APPLESOX FALL IN GAME TWO, DROP SERIES AT YAKIMA IN PITCHERS’ DUEL

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YAKIMA, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (21-17, 6-5 second half) lost 5-2 against the Yakima Valley Pippins (19-19, 6-5), and the Pippins took the quick pitchers’ duel Thursday night at County Stadium.

Like game one, both starting pitchers were in their element. A hiccup in the second for Connor McCord (3-2) resulted in the first two runs of the game scoring for the Yakima Valley Pippins. Yakima Valley loaded the bases with no outs, including an infield bunt on a sacrifice try, that resulted in a single.

Dustin Yates drove in the first run on a sac fly, and a throwing error by McCord on a pickoff attempt brought home the second of the inning. Still, McCord got out of the frame with just a 2-0 deficit.

McCord threw 1-2-3 innings in the first, third, and fourth innings. Wenatchee got its first run in the top of the sith inning, on an RBI groundout for Jake Taylor after a single for Jacob Prater and a double for Evan Johnson. Prater went 3-for-5 and Johnson was 2-for-4 on the night.

Yakima Valley extended its lead off of McCord in the sixth, on a night when only two of his five runs came earned. McCrod gave up a two-out RBI double and single to Lucas Denney and Steve Sordahl. The fifth run off of him was in the seventh, on an RBI single for Dillon Plew. It was Plew’s third RBI of the series.

Pippin starter AJ Landis (2-3) was tough to get to for Wenatchee. They could only muster the one run off of him, and he departed after 6 2/3 innings.

Reliever Pete Minella got the save (1), allowing one run over the final 2 1/3 innings. Adrian Vela delivered on a bloop RBI single down the right-field line to give cut the Pippins deficit to three.

After Cameron Kurz struck out the side in the eight, the AppleSox couldn’t claw back in the ninth. Jordan Prendiz was hit by a pitch, but left aboard, and Yakima Valley took the 2-0 lead in the series.

Game three is Friday night at County Stadium. Left-hander, McKabe Cottrell (0-1) will get the start for the Wenatchee AppleSox at 7:05 p.m.

APPLESOX CARRYING LATE MOMENTUM FROM LAST NIGHT TO GAME TWO

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (21-16) - (6-4, 2nd Half)
AT
YAKIMA VALLEY PIPPINS - (18-19) - (5-5 2nd Half) 
7:05 pm
County Stadium
Yakima, Wash.

EFFICIENCY AT ITS FINEST
Michael Spellacy holds the Wenatchee AppleSox longest hittting streak at nine games...he also has hit safely in 15-of-16 games this summer for the AppleSox...the 2017 Puyallup High School graduate is one of four true freshmen on the 2017 AppleSox roster and has also pitched in seven games this year with a 1-0 record and a 3.72 ERA.

FAST WORK ON THE ORCHARD
At County Stadium (nicknamed the Orchard), the AppleSox have played the last four meetings with the Pippins in an average of two hours and 13 minutes each...last night’s game totaled two hours and 28 minutes.

PIPPINS RECENT SUCCESS
Currently the AppleSox series with the Yakima Valley Pippins is tilted the Pippins’ direction...Yakima Valley has won 7 of the last 10 meetings between the two teams...Wenatchee started with a 6-1 lead in the all-time series and now trails 16-12.

MCCORD MAKING HIS MARK
Connor McCord’s last start was against the Cowlitz Black Bears at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, July 13...he went seven innings and only gave up three hits, but was tabbed with a no-decision...the seven innings marked the longest start of the season for the sophomore left-hander.

JUST OUT-HIT ‘EM
The Wenatchee AppleSox are 16-0 this year when out-hitting their opponnent...the AppleSox were stifled last night in the first five innings, and only collected two hits off of Taylor Dollard.

APPLESOX TRY FOR LATE COMEBACK, FALL JUST SHORT IN GAME ONE AT YAKIMA

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YAKIMA, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (21-16, 6-4 second half) dropped game one 5-4 at the Yakima Valley Pippins (18-19, 5-5), despite mounting a late ninth-inning rally, Wednesday night at County Stadium.

Both starting pitchers worked quickly in the series-opener. Taylor Dollard (5-0) lasted 6.2 innings, for his longest outing of the season. With his victory, he also tied AppleSox starter Collin Maier for most wins in the WCL.

Dollard gave up no runs in the first five innings on just two AppleSox hits. Boyd (3-2) was also mostly dominant for the AppleSox, but did allow two home runs. The first, in the second inning, was a 2-run shot for Dustin Yates. The second, in the third inning, was a leadoff solo home run for Lucas Denney.

Wenatchee plated two unearned off of Dollard in the sixth inning, on an error at shortstop, following a Jacob Prater hit by pitch and Evan Johnson double.

Michael Spellacy pitched two innings of relief, and after a 1-2-3 seventh, he gave up two runs in the eighth on a pinch-hit 2-RBI single for Dillon Plew. The hit gave Yakima Valley a 5-2 lead.

The insurance runs proved pivotal in the ninth, when William Adair was trying to nail down his first save of the season.

After retiring six-straight out of the bullpen, including the leadoff man in the ninth, The AppleSox used a walk of Jalen Garcia and a single for Adrian Damla to put two aboard. A fly ball for the second out moved Garcia to third base.

Jack Reisinger and Spellacy each followed with clutch 2-out singles to cut the deficit to one at 5-4, and put the tying run (pinch runner, Jordan Prendiz) at third base.

Dugan Shirer popped out to second base, and Yakima Valley was just able to hold on for the 5-4 win.

Wenatchee plays game two at Yakima Valley, Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at County Stadium, and Connor McCord will get the start for Wenatchee.

APPLESOX OPEN 12-STRAIGHT LEAGUE GAMES, FIRST VISIT YAKIMA

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (21-15) - (6-3, 2nd Half)
AT
YAKIMA VALLEY PIPPINS - (17-19) - (4-5 2nd Half) 
7:05 pm
County Stadium
Yakima, Wash.

CENTURY MARK
AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel is back in Yakima, where he coaches during the collegiate season at Yakima Valley College...Krustangel has won 67 games at YVC and another 33 with the U19 Senior Legion Yakima Beetles, who he coached last summer...in total Coach Krustangel has 100 coaching victories in the Palm Springs of Washington, in three baseball seasons...every team he has coached for that has won at least one game in Yakima has made their respective postseason. 

LAST TIME HERE
The last time tonight’s starting pitcher Hunter Boyd, Head Coach Kyle Krustangel, and Assistant Coach Cash Ulrich stepped foot on County Stadium turf, they were guests of honor...the Yakima Valley Pippins invited them to honor Yakima Valley College’s 2016 NWAC Championship at the Pippin’s 2016 Home-Opening Night...the game, June 6, 2016, went to the Pippins who were hosting the Bend Elks...Yakima Valley won 3-1.

THROWING SMOKE
Hunter Boyd has struck out the third-most batters in the WCL this season...with 45 K’s, he is three away from the league lead (48)...he threw four innings of two-run six hit ball in the winning effort over the Yakima Valley Pippins, 25-8, back on June 12...it was the first of 3-consecutive wins for Boyd.

REMEMBER THE TIME
The Yakima Valley Pippins certainly don’t want the flashback, but the AppleSox had a ton of fun back on June 12 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...after falling behind 6-0 in the top of the first, the AppleSox went on to score 25 of the games next 27 runs, en route to a league-record 25-run game...Wenatchee set the following team records in the 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)

APPLESOX STUNNED LATE, DROP NON-LEAGUE CONTEST WITH HIGHLINE

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (21-15, 6-3 second half) fell 8-5 in a non-league contest to the Highline Bears, Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. A lucky fan did win a Hawaiian vacation package for two, in a postgame contest.

The AppleSox took a lead in the pitcher’s duel in the fourth inning on a leadoff solo home run in the inning for Jalen Garcia. It was Garcia’s first non-league home run, to go along with two league blasts.

Highline tied the game in the fifth inning on an RBI single for Chase Hodkinson, following an AppleSox error.

Mike Townsend (no decision) and Daniel Peugh (no decision) were each effective in their starts. Peugh allowed only the home run in five innings, and Townsend gave up only one run through six frames.

Wenatchee grabbed Townsend a 4-run lead in the sixth on a fielder’s choice RBI and a bases-clearing 3-RBI triple for Jacob Prater to center field off of Karl Stahlfeld.

In Townsend’s seventh inning of work, Highline scored four runs, stemming from a double, error at second base, and RBI single for Johnny Sage. After Townsend hit a batter, Wenatchee turned to Easton Henke out of the bullpen and he was able to limit the damage to three runs, on just one more RBI single for Matt Stuart.

Highline mounted it’s big inning in the eighth, to overcome a 5-4 deficit and claim the 8-5 lead. The Bears strung together four hits, around a walk, including two doubles. Cole Chambers delivered a 2-RBI single to put Highline ahead for good.

Cameron Kurz threw a scoreless, 1-2-3 eighth inning for the AppleSox.

The Bears shut down Wenatchee in the eighth and ninth innings with Stahlfeld and Cole Connolly. Connolly allowed the first two men of the ninth aboard, but erased them with a 5-4-3 double play. A sliding feet-first catch in center field by Johnny Sage wrapped up the win for the Bears.

HAWAIIAN NIGHT, TUESDAY, AND APPLESOX WELCOME HIGHLINE BEARS

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (21-15) - (6-3, 2nd Half) - 3-0 WCL Non-League
VS
HIGHLINE BEARS - 0-1 WCL Non-League
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.

The Wenatchee AppleSox, Journey Travel and Tours, and Sunny FM will celebrate Hawaiian Night, Tuesday, July 18, and a lucky fan will take home a dream Hawaiian vacation package, including airfare, hotel, rental car, and a snorkeling and Catamaran tour. First pitch versus the Highline Bears is at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The package, provided by Journey Travel and Tours, is to the big island of Hawaii. The roundtrip airfare, sets the contest winner and one guest up for FIVE nights at the beautiful Mauna Lani Point resort. While on the trip, they will enjoy driving around in a convertible rental car and also be taken on a Catamaran snorkel tour.

Fans can expect in-between inning live Hula performances, produced by Momi Palmieri, a Windermere Real Estate Broker and Hula instructor, and each inning a ticket will be drawn to enter fans, 18 and older, into a postgame contest for a chance to win the inclusive vacation to Hawaii.

The final postgame competition will be hosted by Sunny FM’s Dave in the Morning on the field, after the final out of the non-league contest.

Fans must be present for the chance to win. Rules and regulations will be explained in detail at the game.

APPLESOX HAWAIIAN NIGHT, TUESDAY, JULY 18, FAN WILL WIN DREAM HAWAIIAN VACATION PACKAGE

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The Wenatchee AppleSox, Journey Travel and Tours, and Sunny FM will celebrate Hawaiian Night, Tuesday, July 18, and a lucky fan will take home a dream Hawaiian vacation package, including airfare, hotel, rental car, and a snorkeling and Catamaran tour. First pitch versus the Highline Bears is at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The package, provided by Journey Travel and Tours, is to the big island of Hawaii. The roundtrip airfare, sets the contest winner and one guest up for FIVE nights at the beautiful Mauna Lani Point resort. While on the trip, they will enjoy driving around in a convertible rental car and also be taken on a Catamaran snorkel tour.

Fans can expect in-between inning live Hula performances, produced by Momi Palmieri, a Windermere Real Estate Broker and Hula instructor, and each inning a ticket will be drawn to enter fans, 18 and older, into a postgame contest for a chance to win the inclusive vacation to Hawaii.

The final postgame competition will be hosted by Sunny FM’s Dave in the Morning on the field, after the final out of the non-league contest.

Fans must be present for the chance to win. Rules and regulations will be explained in detail at the game.

APPLESOX PULL OFF COMEBACK, SWEEP FALCONS FOR WCL NORTH FIRST PLACE

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KELOWNA, B.C – The Wenatchee AppleSox (21-15, 6-3 second half) swept both the three-game and season series with a 7-4 win over the Kelowna Falcons (19-20, 2-10), after trailing 4-0 entering the eighth inning, Sunday night at Elks Stadium at Kelowna, B.C.

The AppleSox were shut out in the first seven innings by Kelowna starter Sam Menegat (no decision). He scattered nine hits and struck out eight batters without issuing a walk.

His bullpen fell apart in the eighth inning. Kelowna first turned to Andrew Alvarez out of the bullpen. Alvarez faced five batters, and gave up three hits. Jake Taylor and Adrian Damla both singled to start the rally.

After a flyout to right field by Jalen Garcia, Matt Reitano doubled home Taylor to cut the AppleSox deficit to 4-1. It was Reitano’s second hit of the night, after he entered the game with just two hits on the season.

Jack Machtolf walked off of Alvarez, to load the bases, and forced Kelowna to go to the bullpen. The Falcons called on right-hander Ryan Smith.

Smith (1-1) walked two batters with the bases loaded, and allowed the AppleSox to cut the deficit to one run at 4-3.

Kelowna again went to the bullpen, and called on Chase Wiger. Wiger walked a batter with the bases loaded to tie the game, and then issued a wild pitch to allow Wenatchee to claim a 5-4 lead. Another walk, re-loaded the bases for Wenatchee.

Anthony Garcia was the last out of the bullpen for Kelowna in the inning. He also walked home a run with the bases loaded. It was the sixth-consecutive walk for the AppleSox, who brought 12 batters to the plate in the inning.

Leading 6-4, Adrian Damla hit a bases loaded 4-6 groundout for another RBI and a 7-4 AppleSox lead.

Steen Fredrickson (1-2) was on the mound in the seventh inning, and gave Kelowna its 4-0 lead on an RBI single. He recovered in the seventh to strike out the side. In the eighth, he struck out the side again, working his three punchouts around one walk.

Connor Leedholm finished the game with a 1-2-3 ninth and earned the save (4). He issued the 11th-consecutive out on a strikeout for the AppleSox to finish the game (the outs were not recorded consecutively).

Connor McCord tossed two strikeouts in his one inning of work in the sixth. McKabe Cottrell started the game with five innings of two-run baseball. Cottrell was tabbed with a no decision.

With the sweep, Wenatchee went 6-0 this year against the Kelowna Falcons. It was the AppleSox first season series sweep of six-or-more games since Wenatchee went 6-0 versus the Kitsap BlueJackets in 2013.

The AppleSox are now in sole possession of first place in the WCL North Second Half, and are a half a game ahead of the Victoria HarbourCats in the standings at the All Star Break.

Wenatchee will have a day off Monday and then the AppleSox, Journey Travel and Tours, and Sunny FM will celebrate Hawaiian Night, Tuesday, July 18, and a lucky fan will take home a dream Hawaiian vacation package, including airfare, hotel, rental car, and a snorkeling and Catamaran tour. First pitch versus the Highline Bears is at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

APPLESOX AIM FOR FIRST, IN FINAL GAME BEFORE ALL-STAR BREAK

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (20-15) - (5-3, 2nd Half) AT KELOWNA FALCONS (19-19 - (2-9, 2nd Half)
6:05 pm
Elks Stadium
Kelowna, B.C.

SWEEP THE SEASON SERIES
The last time the Wenatchee AppleSox swept a season series from an opponent was July 2-4, 2015 in a three-game set against the Klamath Falls Gems at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...the AppleSox also swept Medford in three games that season...the last time Wenatchee swept a season series that spanned two-or-more series was against the Kitsap BlueJackets in 2013...the AppleSox swept the BlueJackets twice that year, June 21-23 at home and July 5-7 on the road.

VERSUS LEFTIES
The Wenatchee AppleSox have got to get it turned around against left-handed starting pitching...they are 3-5 vs. lefties this year, as opposed to 17-10 vs. right-handers...tonight, they face left-hander Sam Menegat.

JUGGIE WATCH
Evan Johnson continues to inch closer and closer to the AppleSox and West Coast League single-season RBI records...with three RBIs last night, Johnson is now at 44 for the season...four RBI would tie him with Mitchell Gunsolus (2012) for the AppleSox single-season RBI record...seven RBI would tie Johnson for the WCL single-season record, set in 2014 by Vince Fernandez (Yakima Valley Pippins)...Gunsolus had 54 games in 2012 to set the AppleSox RBI record...Johnson has played in 35 so far for the AppleSox, and will have 57 opportunities this season.

OH, CANADA
The AppleSox might want to set up a satellite camp in British Columbia...the team is 8-9 on the road in total this year, but 4-1 in Canada.

100th UP NORTH
Tonight the AppleSox are playing their 100th game above the lower 48...in Canada, the AppleSox are 63-36 all-time.

ON A ROLL
Wenatchee is 5-0 in its previous tries versus the WCL North and has won 8-consecutive divisional matchups...since the season-opening sweep to the Walla Walla Sweets, the AppleSox are 12-2 versus the North.

SEEING DOUBLE
The Wenatchee AppleSox have turned 10 double plays over the course of the last three games...Josh Zamora has recorded an assist on seven of the last 10 AppleSox double plays.

WENATCHEE OUT-SLUGS KELOWNA IN 11-INNING BATTLE, PRATER DELIVERS GAME-WINNING DOUBLE

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KELOWNA, B.C – The Wenatchee AppleSox (20-15, 5-3 second half) fought back for a 7-4 win in 11 innings over the Kelowna Falcons (19-19, 2-9), after losing a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning, Saturday night at Elks Stadium at Kelowna, B.C.

The AppleSox took the lead back for good, in the top of the 11th inning on a 3-RBI double for Jacob Prater, a Wenatchee native. Prater came to the plate in the inning with the bases loaded and two outs, after he was unable to get the AppleSox a lead in the top of the ninth with two outs and runners on first and second.

Prater wouldn’t miss in his second try. He hammered a 2-2 pitch to the left-center field gap, and was able to place it off the wall to give Wenatchee the late lead. The eventual game-winning RBI came off of reliever Shea Barry.

Hugh Smith (1-3) earned the win for the AppleSox, and tossed a gutsy 3 2/3 innings on two days rest. Although he gave up the game-tying run in the eighth inning, Smith recovered and didn’t allow a hit in the ninth, or extra innings.

The game ended on a 4-6-3 double play, and the victory ensured the AppleSox a series win and also tied Wenatchee for first in the WCL North Second Half playoff race with Victoria. It was the third 4-6-3 double play the AppleSox had turned Saturday night.

Kelowna tied the game in the eighth inning by scoring two runs off of Mike Townsend, and then collecting one more RBI single off of Smith. The Falcons were trailing 4-1 entering the frame, and had been stymied by AppleSox starter Collin Maier (no decision) in the first six innings.

Townsend also threw a scoreless seventh inning after Maier’s start. Maier registered a personal single-game best six strikeouts, while scattering seven hits.

Wenatchee took the lead in the third inning on a 2-RBI single for Evan Johnson. He delivered again in the fifth inning, after a run-scoring error, with an RBI single for a 4-1 lead.

Johnson now has 44 RBI on the season and is four away from tying Mitchell Gunsolus’ (2012) team-record 48 single-season RBIs. Additionally, he needs just seven RBI to tie the WCL record for single-season RBIs, set by Vince Fernandez in 2014 for the Yakima Valley Pippins.

The AppleSox never trailed in the game, but were tied with Kelowna for four total innings. In those four innings, the AppleSox only allowed one hit.

Wenatchee is now 5-0 versus the Falcons in 2017 and has a chance Sunday for its second sweep of Kelowna in the last week.

Left-hander McKabe Cottrell (0-1) will get the start for the AppleSox at Elks Stadium at 6:05 p.m., Sunday.

APPLESOX CONTINUE WEEKEND SERIES AT KELOWNA

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (19-15) - (4-3, 2nd Half) AT KELOWNA FALCONS (19-18 - (2-8, 2nd Half)
6:35 pm
Elks Stadium
Kelowna, B.C.

 

THE TURNAROUND
Last night, the Wenatchee AppleSox won their 19th WCL game of the season, which equals the team’s win total from a year ago...the AppleSox are five wins from tying their 2015 total of 24 and 11 wins from equaling the 2014 team’s 30-win total...to guarauntee a winning record, the AppleSox will need to win nine of their remaining 20 league games...the last time the AppleSox went to the playoffs, (2013) the team won 29 games.

WCL NORTH SUCCESS
The AppleSox are 11-5 this season against the WCL North (8-10 versus the South)...the record includes seven-straight wins versus the North and wins in nine of the last 10 divisional matchups. 

IF IT’S A WIN...
Tonight, the AppleSox can draw even in the WCL North Second Half playoff race...Victoria (6-4) is not in league action tonight, and the AppleSox currently are .5 games behind the division-leading HarbourCats...Victoria and Wenatchee will not face each other head-to-head in the second half of the season.

TOP DOG
Collin Maier will get the nod as the starter tonight for the Wenatchee AppleSox...he currently leads the WCL with five wins this season (5-1)...Maier is making the first of two final scheduled AppleSox starts this year...he will be shut down after his next two starts, to preserve his arm for the upcoming season at WSU.

KEEP IT ROLLING
Although Maier didn’t earn a win his first time out against the Kelowna Falcons (July 9), he did work six innings and only allowed four runs...he surrendered seven hits and walked three while striking out three...Kelowna’s Chris Arpan and JT Williams each hit solo home runs off of Maier in his first outing vs. Kelowna.

FIRST SINCE...
If the AppleSox can pick up the series win tonight in Kelowna, it will be their first road series win at Kelowna since July 28-30, 2015 (two games-to one).

APPLESOX OFFENSE RETURNS TO FORM, WENATCHEE WINS GAME ONE AT KELOWNA

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KELOWNA, B.C. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (19-15, 4-3 second half) won Friday night, 9-7 over the Kelowna Falcons (19-18, 2-8) in a seesaw battle at Elks Stadium at Kelowna, B.C.

Wenatchee pounced on the Falcons out of the gates, with three runs in the first inning, spurred by three-consecutive singles. Dugan Shirer led off the game with a hit, and ended up going 4-for-5 in the victory.

Evan Johnson drove in a run on an RBI single - the first of two RBIs on the night - and extended his WCL-leading RBI total to 41. Josh Zamora also drove in two runs in the inning for the early 3-0 lead on Falcon starter James Brooks.

Wenatchee added another two runs in the third on a solo home run for Adrian Damla with one out in the inning. It was Damla’s second home run of the season. Jalen Garcia followed the blast with a triple, and scored on a Zamora RBI single.

Kelowna got one back in the home half of the third inning on an RBI groundout. Wenatchee again extended the lead to five, with an RBI groundout of its own in the fourth inning for Jacob Prater.

The Falcons delivered a five-run inning in the fifth to tie the game at six. After an error on the AppleSox, Kelowna scored all of its runs unearned, on an RBI groundout, three-run home run for Taylor Wright, and solo home run for Cole Mueller. Wright and Mueller hit their home runs back-to-back.

The AppleSox dipped into their bullpen in the sixth after taking a lead in the top half of the inning, when Matt Reitano scored on a passed ball. Kelowna tied the game in the home half against Cameron Kurz on a Matt Scheffler RBI single.

Wenatchee set its reliever, Kurz (2-0), up for the win in the seventh, when Garcia reached second on a dropped fly ball in right center field and scored on two wild pitches. The AppleSox expanded their lead in the seventh inning on Johnson’s second RBI single, which scored Shirer on his four-hit night.

Kelowna couldn’t score on Michael Spellacy in the seventh or eighth innings, and Connor Leedholm shut the door in the ninth inning, for his third save of the season, to go alongside a 3-0 record.

With the 9-7 win, Wenatchee improved to 4-0 against Kelowna this year and moved a half a game out of first place in the WCL North Second Half, behind the Victoria HarbourCats.

Collin Maier (5-1), who leads the WCL in wins, will start for the AppleSox in game two, Saturday, at 6:35 p.m. at Elks Stadium in Kelowna, B.C.

APPLESOX HIT ROAD FOR WEEKEND SERIES WITH KELOWNA

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

APPLESOX (18-15) - (3-3, 2nd Half) AT KELOWNA FALCONS (19-17 - (2-7, 2nd Half)
6:35 pm
Elks Stadium
Kelowna, B.C.

TURNING TWO
The AppleSox pulled off five double plays last night against the Kelowna Falcons...three of the double plays were inning-ending in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings...Michael Spellacy was involved in four of the double plays...he turned two 6-3 DPs and was also a part of two 6-4-3 DPs with fellow true freshman Josh Zamora.

GOING, GOING, GONE
Jordan Prendiz launched his first home run of the season over the right field fence last night...he became the 14th AppleSox player to hit a home run this summer...it was the team’s 26th home run of the season, which set a new single-season record...breaking the 2012 team’s home run record.

SERIES DOMINANCE
The AppleSox are rolling in the all-time WCL series versus the Kelowna Falcons...Wenatchee leads 71-27 and 34-15 on the road at Elks Stadium...Wenatchee just swept Kelowna July 7-9 and came from behind in two of the three games...in the final game of the series, Wenatchee erased a 5-0 deficit at the seventh inning stretch. 

WELCOME TO THE ROTATION
Wenatchee is adding new pitcher Easton Henke tonight...although he has not pitched in a WCL game this year, the former River City Athletic faced both Walla Walla and Wenatchee in non-league games...Henke does lead all WCL and non-WCL pitchers in non-league strikeouts, with 11...he fared well against Walla Walla, June 13, giving up only one run in 7 innings...he allowed seven runs against Wenatchee back on June 30 over four innings.

SLUGGISH
Evan Johnson is looking to get out of a miniature slump for the AppleSox tonight...in his last five games, he is hitting .211 (4x19)...the WCL RBI leader hit only .167 in six games against the Cowlitz Black Bears...versus Kelowna, Johnson is hitting .250 this year.

 

COWLITZ SWEEPS WENATCHEE, APPLESOX STAY IN SECOND PLACE IN NORTH SECOND HALF

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-15, 3-3 second half) were swept by the Cowlitz Black Bears (16-17, 5-1 second half), after Cowlitz erased a 2-0 deficit in the ninth inning, and the AppleSox forced extra innings, in a 4-3, 10-inning loss at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, Thursday night.

Connor McCord delivered a strong seven-inning quality start, and shut out the Black Bears, while his defense picked up a season-high four double plays behind him, including inning-ending double plays in each of the top of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.

McCord only gave up one hit in the first four innings, a leadoff single for Andy Armstrong, back in the first inning. He struck out three Cowlitz batters.

Wenatchee struck first in the third inning on Austin Merrill, with an RBI single for Jake Taylor with the bases loaded.

In the fourth, Wenatchee added a second run, on a 2-out solo home run for Jordan Prendiz. It was Prendiz’s first home run of the season.

That score held until the ninth inning. Connor Leedholm pitched the eighth, and got a double play on a popped up bunt that he threw back to second base to double up the only Black Bear base runner.

In the ninth, with a chance for a save, three runs scored after the AppleSox lost a ball in the sky, and Kona Quiggle delivered an RBI single followed by a 2-RBI triple by Mark Pearson.

The AppleSox tied the game in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Prendiz singled with one out to complete a 3-for-3 night. A Dugan Shirer double set up an RBI sac fly for Michael Spellacy to even the score at three and force extras.

Hugh Smith pitched the 10th inning, but gave up a run after a walk and an error at first base that allowed corner runners with only one out. Armstrong delivered a go-ahead groundout back to the pitcher for a 4-3 lead.

Kragon Kechely got the win for Cowlitz, while Jimmy Fouse pitched the bottom of the 10th to earn the save. He retired the AppleSox in order, including two strikeouts.

The AppleSox take to the road to face the Kelowna Falcons, Friday night. Wenatchee is still one game out of first place in the WCL North Second Half, behind Victoria. First pitch in Kelowna, Friday, is at 6:35 p.m. at Elks Stadium.

APPLESOX FENDING OFF SWEEP, THURSDAY VERSUS COWLITZ

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

Presented by Washington Trust Bank
APPLESOX (18-14) - (3-2, 2nd Half) VS COWLITZ BLACK BEARS (15-17 - (4-1, 2nd Half)
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.

EXTENDING THE RECORD
Last night, the AppleSox hit their 23rd and 24th home runs of the season, and with Connor McCord’s ninth-inning solo blast, the AppleSox have expanded on their team-record for players to hit a home run in a single season, as now 13 different AppleSox players have homered this year.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
The Cowlitz Black Bears won the three-game series last night, and also have staked a claim to the season series...the road series win was Cowlitz’s first all-time at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...Cowlitz swept the AppleSox in the two teams’ only meeting last year, at Story field...this year, they lead the season series 4-1 and have won 8 of the last 10.

JOHNSON CLOSING IN
Evan Johnson added another to his WCL RBI total last night...with 39, he is now 9 RBI away from tying the Wenatchee single-season record of 48 in a season, set by Mitchell Gunsolus in 2012...Johnson is 12 away from Vince Fernandez’s 2014 record of 51 runs batted in. 

AVOID THE SWEEP
The last time the AppleSox were swept was the season-opening series at Walla Walla...Wenatchee lost the third game of that set in extra innings at Borleske Stadium. 

GET TO THE ‘PEN
Two of Wenatchee’s top relievers are available tonight in Connor Leedholm and Hugh Smith...Smith is a 6-8 right-hander with a 92-94 mph fastball and Leedholm has 14 hitless innings this summer.

COWLITZ SURGING
The recent rise of the Black Bears, is evident...Cowlitz has hit six home runs in the series (team had 7 all year coming into the series in Wenatchee)...in the last 10 games their offense is hitting .282 and in the last five games, the average swells to .312...at the same time, the pitching staff has only given up 14 runs in its last 44 innings.

BLACK BEARS HAND APPLESOX GAME-TWO LOSS

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-14, 3-2 second half) lost 12-4 to the Cowlitz Black Bears (15-17, 4-1 second half), to take a 2-0 lead in the series, and earn their first road series win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, all-time, Wednesday night.

Wenatchee scored first, with a solo home run in the second inning for Josh Zamora. It was Zamora’s second home run of the season.

The AppleSox added on in the third inning against Cowlitz started Christian Cosby (3-1), with an RBI single for Evan Johnson. It was good for a 2-0 AppleSox lead, and was Johnson’s league-leading 39th RBI of the year. He is now 9 RBI away from the AppleSox single-season record.

Hunter Boyd (3-1) was fantastic in his first three innings, only surrendering one hit, and he had retired 8-straight batters into the fourth inning. That is when Cowlitz capitalized on two Wenatchee errors, and another two passed balls, for a 4-2 lead.

In the fifth, Cowlitz added another on a sacrifice fly, and Boyd’s night was done after five innings. He did register seven strikeouts and now leads the league in strikeouts (45).

Steen Fredrickson was first in relief. He gave up three home runs in the next three innings, as Cowlitz totaled its sixth home run of the series. The Black Bears entered the series with only seven home runs in total on the season.

Delvin Granberg hit his second home run of the series during the flurry. Another two Cowlitz runs scored in the ninth off of Mike Townsend, on two AppleSox errors, following a walk.

Wenatchee did plate two runs in the ninth inning off of Kevin West. Connor McCord hit a solo home run. It was his first home run of the season. Dugan Shirer also added an RBI single.

McCord (3-1) will get the start for the AppleSox Thursday. The series finale wraps up with a 7:05 p.m first pitch at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

APPLESOX AIM TO EVEN SERIES, WEDNESDAY, COUGAR NIGHT

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

Cougar Night With the AppleSox
APPLESOX (18-13) - (3-1, 2nd Half) VS COWLITZ BLACK BEARS (14-17 - (3-1, 2nd Half)
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.

 

END OF A STREAK
Last night, the AppleSox had a streak of nine-straight game-one wins snapped by the Black Bears...Wenatchee had not lost the opening game in a series since Opening Night, June 2 at Walla Walla.

ON THE LINE
The Cowlitz Black Bears have never won a series at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...tonight, the AppleSox have a chance to keep Cowlitz out of the series win column.

BRUSH IT OFF
When Marco Valenzuela hit his eighth inning home run off of Jacob Price, Cowlitz did something no other WCL team has against the AppleSox...hit three home runs in one game...Delvin Granberg and Nyles Nygaard also homered.

GETTING SOME HELP
Even though the AppleSox dropped game one, Tuesday, all other WCL North teams who were in play, dropped their contests to South foes...Wenatchee retains it’s first-place lead over the rest of the division, thanks to the success of the South Tuesday night. 

GARCIA BLAST
Jalen Garcia hit his second home run of the season last night...it was the AppleSox 23rd home run of the season...the 23 home runs are fourth-most in the WCL...Cowlitz, with its 8th, 9th, and 10th home runs, became the last WCL team to acheive a double-digit home run total.

BOYD BACK
Hunter Boyd is 2-0 at home and allows just over four runs per game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...Boyd is now fourth in the WCL with 38 strikeouts...five strikeouts will tie him for first in the WCL, with 43.

BACK FOR MORE
Christian Cosby beat the Wenatchee AppleSox in his last start, allowing just one run over the course of five innings...Hunter Boyd lost in his last start to Cowlitz, giving up six earned runs over four innings.

COWLITZ PUTS ABRUPT END TO APPLESOX GAME-ONE STREAK

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-13, 3-1 second half) fell 7-2 in the series opener to the Cowlitz Black Bears (14-17, 3-1 second half), to put an end to nine-consecutive game one wins and a six-game home league winning streak, Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

In his second outing against the AppleSox of the season, Cowlitz starter Trevor Conn (1-2) was difficult to figure out. He held Wenatchee scoreless into the seventh inning, surrendering his only two runs of the night on a Jalen Garcia two-run home run to left field that cut into a 5-0 deficit.

It was Garcia’s second home run of the season.

Other than that lone scoring inning, and a three-hit night from Jake Taylor, the AppleSox offense was stymied.

Wenatchee starter McKabe Cottrell (0-1) also worked a quality start, only allowing two runs over six innings. Cottrell allowed a solo home run to Nyles Nygaard in the first inning, and then another run scored via an error in the fifth.

Cowlitz added three more in the top of the seventh off of AppleSox reliever Cam Kurz. Delvin Granberg hit a two-run home run off of Kurz, following an RBI single for Andy Armstrong.

In the eighth, Marco Valenzuela homered off of Wenatchee reliever Jacob Price, and Andy Armstrong collected a second RBI single, to put the game out of reach at 7-2.

Cobi Johnson got the final three outs, in his first appearance in over a month for Cowlitz.

With the loss, Wenatchee saw it’s nine-game home winning streak (six league game home winning streak) come to an end, and now falls to 1-3 on the year against Cowlitz. The Black Bears have won eight of the last 10 meetings in the all-time series.

The AppleSox go for the rebound game-two win, Wednesday night on Cougar Night with the AppleSox. The WSU Cougar Cruiser will be at the 7:05 p.m. game. Hunter Boyd (3-0) will start for the AppleSox.

APPLESOX OPEN HOME SERIES WITH COWLITZ, TUESDAY

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GAME NOTES
MEDIA GUIDE

Icicle Brewing Co.
APPLESOX (18-12) - (3-0, 2nd Half) VS COWLITZ BLACK BEARS (13-17 - (2-1, 2nd Half)
7:05 pm
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium
Wenatchee, Wash.


COMEBACK KIDS
After Sunday, the AppleSox have now come-from-behind in eight-of-18 victories this season...Sunday night’s win was the team’s first when trailing after eight innings of play.

BEST WITH REST
The AppleSox enjoy their days off...Wenatchee has now won all four of its post off-day games this season...(two at home and two on the road).

STARS OF THE SHOW
The Wenatchee AppleSox landed three players on the 2017 West Coast League North All Star team...Evan Johnson, who is on patrol to become the most prolific hitter in team history, Dugan Shirer, who leads the team in stolen bases, and Collin Maier, the WCL wins leader.

KEEP CLIMBING
The AppleSox are now up to the 2nd-best record in the West Coast League for the entire season...Wenatchee has won 60 percent of its games...Corvallis leads all WCL teams with a 23-11 record and had won 10-straight games before last night’s loss to Kelowna...Wenatchee now holds the WCL’s longest-active win streak at 3.

A RARITY
The Cowlitz Black Bears pulled off something that only two other teams were able to do this year against the Wenatchee AppleSox, when the AppleSox wrapped up first-half play in a 2-1 series loss at David Story Field in Longview...for the Black Bears, it was an improbable series win...Walla Walla (3-0) and Bend (2-1) were the only other two teams to beat the AppleSox in a series this year. 

BEEN AWHILE
Cowlitz is making its first trip to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium since Aug. 3, 2014...a game the AppleSox won 9-4...since that meeting, Cowlitz is 7-2 in the series, and has won 7 of the last 10 meetings...the last AppleSox series win over Cowlitz was Aug. 1-3 of 2014, when the AppleSox won games one and three...Cowlitz has won each of the last three series meetings. 

BUSY APPLESOX HOMESTAND WRAPS UP WITH EXCITING GAMES AND EVENTS, TUESDAY-THURSDAY

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The Wenatchee AppleSox are off to a 3-0 start in the second half of WCL play, and currently are atop the standings in the WCL North Division, vying for the second playoff spot in the North. This week, they are home for another big three-game series, Tuesday-Thursday against the Cowlitz Black Bears. First pitch for all three games is at 7:05 p.m.

Tuesday's game is sponsored by the Icicle Brewing Company. You can stop by the community booth at the ballpark and meet the folks from Icicle Brewing Company, Tuesday. They are providing the great craft beers at the ballpark this season!

Wednesday is Cougar Night with the AppleSox! WSU alums get a dollar off their tickets when they wear their Coug gear to the ballpark.  The Cougar Cruiser will be there with some great prizes.  Show your crimson at Cougar Night at the AppleSox!

Thursday is sponsored by Washington Trust Bank, and they've got a lot planned! You could win one of two great jersey prizes.  Washington Trust will give away a Jason Hammel Kansas City Royal jersey, who played for the AppleSox in 2001, and a game-worn AppleSox championship jersey!

APPLESOX AUTOGRAPH PARTY, THURSDAY, 1PM, PYBUS MARKET

Join us at Pybus Market and get your FREE autographed AppleSox team poster.  Sponsored by Weinstein Beverage, Sunny FM, Parsons Photography and Pybus Market.

Meet the 2017 Wenatchee AppleSox team and get your poster signed by all of the players and coaches! You won't want to miss your chance to take home a valuable keepsake from the 2017 AppleSox season!

HAWAIIAN NIGHT, JULY 18, WIN A HAWAIIAN TRIP FOR TWO!

he Wenatchee AppleSox, Journey Travel and Tours, and Sunny FM, are proud to Celebrate Hawaiian Night with the AppleSox, Tuesday July 18 against the Highline Bears. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m., and throughout the game, fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win the opportunity to compete for a trip for two to Hawaii, including air fare, hotel, car rental and more!

In each of the nine innings, we’ll draw a ticket.  Then, those nine contestants will compete after the game, on field, in a contest hosted by Sunny FM's Dave in the Morning! Each contestant will toss a coconut from the pitcher’s mound to home plate.  Closest to the base (and a nearby Palm Tree) wins!

Enjoy Hula demonstrations, courtesy of Momi Palmieri, a Windermere Real Estate Broker and Hula instructor, pictured with her beautiful dogs, below.

Wear your best Hawaiian shirt and come see the AppleSox win! Oh, and yeah, you can be one step closer to your inclusive dream-Hawaiian vacation!