APPLESOX SET TO BATTLE WITH SWEETS

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (0-1) AT WALLA WALLA SWEETS (1-0)
7:05 pm
Borleske Stadium
Walla Walla, Wash. 
Keegan Romig (0-0) vs. Scott Parker (0-0)

SHUTOUT...
Last night’s shutout was the first time the AppleSox have been held scoreless since July 1, 2016...a 3-0 loss at Cowlitz.

PANTHER TRUE FRESHMAN...
Keegan Romig walked at his Wenatchee High School graduation last night, and takes the field for the AppleSox tonight as the game-two starter...last year, the AppleSox also featured a recent Wenatchee High School graduate, Grady Miller, who pitched the most innings for the team a summer ago...Miller was committed to Portland...Romig will be headed to the University of Washington.

LIGHTNING PACE
Last night’s two-hour and 14 minute contest was the fastest in the West Coast League.

AT BORLESKE STADIUM
Tonight’s meeting against the Sweets, is the fifth-consecutive series meeting being played at Borleske Stadium...the AppleSox are 1-3 at Borleske during the road stretch.

MISSED CHANCES
Last night, the AppleSox were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position...the Sox left 10 runners on base, and six-of-those 10 runners were left on in scoring position...a seventh run in scoring position was erased on an inning-ending caught stealing.

RETURNERS
The AppleSox have two other returners from last season’s team...catcher Matt Reitano and second baseman Parker Price...Price is with the AppleSox in Walla Walla...Reitano will join later this month.

SAVVY SOX
Wenatchee’s 37-man preseason roster (7 temporary players) is made up of 20 players entering their junior, senior, or redshirt-senior seasons of college baseball in 2018...only six members of the roster have yet to spend time on a college campus.

APPLESOX FALL 4-0 IN SEASON-OPENER

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Despite early production, the Wenatchee AppleSox (0-1) had trouble collecting timely hits, and fell to the Walla Walla Sweets (1-0), in a 4-0 shutout Friday night at Borleske Stadium.

Reagan Teegarden and Evan Johnson each tallied two hits on the night, and Cole McKenzie and Alex Gonzales led off the game with a pair of singles.

After the early hits, the AppleSox were held quiet at the plate and suffered five hitless innings. Wenatchee collected four base hits in the first three frames.

The AppleSox also struggled getting the timely hit, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

Walla Walla jumped to its lead in the second inning on an RBI single for Joe Zimmer, off of AppleSox opening-night starter Griffin Davis (0-1).

Former Wenatchee third baseman (2015) Nick Nyquist also capitalized on a mistake pitch in the fourth inning. He hit a two-run home run over the left field fence, for a 3-0 lead.

Jake Suddleston capped the scoring against Davis with an RBI single in the sixth.

Hugh Smith and Matthew Young each made their AppleSox pitching debuts and fired scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth innings, in relief.

Billy Dimlow (1-0), Milo Mincin, and Darius Vines combined to keep the AppleSox scoreless. Vines inherited a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth inning, but was able to get out of it with back-to-back strikeouts.

Right-hander Keegan Romig (0-0), will face off against lefty Scott Parker (0-0) Saturday at Borleske Stadium for game two of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

APPLESOX OPEN SEASON AT WALLA WALLA

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (0-0) AT WALLA WALLA SWEETS (0-0)
7:05 pm
Borleske Stadium
Walla Walla, Wash. 
Griffin Davis (0-0) vs. Billy Dimlow (0-0)

FOR STARTERS...
The AppleSox are 12-5 in Opening Night games...Wenatchee had its streak of four-consecutiveseason-opening wins snapped last year by the Yakima Valley Pippins in a 6-1 loss at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...the four-straight wins was a franchise-best mark (2012-2015).

ON THE ROAD...
The AppleSox have played on the road four times to open their season...they are a perfect 4-0 in those contests (all league games)...the Sox have an 8-5 record in home-opening contests.

IN LEAGUE PLAY...
Against the WCL, Wenatchee is 2-3 in opening games…against non-league opponents, the AppleSox are 6-2 in opening games.

VERSUS THE SWEETS...
Wenatchee last faced the Sweets to open a WCL season June 9, 2015, a game Walla Walla won 1-0…the last time Wenatchee opened a season on the road against a league opponent was that same season…the Sweets won the WCL season-opening series in 2015 two games-to-one.

HEY, SKIP!
Kyle Krustangel takes the reigns as the fourth all-time coach of the AppleSox, Friday...Wenatchee is a perfect 3-0 in games in which its head coach is making his team head-coaching debut.

‘LIL GONZO
AppleSox catcher and utility man, Alex Gonzales is aiming to start 2017 on the same note that he left 2016...the second-year AppleSox player hit .212 in the month of June last year, and rebounded to club a .360 mark (18x50) over the final two months of the season...his older brother, Marco, played for the Sox in 2010 and is now a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals...his dad, Frank, is the manager of the Grand Junction Rockies.

RETURNERS
The AppleSox have two other returners from last season’s team...catcher Matt Reitano and second baseman Parker Price will each join the team later this month.

SAVVY SOX
Wenatchee’s 37-man preseason roster (7 temporary players) is made up of 20 players entering their junior, senior, or redshirt-senior seasons of college baseball in 2018...only six members of the roster have yet to spend time on a college campus.

Fan Fest Set for Thursday, June 1

Thursday, June 1, Fans have a chance to pick up tickets, purchase tickets and merchandise, hang out with coyote, watch practice, and enjoy food and beverage service!

Thursday, June 1, Fans have a chance to pick up tickets, purchase tickets and merchandise, hang out with coyote, watch practice, and enjoy food and beverage service!

The Wenatchee AppleSox will kick off the 2017 season with Fan Fest at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, June 1. It marks the beginning of the AppleSox 18th season of baseball in the Wenatchee Valley.

Thursday will mark the first opportunity for fans to get a look at the 2017 AppleSox, who come from 19 different colleges and universities across all three NCAA Division levels and the NAIA. The team will be conducting a two-hour practice, open to spectators.

In addition to the on-field entertainment, the AppleSox are offering an opportunity for existing season ticket holders to pick up their 2017 season-ticket packages, and new season ticket holders are invited to come purchase ticket packages, so they can beat the Opening Night ticket rush.

There will be fresh, new, merchandise available at the team store so fans can stock up on AppleSox gear before the season’s home-opener, June 8.  And, special food and beverage selections will be available at the concession stand, operated by the Alley Café from Leavenworth.

Team mascot Coyote will be on hand, and the whole community is encouraged to come out and get set for another great year of baseball in the West Coast League.

APPLESOX WELCOME WENATCHEE NATIVE, ONE MORE TEMP PLAYER

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox are adding Jacob Prater, a 2015 Wenatchee High School graduate and future Seattle U Redhawk, to the 2017 roster. The AppleSox will also bring Yakima Valley CC pitcher Gerald Hein to the Wenatchee Valley on a temporary contract, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced Monday.

Prater, a former Panther, just completed his freshman season at Everett CC. He will transfer to Seattle U in the fall. He hit .310 for the Trojans this spring, and was the only Everett batter to log 100 at bats. In four West Coast League games (2015) he collected three hits and drew two walks with a steal. Prater is the fourth player from Seattle U on the AppleSox roster.

“I’m extremely excited about adding another local player to our roster,” Krustangel said. “Jacob has played for the AppleSox in the past, and represents another great Seattle U player on our club. He is also our 21st full-time player from a D-I school, and another guy with collegiate experience. His ability to play virtually every position makes him a no-brainer for us.”

Hein, from YVCC, will continue to pitch for Coach Krustangel. He is fresh off a selection as an NWAC Player of the Week and has posted seven wins this year. His 82 strikeouts are one off the league lead, with just the NWAC Baseball Championships left to play.

The AppleSox roster is finalized at 37 players (30 full-time) and represents 19 different schools. Additional player announcements and moves can be followed on the team’s official website at www.applesox.com/roster.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX ADD FOURTH COUG, LOCAL BULLPEN CATCHER, TEMPORARY PLAYERS

The AppleSox roster now includes 29 full-time players and five temporary contract players. 

The AppleSox roster now includes 29 full-time players and five temporary contract players. 

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox are adding another senior-to-be from Washington State to their pitching staff. The club is also announcing the addition of a 2016 Wenatchee High School graduate to catch the bullpen, and five temporary contract players, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced Thursday.

Collin Maier, who will be a redshirt-senior at WSU next fall, figures to be a high-impact arm for the AppleSox this summer, after sitting out this spring on the Palouse due to NCAA transfer rules. He formerly pitched at Puget Sound University, and is from Billings, Mont.

“Our full-time pitchers have been having successful springs at their respective schools, and with that comes restrictions on how much we can throw each guy this summer,” Krustangel said. “When we found out we could add another arm from WSU, we jumped at the opportunity. Collin is coming to us off of a redshirt season for coach Marty Lees and the Cougs, and should be able to throw a ton of innings this summer. We’re excited to have him join the staff.”

Another familiar face making his way back home to Wenatchee is bullpen catcher, Cody Simmons. The 2016 Wenatchee HS graduate helped the Panthers to four-consecutive Big 9 Championships, and served as the AppleSox bullpen catcher in 2014, when he also saw action in one of the team’s non-league games. He will be a sophomore for the Whitworth Pirates next fall.

Five players have also signed temporary contracts to play for the AppleSox until the team’s complete full-time roster arrives in Wenatchee in late June.

The temporary contract additions feature two more Whitworth Pirates, Matthew Young and Joel Condreay, along with one of Krustangel’s YVCC Yaks, Cole McKenzie. Walla Walla CC product, Jarrod Molnaa, will get to help the Sox open the season at the Walla Walla Sweets, and incoming University of Washington freshman and Wenatchee senior Keegan Romig will also spend a stint with the club.

Romig, from Leavenworth, graduates from Wenatchee next month and will head to UW next fall. Romig and the Panthers will face the winner of Eastmont vs. Moses Lake in the Big-9 Tournament, Saturday at West Valley HS in Yakima. The winner of that game will go on to meet tournament host West Valley in the Championship game for a berth in the WIAA 4A State Baseball Championships.

Molnaa, of Kennewick, is headed to Bellevue University (Nebraska) next fall, and will be a pitcher for the Bruins. He has pitched his past two collegiate seasons at Walla Walla CC, and should be available to work for the AppleSox against the Walla Walla Sweets in the season-opening series on the road at his former collegiate home, Borleske Stadium.

McKenzie, another Billings native, joins the AppleSox, temporarily, under the direction of his college coach. A sophomore-to-be at YVCC, he has hit a blistering .419 for Krustangel and the Yaks this season. McKenzie has also driven in 24 runs, collected 49 hits, and stolen 20 bases.

Condreay, from Renton, is currently at Whitworth. The senior-to-be hit .321 for the Pirates this spring, and collected 14 RBI. His 44 hits ranked third-best on the Pirate roster.

Young tossed nearly 80 innings for the Pirates this spring. The sophomore-to-be and Tigard, Ore. product, went 5-2 in 11 starts and posted a team-best 44 strikeouts.

The AppleSox roster is finalized at 34 players (29 full-time) and represents 19 different schools. Any additional player announcements and moves can be followed on the team’s official website at www.applesox.com/roster.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX ANNOUNCE FINAL BATCH OF EARLY-SIGNEES

Seven players cap a month-long process of releasing the Wenatchee AppleSox roster, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced, Monday.

Seven players cap a month-long process of releasing the Wenatchee AppleSox roster, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced, Monday.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox are bringing in two future Nevada (Reno) student-athletes, along with a pair from Northern Colorado, a Concordia outfielder, an extra Washington State senior, and a UC San Diego Triton to round out the club’s early signees, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced Monday.

The expected active roster for Wenatchee includes eight soon-to-be seniors, and 23 players with prior collegiate playing experience. Currently, the roster stands at 28 players.

“We intentionally targeted an older roster this season,” said AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel. “We want to be a strong team of leaders and guys who can help each other, and I think the wealth of experience coming in can help us accomplish that. Any time you can lock up Division-I pitching, with experience, I think you’re doing it the right way. We’re excited to finalize our expected full-time roster with continued support from Nevada, and new relationships with Concordia, Northern Colorado, and UC San Diego.”

Josh Zamora and Tommy Watanabe are the incoming Nevada (Reno) student-athletes who will play for the AppleSox this summer.

Watanabe is a transfer from the College of San Mateo, and will be a junior for the Wolfpack next year. He was the second-leading pitcher for College of San Mateo last year, based on ERA.

Zamora, from El Toro High School in Foothill, Calif., will play on the infield for Wenatchee. He has experience as USA National Development Team member.

Wenatchee’s Northern-Colorado additions include outfielder Evan Johnson, and pitcher Connor Leedholm. Both are seniors-to-be for the Bears (Leedholm a fifth-year senior).

Johnson is an outfielder from Snoqualmie, Wash., and played at Bellevue College before transferring to Northern Colorado.

Leedholm is a right-handed pitcher from Lakewood, Colo. He posted four wins a season ago, and was an all-conference football and baseball player at Lakewood High School.

Dugan Shirer is a late addition to the AppleSox outfield, from Washington State. He joins Cougar teammates Colby Nealy and Reagan Teegarden on this year’s squad. The soon-to-be fifth-year senior previously played at the College of Southern Idaho.

Tanner Williams will also join the AppleSox outfield from Concordia. Williams had 21 multi-hit games a season ago, nearly starting all of the 46 contests he played in.

Cameron Kurz, who will be a redshirt-junior for UC San Diego, is a right-handed pitcher who led the Tritons with five saves a year ago. Kurz is from Encinitas, Calif. and graduated from La Costa Canyon High School. He played at Roosevelt College before transferring to UCSD.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX ROSTER EXPANDS WITH REGIONAL ADDITIONS, MOSES LAKE NATIVE

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox continue to roll out the 2017 roster, with the next round of incoming players coming from schools around the Pacific Northwest, including Western Oregon, Central Washington, Montana State-Billings, Yakima Valley Community College and Whitman, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced Monday.

Five of the six newcomers from around the PNW will pitch for the AppleSox this summer. One of those pitchers is from nearby Moses Lake, Wash.

“For both the Division I and non-Division I guys that we signed this time around, we feel like we got the best players from those teams,” said AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel. “As a guy who came from a D-III school, playing in the WCL is like playing in the big leagues. Getting the chance to play in front of 2,000 fans night-after-night is an unforgettable experience, and it’s a chance for all of these guys to showcase their skills at the top level.”

Krustangel will see one of his now-current, soon-to-be former Yakima Valley Community College Yaks come to the Wenatchee Valley this summer.

Hunter Boyd, a junior-to-be, is a right-hander from Moses Lake, a city with many AppleSox fans and sponsors. Boyd started seven games for the NWAC-Champion Yaks a season ago, and posted the third-most wins on the team, with three.

“I’m thrilled to have Hunter Boyd,” Krustangel said. “He is a top-notch guy who is currently uncommitted for next year, and has seven offers from great schools. He is a guy that will work hard, and is excited to pitch close to Moses Lake. He’s a team leader at YVCC and was a major reason we won an NWAC Championship last season.”

Montana State-Billings offers a pair of juniors-to-be to the AppleSox, in Steen Fredrickson and Jalen Garcia. Both will pitch, and Garcia will also primarily play in the outfield.

Fredrickson is a two-time all-conference selection from Ashland High School, in Oregon. He has won two-straight GNAC regular-season titles with the Yellowjackets.

Garcia transferred to MSU-Billings this past season, after spending a season at Corban University. He is a product of Billings Christian School in Montana, where he enjoyed a three-sport playing career that included time on the school’s football and basketball teams, along with his three all-state baseball selections.

Alongside Boyd, and two Montana State arms, is Connor McCord, a current freshman at Western Oregon University.

McCord also has playing experience at first base, and is a product of Corona Del Sol High School out of Gilbert, Ariz. So far, he owns the third-lowest ERA of any of the Wolves pitchers, and is batting .357.

Griffin Davis also joins the pitching staff, out of Central Washington University. He is a Spokane native, and will be a senior for the Wildcats next year.

Davis spent time at Walla Walla Community College prior to inking with the Wildcats last fall.

Adrian Vela, from Whitman, rounds out the most recent AppleSox roster announcement. He is a middle infielder, who has three years of collegiate playing experience, and will help anchor things defensively for the AppleSox.

He was an All-NWC First and Second Team selection each of the last two seasons, and hails from Bothell, Wash.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX BOLSTER ROSTER WITH PAC-12, WAC TALENT

The AppleSox latest roster addition features names from Pac-12, WAC schools.

The AppleSox latest roster addition features names from Pac-12, WAC schools.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox will welcome four Pac-12 student-athletes, and three Seattle U Redhawks to the 2017 squad, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced Monday.

Washington State will send two players to Wenatchee for the first time since 2014, and UCLA offers one current and future Bruin to the Sox roster. All three of Seattle U’s incoming players will have at least two years of collegiate playing experience.

“It’s been really nice to personally get to know Coach [Marty] Lees over the last year, and to see what he and his guys are doing at WSU,” said AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel. “Obviously, the players that Coach [John] Savage is sending from UCLA will also be tremendous additions to our club. Not only are the Cougars and Bruins bringing us talented Pac-12 players, but also great individuals. It was important for us, as an Eastern Washington WCL team, to have a strong connection with Division I teams in our area, and with Pac-12 powerhouses, like UCLA, who have helped shape the AppleSox championship tradition.”

Among the Pac-12 signings are conference veterans Colby Nealy and Reagan Teegarden from WSU, along with Jordan Prendiz from UCLA.

Nealy, the first of eight seniors-to-be on the 2017 AppleSox roster, is pitching his junior season for the Cougars. The former Bothell High School right-hander has already picked up four wins for WSU this spring.

Prendiz, currently a freshman outfielder, was a three-year letterwinner from Mt. Whitney High School at Visalia, Calif. He was rated the 44th-best prospect from the state of California in 2016, by Perfect Game USA.

Teegarden, another Cougar, formerly from Bellevue HS, has been used minimally during his freshman campaign on the Palouse. The infielder was a KingCo 3A First Team shortstop and was voted Second Team All-State after hitting .431 as a senior.

Incoming-UCLA freshman Michael Townsend will also pitch for Wenatchee this summer. The fiery right-hander features a low-90s fastball and also has been tabbed an all-league outfielder during his high school career. Townsend is from Los Alamitos, Calif.

Fresh-off runner up finishes in the WAC in 2015 and 2016, Seattle U is slated to send three experienced players to Wenatchee. Jack Reisinger, a senior-to-be, and Jeffrey Morgan and Jake Taylor, who will be juniors next season, all will don red, white and blue for the Sox this summer.

“The Cougar and UCLA players are experienced guys, and we are excited to receive the same brand of player from Donny Harrel and Seattle U,” Krustangel said. “It will be great to continue the tradition of having Redhawks on the AppleSox. We are fortunate that the three guys we got from Seattle U are all getting a lot of playing time. They are guys who have started a majority of the team’s games, and as a whole, we’re excited to be bringing in D-I experienced talent. That, in my eyes, is a recipe for success.”

Reisinger, an experienced backstop and native of San Clemente, Calif., is one of the top hitters for the Redhawks this spring. He has an above-.300 average and has already smashed three homers.

Morgan, an outfielder from Auburn, Wash., has already amassed two years of collegiate experience after playing at Auburn Mountainview High School, where he helped the Lions to the state tournament in each of his four seasons. He was a three-time all-league selection.

Taylor, a third baseman from Boise, Idaho, will reunite with former high school teammate and current AppleSox infielder Parker Price. The Timberline High School product has had a steady 2017 campaign at Seattle U. He won an American Legion Championship in 2014.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

APPLESOX ANNOUNCE FIRST WAVE OF 2017 PLAYERS: INCLUDING THREE 2016 RETURNERS

Three returners headline the first eight players named to the AppleSox 2017 roster.

Three returners headline the first eight players named to the AppleSox 2017 roster.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox have begun to release the team’s 2017 roster, and three 2016 AppleSox players are set for a second season in Wenatchee, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced Monday.

The first eight AppleSox roster additions of the year include players from UC Irvine, Gonzaga, and Scottsdale Community College. The AppleSox will continue to release more of the 2017 roster each Monday, throughout April.

“We’re really excited to continue the long tradition of signing players from UC Irvine and Gonzaga, and it’s been important to have connections with such talented Division I schools and their coaching staffs,” said AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel. “It’s also important every year to have a few key returners. The three guys we are bringing back are not only tremendous baseball players, but impressive young men who have dealt with the WCL grind, lived in Wenatchee, and had a great experience with the organization and fans last season. They are also guys who can help be on and off-the-field leaders for our team this year.”

Included among the first eight AppleSox signings is 2016 Sox catcher, Matt Reitano, a current UC Irvine sophomore.

Reitano, who logged over 100 at bats in 33 games for Wenatchee last season, figures to be a veteran leader for the team, this summer. The San Diego native came up with 18 hits, 7 RBI, and 13 walks during his first summer in the Wenatchee Valley.

He will be one-of-three 2016 AppleSox players set to return to Wenatchee for the team’s 18th season. Second baseman Parker Price, whose season ended prematurely last summer due to injury, and Alex Gonzales, a super-utility infielder and catcher, also will be back with the Sox for a second time.

Price, a GU freshman, hit .230 for Wenatchee in his first collegiate summer, before being shut down due to injury. He was Idaho’s 2015 and 2016 State Gatorade Player of the Year and drove in 8 runs for the AppleSox a season ago.

Gonzales, a freshman from Scottsdale Community College, capped a rough start to his collegiate career at the plate with standout months in July and August, to secure the fifth-best batting average of any Sox hitter, at .271. His older brother, Marco, a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, pitched for the AppleSox in 2010.

Joining Reitano is current Anteater teammate Adrian Damla, a freshman from La Crescenta, Calif., who will primarily play as a first baseman for Wenatchee this season. He is formerly a two-time All-CIF selection out of Crescenta Valley High School.

One other current Bulldog, and three future ‘Zags will join Price at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium this year.

Jack Machtolf, another Gonzaga freshman, will patrol the outfield and factor in at first base for Wenatchee in 2017. His older brother, Steven, played for Wenatchee last summer before being lost to injury. Machtolf, the son of current GU head coach Mark Machtolf, was a First Team All-State selection as a senior at Gonzaga Prep, and was also a standout on the Bullpups’ football team.

Three Gonzaga commits will also earn their first collegiate experience with the AppleSox, including pitchers Mason Millett and McKabe Cottrell and infielder Michael Spellacy.

Cottrell, from Rockford, Wash. is a three-time Cy Young Award winner for Freeman High School.

Millett is a three-year pitcher for Boulder Creek High School at Anthem, Ariz. Last summer, he pitched for Team Arizona in the Junior Sunbelt Tournament.

Spellacy, from Puyallup, Wash., drove in the game-winning run for Puyallup High School in the District Championship game of its high school postseason, last spring. He also competed at the 2016 Area Code Games, representing the Kansas City Royals.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

AppleSox Finalize 2017 Coaching Staff

Cash Ulrich and Riley Drongesen join Head Coach Kyle Krustangel, to round out the 2017 coaching staff, Krustangel announced Monday.

Cash Ulrich and Riley Drongesen join Head Coach Kyle Krustangel, to round out the 2017 coaching staff, Krustangel announced Monday.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox have named Cash Ulrich as the team’s assistant coach, and Riley Drongesen as the pitching coach, head coach Kyle Krustangel announced, Thursday.

Krustangel, who was named the fourth all-time coach of the AppleSox, Sept. 14, 2016, is excited to bring a baseball-savvy staff to the Wenatchee Valley this summer.

“The common thread between Cash, Riley, and I, is that we were all catchers at the collegiate level,” Krustangel said. “It fires me up to have three guys on staff who have all spent time behind the dish.”

Ulrich is no stranger to working with Krustangel. Currently, the two coach together at Yakima Valley Community College, and the duo helped bring an NWAC Championship to the school during their first seasons at YVCC, last spring.

“Cash is a guy I can trust and is a guy who is a great teacher of the game,” Krustangel said. “Also, it is neat to have a coach who I’ve coached with and won a championship with. He’s the only person I’ve met who I think is more competitive than I am. We both want to win and provide a great experience for the AppleSox players and fans.”

Ulrich coached the Spokane Bandits AAA American Legion team last summer, and is a native of Spokane, Wash. He graduated from Eastern Washington University, and was previously the head coach of the Eagles.

He coached at Gonzaga Prep High School for three years and also coached for Prep’s summer legion program, before he was named the head coach of the Eastern Washington baseball team.

In the past twenty-six years, Eastern has made the playoffs three times, all three while Cash was the head coach. He coached seven players who earned All-American honors during his four seasons at Cheney, Wash.

Drongesen, is a former Division I catcher from the University of the Pacific (Calif.) who just wrapped up a two-year playing career in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization.

“Having a guy like Riley on the staff will be invaluable,” Krustangel said. “Not only does he have great Division-I experience, but he is coming to us straight out of professional baseball – a place where many of our players are dying to be in a couple of years. When you talk about developing players and getting them ready for the next level, having a coach like Riley on the staff is a no-brainer.”

The Granite Bay, Calif. native was a career .258 hitter for Pacific, and owned plus-.300 slugging and on-base percentages. As a professional, he picked up 21 hits and drove in 11 runs during his two-year minor league career.

He spent time with the Johnson City Cardinals, GCL Cardinals, State College Spikes, and Peoria Chiefs. Krustangel, Drongesen, and Ulrich make up the first entirely-first year AppleSox coaching staff since long-time coach Ed Knaggs took the reigns with Bud Murray in the team’s second season in 2001.

The collegiate roster that will play for the trio was established in September, and the team will begin to release that roster, April 3.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.

AppleSox Phone/Computer Wallpapers!

Just save the desired AppleSox wallpaper file from the list below on your apple device, or computer, and set as your background, lock screen, profile picture.... whatever you like! 

**For users of the smaller-screened MacBook Pro, or if you have a windows or desktop computer that has less of a wide-screen feel, you may want to use the non-wide screen version!**

First, save your favorite (or all) of the backgrounds below to your computer or apple device by clicking on the link that corresponds to your device! Then, enjoy!

If you don't know how to change the background on a windows or apple device, after you have saved one of the files below, you can learn how to set it as a wallpaper by clicking on the device you are trying to set a wallpaper for, below:
iPhone/iPad
Mac
Windows

GENERIC

JUNE

Hot Stove Party, Feb. 22

Warm up and shake off the winter blues with the AppleSox Baseball Club at the Abby’s Pizza location in Wenatchee, as we look forward to the 2017 season!

Meet the NEW APPLESOX HEAD COACH, Kyle Krustangel… and you could win some terrific AppleSox merchandise! 

The event is Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 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 February 17th by calling (509) 665 6900 or e-mail ken@applesox.com

 

Mariners Caravan to Stop at Pybus Market

Seattle Mariners players and team officials make a stop at Pybus Market on Tuesday, January 10 from 4:00pm to 5:15pm for a Question and Answer session and to sign autographs for the public.

They will also have prizes to give away from the Mariners Team Store. The Mariner Moose and members of the Mariners broadcast team will also join Mariners players to take pictures and
provide entertainment for the kids.

Scheduled to visit Pybus Market are pitcher Dan Altavilla, outfielder Ben Gamel, former third baseman and now broadcaster Mike Blowers and the Mariner Moose.

“It’s hot stove league time in baseball, so Pybus Market is very happy to have the Mariners visit us again,” said Aly Laris, marketing and operations coordinator at Pybus Market.

The event is sponsored by the Seattle Mariners, Pybus Public Market and the Wenatchee Applesox.

APPLESOX UNVEIL NEW-LOOK YOUTH CAMPS FOR 2017 SEASON

This coming summer, the AppleSox Youth Camp schedule features 11 days to work on baseball skills with Wenatchee's players and coaches.

This coming summer, the AppleSox Youth Camp schedule features 11 days to work on baseball skills with Wenatchee's players and coaches.

Register for AppleSox Baseball Youth Camps

WENATCHEE– The Wenatchee AppleSox have expanded and updated their 2017 Youth Camps, the organization announced, Wednesday. AppleSox players and coaches will conduct three-day camps, three times in 2017, and the team is excited to announce two one-day mini camps for separate age groups. 

“Youth Camps have always been a staple of our organization, and head coach Kyle Krustangel, along with the next great group of AppleSox players are excited to share the game they love with our local community,” co-owner Jim Corcoran said. “Our players and coaches have a great time bonding with local youth on many different occasions throughout the season, and we are particularly excited to have 11 opportunities to facilitate these connections on the diamond this summer.”

This year, the AppleSox will run three-day camps with emphases on pitching/catching (June 27-29), hitting (July 11 -13), and a combination of all skills (Aug. 1-3). 

Two one-day mini camps will focus on all skills, with local youth ages 6-11 (June 12) and ages 12-18 (July 24). 

Camp days last three hours, from 9 a.m. to noon and are conducted at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College. The cost to register for any three-day camp is $89, and each of the one-day mini camps are priced at $39. 

Local youth and their friends/families can sign up to attend the camps at www.applesoxcamps.com or on the first day of each camp at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, starting at 8:30 a.m. A $10 late fee will be applied for day-of registrations.

Wenatchee AppleSox youth camps are for kids who want to enhance their baseball skills. Participants will learn techniques to improve hitting, fielding, pitching and catching from AppleSox players and coaches.

AppleSox players come from a wide range of nationally renowned college baseball programs and are among the best players in their class. They are still developing their skills and techniques, which creates a tremendous learning atmosphere.

The team is proud of the quality instruction in all the fundamentals of the game that the AppleSox camps provide, and encourages self-improvement within each player. The coaches will be dedicated to helping young players come closer to reaching their baseball dreams, and the goal is for each player to walk away with a positive experience, better baseball fundamentals, and a smile on their face.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee on Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com. 

AppleSox Announce 2017 Schedule

WENATCHEE– The Wenatchee AppleSox have finalized their schedule for the organization’s 18th season, the team announced Thursday. The 58-game schedule features 54 West Coast League matchups and four non-league games 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 2-5 in league play at Walla Walla, and will continue on to visit Victoria June 5-7 for a season-opening six-game road trip. The AppleSox will play all other 10 teams from the WCL, with matchups against eight of them at home.

Three non-league teams will visit Wenatchee throughout 2017. The Everett Merchants and Highline Bears, each members of the PIL, will visit for single games June 25 (Everett) and July 18 (Highline). The River City Athletics are a new non-league opponent for Wenatchee in 2017. Based out of the Tri-Cities, The Athletics are comprised of junior college players from around the Northwest.

The Athletics will be part of the AppleSox early Fourth of July celebration, July 1. It’s the team’s annual Fireworks Night and first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. The AppleSox are on the road on Independence Day at Longview as part of a three-game series against Cowlitz. 

League home series include matchups with Victoria, Yakima, Gresham, Kelowna, Cowlitz, Bellingham, Walla Walla, and Corvallis. 

Wenatchee concludes the regular-season portion of its schedule on the road at Bellingham, Aug. 4-6, before the WCL Playoffs; scheduled Aug. 8-10 (Divisional Series), and Aug. 12, 14-15 (Championship Series), with sites and times to be determined. 

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play June 2, 2017 at Walla Walla, and play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8, 2017. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com. 

APPLESOX NAME KYLE KRUSTANGEL, YVCC SKIPPER, AS NEW HEAD COACH

Current Yakima Valley Community College baseball coach Kyle Krustangel, will be the fourth coach of the AppleSox, the team announced, Wednesday. 

Current Yakima Valley Community College baseball coach Kyle Krustangel, will be the fourth coach of the AppleSox, the team announced, Wednesday. 

WENATCHEE– Current Yakima Valley Community College coach Kyle Krustangel will be the next head coach of the Wenatchee AppleSox, team co-owner and assistant general manager Ken Osborne announced, Wednesday. Krustangel takes the reigns from former AppleSox coach AJ Proszek and is the fourth coach in the organization’s 18-year history.

Krustangel, a native of Spokane, Wash., helped the YVCC Yaks to an NWAC Championship last season, while also earning NWAC and ABCA Regional Coach of the Year honors.

“We were extremely impressed with the quality of the inquiries we received from across the US and beyond, but when we reviewed all the applicants, it was clear that Kyle Krustangel was our choice for this key position on our team,” Osborne said. “We are excited to have coach Krustangel lead the AppleSox. He comes very well recommended and we feel he is the right person to lead the AppleSox to another WCL title.”

Osborne led the national search for Wenatchee’s newest head coach, and the initial search pool of applicants was narrowed to a group of 40 candidates. Krustangel was a clear leader throughout the process, and impressed the organization as someone with previous head coaching experience, local ties to North Central Washington, and and the skills and contacts needed to recruit a talent-packed roster for the AppleSox. Krustangel was selected as the head coach by a combination of the AppleSox front office personnel and a search committee.

Krustangel took over at Yakima Valley Community College last season, after previously serving as an assistant coach at Whitworth University for one season. He also was the Head Coach of the Spokane Bandits (AAA American Legion) for four seasons, and the Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Bridgeport High School for two seasons.

“As a former player in the WCL, and having seen all that it can provide, I am excited to be back in the league as the coach of the Wenatchee AppleSox,” Krustangel said. “The AppleSox have a rich tradition, and I saw that as a player and as a coach along the way. I’m excited to become a part of the team and build on an already successful franchise. I’d also like to thank team owners Jim Corcoran and Ken Osborne, as well as the search committee, for trusting me with this job, and I’m excited to get to work.”

As a player, Krustangel was a 2009 member of the Spokane RiverHawks, and played for three seasons at Whitworth University, where he owned a career .325 batting average and was named to the NWC all-conference team two times.

Prior to his time as a Whitworth Pirate, Krustangel played at Big Bend Community College for one season, after graduating from Ferris High School in Spokane in 2006.

Krustangel began his coaching career while still in college, coaching youth ages 14-19 each summer from 2009-2012. He took over a baseball program at Bridgeport High School, near Brewster, that had just 12 players to its name. By 2014, Krustangel’s program totaled 41 players with full varsity and junior-varsity teams. Bridgeport made playoff appearances in 2013 and 2014, and Krustangel was the 2014 NWC Coach of the Year. He also was the head football coach for two seasons, and taught ESL and history for three years.

Krustangel’s AAA Legion Bandits, who he played for growing up, acheived 2013 and 2014 League Championships under his direction. They also participated in the 2014 state competition.

At Whitworth University, serving as a hitting, catching, and corner infield coach, the Pirates won the 2015 NWAC Tournament, and earned an NCAA Regional appearance for just the second time in school history. His hitters accumulated a .305 team batting average.

Last season, at YVCC, the Yaks set the NWAC Tournament record with 27-scoreless innings to open tournament play. One of his players went on to win an ABCA Gold Glove, and twelve of his sophomores moved on to four-year schools, while the team attained a 3.05 GPA.

Krustangel will immediately take over recruiting the 2017 AppleSox roster, and will fill out the rest of his coaching staff throughout the offseason.

The Wenatchee AppleSox open their 18th season of play in June, 2017. For moe information, fans can visit www.applesox.com

AJ PROSZEK TO STEP ASIDE FROM APPLESOX COACHING POSITION

AJ Proszek, the third head coach of the AppleSox, announced he will not be returning for the 2017 season, Tuesday. 

AJ Proszek, the third head coach of the AppleSox, announced he will not be returning for the 2017 season, Tuesday. 

WENATCHEE–  Fourth-year coach, and second-year head coach AJ Proszek announced his decision to not return as the head coach of the Wenatchee AppleSox for the 2017 season, Tuesday. Proszek will spend more time in Spokane with his wife and family, while dedicating his summer months to time recruiting and managing his pitching staff at the Community Colleges of Spokane. 

Wenatchee's third head coach, Proszek won 50 games in his AppleSox head-coaching career. 

Wenatchee's third head coach, Proszek won 50 games in his AppleSox head-coaching career. 

“My time in Wenatchee has given me an incredible experience to learn and grow as a coach, and I am grateful for the last four summers that I have spent as a member of this community,” said Proszek. “The West Coast League provides an outstanding atmosphere for players and coaches to improve their skills, and everyone involved spends a great deal of time to make each summer a valuable experience. After talking with my family and weighing my options, I’ve decided the best thing for me to do right now is to focus my energy in Spokane with the Sasquatch baseball program, and also to spend more time at home with my wife Cara.”

In total, Proszek coached 136 collegiate athletes during his four seasons in Wenatchee. The third all-time coach of the AppleSox, Proszek coached Brandon Bailey to a West Coast League All-League Pitching honor in 2014, and an additional three players to All-League honors in 2015, with more 2016 league honorees scheduled to be announced after the postseason.

“AJ continued the history of impressive AppleSox coaches as an integral part of our operation, and was an outstanding representation of what AppleSox baseball is all about,” said team co-owner and general manager Jim Corcoran. “Every day I work with AJ, I grow more and more impressed with the way that he manages his team, and is able to focus his energies into efforts to not only make the summer a positive experience for his players and coaching staff, but also for the rest of our staff, the fans, and other teams we work with in the league. It has been a pleasure working with AJ the last four seasons, and he leaves extremely large shoes for the next AppleSox head coach to fill.”

A two-year player in the West Coast League with Spokane RiverHawks, and former minor-league pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization, Proszek won 50 games in two seasons as the AppleSox head coach, and his teams had five players selected to WCL All-Star rosters.

His pitching staff set the West Coast League record for strikeouts in 2014, setting down the opposition 468 times; a record barely beaten this year by the Walla Walla Sweets (471). 

Proszek coached 136 athletes during his four years in Wenatchee. 

Proszek coached 136 athletes during his four years in Wenatchee. 

Tuesday, following his fourth year in Wenatchee, Proszek continued to thank those who made his last four years of coaching a success. 

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my wife for her continuous support of my career and my family for their love and encouragement. Also, I’d like to thank the AppleSox organization, especially Jim Corcoran and Ken Osborne for the opportunity to lead the AppleSox. I also owe a great deal of thanks to former AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs, the assistant coaches I have worked with the past few seasons, the other coaches I have worked with in the league, and the players who made my time coaching here a positive experience. Also, I’ve been blown away by the fans, host families, and people I’ve met in the Wenatchee Valley. They have always valued me as AJ the person, not just AJ the coach. I will be taking many great memories and friendships away from Wenatchee with me.”

The AppleSox have begun the search for the team’s next coach, and co-owner and assistant general manager Ken Osborne is heading the search committee. The team is excited to find a coach who can build upon the foundation laid by the organization’s first three head coaches; Gary Lewallen, Ed Knaggs, and AJ Proszek.  

APPLESOX SUFFER COME-FROM-BEHIND DEFEAT IN SEASON FINALE

The AppleSox fell 7-6 in their series finale, Sunday, at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox fell 7-6 in their series finale, Sunday, at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE–  The Wenatchee AppleSox (19-35, 9-18 second half), led the Bellingham Bells (31-23, 16-11) for most of Sunday night’s contest, however, the Bells won 7-6, in the AppleSox’ season finale at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee took early control of the last game of the season, scoring two runs in the first inning for an early advantage. 

Michael Toglia brought a batter home on a sacrifice fly and an RBI triple for Jordan Rathbone. The triple was his fifth of the season, tying him with Toglia for the most triples in the WCL. Toglia also hit his league-leading 40th RBI in the inning. 
The AppleSox finished the season with a WCL-best 19 triples. 

Bellingham got a run back in the second inning on an RBI double for Matt DiLeo. The run came against Mac Lardner, who also gave up two runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run home run for Christian Jones. 

The AppleSox immediately came back with four runs to take a 6-3 lead. Matt Fraizer and Ryan Kreidler, along with two errors to score the other runs. 

Wenatchee was done scoring, with Zach Taylor throwing four shutout innings while picking off three batters. 

In the sixth inning, Justin Polzin added a run for the Bellingham Bells to trim the deficit to 6-4. The run came off of Lardner. 

Blankenship threw a scoreless inning and a third to get Wenatchee to the eighth, leading 6-4. However, Adam Paulson, who had two saves and no losses, allowed a run in the eighth on a walk, two stolen bases, and a wild pitch.
Then in the ninth, Bellingham claimed a lead against Paulson with an RBI single for Gunar Schubert and Austin Shenton drove in the winning run with an RBI single. 

The AppleSox got the first two batters of the bottom of the ninth inning aboard against Sam Hellinger, the WCL leader in saves. With Sheldon Liikala trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt, the Bells pitcher threw to third base to cut down the leading runner, and then a strikeout of Toglia and a groundout ended the season for Wenatchee. 

Bellingham took momentum into the playoffs, claiming the official title of WCL North Second-Half Champions. 

The AppleSox finished their 17th franchise season in front of a supportive home crowd. 

 

APPLESOX END SEASON WITH BELLS, SUNDAY

The AppleSox end the 2016 season at home, Sunday, against the Bellingham Bells.

The AppleSox end the 2016 season at home, Sunday, against the Bellingham Bells.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Bellingham Bells
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium |       6:05 p.m.  
L- Mac Lardner vs. R- Gio Lopez (1-2)

GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (19-34, 9-17, 9-14 North), fifth place in the North Division wrap up the 2016 season at home against the Bellingham Bells (31-22, 16-10, 14-9) who clinched the final WCL playoff spot Friday...for the AppleSox, Sunday’s game marks a chance to win the season series against the Bells...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (49-66) (.426), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 9, BELLINGHAM 6
WENATCHEE –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (19-34, 9-17 second half), won an offensively-powered game 9-6 over the Bellingham Bells (31-22, 16-10) to even the season’s final series, Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. ..the Bells struck for two runs in the first...however, Wenatchee had a big answer for its starter Luke Mattson (2-7) in the bottom half...Ryan Kreidler started a bases-loaded opening to the game with a single and a walk of Evan Douglas, and a hit by pitch of Sheldon Liikala loaded the bases for Michael Toglia...Toglia delivered a 2-RBI single through the right side to get the game back to even, and net his 37th and 38th RBIs on the season, making him the WCL leader...Jordan Rathbone hit in a go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice, and a Dalton Harum single and a wild pitch gave the Sox a 5-2 advantage after one inning...Mattson settled down to score four scoreless innings in the second through the fifth, while his offense got him another four-run backing in the fourth...the runs were important, as Mattson fell into some trouble in his sixth and final inning...with two runners on, and a run already home on an error, the Bells connected on a three-run blast from Landon Riker to make the score 9-6...the AppleSox bats fell silent late, with the game’s final 11 batters retired in order for Wenatchee, but that posed no problem for the bullpen that protected the lead...Nick Hoefling and Miceal Taylor each tossed two scoreless innings, and Taylor’s were mighty impressive, only allowing one hit in his final two collegiate summer league innings, while earning his second save.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
FOR THE SERIES WIN

Tonight, the Wenatchee AppleSox have a chance to win a season series for the first time this season, having previously tied four teams in season-series play (Gresham, Bend, Kelowna, and Walla Walla). The AppleSox won only a single season series a year ago (2-1) over the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tonight could also win Wenatchee the current series with the playoff-bound Bells. 

SUNDAY FUN DAY
The Wenatchee AppleSox play great baseball on Sundays this season...in fact, it is the only day of the week when the AppleSox have an above-.500 record (4-3). 

LARDNER THE STARTER
Since moving to a starting role to end the 2016 season, Mac Lardner is having plenty of success. He hasn’t lost a game as a starter and is 2-0 with an average of just over 5-innings per game. He has averaged allowing 2.33 earned runs per game in his three starts.