SOX RALLY TO TAKE SERIES AGAINST LEFTIES

PORT ANGLES, Wash. - Down by five runs after five innings, the Wenatchee AppleSox (7-10) rallied to defeat the Port Angeles Lefties (10-11) 8-7 and win two of three in the series.

Mason Marenco went 3-for-5 with two doubles and a home run. Marenco drove in three runs and his two-run homer to left field in the eighth was the difference. 

Five different AppleSox players recorded multi-hit games and Curtis Bafus (2-2) tossed six innings of relief to pick up the victory. Five of the Sox' eight runs came with two outs.

Bafus entered in the fourth inning and allowed three of his four runs in that inning, but retired 13 of the final 16 batters that he faced. Of Bafus's final 12 outs, seven came via strikeouts.

For the third straight game, the AppleSox scored at least eight runs on 12-or-more hits. Six of those runs and six of those hits came in the four innings as the Sox scored four runs in the sixth and two more in the eighth.

After the Lefties scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second, the AppleSox took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. Evan Williams began the inning with a walk and went to third after two wild pitches. Jacob Prater followed with a singled and then Connor McCord doubled in Prater. 

Port Angeles took the lead with two in the bottom of the inning. The Lefties followed with three in the fourth and their seventh run came in the fifth inning.

After that, the Sox went to work. Eight men came to the plate and four runs scored to draw Wenatchee within one run.

Cory Meyer led off with a single, Josh Taylor walked and both scored on Jordan Rathbone's first home run of the season. With two outs, Joey Magro reached on an error and Marenco doubled him in.

Two innings later, the Sox took the lead on a dramatic two-run home run by Marenco. After Magro reached on a fielder's choice, Marenco hit his second home run over the wall in left field to give the Sox the lead. 

With the win, the Sox have won their second West Coast League series victory of the season. They now return home to take on the Bend Elks for the first of three games that begins on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=447809

APPLESOX LOSE SECOND OF THREE AGAINST LEFTIES

PORT ANGELES, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (6-10) fell to the Port Angeles Lefties (10-10) 13-8 on Saturday night at Civic Field.

The AppleSox recorded eight or more runs and 12 hits for the second straight day, but dropped the second of their three-game series against the Lefties. Nolan McCafferty led the AppleSox with three hits and a walk.

The Sox took the lead first when Joey Magro started with a walk to lead off the game. After Mason Marenco singled to put runners at the corners, Jacob Prater grounded out to short to drive in Magro.

However, that would be the AppleSox' only lead of the game. Port Angeles scored twice in the second when each of their first five batters of the inning reached. A double play ball ended the inning, but the Lefties had a 2-1 lead after two innings. 

After Port Angeles got another in the third, they sent 11 men to the plate in the fourth and scored six runs.

The Sox got a run back in the fifth on another RBI by Prater. Nick Seamons walked to start the inning and went to second on a Magro single. After a wild pitch moved the runner to second and third, Prater grounded out to third for his second RBI of the game and his fifth RBI in the last four days.

The Lefties capped their scoring with another run in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Despite the deficit, the AppleSox continued to battle and put together a strong seventh inning. Magro led off with a single and then Marenco and Prater followed with a walk and single, respectively, to load the bases. Connor McCord singled to the left side to plate Magro, Michael Spellacy walked to bring in another run, and Kody Darcy reached on a fielder's choice to plate the third run of the inning.

Even with two outs in the inning following a strikeout, the Sox weren't finished. McCafferty and Nick Seamons both added RBI singles to close the scoring. All told, the Sox scored five runs on five hits, drew two walks and sent 10 men to the plate.

In the eighth, the Sox scored their eighth and final run. Marenco walked for the second consecutive inning, but was erased when Prater reached on a fielder's choice. However, Prater's hustle paid off when the AppleSox loaded up the bases and Darcy was hit by a pitch to bring in another run.

The rubber match between the AppleSox and the Lefties is Sunday at 1:05 p.m.  

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=447808#

APPLESOX WIN BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR V.S. LEFTIES

PORT ANGELES, Wash. - In their first extra-innings game of the season, the Wenatchee AppleSox (6-9) defeated the Port Angeles Lefties (9-10) 9-7 in 10 innings. 

The AppleSox scored twice in the 10th to pick up the victory in the series opener. Evan Williams hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to bring in the game-winning run and Joey Magro followed with an RBI single to pad the lead.

 Prior to that, there were five ties or lead changes in the game. The scoring began in the third inning when Jake Taylor reached on an error and Isaac Barrera walked. After Williams sacrificed both an additional ninety feet, Magro picked up his first of three singles to drive in Taylor. Mason Marenco followed up with a sacrifice fly to plate Barrera and give the Sox a 2-0 lead.

The Lefties got two in the bottom of the third when eight men came to the plate and a couple scored on a sacrifice fly and an RBI double to tie the game, 2-2. 

After a scoreless fourth inning, the scoring picked up again in the fifth. The Sox struck first as Barrera singled and Williams walked. After Magro reached on an error to score Barrera, another Marenco sacrifice fly made it 4-2. Jacob Prater collected his third RBI single in as many days to tack on the final AppleSox run of the inning.

Despite the three-run lead, the Lefties responded with three in the bottom half of the fifth to tie the game again.

With both starters out after five innings, the Sox again took the lead in the sixth. Kody Darcy led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third when Barrera reached on an error. With two outs, Barrera took off from first and was caught in a rundown, but before he was tagged out, Darcy stole home to make it 6-5, AppleSox.

However, the Lefties would take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh when Austin Earl hit a two-run home run to center.

Once again, a lead in this game would not last for long. Cory Meyer began the eighth inning with a double to the left-field corner and scored two wild pitches later. 

With the win, the AppleSox have now taken the first game in four of five West Coast League series this season. They'll go for their second WCL series victory of the season on Saturday, when they face the Lefties again at 6:35 p.m. 

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.wttbaseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=447807

APPLESOX TRAVEL TO PORT ANGELES TO FACE LEFTIES

APPLESOX (5-9)

v.s.

Port Angeles Lefties (9-9)

June 22-24

Civic Field

After completing a six-game homestand, the Wenatchee AppleSox hit the road to face the Port Angeles Lefties for a three-game series.

The Sox enter the weekend last in the North Division after dropping four of six games at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium over the last week.

Meanwhile, the Lefties just dropped two of three to the Cowlitz Black Bears, but avoided a sweep on Thursday night by winning 12-4. Those 12 runs scored were the Lefties’ second-most in a game this season and the fourth time that they scored double-digit runs.

The first two games start at 6:35 p.m. and the series finale on Sunday starts at 1:05 p.m. All three games can be followed by listening live on the AppleSox Radio Network.

Probable Pitchers

Friday

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Lefties: Rhyse Frey (0-0, 4.50 ERA)

Saturday

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-1, 2.16 ERA)

Lefties: Justin Dolezal (0-0, 4.00 ERA)

Sunday

AppleSox: Alec Gomez (0-0, 9.00 ERA)

Lefties: Dj Sutorius (1-2, 6.75 ERA)

Last Game

The AppleSox dropped Thursday night’s series finale with the Walla Walla Sweets, 10-4. Jacob Prater reached base in all four plate appearances in figured into all four AppleSox runs. He singled in the game’s first run in the first inning, then scored each of the final three runs after drawing two walks and being hit by a pitch.

Quick Road Trip

The three road games this weekend are stuck in the middle of two long homestands. The AppleSox are in the middle of a stretch in which 13 of 16 games are played at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The Sox will be back at home again after Sunday’s game and won’t leave again until July 6.

APPLESOX FALL TO SWEETS IN SERIES FINALE

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Jacob Prater drove in a run and scored three times, but the Wenatchee AppleSox (5-9) lost to the Walla Walla Sweets (9-6) 10-4 on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Along with Prater, Alix Garcia and Nick Seamons catalyzed the offensive output with 2-for-4 days at the plate. Three of the four AppleSox runs came with two outs.

The AppleSox got off to an early lead by scoring in the first inning, but never lead again after the third. Evan Williams was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the inning and then came around to score three batters later when Prater singled him in.

In the third, the Sweets sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs on two hits. Walla Walla cashed in on two hit by pitches, a walk and an error to take the lead.

Both teams scored runs in the fourth. After the Sweets made it 6-1, the Sox got one back in the bottom half of the inning. Prater walked to lead off the inning and scored three batters later on A.D. Pena's groundout to the right side.

Walla Walla got two more runs in the fifth, but the Sox scored one in the sixth. Prater again led off with a walk and scored on Pena's single, his first hit of the summer.

After the Sweets tacked on two more runs in the seventh, the Sox tallied their final run in the eighth inning. Prater was plunked to lead off the inning to reach base safely in all four of his plate appearances. 

Prater stole second base and then came in to score on a single by Sam Swenson.

The AppleSox hit the road next to face the Port Angeles Lefties this weekend. The first game is Friday and will be at 6:35 p.m.

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445031

GARCIA HOMERS, APPLESOX TOP SWEETS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Behind a two-run fifth inning, the AppleSox (5-8) defeated the Walla Walla Sweets (9-5) 3-1 on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Sam Wong allowed one run over six inning and Alix Garcia drove in the game-winning run with a home run.

Wong (1-0) picked up his second victory of the summer, first in West Coast League play, by striking out six. Attacking a primarily right-handed hitting lineup, Wong used his off-speed pitches to stifle and confuse batters.

Jeremy Yelland tossed two scoreless innings to bridge the gap between Wong and Troy Stainbrook, who struck out the side in the ninth to pick up the save. 

The AppleSox scored the first run of the game in the first when Michael Spellacy struck out, but reached on a passed ball. After a throwing error following Johhny Sage's fly out to left field allowed Spellacy to reach second, Spellacy scored on a two-out RBI single by Jacob Prater.

After stranding five runners through the first four innings, the Sweets tied the game up in the fifth. A sacrifice fly with the bases loaded tied the game up, 1-1. 

However, the Sox wasted no time in responding. Garcia hit his first home run of the season on the first pitch of the bottom of the fifth inning to give the AppleSox a 2-1 lead. On the very next pitch, Isaac Barrera doubled to the left-field corner and scored two batters later on a RBI single by Spellacy.

The AppleSox can pick up the series win on Thursday when they face the Sweets in the rubber match. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and tickets can still be purchased on applesox.com. 

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445030

APPLESOX DROP SERIES OPENER WITH SWEETS

Wenatchee, Wash. - Jake Taylor homered but the Wenatchee AppleSox (4-8) lost 7-3 to the Walla Walla Sweets (8-5) on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

In a game that the AppleSox never led, they could not overcome two errors and three wild pitches.

The Sweets struck for their first two runs in the second with two singles and three wild pitches. They would take a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish.

Taylor drew the Sox within one with his first home run of the season and the teams' second with his third-inning longball.

After the Sweets scored three runs on two hits and an error in the sixth, the Sox responded with two in the bottom of the inning. Evan Williams and Mason Marenco led off with consecutive walks and both would score thanks to an RBI single by Johnny Sage and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Rathbone to make it 5-3.

The Sweets made it a non-save situation with two in the top of the seventh to cap the scoring.

The AppleSox have now lost three in a row and are 1-4 in their six-game homestand. They will look to even up the series with the Sweets on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

Full boxscore: http://westcoast.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445029

HOMESTAND CONTINUES AGAINST SWEETS

APPLESOX (4-7)

v.s.

Walla Walla Sweets (7-5)

June 19-21

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium

The AppleSox' six-game homestand rolls on with a three-game midweek set against the Walla Walla Sweets at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

After dropping two of three to the Kelowna Falcons, the AppleSox dropped to .500 (3-3) at home in league and non-league play this season. The Sox hope to bounce back against the Sweets, who are fresh off a three-game sweep of the Bend Elks. The Sweets come to Wenatchee on a four-game winning streak and were not in action on Monday night.

All three games will start at 7:05 p.m.

Probable pitchers

Tuesday

Sweets: Dylan Riddle (First appearance)

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (1-1. 3.85 ERA)

Wednesday

Sweets: Bryce Moyle (1-1, 3.37 ERA)

AppleSox: Sam Wong (0-0, 3.37 ERA)

Thursday

Sweets: Ty Hueckman (0-0, 6.00 ERA)

AppleSox: Connor McCord (0-1, 18.00 ERA)

Promotions

Tuesday: Appearance by the Mariner Moose, sponsored by ESPN 900 radio, and Taco Tuesday

Wednesday: Salvation Army Food Drive, sponsored by Cherry Creek Radio

Thursday: Save at Home Night, sponsored by the Chelan County P.U.D.

Last Game

Monday night, the AppleSox fell to the Kelowna Falcons 9-6 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The AppleSox took a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning but were outscored 9-3 the rest of the way.

More History

The past two weeks have been full of significant milestones for the AppleSox. Last Tuesday against Corvallis, the AppleSox picked up their 600th victory in franchise history and then they picked up their 200th win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on Saturday night against Kelowna.

Tonight, the AppleSox will make more history as they play in their 1,000th game. In 19 years of play, the AppleSox have won 601 games as well as five West Coast League Championships.

First-Inning Strikes

In each of the final two games against Kelowna, the AppleSox struck in the first inning. Including non-league games, the AppleSox have scored 10 runs in the first inning this season. That’s the second-most runs that they’ve scored in any inning this year.

Top of the Order on Fire

Since drastically switching up the batting order last Thursday, head coach Kyle Krustangel has seen improved production atop the order.

In the last four games, the AppleSox first three batters are batting a combined .369 (17-for-46) and have produced a .436 on-base percentage.

The three regulars atop the order have been Joey Magro, Mason Marenco and Johnny Sage in that descending order.

Magro, who has started in all but one of the last four games, is hitting .416 (5-for-12) and has moved become the AppleSox second-best hitter with an overall .370. Last Thursday, Magro was a home run away from hitting for the cycle.

Marenco leads the AppleSox with a .575 slugging percentage and is hitting .312 (5-for-16) over the last four games. He was especially productive on Monday, when he went 4-for-5 and scored twice. 

Sage has been the most productive of the three at the plate since moving into the three-hole. He’s hitting .428 (6-for-14) over the four games. He’s driven in five runs in that span.

MARENCO COLLECTS FOUR HITS BUT APPLESOX LOSE TO FALCONS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Despite outhitting the Kelowna Falcons (5-7) and taking an early 3-0 lead, the Wenatchee AppleSox (4-7) lost the series finale, 9-6.

Mason Marenco went 4-for-5 at the plate with hits in each of his first three at-bats and scored two runs. His second-inning double was his team-high fourth of the season.

The AppleSox entered the fourth inning with a three-run lead after striking in the first inning for the second straight day. With one out, Marenco single and Johnny Sage doubled him in. On the next pitch, Connor McCord drove home Sage with a single.

In the third inning, it was Sage again coming through with an RBI. After Joey Magro singled and Marenco doubled to put runners at second and third, Sage lifted a sacrifice fly to left to plate Magro. 

However, that would be the last lead that the AppleSox would hold. Kelowna struck for three in the fourth on four consecutive singles to tie the game.

After neither team scored in fifth, the Falcons added two more in the sixth after a couple of errors. A solo shot in the seventh along with a passed ball and a balk helped bring in three more runs in the eighth for the Falcons.

The AppleSox gave it a fighting chance in the ninth when they loaded the bases and Connor McCord cleared them with a three-RBI double, but that was all that they would get.

After dropping two of three to Kelowna, the AppleSox will face the Walla Walla Sweets from Tuesday through Thursday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. First pitch for each game is set for 7:05 p.m. 

Monday's full box score: http://westcoast.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=445028

APPLESOX CAN'T HANG ON, FALL TO FALCONS

WENATCHEE, Wash. - Despite scoring three runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning, the Wenatchee AppleSox (4-6) could not overcome a furious, four-run rally by the Kelowna Falcons (4-7) and lost, 7-5, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to tie and then take a two-run lead. After a two-run homer in the seventh gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead, the Sox sent eight men to the plate in the eighth to take the lead.

It started with Johnny Sage walking and being advanced to second on a Jacob Prater sacrifice bunt. Alix Garcia doubled to right-center to score Sage and tied the game. After Jordan Rathbone reached on an error, Jake Taylor was plunked to load the bases with one out.

Nolan McCafferty followed with a bloop RBI single to center to score Garcia and give the Sox their first lead since the seventh inning. They wouldn't stop there, though, as Joey Magro hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Rathbone and make it 5-3, Sox.

However, the Falcons responded with a big ninth inning to take the lead. With one out, a walk, an error and a single made it a one-run game. With two outs, a high hopper over the head of third baseman Jake Taylor brought in the game-tying run. An RBI-double by the next batter drove in two and gave the Falcons a 7-5 lead. 

Prior to the seventh, the AppleSox had a 2-1 lead thanks to a couple RBI knocks by Sage. In the first, he singled to right field to score Mason Marenco after Marenco walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sage got RBI No. 2 of the evening in the fifth when he doubled in Michael Spellacy.

The AppleSox can take the series tomorrow when they face the Falcons in the series finale. First pitch is at 7:05 and Hunter Boyd (1-1, 5.55 ERA) will go for the Sox in the rubber match against James Brooks (0-0, 9.00 ERA).

APPLESOX TAKE DOWN FALCONS SATURDAY NIGHT

WENATCHEE, Wash. -  Despite two weather delays, the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Kelowna Falcons, 6-2, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

Michael Spellacy allowed one unearned run over six innings to pick up the victory in his first appearance with the AppleSox this season. Meanwhile, the Sox bats rallied for a three-run sixth to take a permanent lead.

Spellacy, an incoming sophomore at Gonzaga this fall, joined the team for the second straight season and made an impact immediately. After not making any starts last summer, Spellacy won his first start of 2018 and struck out four.

The Falcons scored first with a double and an error to take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third. The Sox responded with a run of their own when Joey Magro reached on an error by Kelowna shortstop Matt Voelzke then went to third after two wild pitches. Voelzke committed another error on a ball hit by Mason Marenco and Magro came in to score.

Despite tying the score, the AppleSox still did not record their first base hit until the sixth inning. John Sage hit a one-out single, Jacob Prater walked and then Conner McCord and Cory Meyer hit back-to-back singles to bring in two runs. A wild pitch during Jordan Rathbone's at-bat brought in McCord to make it 4-1, AppleSox. 

In the seventh, the Sox added another run when Isaac Barrera led off with a single and came around to score two batters later on Marenco's sacrifice fly to centerfield. Kelowna got a run in the eighth, but the Sox got the run back in the bottom half of the inning. Meyer was hit by a pitch, Rathbone singled and Barrera walked to load the bases. During Magro's at-bat, a passed ball scored Meyer.

Saturday's game was twice delayed by rain and lightning, first in the bottom of the eighth for 26 minutes, and again in the top of the ninth for 30 minutes.

The AppleSox go for the series win on Sunday night when Grady Miller (1-1, 2.53 ERA) takes the hill against Trevor Bridgen (0-2, 6.75 ERA) of the Falcons. First pitch on Father's Day is at 6:05 p.m. and, in addition to it being Wenatchee Valley Mall Night, it is a Spaghetti Sunday. Arrive at the park at 5 p.m. and grab a plate of spaghetti for just $7.75.

SECOND-LONGEST HOMESTAND OF SEASON BEGINS TONIGHT

APPLESOX (3-5)

v.s.

Kelowna Falcons (3-6)

June 16-18

Paul Thomas Senior Stadium

The Wenatchee AppleSox return to Paul Thomas Senior Stadium to play the Kelowna Falcons in the AppleSox’ first West Coast League home series of the 2018 season.

The AppleSox return home after a five-game road trip. Initially, it was supposed to be a seven-game stretch away from home, but all three of the AppleSox’ originally scheduled games in Portland were rained out. As a result, the Sox’ game with Gresham on June 11 was cancelled and the Pickles and AppleSox played a doubleheader on Monday.

Now, the Sox look to take their second West Coast League series of the season when they take on the Falcons. Kelowna enters Saturday’s game dead-last in the North after two weeks of play.

Last season, the AppleSox swept the season series, taking all six games from the Falcons.

Probable Pitchers

Saturday

Falcons: Owen Leonard (0-0, 5.40 ERA)

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (3-0, 4.56 ERA with AppleSox in 2017)

Sunday

Falcons: Trevor Bridgen (0-2, 6.75 ERA)

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-1, 2.53 ERA)

Monday

Falcons: James Brooks (0-0, 9.00 ERA)

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (1-1, 5.55 ERA)

Promotions

Sunday: Wenatchee Valley Mall Night and Spaghetti Sunday

Monday: Cashmere Night

Last Game

The AppleSox lost 5-3 to the Corvallis Knights on Thursday night to drop two of three in the series. The Sox had Friday off and they will not have another day off until June 25.

Magro Heating Up

Though the AppleSox dropped two of three to the Knights, second baseman Joey Magro was a bright spot at the plate. The Biola second baseman went 6-8 in the final two games against the Knights.

In the series finale on Thursday, Magro was a home run away from hitting for the cycle. He is now hitting .421, team-best among Sox batters with at least 15 at-bats.

Stainbrook Stifling Batters

Through eight games, reliever Troy Stainbrook has proven his worth as a high-leverage reliever. The Southpaw from Biola has thrown a team-high three times over 5.2-innings and has yet to allow a run this season.

In Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the Knights, Stainbrook struck out four batters in two innings, including striking out the side in the eighth inning. The scoreless outing gave Stainbrook his first save of the season and the Sox their 600th win.

Tight Division

Even with identical 3-5 record in West Coast League play, the AppleSox are by no means in trouble. The North Division-leading Bellingham Bells (8-5) are only 2.5-games ahead of the Sox and have three games at hand.

KNIGHTS STRIKE LATE TO DEFEAT APPLESOX

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Corvallis Knights (4-4) scored two runs in the eighth inning to break a tie and take the series finale 5-3 against the Wenatchee AppleSox (3-5).

The AppleSox out-hit the Knights, 9-7, and had a chance to take the lead in the eighth, but could not bring the go-ahead across. 

Joey Magro continued his hot stretch at the plate by going 3-for-4 at the plate for the second straight game. The second baseman from Biola finished a home run away from hitting for the cycle.

Using a vastly different batting order from any of the season's previous 10 games, the AppleSox got on the board in the first. Magro led off with a double to right-center field and came around to score after back-to-back groundouts. 

The Knights responded in the bottom of the second with two runs on a couple hits and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-1 lead.

After neither team scored in the third, the AppleSox tied the game in the fourth on three consecutive singles. John Sage and Connor McCord started the inning off with consecutive singles, then Cory Meyer played Sage with a one-out single.

In the fifth, the AppleSox took the lead on a Mason Marenco RBI single after Magro tripled with two outs. The lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth when Knights used a leadoff triple and a one-out single to even the game back up.

The AppleSox had an opportunity to take the lead in the top of the eighth. After Sage and Meyer reached base on walks and with two outs, Sage reached third on a wild pitch. With runners at the corners, Meyer took off for second and Sage took a healthy lead from third. Instead of the throw coming to second, it went to third and Sage was picked off to end the inning.

The Knights scored two runs in the bottom half of the same inning after a walk, a single and a triple to score both. The AppleSox were retired in order in the ninth to conclude the game.

Now, the AppleSox return home for their first homestand of the season that will come against West Coast League opponents. It begins on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with the first of three against the Kelowna Falcons.

APPLESOX DROP SECOND OF THREE TO KNIGHTS

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Corvallis Knights, 12-3, on Wednesday night at Goss Stadium. 

Joey Magro collected three hits in four at-bats, but it was not enough to lead the AppleSox. The team also collected 11 hits in the loss.

An RBI single in the second and another in the third gave the Knights a 2-0 lead. The AppleSox responded with a two-run fifth when they loaded up the bases. Mason Marenco drove in one with an RBI groundout to the right side and Jordan Rathbone singled in another to tie the game.

In the bottom half, Corvallis scored three times on three hits, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. The AppleSox would respond with an RBI walk by John Sage with the bases loaded, but that was all they would get. The Knights scored six runs on seven hits in the sixth and added another in the seventh to cap the scoring.

The AppleSox now look to take the series in the final meeting of the season between the two teams on Thursday at 6:35 p.m.

APPLESOX PICK UP 600TH VICTORY

CORVALLIS, Ore - With a 4-0 victory over the Corvallis Knights (2-4) on Tuesday night at Goss Stadium, the Wenatchee AppleSox (3-3) won their 600th game in franchise history.

Curtis Bafus struck out nine over seven scoreless innings and Cory Meyer went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the AppleSox to victory. Bafus attacked early with his fastball and late with his curveball to pick up his first win of the season. Meyer singled twice and was a couple of feet away from a home run, but settled for a double.

The AppleSox opened the scoring in the fourth inning when Conner McCord led off with a single. After a Jeremy Yelland single and a fielder's choice put runners at first and third, Nolan McCafferty lifted a ball to shallow right field that went in and out of the glove of Knights' second baseman Briley Knight and dropped for an error, scoring McCord.

Though that proved to be the eventual game-winning run, the AppleSox weren't finished. In the sixth, Meyer led off with a single and advanced to third after a single and a double play. He'd come around to score on Sam Waterman's RBI single to left field.

The AppleSox got out of several jams prior to tacking on their final two runs in the top of the ninth. After Taylor Poffenroth reached on a fielder's choice and Alex Garcia reached on an error by Knight, Garcia stole second to put runners on second and third. Conner McCord lifted a bloop single to center field in 'no man's land' to plate both runners and double the AppleSox' lead.

Troy Stainbrook tossed the final two innings to pick up the save. He struck out three batters in the eighth and another in the ninth to register his first save of the season.

The AppleSox will look to take the series from the Knights on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m.

APPLESOX, KNIGHTS OPEN THREE-GAME SERIES TONIGHT

APPLESOX (2-3)

v.s.

Corvallis Knights (2-3)

June 12-14

The Wenatchee AppleSox wrap up their five-game road trip with a three-game series against the Corvallis Knights that begins tonight at Goss Stadium.

The AppleSox and the Knights met three times last year with the two teams splitting a doubleheader on Aug. 3 and Corvallis taking the playoff play-in game on Aug. 7. 

Probable Pitchers

Tuesday

AppleSox: Curtis Bafus (0-1, 9.64 ERA)

Knights: Aaron Shoup (1-0, 3.00 ERA)

Wednesday

AppleSox: Steen Fredrickson (0-0, 1.00 ERA)

Knights: Connor Knutson (0-0, 12.27 ERA)

Thursday

AppleSox: Sam Wong (1-0, 2.57 ERA in one non-league start)

Knights: Daniel Slominski (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Last Game

With all three games from Friday to Saturday against the Portland Pickles postponed due to rain, the AppleSox canceled their non-league game with the Gresham GreyWolves scheduled for Monday and instead played a doubleheader with the Pickles. Portland took both games by scores of 3-0 and then 9-0 and held the AppleSox to just three hits.

Men Left On

Though they only collected three hits in yesterday's two games, the AppleSox still got runners on. The problem was, they couldn't bring them home.

In Game 2, despite only collecting one hit, six other Sox reached base via three hit by pitches and three walks. The AppleSox put runners on in every inning except for the fourth and fifth innings. In the first three innings, the AppleSox got a runner to at least second base, but could not score him. The AppleSox also left the bases-loaded in the third to strand three of their seven runners in the game.

Marenco Keeps Hitting

With his first-inning double in Game 1 yesterday, AppleSox infielder Mason Marenco continued his impressive start at the plate. He has collected all but two of the AppleSox' six extra-base hits and has the only triple and home run by AppleSox batters in league games this season.

Marenco, who will be a redshirt freshman at Gonzaga this fall, enters Tuesday night with a .412 batting average, third-best in the West Coast League. His four extra-base hits are the most by anyone in the West Coast League with five or fewer games played. 

PICKLES TAKE DOUBLEHEADER FROM APPLESOX

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Wenatchee AppleSox dropped their doubleheader with the Portland Pickles on Monday, losing 3-0 and 9-0 at Walker Stadium.

In two seven-inning games, the AppleSox completed two of the three games that were rained out this past weekend. The third game will be made up in the middle of July when the Pickles visit Wenatchee from July 18-20. 

In Game 1, Grady Miller struck out six and allowed three runs over 4.2 innings. Jake Cooper homered and Sam Novitske hit two RBI doubles to lead the Pickles to victory.

In the second game, the Pickles scored in every inning except for the first inning. The big blows were two-run outbursts in the second and fifth innings and a three-run surge in the sixth. 

The play of the day for the AppleSox came in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 1, when left fielder Sam Waterman robbed a would-be home run. Waterman reached over the left field fence to grab a fly ball hit by Daniel Lopez, then was flipped over the fence, but held onto the ball.

Now the AppleSox travel to Corvallis for a three-game set before heading back to Wenatchee. Tuesday's game against the Knights is at 6:35 p.m.
 

UPGRADE TO PAUL THOMAS SR. STADIUM COMPLETED THANKS TO DONORS

Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium has undergone an upgrade with the addition of a new asphalt surface to the concourse area around the gates and seating areas. This improvement will increase safety and accessibility for fans. It was made possible by donations from Beth and Dennis Dobbs of Horan Estates Winery and the Names Foundation.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this project to help further enhance our community and support the young athletes who are following their dreams,” said Beth Dobbs, co-owner of Horan Estates Winery.

The AppleSox are matching the donation amount through advertising to promote the Horan Estates Winery through the 2020 season. In addition, the AppleSox will now serve Horan Estates wines at the stadium beginning this summer.

“This is really a huge win-win for fans,” said AppleSox founder Jim Corcoran. “We are extremely grateful for this incredibly generous donation and for the great work done by the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation in coordinating this project.”

The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. It exists to build relationships between the community and the college and raise financial support for Wenatchee Valley College students, programs, faculty and staff, as well as special projects such as building campaigns like the Music and Art Center. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at www.wvc.edu/foundation.

APPLESOX, PICKLES TO PLAY DOUBLEHEADER ON MONDAY

PORTLAND, Ore. - Due to inclement weather, the AppleSox and Portland Pickles will play a doubleheader on Monday with the first game at 1 p.m. Both games on Monday will be seven innings.

Friday and Saturday's games with the Pickles were both rained out and as a result, Monday's non-league game with the Gresham GreyWolves has been canceled.

The AppleSox will start Michael Spellacy in the series opener on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. Grady Miller, the original starter for Friday's game, will get the ball for Game 1 and Hunter Boyd will start Game 2. 

All three games will be broadcast on the AppleSox Radio Network. Fans can listen in Wenatchee on 93.9 FM KCSY Sunny and 1470 AM KBSN in Moses Lake or online.

APPLESOX, PICKLES MEET FOR FIRST HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

APPLESOX (2-1) 

v.s.

Portland Pickles (4-2)

Walker Stadium at Lent's Park

June 8-10

After taking two of three from three different non-league opponents at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium this past weekend, the AppleSox are back on the road for a seven-game road trip. The journey begins with three games against the Portland Pickles this weekend.

Friday will mark the first time that the AppleSox and Pickles have ever met head-to-head. The Pickles, founded in 2015, played their first two seasons in the Great West League before joining the West Coast League this season.

Probable Pitchers

Friday

AppleSox: Grady Miller (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Pickles: Connor Pellerin (1-0, 4.50 ERA)

Saturday

AppleSox: Hunter Boyd (1-0, 2.57 ERA)

Pickles: Brad McVay (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Sunday

AppleSox: Michael Spellacy (3-0, 4.56 ERA last summer)

Pickles: Colin Suter (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Last Game

The AppleSox defeated the Highline Bears 8-3 last night at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium. Tyson Yamane allowed one run over seven innings to record the fourth quality start by AppleSox pitching through six games this season.

At the plate, first baseman Sam Swenson homered and doubled in the fourth straight game that the AppleSox scored seven or more runs.

Capitalizing on Mistakes

In three of the last four games an AppleSox opponent has committed four or more errors in a game and Wenatchee has won all three of those games. Sunday, the AppleSox capitalized on six errors by the Victoria HarbourCats en route to a 14-2 victory. Five errors by the Northwest Honkers on Wednesday led to a 9-2 AppleSox victory and the Highline Bears committed four errors on Thursday in the AppleSox' 8-3 win.

Historic Night?

The AppleSox are looking for a monumental win tonight. If Wenatchee defeats Portland, then it will pick up its 600th win in franchise history. The AppleSox, established in 2000, are in their 19th season of play.