GRESHAM EVENS SERIES WITH APPLESOX, WENATCHEE FALLS 15-2

GRESHAM, Ore. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (10-10) just didn’t have their best stuff, Thursday night in a 15-2 loss to the Gresham GreyWolves (8-12) at Oslund Field.

Wenatchee jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning behind a sacrifice fly RBI for Jake Taylor and an RBI double down the left field line for Josh Zamora in his AppleSox debut.

Mike Townsend (0-1) had a tough first appearance in 2017. The defense didn’t help him out in the first inning, committing a critical error before five runs scored. The defense also lost a ball in the sun, that fell for a single.

Gresham capitalized on two errors in the second inning and ended up scoring 10 runs for the 15-2 final, on eight hits. Only six of the 15 runs came earned.

The AppleSox bullpen settled down and held Gresham scoreless the rest of the night, with McKabe Cottrell, Cameron Kurz, and Michael Spellacy throwing the rest of the way.

The AppleSox offense was quiet and had just one hit until a Spellacy hit in the sixth inning (was playing second base at the time). Cody Simmons added Wenatchee’s last two hits, starting with a one-pitch single in the seventh as a pinch hitter. His second base knock was in the ninth inning with two outs.

Gresham starter Zak Baayoun (no-decision) lasted four innings, while Christian Peters (1-2) threw an additional three innings for the winning decision. Gavin Baker finished the night on the mound.

Wenatchee will play for the series in game three and is sending Hunter Boyd (2-0) to the mound at 6:35 p.m., Friday.

APPLESOX PUT TARGET ON THREE-GAME AND SEASON-SERIES WIN

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (10-9) VS GRESHAM GREYWOLVES (7-12)
6:35 pm
Oslund Field
Gresham, Ore.
WEN: R- Mike Townsend (0-0, 0.00) vs.  GRE: L- Zak Baayoun (0-0, 0.00)

ABOVE-AVERAGE AT OSLUND
In thier four games at Oslund Field, the AppleSox average an 8.3-to-1.7 final score...nearly identical to last night’s game-one win...in Wenatchee’s lone road loss to the GreyWolves here in Gresham, the AppleSox still managed to score nine runs. 

DON’T PITCH TO HIM
Evan Johnson is on pace to drive home 68 runs this season in WCL play for the AppleSox...the team record for RBI belongs to Mitchell Gunsolus (2012), who brought 48 runs home to score...at 24, Johnson is already halfway to that mark, 19 games through the 54-game league season...he is 8 RBI ahead of Corvallis’ Jordan Qsar (16) in the WCL RBI race currently...the league record for RBI belongs to Vince Fernandez, YVP (51) in 2014.

‘MAJOR LEAGUE’ STREAK
No, he’s not a catcher, but AppleSoxjunior, Jake Taylor, is having a run that even the fictional character in the hit movie ‘Major League’ would be proud of!...over his first seven games at the plate, Taylor has collected at least one hit, for a team-best 7-game hitting streak...over the span, he’s had three-multi hit games and drove in four runs...batting .433 (13x30)...Taylor has already matched his spring hit total, from his sophomore season at Seattle U, where he hit .220. 

BULLPEN SETTLED DOWN
Last night, for the first time since game one of the Gresham series in Wenatchee, the AppleSox bullpen combined for a scoreless relief outing.

FREE BASES
The AppleSox were gifted a season-high nine free bases last night, via the walk...previously Walla Walla had walked Wenatchee eight times, June 4 in a 12-inning game. 

EVERYTHING TRENDING UP
The AppleSox are above-.500 over the last five, ten, and 15 games, and are above-.500 over each of their last five games at home and on the road.

APPLESOX WIN SIXTH-STRAIGHT GAME ONE, BEHIND MAIER’S QUALITY START

GRESHAM, Ore. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (10-9) rode six strong innings from Collin Maier, and scored four runs early to take down the Gresham GreyWolves (7-12), 8-1 Wednesday night at Oslund Field.

The AppleSox opened the scoring in the first inning with two runs off of Robert Reaser (0-1). A throwing error brought home the first run, before Jake Taylor drove in a second run on an RBI single.

In the second inning, Evan Johnson drove home two more runs for a 4-0 lead. He laced a 2-RBI double to right-center field, to tally his 22nd and 23rd RBI of the season. He is the WCL leader.

Collin Maier (3-1), logged an impressive six-inning start to pick up his second quality start of the year. Maier struck out three batters and put together a solid performance to lead the game-one win. Wenatchee is now 6-1 this year in the first games of series.

Gresham ran into trouble in the sixth inning. Reliever Jeremy Polon walked three batters and hit a man, while Gresham gave up four runs with the bases loaded. Johnson and Jalen Garcia walked with the bases loaded. Adrian Damla also connected for a 2-RBI single to right-center field.

With an 8-0 lead, the AppleSox were able to hold on until the end. Gresham scored one run in the seventh inning on a throwing error from third base.

Connor McCord struck out five batters in relief for two innings, while Steen Fredrickson covered the final frame for Wenatchee.=

Game two is Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. Mike Townsend (0-0) will make his AppleSox debut.

APPLESOX CONTINUE VS GRESHAM, TRAVEL TO OREGON

The AppleSox continue a string of six-straight games with the GreyWolves, at Gresham, Ore., Wednesday-Friday.

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (9-9) VS GRESHAM GREYWOLVES (7-11)
6:35 pm
Oslund Field
Gresham, Ore.
WEN: R- Collin Maier (2-1, 4.32) vs.  GRE: R- Robert Reaser (0-0, 0.60)

CLOSE GAMES
Wenatchee has had 10-of-18 games decided by one run this year..the AppleSox are 5-5 in those contests...additionally five of the last six games have been decided by one run (2-3).

BATS KEEP ROLLING
Wenatchee has been averaging 6.44 runs-per-game, which is the highest total in the team’s WCL history and is on pace to rank second all-time (2004, 6.69).

WINNING AT OSLUND
The AppleSox have only played at Oslund Field three times in program history, but do lead the road series 2-1.

LEADING THE LEAGUE
The AppleSox lead the league in runs (116), hits (181), and strikeouts thrown (149)...additionally, the team ranks second for batting average (.280), and third in home runs (12), doubles (33) , and walks drawn (70)...

THE WCL NORTH RACE...
Wenatchee has 9 games left in its WCL First Half...Kelowna and Bellingham (leaders, 2 GA) each have 11 games remaining...Walla Walla has 13 left, Victoria has 10 remaining and Port Angeles, like Wenatchee, also has nine games left.

APPLESOX UPENDED, GRESHAM COMES FROM BEHIND TO STEAL GAME THREE

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (9-9) couldn’t hold a 6-2 lead in the late innings, Monday night against the Gresham GreyWolves (7-11), and eventually fell 7-6 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Despite a strong start for McKabe Cottrell, the AppleSox gave up too many free bases down the stretch, and were unable to save a victory for their freshman left-hander. Cottrell went 6 2/3 and left in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.

In the tough spot, Jalen Garcia (0-1) entered, and Gresham plated all three runs off of him on a wild pitch and 2-RBI single. The AppleSox couldn’t hold on in the ninth inning when Garcia left with one out and runners on first and second base. Reliever Cameron Kurz was unable to nail down a save, as a passed ball and wild pitch immediately plated the tying run. A sacrifice fly put Gresham up for good, 7-6.

Wenatchee fell behind 2-0 in the fourth inning, but responded with a five-run home half, including a 2-RBI single for Michael Spellacy in his offensive debut, and a three-run home run to left field for Tanner Williams, in his final AppleSox game.

All five runs came unearned, after a would-be inning-ending error on the GreyWolves. The AppleSox got their sixth run, in the sixth on an RBI single from Dugan Shirer.

Wenatchee has a day off, Tuesday, for the first time in the opening 18 games. Then, the AppleSox will head south to Gresham to play the GreyWolves in three more games, starting at 6:35 p.m., Wednesday.

CHANCE FOR A SWEEP MONDAY NIGHT VS GRESHAM

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (9-8) VS GRESHAM GREYWOLVES (6-11)
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.
WEN: L- McKabe Cottrell (0-0, 4.15) vs.  GRE: R- Alex Roth (0-0, 0.00)
 

HECK OF A GIFT!
It’s a story not even Hollywood would accept...last night, Adrian Damla hit a home run in his first AppleSox at bat...the home run came on Father’s Day and was the second of his college career...his first home run was hit on May 14 (Mother’s Day) in UC Irvine’s win at Hawaii...his mom did get the clutch end of the deal, with the HR at Hawaii proving to be the game winner...yesterday’s blast started the scoring for Wenatchee.

BROOMS AT THE READY
Tonight, Wenatchee is trying to do something it hasn’t since 2015...the last Wenatchee AppleSox sweep was July 2-4, 2015 at home against the Klamath Falls Gems...last season, the AppleSox were swept five times without dusting up one of their own.

GET JUGGIE WITH IT
Evan Johnson (a.k.a Juggie) went for his second multi-HR game of the season last night, which tied Justin Ehlers for the only multi, multi-HR games in a season...Ehlers had his two 2-HR games back in 2004.

STRIKEOUT TRAIN
Last night, the AppleSox struck out the most opposing batters (15) since the 2014 team K’d 20 Walla Walla Sweets, July 16, 2014...granted, that night, the 2014 squad had five extra innings to get it done (a 14-inning game)...the 2014 squad didn’t have more than 15 strikeouts entering extra innings that night.

TAYLOR KEEPS SWINGING
Jake Taylor is off to a tremendous 11-for-25 start at the plate, after collecting three hits last night, including his second double of the series...that’s good for a team-best six-game hitting streak...don’t tell his .220 spring batting average...the young slugger is hitting .480 so far this season.

LAST OF THE NEWCOMERS, TONIGHT
The AppleSox add their last full-time players, Josh Zamora and Mike Townsend tonight...the current roster sits at 33 players.

EVAN JOHNSON’S SECOND MULTI-HR GAME PROPELS THE APPLESOX TO VICTORY

Evan Johnson is now tied for the WCL lead in home runs (6) and leads the league with 21 runs batted in.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (9-8) crushed three home runs, and Evan Johnson went the opposite way twice for his fifth and sixth home runs of the season, in an 8-7 win over the Gresham GreyWolves (6-11) Father’s Day at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Adrian Damla also jumped on the home run train, in his first at bat with the AppleSox, whacking a no-doubter over the right field fence. It was Damla’s second collegiate home run (the first came on Mother’s Day, May 14).

With the two home runs, Johnson has tied Corvallis slugger Jordan Qsar for the league lead in blasts. He is running away with the RBI race, with 21; six more than the next-closest WCL hitter.

The AppleSox first score came on Damla’s solo shot in the second inning. The left-handed hitter pulled it to right in his first at bat in an AppleSox uniform. Wenatchee piled on two more runs in the inning off of starter Andrew Hansen (1-2), thanks to an RBI single for Tanner Williams and a designed delayed steal that brought a run home from third base, when the catcher offered a throw to second.

Gresham clawed back throughout game two, and scored two third-inning runs off of starting pitcher Connor McCord (1-0) in his AppleSox debut. McCord buckled down to get an inning-ending groundout and preserve the 3-2 lead.

In the third, Johnson hit the first of his two home runs, a two-run shot following a Jacob Prater double. In the fourth, two more runs scored on an error at second base.

Gresham again cut the deficit in the fifth inning, with a 2-RBI double from Alec de Watteville. The AppleSox caught a third runner at the plate, who was ruled to have not touched the plate when he came in to try and score.

With a 7-4 lead, the AppleSox surrendered another two runs in the sixth inning when Michael Spellacy entered in relief for his AppleSox debut. An RBI double and an RBI single got Gresham within a run.

The AppleSox got out of the inning on a strikeout by Cameron Kurz, who was also making his debut. In total, four AppleSox pitchers struck out 15 Gresham batters – the most since July 16, 2014 at Walla Walla (20).

Johnson’s second home run of the game came in the seventh inning, for the eighth and eventual game-winning run. For a second time on the night, Johnson hit it opposite way to right field. It was his second multi-home run game of the season.

Gresham’s final run came in a thrilling ninth inning with Hugh Smith (save) on the mound. An RBI triple trimmed the AppleSox lead to 8-7, and put the tying run at third base. Smith struck out his fourth batter of the night, a pinch hitter, to win the game for Wenatchee and strand the tying run at third base.

The AppleSox lead the series 2-0 and play for the sweep, Monday, at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander McKabe Cottrell (0-0) will get the start for Wenatchee.

AppleSox Aim to Win Series on Father's Day, Cashmere Night

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

Cashmere Night
APPLESOX (8-8) VS GRESHAM GREYWOLVES (6-10)
6:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.
WEN: L- Connor McCord (0-0, 0.00) vs.  GRE: R- Andrew Hansen (1-1, 2.07)

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
Two-way player Jalen Garcia is not only batting .291, but now, he is leading the AppleSox pitching staff in consecutive-scoreless innings thrown...last night’s two-inning save took him a third of an inning past Connor Leedholm, with 6.1 consecutive-scoreless innings pitched...Garcia is 1-0 with a save in three relief appearances this year...his scoreless innings streak started June 7 at Walla Walla.

THE PRICE WAS RIGHT
Two hits, 5 RBIs, and a first collegiate home run on a second-inning grand slam for Parker Price?...just another day at the office for the AppleSox second baseman...he’s now batting .286 with 9 RBIs...his 5-RBI performance made him the 11th player in team history to drive in 5...2016-17 teammate Alex Gonzales did it on the last homestand.

BOYD BREEZES ‘EM ON BY
Hunter Boyd tossed 10 strikeouts last night, to become the first AppleSox starting pitcher since June, 2015 (CJ gettman vs. SF Seals) to accomplish the feat...Jarrod Molnaa struck out 10 in relief earlier this season at Walla Walla. 

SAY HELLO TO MCCORD
Another new pitcher for the AppleSox tonight is Western Oregon product Connor McCord...he will get the ball in his first start of 2017...the left-hander is coming off a season in which he made 11 appearances and 1 start (a complete game)...he threw over 45 innings for WOU.

DO IT FOR DAD
Happy Father’s Day!...the AppleSox are 13-5 all-time on Father’s Day, including two seasons in which the team played double headers on this special day...the only year the AppleSox did not play on this special day was in 2007.

PARKER PRICE BLASTS GRAND SLAM, APPLESOX TAKE GAME ONE FROM GRESHAM

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-8) got a big lift from the offense in the first three innings of a 7-4 win over the Gresham GreyWolves (6-10) Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Parker Price smashed the first pitch of a bases-loaded at bat over the left field fence in his second inning at bat, for a 6-0 AppleSox lead. He already brought in the game’s first run, on an RBI single that scored Dugan Shirer (aboard earlier on a double).

The AppleSox also got a run in the second inning on an RBI groundout for Jack Reisinger. In the third, Wenatchee completed its seven runs off of Brayden Bonner (1-2) with an RBI single from Adrian Vela.

Hunter Boyd (2-0) was flying out of the gates for Wenatchee. The right-hander retired all nine men to face him in the first three innings. He ended up racking up 10 strikeouts, and became the first AppleSox starting pitcher since June, 2015 to record 10 strikeouts.

Gresham did reach him for three runs in the fourth inning. Two RBI singles and a wild pitch brought the game closer. They also got a run off of him in his seventh and final inning on an RBI single.

McKabe Cottrell got the final out of the seventh inning on a groundout to keep the AppleSox ahead 7-4. The offense was stymied by Jeremy Polon out of the bullpen. The left-handed pitcher only allowed two hits over five relief innings.

Jalen Garcia threw the final two innings for Wenatchee, entering as a reliever from his starting spot in right field. He nailed down the save and retired Gresham in order in each of his two innings, and ended the game with his third strikeout.

The AppleSox improved to 5-1 in series-opening games, and are back to .500 on the season. Evan Johnson did see his 15-game hitting streak come to an end on an 0-for-4 night.

The AppleSox are back in action for game two, Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Connor McCord will make his AppleSox debut on Cashmere Night at the ballpark.

WENATCHEE WELCOMES GRESHAM FOR THREE-GAME WEEKEND SET

Bring the whole family out to Paul Thomas to see the AppleSox play at 7:05 Saturday, 6:05 Sunday, and 7:05 Monday against Gresham!

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (7-8) VS GRESHAM GREYWOLVES (6-9)
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.
WEN: R- Hunter Boyd (1-0, 2.63) vs.  GRE: R- Brayden Bonner (1-1, 4.35)

CLOSE GAMES
The AppleSox had their last three games decided by one run...Wenatchee is 4-4 in one-run games and 0-1 in games decided by two runs...the last two games Wenatchee has played in the series with Gresham have also been decided by a single run.

MUST HAVE FOUR
This season, if the AppleSox haven’t tallied four runs in a game, a win hasn’t been in the cards...Wenatchee is 0-5 in games in which they score three-or-fewer runs.

BOYD’S FIRST START
Hunter Boyd has been a good fireman reliever for the AppleSox this year, averaging 4 2/3 innings per relief appearance...he will now get the ball in his first start of the season, Saturday night.

TOUGH LOSSES
After last night, reliever Steen Fredrickson has been handed the ‘L’ in both of Wenatchee’s extra-inning losses this year...the AppleSox are 1-2 in extras this season.

HOW DO YOU FOLLOW THAT UP?
Wenatchee started the home schedule with a 4-2 homestand June 8-June 13...the AppleSox won both series 2-1, and took 2-0 leads in each of the two series. 

POWER SURGING
What’s up with this?...of the AppleSox WCL 3rd-best seven home runs, all have been hit on the road...the AppleSox will try to tally their first home home run vs. Gresham tonight.

SPEAKING OF HRs
Evan Johnson is averaging a home run per 15 at bats this season...the last time he hit a home run?...11 at bats ago...here’s to hoping he get’s four official at bats tonight.

WATCH ME JUGGIE
Evan Johnson (a.k.a. Juggie) is leading the WCL with a 15-game hitting streak and 18 runs batted in...the last time his hitting streak was in jeopardy past the fourth inning, was June 9 against the Victoria HarbourCats (6th inning single)...that was seven games ago...last night he extended the streak in his first plate appearance...the longest Johnson had to wait to extend the streak was in game 3 of the 15-game trend at WW...an 8th-inning single...he has extended his streak in his first at bat in 5 of the 15 games, including each of the last two nights.

ELKS WIN EXTRA-INNING PITCHER’S DUEL, TAKE SERIES FROM APPLESOX

Photo by Alyssa Taylor

BEND, Ore. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-8) couldn’t figure out the Bend Elks (7-5) bullpen, and fell 2-1 in a 10-inning pitcher’s duel at Vince Genna Stadium, Friday night.

It was the second game of the series decided in extra innings, and all three games in the series were decided by just a single run.

Wenatchee jumped to an early lead in the opening three innings off of Bend starter, and reigning WCL Pitcher of the Week, Caleb Henry.

Evan Johnson extended his WCL-best hitting streak to 15 games, with a first-inning single.

In the third, Jake Taylor drove in the game’s first run on an RBI single by grounding a slow chopper to the third base side, that couldn’t be thrown to first base.

The score held with Wenatchee starter Matthew Young (no-decision) offering up six scoreless innings at the start. Over his first six innings, he also didn’t allow a baserunner into scoring position. It was Young’s final appearance of the season for the AppleSox (temporary contract player), with a new group of players expected to join the AppleSox in Wenatchee, Saturday.

On the other side, Grant Larson was unhittable for the AppleSox. The left-hander gave up a walk in his first inning of relief in the fourth, before continuing on to retire 15 straight batters, over the course of six scoreless innings.

In the seventh, Bend drew even after Young allowed the bases loaded with two outs. A walk to Charlie Maxwell forced in the tying run, but Young struck out the Elk’s leadoff man to preserve the 1-1 tie.

That score held, with Steen Fredrickson (0-2) working out of two jams in the eighth and the ninth innings. Wenatchee was held hitless in the eighth and ninth by Larson, and in the tenth by Chase Thometz.

Bend pushed across the winning run in the 10th inning after two Fredrickson walks, a double steal, and a walk from Fredrickson’s late replacement, Tommy Watanabe.

With one out and the infield in, shortstop Joel Condreay made a beautiful diving play on a ground ball to his left, and attempted to throw home to catcher Jack Reisinger. The throw was ruled to have taken Reisinger’s foot off the plate, and the Elks won 2-1.

Cal Waterman drove in the winning run on the fielder’s choice.

Wenatchee returns home for a three game series with the Gresham GreyWolves, beginning Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Moses Lake native, Hunter Boyd, is scheduled to get the start for the AppleSox.

WENATCHEE AND BEND TO SETTLE SERIES IN RUBBER MATCH

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (7-7) AT BEND ELKS (6-5)
6:35 pm
Vince Genna Stadium
Bend, Ore.
WEN: R- Matthew Young (0-0, 4.26) vs.  BEN: TBA

BLOWN LEAD/LOSS
The AppleSox have now surrendered leads in games they ended up losing three times this year...additionally they have been the team that has come-from-behind, twice...one of those two wins was in game one of the series with these Bend Elks.

SEASON SERIES
Bend and Corvallis are the two teams that the AppleSox will face just once this year, in series play...Bend will not travel to Wenatchee the remainder of this season, so tonight’s meeting decides this three game series, as well as the 2017 season series...the AppleSox have played in one rubber match game this year, June 7, at Victoria...Wenatchee was victorious 9-0.

NEW STARTER
The AppleSox rolled the dice last night, and went for a series win, using Friday’s originally-scheduled starter Collin Maier...that means Matthew Young will make his first start of the summer tonight, in an effort to lift Wenatchee in game three of the series...the AppleSox desperately need a lift in the starting pitching department...of their active arms who have starts so far the season, the combined pitching record is 2-4, and Collin Maier is the only active starter who holds a win (he is responsible for both of Wenatchee’s two SP wins).

VERSUS TEAMS WITH A WORSE RECORD
Weird stat here...when the AppleSox are playing a team with a worse record on the season, they are 1-3...the AppleSox are 6-3 against teams with a better record.

BAD-LUCK BLUES
Wenatchee is happy to be back in red uniforms tonight...so far, the AppleSox are 0-3 in their visiting blue uniforms...between home and the road, the AppleSox are a combined 5-2 in the red tops.

BEND USES LATE HOME RUN TO COME-FROM-BEHIND, EVEN SERIES

BEND, Ore. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-7) jumped to an early 7-3 lead over the Bend Elks (6-5), but faltered late for a 10-9 loss, Thursday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

The Elks used a late home run from Niko Holm to claim a 10-9 advantage. Holm hit his two-run shot over the wall in left-center field in the bottom half of the eighth inning with one out off of Collin Maier (2-1).

The AppleSox jumped to two early advantages. After the top half of the first, Wenatchee led 3-0, following an RBI double for Evan Johnson, a wild pitch, and an RBI single for Reagan Teegarden.

Bend answered right back in its half of the first, with three runs of its own off of AppleSox starter Gerald Hein, on three walks, an RBI single, wild pitch, and sacrifice fly.

Hein struggled, allowing four runs on four hits in the first four innings. He also walked four batters during his outing.

The offense lifted the AppleSox up with a four-run second to claim a 7-3 lead. Jacob Prater and Adrian Vela each cashed in single RBIs, while Parker Price delivered a 2-RBI double for the advantage. Wenatchee added another run in the fourth, on an error against Bend’s catcher. Johnson, aboard on his second double, was able to score on the play.

Bend began its comeback in the third. The fourth run off of Hein was on a solo shot to right-center field for Bend’s Rocco Ferrari.

The AppleSox tried to turn to Collin Maier in the fifth, with a four run lead. Maier was scheduled to be tomorrow’s starter, but came in to pitch in place of a thin bullpen. Maier allowed two runs in his first inning, on an RBI single and double.

The Elks scored again in the sixth on an RBI single, and once more in the seventh on an error at second base.

Wenatchee took the lead in the top of the eighth on a perfectly placed and timed suicide squeeze bunt from Parker Price. It scored Johnson, who was originially aboard on his third hit of the night.

With the lead, Maier allowed a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to Holm. Bend’s Khalil Rivera (1-1) held on in the ninth, despite a one-out double from Adrian Vela.

The Bend bullpen only allowed one run after the fourth inning, to back a difficult outing for starter Kyle Cantu.

Game three decides the series, Friday night. The AppleSox plan to start Matthew Young for the 6:35 p.m. first pitch at Vince Genna Stadium.

APPLESOX COULD CLAIM FOURTH-STRAIGHT SERIES WIN, THURSDAY

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (7-6) AT BEND ELKS (5-5)
6:35 pm
Vince Genna Stadium
Bend, Ore.
WEN: L- Gerald Hein (0-1, 3.97) vs.  BEN: TBA

EXTRA-INNING WIN
The AppleSox won in extra innings lsat night for the first time since June 10, 2015...a game the AppleSox won on the road at Walla Walla, 3-0, in 10 innings...the AppleSox are now 35-34 in extra-inning games and 3-3 all-time in extras versus the Elks...4-of-6 extra-inning meetings have been at Vince Genna Stadium....last night’s 8-7 score avenged an 8-7 loss in the last extra -inning meeting between the two teams.

TOUGH TO SCORE
After last night’s two-inning performance, Connor Leedholm has now thrown 6-consecutive scoreless innings to lead all AppleSox pitchers this season...Leedholm has retired all 18 batters to face him this season...tonight’s AppleSox starter is a third of an inning behind Leedholm, with 5 2/3 scoreless innings dating to his last start.

AGAINST THE SOUTH
The AppleSox are now an impressive 3-1 against the WCL South...the AppleSox will continue their next eight games against WCL South opponents (Bend and Gresham) before facing the Port Angeles Lefties to return to north action...the AppleSox only have that three came series remaining inside North Division play in the first half of the WCL season.

GETTING HOT
The AppleSox are 7-3 in their last 10 games after suffering a season-opening sweep at Walla Walla...the 7-3 record over the last 10 games is second only to the league’s leading team over that span, the Corvallis Knights...Corvallis is 8-2 on the season, and also won last night in extra innings.

FOUR-STRAIGHT SERIES WINS
The AppleSox are playing for a fourth-straight series win, Thursday...the last time the AppleSox won four-straight series was June 10-26 of last season...all four of those series were won two games to one...the AppleSox beat Corvallis, Walla Walla, Bend, and Gresham for the four-straight

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Pitching Coach Riley Drongesen was named to the Yakima Valley College coaching staff for the 2018 baseball season last week...the entire AppleSox coaching staff is now from Yakima Valley College.

APPLESOX TAKE SEE-SAW EXTRA INNING BATTLE FROM BEND, 8-7

Tanner Williams hit the go-ahead single for the AppleSox to break a 7-7 tie in the 11th inning, Wednesday.

BEND, Ore. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-6) overcame an early 1-0 deficit and three ties and two lead changes to take down the YaBend Elks (5-5), 8-7 in 11 innings at Vince Genna Stadium, Wednesday night.

The Bend Elks started the scoring in the second inning on an RBI ground ball off the bat of Niko Holm.

The AppleSox took the lead in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single for Jake Taylor. Jack Reisinger singled home Taylor later in the inning for a 2-1 AppleSox advantage.

Bend tied the game in the fourth inning on an RBI single, before Evan Johnson put the AppleSox up by three runs on a three-run home run to left field. It was Johnson’s fourth home run of the season, and allowed him to drive in a WCL-leading 17 runs.

McKabe Cottrell (no-decision) made his AppleSox debut and fired four innings, while only allowing two runs. He struck out five batters.

Against Hugh Smith (no-decision) the Elks evened the score in the bottom of the fifth inning on a fielder’s choice, followed by a throwing error that allowed a second run to score. Later, the Elks added a third tally on an RBI single later in the inning.

In the seventh, the AppleSox took the lead again, with a sacrifice fly by Reisinger and an RBI single for Alex Gonzales.

The Elks tied things the next half inning off of Smith on an RBI triple and an RBI double.

Connor Leedholm fired another two scoreless innings on his season in the eighth and the ninth innings (he has not allowed a batter to reach base yet this season).

While the AppleSox couldn’t bring home a go-ahead run in the eighth or the ninth innings, Jalen Garcia moved from right field to pitch in the 10th.

He got out of a tough one-out spot and stranded a runner at second in the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.

His replacement in the field, Tanner Williams, hit in Reisinger’s DH spot in the 11th. Following a Johnson single and a Garcia sacrifice, Williams drove in Johnson on an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

In the bottom of the 11th, Garcia put the game away after two runners got to second and third base against him, with only one out. He promptly struck out the next man and forced a line drive right at Parker Price at second base to win the game.

The AppleSox have now won four-straight series-opening games and play game two, Thursday. Gerald Hein (0-1) will pitch for the AppleSox in another 6:35 p.m. start.  

APPLESOX OPEN SERIES IN BEND, WEDNESDAY

The AppleSox are in Bend, Ore. for their only meeting with the Elks this year. Pictured above: Bend, Ore. Old Mill district. 

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (6-6) AT BEND ELKS (5-4)
6:35 pm
Vince Genna Stadium
Bend, Ore.
WEN: L- McKabe Cottrell (0-0, 0.00) vs.  BEN: TBA

HOT START FOR REDHAWK ADDITIONS
Jack Reisinger and Jake Taylor are off to quick starts at the plate for the AppleSox...the Seattle U catcher and third baseman are a combined 10-for-19 at the plate to open their AppleSox summers...Reisinger struck for two hits yesterday, including a double, while Taylor had four hits in his debut two nights back. 

COTTRELL TO DEBUT
McKabe Cottrell will see his first action of 2017 tonight in Bend...the Gonzaga freshman just wrapped up an impressive high school career at Freeman HS (Rockford, Wash.)...he was a three-time First Team All-State selection and set school records for ERA (0.482), strikeouts (144), and innings pitched (72 2/3)...he helped the Scotties to the State playoffs this last spring.

GAME ONES
The AppleSox have been playing their best baseball to open series this season...Wenatchee is 3-1 in series-opening games and has won each of its last three. 

BULLPEN INHERITANCE
The AppleSox bullpen has struggled retiring runners inherited from its starting pitchers...of 13 runners inherited, the bullpen has only retired four...Wenatchee is 7-for-14 in retiring the first batters it faces. 

SOMETHING ABOUT THE ELKS...
Bend has beaten the AppleSox in 11 of the last 15 series meetings...Wenatchee did have the upper hand last time out against the Elks at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, July 14 of last year.

HAPPY FLAG DAY
The Applesox have celebrated Flag Day fairly well...10-5 overall, 6-4 league, 3-2 on the road, and have a 1-game win streak...this is Wenatchee’s second Flag Day game with Bend....in 2008 they blasted the Elks 14-2 at home...did you know Fairfield, Wash. is home to the oldest continual Flag Day Parade...the tradition is believed to have started in 1909 or 1910...Fairfield is an 8 minute drive from Rockford, Wash., the home of tonight’s AppleSox starter McKabe Cottrell.

NEALY DRAFTED
Last night’s AppleSox starter Colby Nealy was selected in the 35th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, today...former Sox Nick Valaika, Brett Stephens and Hunter Mercado-Hood were also selected. 

APPLESOX TAKE THIRD STRAIGHT SERIES, FALL 6-3, TUESDAY

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (6-6) couldn’t overcome a four-run sixth inning for the Yakima Valley Pippins (4-5), who shut down Wenatchee’s offense for a 6-3 win, behind a complete game from Gabe Taylor, Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Pippins struck first off of AppleSox starter Colby Nealy (0-1). In the first inning, after two quick outs, the Pippins cashed in an RBI single for a 1-0 lead.

The score held, as Nealy settled down, until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Evan Johnson extended his hitting streak to 12 games on a leadoff single. A wild pitch and two passed balls brought him home to score, to even things 1-1.

The Pippins took advantage of two Wenatchee errors in the sixth inning, and chased Nealy from the game. Yakima Valley plated four runs, and earned two off of reliever Steen Fredrickson in the frame.

The Pippins added a sixth run in the seventh on an RBI single, before the AppleSox could cut into the lead in the eighth with an RBI double for Johnson and an RBI groundout for Jake Taylor.

Jack Reisinger scored on Johnson’s double and had a steady two-hit performance, including a double.

Parker Price pinch hit and doubled in the ninth inning, but was left aboard for the 6-3 final. Taylor threw the first complete game of the season for the Pippins.

Despite the loss, Wenatchee won its third-straight series, and went 4-2 on the six-game homestand. The AppleSox pack up and head to Bend, Wednesday for a three-game series with the Elks. McKabe Cottrell (0-0) will make his AppleSox debut at Vince Genna Stadium in game one.

APPLESOX POISED FOR SWEEP, TACO TUESDAY

GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (6-5) VS YAKIMA VALLEY PIPPINS (3-5)
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.
WEN: R- Colby Nealy (0-0, 6.75) vs.  YVP:RL- Gabe Taylor (0-0, 3.00)
 

RE-WRITE THE RECORD BOOKS
The AppleSox set the new league record for runs in a West Coast League game last night, by scoring 25, passing the Bend Elks 24 runs scored against Victoria in a 24-5 final in 2015....the 33 combined runs last night was also a WCL record, breaking the previous mark shared by Wenatchee and Kelowna (32), after a 22-10 final in 2013.

TEAM RECORDS SET
Wenatchee set the following team records after last night’s unbelievable win...previous mark in parantheses...Runs 25 (Kelowna, 22, 2013)...RBI 21 (Everett, 19, 2004)...Hits 26 (Kelowna, 24, 2006 and 2013)...singles 22 (Kelowna, 21, 2013)...combined runs 33 (Kelowna, 32, 2013)...winning margin 17 (Spokane, 14, 2005)...runs in an inning 12 (Everett, 2000 and Kelowna, 9, 2012)

GARCIA, GONZALES & HISTORY
ast night, Jalen Garcia joined an elite class, becoming the third AppleSox hitter to collect three doubles in a game, in franchise history (Sam Hall, 2004 & Sam Brooks, 2014)...Alex Gonzales became the 10th AppleSox player to collect 5 RBI in a game.

BROOMS AT THE READY
Tonight, Wenatchee is trying to do something it hasn’t since 2015...the last Wenatchee AppleSox sweep was July 2-4, 2015 at home against the Klamath Falls Gems...last season, the AppleSox were swept five times without dusting up one of their own.

BIG WEEK FOR GONZALES FAMILY
A day after his younger brother turned in a sterling performance at the plate, former AppleSox ace Marco Gonzales returns to MLB action for the St. Louis Cardinals...the former 19th-overall pick, was called up after a long road back fom Tommy John surgery last season...he has pitched in 11 MLB games, with 6 starts, and has a 4.82 ERA with a 4-2 record...Gonzales will start his Major League resurgance in game two of a Cardinals doubleheader versus the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday.

APPLESOX TOPPLE PIPPINS, SET TEAM SCORING RECORD FOR LEAGUE GAMES

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (6-5) fell behind 6-0 early before scoring 17 unanswered runs for a 25-8 win over the Yakima Valley Pippins (3-5) Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The win set a new scoring record for the team in league play, beating the previous mark of 22, scored against Kelowna in 2013.

The AppleSox also saw all of their original nine hitters collected two or more hits in the victory, as the team went for 26 total hits in the series-clinching win. The AppleSox scored all 25 runs without a home run.

To make the night more remarkable, the AppleSox scored 17 of their 25 runs, unanswered, after the Pippins took a 6-0 lead in the top of the first off of starter Griffin Davis (no decision).

Davis’ guys rebounded in the fourth inning to bring 16 batters to the plate, while 12 runs came across to score on 11 hits.

The AppleSox also rattled off an eight-run eighth inning to put the game well out of reach.

All of the AppleSox starters and subs scored at least one run in the contest.

Alex Gonzales had the team’s first 5-RBI night since Connor Spencer collected 5 RBIs against Kelowna in 2013, and Jalen Garcia got his first three RBI of the season on three doubles. He went 4-for-5 in the contest.

Garcia, Tanner Williams, and Dugan Shirer each drove in three runs. Shirer and Evan Johnson extended their hitting streaks to 10 and 11 games, respectively.

Hunter Boyd (1-0) relieved Griffin Davis after the 12-run fourth, and picked up the win. He surrendered two runs over the next four innings, while registering four strikeouts.

Tommy Watanabe came on for his first outing of the season in the ninth inning, and struck out two batters, while only allowing one walk.

The AppleSox have won three-consecutive WCL series, and have a chance for a sweep versus the Pippins, Tuesday. Colby Nealy will pitch for the AppleSox in a game that starts at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

APPLESOX KESTON HIURA BECOMES HIGHEST MLB DRAFT PICK IN WCL HISTORY

The Milwaukee Brewers took Keston Hiura with the 9th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, to make him the highest MLB Draft pick in WCL history.

SECAUCUS, N.J. – Keston Hiura (2015) was selected No. 9 overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, Monday. At No. 9, Hiura is now the highest-drafted former WCL player and the league’s 10th player to be selected in the First Round of an MLB Draft.

The AppleSox now lead the WCL in former players selected in the First Round of MLB Drafts, with four. That mark leads the WCL, ahead of Bellingham (3), Corvallis (2), and Kelowna (1).

Hiura joins Clayton Mortensen (2007, St Louis, 36th), Marco Gonzales (2013, St. Louis, 19th), and James Kaprielian (2015, New York Yankees, 16th) as former AppleSox to be selected in the First Round.

Hiura hit .442 this spring for the UC Irvine Anteaters, and won the NCAA Division I batting title, while also leading the country in on-base percentage.

In Wenatchee, during the 2015 summer, he earned first-team All-WCL honors. He hit .356 for the Sox with 21 doubles, 6 homers and 42 RBIs; and a league-leading 6 triples, 119 total bases and .623 slugging percentage.

If the AppleSox can work in a second selection in the First Round of the 2017 MLB Draft, they will become the first team in WCL history to have two former players taken in the First Round of the same MLB Draft.