AppleSox have now had nine days without games this season. Compare that to eight scheduled days off a year ago.

Meyer Continues Strong Mid-Season Work

Cory Meyer’s team-high six-game hitting streak ended in Wednesday’s extra-inning loss, but he still had a productive night and carries an impressive streak into this weekend.

The Boise State commit drove in his team-leading 15th RBI with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and walked twice to reach base safely for the 12th consecutive game. Meyer is also tied for the team lead with two home runs this summer.

First-Inning Strikes

In two of the three games against Yakima Valley, the AppleSox scored in the first inning. In both of those games, they picked up the victory. The Sox have scored 20 runs in the first inning, their most of any inning this season.

However, early scoring has not always been a precursor for success this season. The Sox are 8-7 when scoring before their opponent, but are 3-6 when scoring in the first inning against league opponents.  

On the Mend

Jordan Rathbone, who was injured on June 30 in a non-league game with the Northwest Star Academy, is listed as day-to-day with a left-hand injury. Rathbone was struck with by a swinging bat during an at-bat to lead off the top of the third inning. He immediately left the game and has not played since.

APPLESOX TAKE SERIES FROM PIPPINS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The AppleSox (10-13) wrapped up their seven-game homestand with a 5-2 victory over the Yakima Valley Pippins on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox took two of three from the Pippins and won four of seven in the homestand thanks to a strong effort on the mound. Hunter Boyd (2-1) allowed two runs over six innings to pick up the victory and Dawson Day shut out the Pippins with six strikeouts over the final three frames to pick up his first save of the season.

The Sox scored in the first inning for the second time in this series to begin the scoring. Joey Magro singled to center, Jacob Prater was hit by a pitch and then Johnny Sage plated Magro with a single. Connor McCord fouled out on the third base side, but with no one covering home, Prater used some heads-up baserunning to dart home and score on the sacrifice fly.

The Pippins got singular runs in the second and third innings to tie up the score. However, that was all that they would get in the game.

In the fifth, the Sox used a double-steal attempt to take the lead. With Magro at third and Sage at first with two outs, Sage took off from first during McCord’s at-bat. As he halfway down the line, Magro took off from third and scored. Sage was able to get back to first safely and Sox took a 3-2 lead.

The AppleSox got some insurance in the eighth with two more runs. After Sage reached on a fielder’s choice and McCord doubled, Taylor put down a bunt. The throw came home, but Sage slid in safely before it for a run.

During Kody Darcy’s at-bat, McCord was caught in a rundown between third base and home plate, but would score after the Pippins catcher air-mailed the throw into left field.

After getting Thursday off, the AppleSox go on the road for the first time in two weeks. They’ll face the Walla Walla Sweets for the first of three games on Friday starting at 6:35 p.m.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=445037

BACK-AND-FORTH GAME ENDS WITH APPLESOX LOSS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – In front of a sellout crowd, the Wenatchee AppleSox (8-13) dropped a back-and-forth affair with the Yakima Valley Pippins, 10-9, in 11 innings on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

With the park packed and energetic throughout, the Sox entertained fans throughout the night. In a game that featured seven ties or lead changes, the most dramatic was the AppleSox striking for six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game up.

However, it would not be enough. Both teams scored in 10th, but Yakima Valley scored the game-winner in the top of the 11th with two outs.

Cory Meyer picked up his team-high 15th RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to score the game’s first run. Connor McCord singled with one out and Jacob Prater followed with a doubled to put runners at second and third. Meyer flied out to right field on a ball that was hit deep enough to plate Prater.

The lead would be short-lived, though, as the Pippins scored two runs on three hits in the fifth inning.

However, the Sox would answer back in the bottom of that same inning. J.T. Scwartz walked and stole second and scored after Mason Marenco singled him home with two outs.

The back-and-forth game continued with the Pippins sending eight men to the plate and scoring two more runs in the sixth inning. They again sent eight men up in the seventh and tacked on four more runs to take an 8-2 lead.

However, the Sox refused to quit. They rallied to score six runs in the eighth inning all with two outs. It started with a McCord single and then walks to Meyer and Kody Darcy loaded the bases. With two outs, Isaac Barrera, Michael Spellacy and Mason Marenco all singled to bring in three runs.

The AppleSox weren’t finished. With the bases still loaded, Johnny Sage hit a shallow single to center to scored both Barrera and Spellacy. As Marenco was running to third, the throw from center could not be handled and skipped into the AppleSox dugout. Marenco was award home and the game was tied.

Neither team scored in the ninth, but the Pippins did get on the board again in the top of the 11th to take the lead. However, after singles by Barrera and Spellacy, Sage singled in Barrera to pick up his third RBI of the game and tie it, 9-9.

In the 11th, the Pippins scored for the second time in extras with two outs and took a one-run lead into the bottom of the inning. The Sox put runners on first and second with two outs, but could not tie it up again.

The rubber match between the two teams will take place on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.

APPLESOX STRIKE EARLY, SHUT OUT PIPPINS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Behind a four-run first inning, the Wenatchee AppleSox (9-12) defeated the Yakima Valley Pippins, 4-0, on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Curtis Bafus (3-2) tossed six scoreless innings to earn the victory and Troy Stainbrook tossed the final three innings to pick up his fifth save of the season. The two combined to strike out 14 batters, seven apiece.

After shutting out the Northwest Star Academy in a non-league game on Saturday, the Sox have now shut out back-to-back opponents and recorded their third clean slate of the 2018 season.

The Sox came to the plate ready to score in the first inning. With one out, Mason Marenco walked and Johnny Sage singled to put runners at first and second. Connor McCord singled to left field to drive in Marenco and make it 1-0, AppleSox.

After Jacob Prater was hit by a pitch, Cory Meyer hit a two-run single to left. During Jake Taylor’s at-bat, a wild pitch plated Prater to cap the scoring.

The Sox go for the series win on Tuesday night when they face the Pippins again at 7:05 p.m. After the game, there will be a fireworks show, weather-pending. Tickets are still available on applesox.com

APPLESOX HOST PIPPINS FOR INDEPENDENCE-WEEK SERIES

APPLESOX (8-12)

v.s.

Yakima Valley Pippins (10-13)

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

July 2-4

The Wenatchee AppleSox resume West Coast League-play with a three-game set against the Yakima Valley Pippins starting tonight. This series will be the final three games of the AppleSox’ seven-game homestand.

Probable Pitchers

Monday

Pippins: Jack Gonzales (1-0, 3.85 ERA)

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (2-2, 4.18 ERA)

Tuesday

Pippins: Cullen Kafka (0-2, 4.62 ERA)

AppleSox: Jeremy Yelland (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Wednesday

Pippins: Connor White (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (1-1, 7.40 ERA)

Promotions

Monday: Cougar Night. We’re celebrating Washington State University at the ballpark! Wear your WSU gear and save $1 off the price of admission. Visit the Cougar Cruiser and show your Cougar pride!

Tuesday: Fireworks Night sponsored by Numerica Credit Union.  Watch an exciting fireworks display after the game! It’s also another Taco Tuesday. Buy three tacos with delicious toppings for just $6.75 per plate.

Wednesday: Independence Day. It’s also a Fred Meyer Kids Day!  Pick up a free ticket voucher for kids at Fred Meyer in East Wenatchee.

Last Game

The AppleSox defeated the Northwest Star Academy, 5-0, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The Sox recorded their second shutout of the season thanks to four pitchers combining to strike out a combined 13 batters.

At the plate, Connor McCord drove in two runs with a pair of RBI singles and also stole two bases. Evan Williams tripled and singled to also drive in two runs.

Injury Report

Mason Marenco, who has missed each of the last three games with back soreness, is listed as probable for this series.

Jordan Rathbone injured his left hand in Saturday’s game against Northwest Star Academy and is doubtful for this series with Yakima Valley.

MEYER OVERCOMES ADVERSITY TO MAKE SOX HISTORY

Baseball can seem monotonous at times. Every day, regardless of whether you won or lost the night before, you must get up and play another game the next day.

However, certain games have a way of standing out differently from the typical 3-1 win or the 4-2 loss. Some games create memories that last a lifetime.

On last Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, AppleSox catcher Cory Meyer had a night that he will never forget. The Boise State commit blasted two grand slams, one in the third inning and another in the eighth, to buoy the Sox to a 13-2 victory over the Bend Elks.

Not bad for someone hoping to just bring in one run.

“I tried to just put a good swing on them,” Meyer said. “I knew the situations and knew I just needed to get the ball in the air, that was my approach.”

With his herculean effort, Meyer became the first player in AppleSox history to hit two grand slams in a West Coast League game and broke the team’s single-game RBI record with eight RBIs. 

The feat gave Meyer some extra attention from family, friends and fans.

“It’s been crazy,” Meyer said. “My phone was blowing up on the night of it and the day after.”

For Meyer, as impressive as the historic night was, it still might not have been his finest achievement as a player.

Not long ago, Meyer wasn’t sure if he would ever play baseball again.

Meyer sustained a back injury a couple years ago that threatened his chances of continuing his career. After playing the 2017 season at Washington State with a herniated disk in his back, Meyer said his passion for the game had dissipated.

This past season, Meyer only played in one game and it was as a pinch hitter. The pain his back had become so severe that it was sapping him of playing opportunities.

Doctors told him that if he didn’t get surgery, his baseball career might be over.

“That fired me up to work even harder when I got back,” Meyer said. “I couldn’t wait to have surgery.”

Baseball has always been a part of Meyer’s life. The possibility of losing the game that he loved was gut-wrenching.

When Meyer was younger, he looked up to each of his three older brothers. One of them played travel baseball and Meyer emulated him whenever given the chance.

“My parents would always tell the story,” Meyer said, “of how my brother would take his gear off when he would go get ready to hit and I’d always run into the dugout and try to put on the catcher gear.

“It was kind of just destined for me to be a catcher.”

With his career and passion at stake, Meyer refused to let it slip away. He remembered that love of the game as a kid and refused to let the injury define him.

Meyer persevered and pushed through the adversity. Doctors told him he had to be active early on in the recovery stage in order to not lose muscle mass. Meyer took that recommendation quite literally.

“The day after surgery I was on the treadmill,” Meyer said. “I walked about two miles for 45 minutes and my mom came downstairs and said ‘what are you doing?’”

That dedication to come back stronger has served Meyer well. Now committed to play at Boise State, Meyer is back to playing regularly this summer with the AppleSox. Through the first month of the season, he has a team-high 12 RBI and is tied for second with 12 hits. Meyer has become a lineup regular and has gained the respect of his head coach.

“The odds that he has overcome just to get back to playing are incredible,” AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel said. “That’s what makes this effort even more special.”

Meyer hopes this is only the beginning. The Pocatello, Idaho, native has one year of eligibility left and looks to make the most of it back closer to home.

Sports have a funny way of bringing out every emotion in a human. For a sport in which three hits every 10 at-bats is considered a success, failure is more common and acceptable in it than any other sport. As a result, how a player ‘rolls with the punches’ is critical.

After a couple years of doubt and struggle, Meyer took that adversity and blasted it out of the park not once, but twice. It served as a reminder of why his bumpy journey makes him love the game more and more with time.

“I couldn’t imagine this game being taken away from me without my choosing.”

APPLESOX SHUT OUT STARS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Connor McCord and Evan Williams both had multiple multiple-RBI base hits and four pitchers combined to toss a shutout in the AppleSox 5-0 victory over the Northwest Star Academy on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox wrapped up their 2018 non-league schedule by going 3-1 against teams not from the West Coast League.

Alec Gomez started the game and struck out six of the nine batters that he faced to toss the first three innings. Brian Marquez, Tyler Chipman and Nick Seamons tossed two scoreless innings to close out the game. 

The AppleSox scored in the first inning when McCord drove in the game-winning run. After Michael Spellacy reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, McCord singled him.

In the second, it was another RBI single to give the AppleSox a 2-0 lead. J.T. Schwartz walked and stole second base and scored on an RBI single by Williams.

In the AppleSox' two-run fourth, it was Williams again driving in Schwartz. The Sox third baseman reached on an error and scored on a triple by Williams. He came in to score on Joey Magro's suicide squeeze bunt to make it 4-0, AppleSox.

The final run of the game came across in the eighth. Johnny Sage led off with a double and scored on another RBI single by McCord.

After getting Sunday off, the AppleSox are back in action on Monday for the first of three against the Yakima Valley Pippins at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=465072#

ELKS STRIKE LATE TO DEFEAT APPLESOX

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox dropped the series finale with the Bend Elks, 5-0, on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

Michael Spellacy tossed five scoreless innings for his second start this season with no earned runs allowed, but the AppleSox could not strike to put him in line for a victory. The visiting Elks who pulled away to take the game despite no runs by either team through the first six innings.

Spellacy only allowed two base hits and walked two, but faced the minimum in four of his five innings. The right-hander from Gonzaga became the first Sox pitcher this season to have two pickoffs of runners at first and also induced two inning-ending double plays in the second and third innings.

In the seventh, the Elks scored the eventual game-winning run with a double and a single to break the scoreless tie. They added four more runs in the eighth with the aid of three errors by the AppleSox.

Offensively for the Sox, Cory Meyer follow up his two-grand-slam performance on Wednesday with a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Meyer extended his hitting streak to five games with his fifth multi-hit game of the season. The Boise State commit is batting .347 (8-for-23) over the last five games.

The Sox are off on Friday but will be back in action on Saturday night against the Northwest Star Academy in a non-league game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Tickets are available on AppleSox.com

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445034

MEYER BLASTS TWO GRAND SLAMS AS APPLESOX TOP ELKS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Behind an unforgettable night at the plate from Cory Meyer, the Wenatchee AppleSox (8-11) defeated the Bend Elks 13-2 on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Meyer hit two grand slams to drive his RBI count from four to 12 and shoulder the offensive load. The Boise State commit finished the game 3-for-5 with his first two home runs of the season.

Jake Taylor opened the scoring with a solo shot to lead off the second inning. His second home run of the season, both of which have come at home, gave the Sox a permanent lead.

The AppleSox produced a five-run inning for the second time in three games. This time, it came in the third inning. After Michael Spellacy singled, Johnny Sage walked and Jacob Prater was hit by a pitch, Meyer hammered a grand slam over the left field fence for his first homer of the season.

Even after Meyer went deep, the Sox weren’t finished. Taylor walked and scored when the next batter, Kody Darcy, tripled to make it 6-0, AppleSox.

The Sox struck for three more in the fifth when Meyer, Taylor and J.T. Schwartz singled to load the bases with one out, a wild pitch scored Meyer during the Nick Seamons at-bat. After Seamons walked, Joey Magro walked with the bases loaded to bring in the second run of the inning. Michael Spellacy followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to make it 9-1, AppleSox.   

In the eighth, Meyer did it again. Magro and Spellacy led off with walks and Prater was hit by a pitch with one out to load the bases. Meyer followed by cranking another home run over the left field wall to cap the scoring.

Connor McCord picked up the win with four strong innings of relief. He retired the first nine batters that he faced in order before allowing two in the sixth to pick up his first victory of the season. Troy Stainbrook tossed the final three innings and got all nine outs via strikeouts to pick up his fourth save of the season.

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445033]

APPLESOX DROP FIRST OF THREE AGAINST ELKS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-11) dropped their series opener with the Bend Elks, 4-2, on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

The AppleSox held an opponent to six hits or fewer for the second time in four games, but could not continue their hot stretch at the plate.

The Sox struck first by scoring in the bottom of the first. With one out, Mason Marenco walked and went to second on a throwing error by the first baseman while Marenco was in a rundown. On the next pitch, Johnny Sage singled to right field to plate Marenco and give the Sox a 1-0 lead.

However, that was the last lead that the AppleSox would have. Ty Holmstrom hit a two-run homer in the second to give the Elks the lead and he added another two-run shot in the fourth.

In the ninth, the Sox cut the deficit to two. J.T. Schwartz, making his AppleSox debut, drew his second walk of the game and scored two batters later on Jake Taylor's RBI single to right-center field. 

The Sox and Elks will meet again at 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445032

SEVEN-GAME HOMESTAND BEGINS VS BEND

APPLESOX (7-10)

v.s.

Bend Elks (5-16)

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

June 26-28

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to build off their weekend momentum as they return home to face the Bend Elks for three games this week at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

The Sox are fresh off taking two-of-three from the Port Angeles Lefties. Now, the AppleSox are ready to begin a seven-game homestand that starts tonight and won't end until July 4. 

The Elks enter this series with the worst overall record in all of the West Coast League. They have lost 15 of their last 18 and are winless in six road games.

Probable Pitchers

Tuesday
Elks: RJ Robles (0-3, 6.00 ERA)
AppleSox: Steen Fredrickson (0-2, ERA)

Wednesday
Elks: Drew Zmuda (0-0, 5.40 ERA)
AppleSox: Dawson Day (0-0, 18.00 ERA)

Thursday
Elks: Khalil Rivera (0-2, 7.00 ERA)
AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-0, 4.09 ERA) 

Promotions

Tuesday: Mascot Night and Taco Tuesday
Thursday: Marson & Marson Night

Last Game

Sunday, the AppleSox rallied from five runs down to defeat the Port Angeles Lefties and take two of three from their fellow North Division foes. 

Trailing 7-2 entering the sixth, the AppleSox scored four runs in the sixth inning thanks to a three-run home run by Jordan Rathbone and an RBI double by Mason Marenco. In the eighth, Marenco hit a go-ahead two-run homer to give the Sox their first lead of the game since the third inning.

Going Streaking

The Sox have five batters entering the series-opener with the Elks with hitting streaks of four or more games. Michael Spellacy (4-for-15, .267) enters on a four-game streak while Jacob Prater (6-for-20, .300) has a five-game hitting streak and Johnny Sage (10-for-23, .435) has hits in each of the last seven games.  

Offensive Outburst

Entering this past Friday's weekend set with Lefties, the AppleSox were dead-last in the West Coast League in batting average and slugging percentage.

After scoring a combined 25 runs on 37 hits, the Sox have now moved up from 11th in both categories to seventh in batting average (.245) and sixth in slugging percentage (.344).

In Sunday's victory, the AppleSox collected a season-high five extra-base hits. Two of those were home runs, marking the first time that the Sox hit multiple home runs in a game this season.

Runs on Runs on Runs

The AppleSox busted out offensively over the weekend, scoring at least eight runs in all three games. Their 25 runs-scored against the Lefties represented a season-high in a three-game series and seven more than the Sox' previous high. 

Two-Out Production

Eight of the AppleSox' 25 runs over the weekend came with two outs, including five of their eight runs on Sunday.

PROS OR COLLEGE? DARCY DEBATES FUTURE

On June 6, 2018, AppleSox infielder Kody Darcy got the call that every kid who picked up a baseball ever dreamed of; the New York Mets had selected Darcy in the MLB First-Year Player Draft.  

Darcy, a Kent, Wash., native, was one of 12 past or present AppleSox players to be drafted. He could not have been more thrilled. 

"It was kind of a surreal moment," Darcy said. "I was expecting it, but you never really know. Then, when it happened, it was just crazy. It really was worth all the work."

However, Darcy did not immediately put pen to paper and ink his first professional contract. In fact, 19 days later, he still has not made a decision. 

Darcy committed to play baseball at Xavier prior to being drafted. After being a four-year letter award-winner at Kentridge High School by hitting a cumulative .359, Darcy has earned his place with a Division-I program.

However, the chance of playing in MLB does not come to everyone.

"It depends on if it's the right opportunity with money and playing time to take my opportunity to play professional baseball now," Darcy said. "If not, I'm just going to go to college, which is a great route.

As a late-round pick, Darcy will not be getting the same signing bonus that someone like first overall selection Casey Mize would. While getting drafted is exciting, the possibility remains that Darcy could be selected again in a few years.

Players who graduate from high school are immediately eligible for the draft and can be selected. However, if they choose not to sign with the team that selects them, they can go to college and be drafted again once they are 21 or have completed at least their junior season. 

Take former AppleSox and current Seattle Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales, for example. After Gonzales graduated high school in 2010, he was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 29th round.

Gonzales did not sign and instead went to college at Gonzaga. However, he would later be selected 19th overall in the 2013 draft.

Going to college, like Gonzales did, could be very beneficial to Darcy.

"That's probably what I'm leaning towards now, but you never know," Darcy said. "I'll probably know in the next week or two."  

Though Darcy was officially drafted as a third baseman, he has yet to play there since joining the AppleSox. Instead, he's played the bulk of his time at shortstop, his natural position. However, one of his four starts so far was in a different position: left field.

The idea to play there wasn't necessarily his, but Darcy wasn't opposed to playing somewhere different.  

"Earlier in the day, Coach Krustangel asked me, 'when was the last time you played in the outfield?'" Darcy said. "I said, 'a couple years ago.' So he asked if I was comfortable there and I said, 'yeah, let's do it.'"

Perhaps the position change is a metaphor for the larger change that is to come for Darcy.

Whichever decision he makes for where to play after this summer, Darcy will be moving away from home. Whether it's Cincinnati, Ohio, or Kingsport, Tenn. (home of the Mets' rookie league team), he'll have a long journey to make.

"There hasn't been a day that has gone by where I haven't thought about this 24/7," Darcy said. "It's always on my mind." 

For now, Darcy is with the AppleSox. His next team will change the course of his baseball career.