This Week in AppleSox Baseball: Homestands, Sweeps, and Shutouts

Two weeks in, and the 2026 season is already shaping up to be an exciting one. The AppleSox played the Bellingham Bells and Kamloops NorthPaws in six games this past week, and each one brought its own flair.

The ‘Sox started in Bellingham and won their first series of the year 2-1. In game one, Hiroshi Johnson made his first start of the season and did not disappoint.

The JUCO right-hander spun five innings with only one run and three hits. Joseph Coupland, Noah Figuered, and Matt Torres backed him up at the plate, each driving in a run to help the ‘Sox win 3-2.

In game two, Wenatchee secured the series win in extra innings. Felix Schlede got his first start of the year and managed four scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

Nikko Paoletto stood out at the plate, getting two hits, two walks, and one RBI to bolster the offense. The game came down to the tenth inning, where a throwing error by the Bells scored the go-ahead run for the ‘Sox. Then, it was reliever Jonathan Christner who forced a double play to secure the 5-4 win and take the series. Christner was hyped up for the win, chucking his glove at the dugout after pitching two scoreless innings with four strikeouts to slam the door.

But, Bellingham got the last laugh in game three, winning it 3-2 in comeback fashion and walking it off in the ninth. Dylan Schlenger was the man on the mound to allow the walk-off, allowing two runs on four hits through 2 ⅔ innings.

Then, the ‘Sox made their way home for the first time this year to take on the NorthPaws. Going into the series, Wenatchee was one of the worst-hitting teams in the league, with Kamloops slugging the ball better than anyone else in the WCL. However, you would not have guessed that after the series.

The AppleSox swept the series, walking off game one, edging out game two, and coasting through game three.

Jonah Shields and Paoletto were the heroes of game one, with Shields winning player of the game with five hits, one RBI, and one run scored. Then, Paoletto walked off the game in the tenth inning, blooping a single into right field to win it 9-8 in extras.

Game two was all AppleSox all day long… until the ninth. Right-hander Luke Sterkel started the game and truly dominated from the mound. Seven innings, no runs, six strikeouts, and only four hits won him pitcher of the game and set the ‘Sox up with an 8-1 lead going into the ninth.

With a seven-run lead, Wenatchee was three outs away from the series win. However, they proceeded to cough up six hits and six runs in the frame, making it 8-7 late. But, right-hander Clint Beck managed to clutch up with two outs and struck out the last batter looking.  

With a series sweep on tap, the ‘Sox did not blink. They scored all four runs in the first three innings and then coasted all the way to a win. Kainoa Santiago won player of the game with two hits, one RBI, and one walk. He and his fellow Gonzaga Bulldog, Landon White, accounted for much of the offense, with White getting his first hit of the season and two RBIs in the game.  

Christner came in to end the game, and end it he did. He pitched the last two innings and struck out three batters to lock up the 4-0 win and punch the ticket on a series sweep.

That marks Wenatchee's first sweep of the season and their second straight series win to start the year. They currently are first place in the North Division with a 6-2 record, and are among the best pitching teams in the league.

The ‘Sox stay at home this week, playing the Springfield Drifters for three games before they head on the road to play Nanaimo in Canada. The series against Springfield starts on June 9 and concludes on June 11.

Break out the brooms! 'Sox sweep the NorthPaws!

For the first time this year, the AppleSox broke out the brooms and secured a series sweep. They shut out the Kamloops NorthPaws in game three and extended their lead as the No. 1 team in the North Division.

The ‘Sox scored early in the first and third innings and then coasted the rest of the way with a 4-0 lead. A pair of Gonzaga Bulldogs accounted for the offense tonight, with Landon White and Kainoa Santiago combining for three hits and three RBIs.

Right-hander Carson Boesel made his first start of the season, pitching five scoreless innings with two walks, three hits, and four strikeouts. After him, it was Levi Grothen and Jonathan Christner pitching four innings combined to finish the shutout and secure the sweep.

Santiago won player of the game after he ended the night with two hits, one walk, and one RBI. Boesel took home pitcher of the game honors with his scoreless start on the mound.

The win tonight gives the ‘Sox a 6-2 overall record and puts them atop the North Division. They stay at home for their next three games against the Springfield Drifters.

The series against the Drifters begins on June 9 and concludes on June 11 at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

AppleSox fend off the NorthPaws: Wenatchee takes the series in a nail-biter

The ‘Sox secured the series win tonight, beating the Northpaws 8-7 in game two of the series. Wenatchee had an 8-1 lead heading into the ninth inning and just barely held on to snatch the win.

The AppleSox started the party early when they scored three runs in the first inning. Joseph Coupland and Cooper Brass each tallied RBI singles to start the scoring and put Wenatchee on the board.

The ‘Sox extended the lead in the third and fourth innings with singles from Matt Torres and Brass. With a decent cushion of run support, Wenatchee was hoping to ride the lead into the ninth.

​However, things got dicey in the ninth. The NorthPaws strung together six hits, two walks, one hit-by-pitch, and one pass ball to score six runs at the eleventh hour. But the ‘Sox managed to strike out the last batter and finish the game with a flourish.

​Luke Sterkel won pitcher of the game for the AppleSox, starting the game and tossing seven innings of scoreless baseball with only four hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. He was backed up by Dillon Jones, Tate Swanson, and Clint Beck, who combined for two innings and seven runs on seven hits.

​Brass secured player of the game honors in just his second game as a ‘Sox. Brass tagged three hits, three RBIs, and scored one run. He made up nearly half of the Wenatchee offense and put the team on his back in a huge way.

​With the series win already locked up, the ‘Sox will be eyeing the sweep in game three. Wenatchee finishes the series on Sunday, June 7, at 5:35 p.m at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

Wenatchee walks it off! The 'Sox win on opening day in dramatic fashion!

In front of their home crowd for the first time this year, the Wenatchee AppleSox walked off the Kamloops Northpaws in extra innings 9-8. The ‘Sox loaded the bases in the tenth, and Nikko Paoletto shot a single into right field to end the night with a win.

The game was a boxing match from the start, with the two teams tallying 11 runs combined in the first three innings. The ‘Sox really struck in the third, scoring five runs off four hits and two errors. Cooper Brass and Matt Torres each tagged two-run singles, helping the ‘Sox take an early lead.

The NorthPaws rallied back in the fifth and sixth, tying it 8-8. The game coasted all the way to the ninth, where the ‘Sox managed to strand two runners and push the game to extras.

In the top of the tenth, the NorthPaws hit a sac-fly to center field and scored the go-ahead run. However, an appeal to third base revealed that the runner left early and the inning was over.

With an opportunity to win it in extras, the ‘Sox did not disappoint. Jonah Shields dropped down a bunt single to load the bases for Paoletto, and he followed it up with the walk-off single.

Player of the game honors were given to Shields, who finished the night with five hits, two stolen bases, and one run scored. He leads the team for stolen bags and is second on the team for hits with eight on the year.

The pitcher of the game was Braiden Boyd, a real no-brainer. Boyd pitched four innings to finish the game, allowing only two hits, no runs, and four strikeouts. This was his first game with the ‘Sox this season, and he did not disappoint.

Wenatchee stays at home to finish the series, taking on the NorthPaws in games two and three on June 6 and 7 at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

Wenatchee falls to the Bells: The 'Sox come Up short of the sweep in game three

With the series sweep on the line, the ‘Sox were three outs away from securing it. They had a 2-1 lead going into the ninth inning but could not hold on.

The Bellingham Bells tallied two runs in the final frame and walked off the third game in front of their home crowd. Three hits, an RBI-single, and a walk-off sac fly to center field put the final nail in the coffin for the ‘Sox and allowed Bellingham to dodge the sweep.

Wenatchee was the first one to get on the board, with an RBI fielder’s choice and groundout in the fifth inning to take a 2-0 lead. However, that was all the production they would get from their bats, with the ‘Sox getting out-hit by the Bells 7-5 for the third straight night.

Later in the sixth, the Bells dug into that lead with a sac-fly from Dillon Moss to make it 2-1. Then, it came down to the ninth, where Bellingham clutched up in the tightest spot of the weekend​.

Righty starter Nicho Crowley won player of the game for the ‘Sox, getting his first start of the season and spinning five innings of scoreless baseball with six strikeouts and only three hits.

Josh Sterba and Dylan Schlenger were the two righty relievers who backed up Crowley, and they could not close it out. Sterba went a single inning, giving up one run off one hit and one walk. Then, it was Schlenger who put in a long outing of relief, going 2 ⅔ and coughing up three runs to allow Bellingham to walk it off.

The bats were quiet for Wenatchee, getting just five hits and striking out a whopping 12 times. Kainoa Santiago and Jonah Shields stood out from the crowd, with Santiago hitting two singles and Shields smoking a hustle triple in the fourth.

The ‘Sox move to 3-2 overall on the year after the loss and head back home to take on Kamloops in Wenatchee for the first time this season. The ‘Sox home opening series starts on June 5 and ends on June 7 at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

'Sox secure the series: Wenatchee beats Bellingham in game two of the set

With a series win on the line, the ‘Sox clutched up in game two against Bellingham. They came from behind against their North Division rivals and took them down 5-4 in extra innings.

For the second straight game, Wenatchee was out-hit by the Bells but still managed a win. Of course, it was the four errors that Bellingham committed that truly shot them in the foot.

The Bells broke the ice first when they scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Those runs came from a fielder's choice by Tristan Schaefer and an RBI single from Tyler Peshke.

But the ‘Sox answered back right away. In the sixth, Nikko Paoletto reached base via an error and then advanced to third after a passed ball and a stolen base. Finally, another passed ball allowed Paoletto to waltz home to score.

Still with the lead, the Bells were hoping to coast to a 2-1 win in the ninth. However, the ‘Sox had other plans.

Wenatchee tacked on three runs in the ninth, snatching the lead and painting the Bells into a corner. Those three runs came off an error from Peshke and two RBI-singles from Kainoa Santiago and Paoletto.

Now with the lead, the ‘Sox had flipped the script and were on the precipice of a series win. But the Bells made it interesting. An RBI-double and single tied it up late, forcing the game to extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, the ‘Sox brought in Jonah Shields to get the job done. Shields dropped a bunt back to the pitcher, and the rest was pandemonium. The pitcher, Thrasher Steed, airmailed the toss to third and allowed the go-ahead run to score.

With a one-run lead, the ‘Sox needed just three outs to secure the series win, and secure it they did. An inning-ending double play sealed the deal and gave the ‘Sox their third win of the season.​

Pitching was on its A-game for Wenatchee, with starting righty Felix Schlede spinning four innings of scoreless baseball off five strikeouts and one walk. Then it was Dylan Dyer, Tate Swanson, and Clint Beck combining for four innings of four-run ball with five strikeouts and only two walks. After them, Jonathan Christner took over in the ninth and carried the team over the finish line, ending with two innings, no runs, and four strikeouts.

Player of the game honors went to Paoletto, who finished the night going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two walks. This is the second time this season that Paoletto has been player of the game.

The ‘Sox conclude the series later today at 6:35 pm at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham.

Wenatchee rings the Bells: 'Sox sneak out a 3-2 win over Bellingham in game one

In game one of the three-game series, Wenatchee managed to sneak out a 3-2 win over the Bellingham Bells on their home turf. Pitching shined for the ‘Sox in the narrow win, with starting right-hander Hiroshi Johnson securing player of the game.

The Bells got out to an early 1-0 lead after second baseman Matt Torres airmailed a throw to first and allowed Aspen Alexander to score in the first inning. The Bells would hold onto that 1-0 lead up until the sixth inning.

In that frame, the ‘Sox took advantage of one hit by pitch, two hits, two walks, and a sac-fly to score three runs and take the lead. Joseph Coupland had an RBI single, Matt Torres walked home a run, and Noah Figuered hit a sac-fly to left field to tally all three runs.

Johnson went five innings for the ‘Sox, allowing only one run off three hits, 1 walk, and two strikeouts. After him, it was lefty Colin Fraser tossing two frames of scoreless relief with four strikeouts and only one hit. Then, it was newcomer Carson Boesel who took over for the eighth and ninth innings.

The ‘Sox carried their 3-1 lead all the way to the ninth, where Boesel was three outs away from slamming the door on the Bells. However, a late rally was sparked by right fielder Bryce Johnson, who singled and was then brought home to score after an RBI single from Matt Churchill.

With the lead shaved to just a run, Boesel did not back down. He struck out the last batter of the ballgame and stamped a win in the first game of the series.

The ‘Sox were out-hit by the Bells, but the seven walks and two hit-by-pitches ended up costing Bellingham in the long run. Starting right-hander Lathan Haywood was the one pitching bright spot, spinning four innings of scoreless ball off only three hits and five strikeouts. However, the Bells’ three preceding relievers coughed up the winning runs to the ‘Sox.

Wenatchee stays in Bellingham for games two and three of the series on Wednesday and Thursday. First pitch for game two is 6:35 pm at Joe Martin Field.

This week in AppleSox baseball: New faces, opening day wins, and rain delays

The 2026 AppleSox season officially kicked off this past weekend, and boy, was it entertaining. The ‘Sox started their season up north in Edmonton, taking on the Riverhawks in a three-game series.

Wenatchee secured an opening-night win in game one, scoring six runs off nine hits, two stolen bags, and a home run. Newcomers Nikko Paoletto and Joseph Coupland stood out in the game, with Paoletto going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Coupland going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs.

Pitching was equally impressive, with Luke Sterkel and Joe Thornton combining for nine innings of two-run ball. Sterkel got the start and went five innings with six strikeouts, three hits, and only two runs. After him, Thornton finished the race, tossing four innings of scoreless baseball with five strikeouts.

That opening-day matchup was delayed by over an hour due to heavy rain that poured in right before first pitch. Lucky for both teams, game two was nothing but sunshine.

Both Edmonton and Wenatchee unveiled new jerseys in the game, with the Riverhawks releasing their “Tree-Hugger” jerseys for nature night and Wenatchee rolling out their new navy road uniforms. Edmonton took the win in game two, tallying 10 runs off 10 hits despite committing six errors in the field.

The main difference between the two matchups was pitching. Left-hander Levi Arnold got the start for Wenatchee in game two and was chased out after just ⅔ of an inning. Arnold finished the night with six hits, one walk, one balk, and six runs given up.

After him, it was a platoon of relievers to try and stop the bleeding. Righty Jonathan Christner went 2 ⅓ with no runs, lefty Grayden Lucas went two innings allowing just one run, righty Dylan Schlenger pitched a single three-up three-down inning, and right-hander Miles DuCharme closed out the game with two innings, two hits, four walks, and three runs.

Paoletto had another standout performance in game two, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. But it was not enough to mount a comeback, causing the ‘Sox to lose 10-7 to the Riverhawks.

With the series set up for a deciding game on Sunday, a torrential downpour caused the game to be canceled before it could even start. The third game of the series will be rescheduled for later in the year when Edmonton comes down to Wenatchee.

The game was not the only thing canceled on account of rain. The team’s flight out of Edmonton was canceled as well, forcing the squad to take a bus 14 hours south back to the valley.

After two games, two rain delays, and a long travel night, the AppleSox sit at 1-1 on the season. They now head up north again to take on the Bellingham Bells for three games starting on June 2 and concluding on June 4.

AppleSox fall short of a comeback against Edmonton: The Riverhawks win 10-7 in game two of the series

After an opening day win the night before, the Wenatchee AppleSox fell short of the comeback in game two of the series versus Edmonton. The Riverhawks out-hit the ‘Sox 10-5 and secured the 10-7 win despite committing six errors in the field. 

Wenatchee struck immediately in the first, scoring on an errant throw to third and then a sac fly from catcher Joseph Coupland to make it 2-0. However, the ‘Sox would not have the lead for long. 

At the bottom of the first, Wenatchee starting pitcher Levi Arnold gave up six hits and six runs to the Riverhawks. After just ⅔ of an inning, the lefty starter was chased out of the game. 

Jonathan Christner took over for Arnold in the first and was able to wiggle off the hook. The game slowed down after that, with the next run coming in the fourth when Edmonton’s Tony Moore came around to score after reaching via an error. 

With a 7-2 lead, Edmonton was hoping to coast its way to a five-run win. However, the ‘Sox refused to go quietly. 

In the fifth, Wenatchee tallied three runs off a sac-fly from Kainoa Santiago, an RBI-error from Coupland, and an RBI-single from Sam Moore. That cut the lead to only two runs and got the ‘Sox back in the race. 

Wenatchee was not done yet, with Nikko Paoletto scorching a two-run RBI single in the sixth to tie the game 7-7. 

The game stayed deadlocked until the seventh inning, when Michell Middlemiss for Edmonton snuck a double down the right field line to score a run and take the lead. Then, in the eighth, a pair of leadoff walks came around to score thanks to an RBI-double from Jaxon Fox. 

Up 10-7, the Riverhawks called in right-hander Alan Gonzalez to slam the door. And slam he did, going 2.0 innings, allowing no runs on one hit and three strikeouts. He struck out Max Paterson to finish the game and hand Wenatchee their first loss of the season. 

Paoletto took home player of the game honors for Wenatchee, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, but it was not enough to complete the comeback against the Riverhawks. 

The ‘Sox conclude the series tomorrow at 12:05 p.m PST at Remax Field in Edmonton.

Wenatchee wins on opening day! The 'Sox take down Edmonton 6-2 in the first game of the season

On opening day of the West Coast League 2026 season, the Wenatchee AppleSox pulled into Remax Field in Edmonton, Alberta, and took home a 6-2 win over the Riverhawks. After an hour-long rain delay, Wenatchee went on to tally nine hits, six RBIs, one home run, and two pitching performances to lock down the mound. 

Right-handed pitcher Luke Sterkel got the opening-day start for the ‘Sox, and he did not disappoint. The returning AppleSox spun five innings of one-run baseball, giving up just three hits in the process. 

After Sterkel, it was lefty Joe Thornton coming out of the pen to carry the team over the finish line. Thornton kicked off his third season in a ‘Sox jersey with four innings and only one run coughed up. 

At the plate, Wenatchee supplied plenty of run support. After going down 1-0 early in the game, designated hitter Nikko Paoletto smacked a double up the middle to clean the table and take a 2-1 lead in the fifth. 

Flash forward an inning, and starting catcher Joseph Coupland tagged a solo homer deep to left field to extend the lead to 3-1. A short while later, right-fielder Terrell Scott-Romain beat out a double play to drive in a run via the fielder’s choice. 

Finally, it was Coupland striking again in the ninth with a line drive to left center field to tally two and give Wenatchee some insurance. With a 6-2 lead heading into the final frame, Thornton was able to shut down the Riverhawks in the ninth and put Wenatchee in the win column for the first time in 2026. 

A loud day at the plate and two pitchers combining for a near-flawless outing on the mound. That sums up this Wenatchee team heading into the season and may just be a taste of what’s to come on the horizon. 

The Sox continue the series today against the Riverhawks at 6:05 p.m PST, and conclude the series at 12:05 p.m PST on Sunday, May 31.

Five Newcomers Wind up in Wenatchee for 2026

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu 

Five newcomers wind up in Wenatchee for 2026

Rounding out the roster for 2026, the AppleSox are adding five newcomers to their ranks who all add depth to their position class. Luke Baier, Jake Overstreet, Jacob Gabler, Nikko Paoletto, and Jonah Shields are all donning an Applesox jersey this summer, and all five could prove exciting to watch in the valley. 

Whether it’s two catchers from Texas with high ceilings at the plate, a right-hander getting back into his groove, or two outfield bats with serious slugging potential at the plate, Wenatchee is welcoming five newbies who may be perfect fits for the ‘Sox. 

So, let’s break down all five of these future AppleSox…   

Luke Baier - C - Senior 

Now in his senior year, Baier has finally found his way back home. The 6-foot-5 Wenatchee native has bounced around in college baseball, and his journey has finally brought him to his hometown for his first season with the AppleSox. 

After graduating from Wenatchee High School in 2022, Baier committed to Pacific Lutheran University to start his college baseball journey. He played just two games with the Lutes in his freshman year, getting three at-bats and two hits in total. 

After that, he spent the summer with Walla Walla in the West Coast League, a division opponent of the ‘Sox. That summer, he similarly got just two games of work with the Sweets, recording only four at-bats and one hit overall. 

Baier then packed his bags for Centralia College, where he spent the 2024 season. With the Trailblazers, Baier finally got a real workload. 

In 47 games, he smacked 30 hits, seven doubles, two home runs, and 18 RBIs. He posted a 0.200 average on the dot, but also struck out an egregious 58 times.   

Following his first real test at the JUCO level, Baier stayed in the WCL to play for Springfield in the 2024 summer season. With the Drifters, he got 20 games of work and ended the summer with a 0.197 average, 13 hits, two doubles, seven RBIs, and a 0.521 OPS. 

Heading into 2025, Baier waved goodbye to the Pacific Northwest and headed south to join Abilene Christian University in Texas. He did not play at all his first year with the Wildcats, and this past season, he got just four games of action. 

In those four games of his senior year, Baier got three at-bats and one hit. Add it all up, and you get 73 games and just 225 at-bats total in college ball. 

While he may be in his senior year, Baier does not have the most experience. But now back in his hometown, he has a chance to get some quality playing time as he transitions to the next part of his baseball journey. 

Jake Overstreet - C - Sophomore

Just an hour and a half away from home, Overstreet stayed in his native state when he committed to Weatherford College out of high school. The Rockwall native was the No. 20-ranked catcher and No. 174 overall player in the state of Texas, and since joining the Coyotes, he has shown why. 

In just his freshman year, Overstreet stood out immediately. Through 41 games, he batted 0.333, posted 38 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, 25 RBIs, and a 0.964 OPS. In the field, he was near perfect, making only two errors and throwing out three runners from behind the dish. 

Now, in his second year of JUCO ball, he has blown his previous benchmarks out of the water. He finished this year with a team-best 0.403 average, 81 hits, 18 doubles, 14 home runs, and a 1.226 OPS. 

On top of leading the team for average, he also led the team for hits and doubles and was third for home runs. Basically, he made up a bulk of the Coyote offense this past spring. 

Behind the plate, he botched just two plays and tossed out five runners on the basepaths. While he did allow 26 stolen bases in his two years, he made up for it with his scorching hit bat. 

He has yet to play summer league ball… until now. With his first summer stint coming in Wenatchee, he will be a vital option to have behind the plate. If he stays as hot as he was in Texas, then he should have no problem becoming a familiar face in the valley all summer long. 

Jacob Gabler - RHP - Junior 

Gabler may have committed to Washington State University out of high school, but after two years in the Crimson and Gray, he swapped it for blue and orange down in Arlington. The 6-foot-6 Edmonds native was the No. 2-ranked right-hander in Washington back in 2023 and has had a slow launch into college. 

He made his debut with the Cougs in 2024, making two appearances in relief and finishing with a 13.50 ERA off one hit, two runs, two walks, three strikeouts, and 1 ⅓ innings pitched. The next year, he made three appearances out of the pen, going 2 ⅓ innings and posting a perfect 0.00 ERA with no hits, no runs, no walks, and two strikeouts. 

After that, Gabler headed down south to join the University of Texas-Arlington this past season. With the Mavericks, Gabler made a career-high nine relief appearances, pitching 5 ⅔ innings, giving up 18 runs, 21 hits, six walks, and four strikeouts. 

His last outing came on April 7 against Baylor, where he was unable to record an out and gave up three runs, cementing his 21.13 ERA on the year. 

While he may have three seasons of D1 ball under his belt, he has yet to play a single season in the summer heat. With Wenatchee being his first season in summer league baseball, he has a chance to build on this past spring and develop into a lockdown reliever in the valley. 

Nikko Paoletto - OF - Redshirt Freshman

After committing to the University of Utah in 2025, Paoletto never once touched the dirt for the Utes in Salt Lake City. He rode the bench his entire freshman season, prompting him to hit the road and head for Santa Ana College in California. 

Since arriving at the JUCO level, Paoletto has absolutely popped off. The Chino, California native was the No. 18-ranked outfielder in the state, and he showed exactly why with the Dons. 

In 51 games, he is batting an insane 0.422 with a jaw-dropping 1.218 OPS. On top of that, he has 18 doubles, 11 home runs, 84 hits, and 58 RBIs. 

In the outfield, he was near perfect, with a 0.981 fielding percentage and two errors. Pair that with a scorching-hot bat from the right side, and you get an outfielder who can torment college pitchers in the summer. 

Paoletto has not played any summer league baseball, making the ‘Sox the first team he’ll be spending his offseason with. With a mountain of momentum built up from this past year with Santa Ana, Paoletto may have hit the ‘Sox at the perfect time to do damage. 

At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he brings home run power to the valley, which will be thrilling for fans to watch all summer long. 

Jonah Shields - OF - Junior

In addition to three years of D1 baseball, Shields also has three seasons of summer league baseball on his resume. He has been loyal to the Minot Hot Tots in the Northwoods League for the past three summers, but he is mixing things up this year by joining the ‘Sox.

Shields was the No. 6-ranked shortstop in Nevada back in 2023, and before he got started with Cal State Bakersfield, he decided to get his feet wet with the Hot Tots. He played 13 games with Minot in the summer of 2023, batting 0.170 with nine hits, two RBIs, and only one extra base hit. 

He then got to work with the Roadrunners in Bakersfield, and his freshman year was eye-catching. He played 42 games as a freshman, batting 0.291 with 30 hits, four doubles, and 11 RBIs. 

After that, he redonned the Hot Tots jersey for the summer of 2024. In his second year in Minot, he tripled his playing time by getting 42 games of action and batting 0.268 with three home runs. 

Then, after only one year with the Roadrunners, he decided to head cross-country to join Jacksonville University in Florida. With the Dolphins, Shields really torched the ball. 

He played 54 games that first year, batting 0.359 with 75 hits, 10 doubles, two home runs, 36 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases. Those numbers at the plate and on the base paths showed exactly what Shields is capable of when given a full year to shine. 

Then, to complete the trifecta, he returned to the Hot Tots for his third season in Minot. This time around, he played just 21 games and batted 0.236 with just 17 hits, nine RBIs, and one home run.  

After his last tour of duty with the Tots, Shields returned to the Dolphins this past spring, and his year was cut short. He played only 14 games this season, with his last appearance being on March 6. He batted 0.408 this spring with 20 hits, three doubles, and nine RBIs. 

As a battle-tested utility bat, Shields is exactly what the ‘Sox need. He can smoke the ball when given the chance, steal bags against D1 arms, lock down the infield and outfield, and provide veteran leadership from the dugout.  

A FUTURE NIGHTHAWK AND CURRENT TRITON LAND IN WENATCHEE THIS SUMMER

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

A future Nighthawk and current Triton land in Wenatchee this summer

One is returning to the bullpen at UC San Diego, and the other is entering his fourth year in JUCO. Josh Sterba and Harry Pelzman are both coming to Wenatchee this summer, and each is dipping back into the waters of college ball.

Whether it’s a starter from Whidbey Island transferring to his third school, or a Californian who ran into a roadblock out of the pen, both arms will have prime opportunities to develop in the valley.

​So, who is this righty and lefty duo pulling into Wenatchee this summer…

Josh Sterba - RHP - Junior

After an explosive start to his career in Spokane Falls, Sterba has hit a snag in his college path that now has him heading for Northwest Nazarene next year.

The 6-foot-4 righty from Langley committed to the Squatches out of high school but rode the bench his first year. Then, in year two, he showed exactly what he was capable of.

He made 12 starts in his second year in Spokane, tossing 76 ⅔ innings, allowing only 22 runs, 14 walks, and 43 strikeouts. This gave him a 2.58 ERA in his first full season of JUCO.

​After that, Sterba decided to take his talents down south to play with Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Oklahoma this season. In just one season with the Evangels, Sterba made only one start, and it did not go as planned.

In just ⅔ of an inning, he allowed five runs via three hits, two home runs, one walk, and managed two strikeouts. This jumped his ERA to 27.00 and was the last time he would take the mound in Oklahoma.

That was back on Jan. 22 of this year, making it four whole months since Sterba has seen action. Now he is heading back north to play with the Nighthawks in Idaho for 2027.

But, before he gets to Nampa, he will be spending his summer in Wenatchee getting back into starting shape with the AppleSox. After showing serious signs of potential in Spokane, he may be primed for a bounce-back summer in the valley.

Harry Pelzman - LHP - Sophomore

Complimenting Sterba from the left side is 6-foot-3 sophomore Pelzman. Similar to Sterba, Pelzman got out to a great start when he committed to UC San Diego, but he has hit a snag this season.

The Redwood City native was the No. 18 lefty prospect in California back in 2024, and in his first season with the Tritons, he was tested.

He made eight relief cameos last season, averaging less than an inning per stint. With 12 runs allowed on seven hits, 10 walks, and three strikeouts, he finished the year with a 17.00 ERA. Six of those 12 earned runs came in one game against Long Beach, making Pelzman a clutch arm out of the pen, aside from one outing.

Now into his sophomore year, Pelzman’s season has been short to say the least. He made only two outings this year, his last being on March 25 against the University of Oregon. In those two relief appearances, Pelzman allowed five earned runs, all coming in just 1.0 inning of work. He also allowed four hits, three walks, and just one strikeout.

​Pelzman is not new to summer league ball. Last summer he spent the offseason pitching for the Utah Royals in the Marshalls League. While in the Salt Lake state Pelzman slipped into a starting role, making six starts and ringing up a 6.35 ERA. He averaged around five innings per start and allowed just 20 runs on 17 walks and an impressive 36 strikeouts.

With Sterba starting from the right side and Pelzman taking over from the left, the ‘Sox are acquiring two arms that may complement each other well as they each work their way back into the water.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

TWO HUSKIES JOINING WENATCHEE THIS YEAR

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Two Huskies joining Wenatchee this Year

Both Washington natives are playing for the Huskies next year. Ethan Mar and Noah Sorensen are both coming to Wenatchee this summer, and both will be future teammates at the University of Washington next season.

While one is a JUCO freshman who nailed his audition for the Dawgs, the other is a returning Husky who has been collecting dust in the UW bullpen. However, both bring their own potential to the valley that may prove exciting to watch.

So, who are these soon-to-be teammates in the valley and in Seattle…  

Ethan Mar - 1B - Freshman

In just his first year of JUCO, Mar has won himself a D1 spot. Next spring, he will make the 30-minute drive north to join the Huskies in Seattle.

Of course, you see his production this year with Tacoma Community College, and you see why. In his first 37 games of college baseball, Mar has set himself apart from the crowd.

A 0.333 average, 1.007 OPS, 30 RBIs, 10 doubles, and six home runs tell you everything you need to know about the power-hitting right-hander. On top of the bat tool, Mar has a tight glove in the field, committing only three errors last year and posting a 0.990 fielding percentage.

As a first baseman, you would not expect Mar to be quick by any means. But he proves that stereotype wrong, snatching 11 bags this year and only getting caught once.

Looking at his high school numbers, you understand why he’s as good as he is. The kid from Gig-Harbor High School smoked the ball in his varsity days, specifically in his senior year.

In his last year of high school ball, he batted 0.467, posted a 1.231 OPS, 21 RBIs, 21 hits, four doubles, and two triples. In the field, he was near perfect, recording only two errors and posting a career 0.987 fielding percentage.

After dominating in high school and JUCO, the question is, can he do it at the D1 level? The AppleSox will be a perfect place to test that question and see how Mar fares against a mix of higher-level pitching.

But, if his development in Tacoma tells us anything, he should be a powerful young bat rounding out the corner infield in Wenatchee.

Noah Sorensen - RHP - Redshirt Freshman

Despite wrapping up his second year at UW, Sorensen has yet to toss a single inning of college ball. In his two years at the D1 level, the Dawgs have not let him touch the mound in any capacity.

On top of that, the Poulsbo native has not played any seasons of summer league baseball. This means that Wenatchee may be the first time UW fans see Sorensen in action in his career.

Prior to the Huskies, the 6-foot-2 righty was the No. 2-ranked right-hander in Washington and the No. 5 overall player in the state. He did that at North Kitsap High School, where he was an All-State selection and was named All-League MVP.  

Sorensen and the Vikings made the 2A state playoffs numerous times throughout his tenure, but did not go very far in any of their runs.

To add more mystery to the mix, Sorensen has only a single season of stats from his high school days, capturing just his junior year on the mound. In that single season, he apparently made just one relief appearance and finished with a 3.50 ERA via one earned run.

With not a single pitch thrown in college and no solid stats available from his high school career, Sorensen is a huge question mark. How he will be used, how well he fares, and how effective he will be against college bats is still up in the air.

But, there is no better place to figure it all out than in Wenatchee.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

A TRIO OF SOUTHWESTERN INFIELDERS SUIT UP IN WENATCHEE VALLEY THIS SEASON

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

A trio of Southwestern infielders suit up in Wenatchee this season

Utah, California, and Arizona. The AppleSox are adding three JUCO infielders to the roster, and each one hails from a different corner of the southwest. Gage Wareham, Matt Torres, and Tarrell Reid are each joining Wenatchee this year and helping build the infield platoon for the ‘Sox.

Whether it’s a contact-hitting sophomore eyeing back-to-back national championships, a second baseman who continues to improve, or a slugging freshman looking to keep his hot start going, the AppleSox snatched up three premium infield bats out of JUCO.

So, let’s get familiar with these new faces joining the ‘Sox…

Gage Wareham - INF - Sophomore

After two years with Salt Lake Community College, Wareham is following in his dad’s footsteps and joining Colorado Mesa University in 2027. But, before that, the Colorado native will be lending his talents to the ‘Sox this summer.

Wareham has been on a wild ride in his two years with the Bruins in Utah, highlighted by a National Championship last year in 2025. Salt Lake went 5-1 in the postseason, inevitably taking down Walters State College in the championship bout.

Wareham, however, only got a single at-bat in the playoffs. In the first game of the tournament, the 6-foot-1 lefty got a late-inning pinch-hit opportunity and cashed in with an RBI.

Outside of that, Wareham’s freshman season was fairly quiet. He started just 16 games that year, batting 0.283, tallying 15 hits, four RBIs, one triple, and a less-than-impressive 0.642 OPS.

But he has been handed the reins this year. In 49 games, he is batting a stunning 0.368 with 56 hits, 11 doubles, three home runs, 47 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and a much-improved 0.937 OPS.

The glove is not too shabby either, with Wareham booting only six plays so far this year at second base. That gives him a 0.962 fielding percentage on the season.

The Bruins are back in the playoffs this year, and chances are, Wareham will be getting a lot more than just one at-bat.

However, as good as Wareham has been individually, he gets outshone by almost everyone on the roster. He does not lead the team in any offensive stats except for one: sacrifice hits.

When you’re on a championship-caliber team, it can be easy to get lost in the fold. But that does not take away from the serious potential that Wareham has.

Now on his way to his father’s alma mater, Wareham has already won a spot on a D1 roster. But, next up on his college journey is his first summer season in Wenatchee.

Matt Torres - 2B - Redshirt sophomore

He may have sat out his first year at Fresno City College, but ever since then, Torres has been on a tear. In his redshirt freshman year, the 5-foot-7 second baseman really tagged the ball.

In 45 games, Torres posted a 0.277 average with 38 hits, eight doubles, and a 0.768 OPS. His fielding was less than ideal, with Torres botching 14 plays. Granted he did that with 177 total chances, giving him a 0.921 fielding percentage.

Flash forward to this year, and Torres has improved in every single stat. He climbed to a 0.345 average, 0.941 OPS, 29 RBIs, 11 doubles, and two home runs. In the field, he made just seven errors in about the same total chances, bumping his fielding percentage up to 0.958.

​On top of the glove and bat tool, Torres has built his speed on the base paths. He started with six bags in his first year and grew that to 16 this past season. With Torres getting caught eight times on the year, it makes him 16-for-24 with a 67% stolen base rate.

That efficiency is not the best, but if his overall progress is any indicator, he should continue to get faster in the valley.

Ever since joining the Rams out of Stockdale High School, Torres has been steadily improving. With the Sox being his first stint in summer league baseball, it will be a prime opportunity for the stout infielder to catch some D1 attention.

With Wenatchee as a stepping stone, Torres will be getting better and better as he fully bakes over the summer.

Tarrell Reid - INF -  Freshman

In his first year of JUCO, Reid has hit the ground running. He won the starting shortstop position right away and has proved why all year long.

​Since arriving at Yavapai College in Arizona, Reid has a 0.380 average, 1.072 OPS, 32 RBIs, 11 doubles, and seven home runs. Simply put, he has been slugging in his freshman year.

That is not surprising considering his high school career. After playing four years of varsity baseball at Canyon del Oro High School in Arizona, Reid built up a career 0.293 average with 84 hits, 59 RBIs, and two home runs.

While his bat has really stood out, his glove has taken a back seat. 15 errors on the year dipped his fielding percentage to 0.903 as the Rough Riders' starting shortstop. Of course, he did have the third most chances out of anyone on the squad, but teetering on a sub-0.900 fielding percentage is worrisome.

However, he makes up for it with some speed on the bases. He has stolen 14 bags this year and has only been caught three times.

His red-hot bat and base thief speed make Reid a talented youngster to add to the ‘Sox’s infield core. How much playing time he gets is up in the air, but if his Rough Rider debut tells us anything, he will make every rep count.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

WENATCHEE WELCOMES TWO WASHINGTONIANS BACK TO THE VALLEY

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Wenatchee Welcomes two Washingtonians back to the Valley

After years away, both these Washington pitchers are finally reuniting with the team that they started their college journeys with. Braiden Boyd and Felix Schlede each played with Wenatchee fresh out of high school, and now their paths have brought them back to the valley in 2026.

​Whether it’s a powerful lefty who found his home at the JUCO level, or a towering righty who made huge strides with the ‘Sox, Wenatchee is welcoming back two high-tier arms with potential to grow in the WCL.

So, who are these familiar friends coming back to the ‘Sox…

Braiden Boyd - LHP - Redshirt sophomore

When Boyd broke into college baseball back in 2024, it was with the AppleSox. The 6-foot-5 lefty committed to Washington State University out of high school, but decided to cut his teeth with Wenatchee before he got to Pullman.

In that 2024 summer season, Boyd got 13 total appearances and pitched 33 ⅔ innings. He was essentially thrown into the deep end, and he did his best to stay above water.

He finished the summer with a 7.22 ERA, 27 earned runs, 17 walks, and struck out 21 batters. With that being his first taste of college baseball, Boyd definitely got punched in the mouth.

When he arrived in Pullman, he rode the bench for his entire freshman year, not playing a single game for the Cougs. After that, Boyd packed his bags and headed an hour and a half north to Spokane Falls Community College.

In his past two years with the Sasquatches, Boyd has really gotten back on track. This past season with the Squatches has been his best by far.

He made 13 relief appearances this year with Spokane, giving up 11 earned runs, 15 walks, and 47 strikeouts. This gave him a career-best 2.43 ERA with the fewest runs and most strikeouts of his career.

Since getting to Spokane, the Chelan native has gotten only two starts on the mound, meaning he has transitioned to a reliever role mid-way through his college journey. He also averaged three innings per appearance this past year, making him a long outing reliever.

After taking the step down to JUCO, Boyd has really thrived in Spokane. Now, after two long years away, the former AppleSox has found his way back home. Standing at a menacing 6-foot-5 and on a team with few lefties, Boyd will be a power lefty that the ‘Sox will need out of the pen.

Felix Schlede - RHP - Junior

It has been three years since Schlede last set foot in Wenatchee. He joined the AppleSox way back in 2022, immediately after graduating high school in Seattle.

In that very first summer season, Schlede made only five appearances, four of which were starts. With 16 earned runs off 19 walks and only nine hits, the young righty struggled out of the gate. That gave him an 11.68 ERA in his college debut.

Schlede came back to Wenatchee the following year, making another four starts and this time improving drastically from year one. He allowed just four runs, 12 walks, and punched out 16 batters, dropping his ERA to 2.92 in the same number of innings pitched.

After his two years with the ‘Sox, Schlede got to work with Central Arizona College. He pitched just one season for the Vaqueros in 2024, making 12 starts and two relief appearances. In that single campaign, Schlede gave up 18 runs, 40 walks, and struck out an insane 77 batters.

Those 77 punchouts gave Schlede an 11.30 strikeout per nine innings rate. After that, the Seattleite earned himself a spot on a D1 roster.

For the past two years, the 6-foot-6 righty has been slinging the rock with San Houston State in Texas. While he did not play at all this season, he was used often in 2025.

In his first trial as a Bearkat, Schlede made three starts and 16 relief appearances. He finished the year with a 6.53 ERA off 29 earned runs, 28 walks, and 36 strikeouts.

At a towering 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, the Seattle native is an intimidating arm from the right side. He has shown struggles with command at times, highlighted by the 99 walks. However, he also has high strikeout potential, as seen by the 77 strikeouts in JUCO.

Now back home with Wenatchee, the former starter turned reliever will be vital to locking up opposing bats this year in the valley.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

A WASHINGTON BULLDOG AND A JAPANESE TRITON JOINING THE 'SOX THIS SUMMER

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

A Washington Bulldog and a Japanese Triton joining the ‘Sox this summer

While both play for Washington JUCOs, the two incoming AppleSox are about as different as they come. Colin Fraser and Chihiro Sato are each joining Wenatchee this summer, and each comes from a wildly different walk of life.

Fraser is a homegrown left-hander out of Snoqualmie, whereas Sato is a crafty righty from Japan who is switching allegiances in the West Coast League. Each brings two years of JUCO ball with them to the valley, and each will want to test themselves against D1 talent.

So, who are these two bullpen arms coming to Wenatchee…

Colin Fraser - LHP - Sophomore

Growing up in the shadow of Mount Si, Fraser will be trading one valley for the other when he gets to Wenatchee. The left-handed Washingtonian made a short move to Bellevue to start out his collegiate career, and while he is wrapping up his second year with the Bulldogs, there is very little information about his time there.

His stats from this year are unavailable. However, his freshman year numbers are quite revealing.

He made 14 appearances in his first year, with five of them being starts. In that time, he allowed just 19 runs, 25 walks, and struck out 35 batters. Tally it all up, and you get a 4.46 ERA in his first year in JUCO.

Before winding up at Bellevue College, Fraser was carving up batters at Mount Si High School in the Snoqualmie Valley. A career 2.78 ERA, only 29 runs, 36 walks, and 74 strikeouts was the damage report after four years. He had a prototypical path through high school baseball, with one year on the freshman team, one on JV, and two on varsity.

His decision to start at a JUCO mirrors his time in high school. Fraser trusts the process and takes his time to develop at his own pace.

His Bulldog tenure is officially over, meaning Fraser will need to test out the noodle against some higher-level bats before he finds his way to a D1 roster. As one of the few lefties in the pen, he will get a perfect chance to do that in Wenatchee.

Chihiro Sato - RHP - Sophomore

Playing baseball at the college level is tough enough. Now throw in a language barrier and a cultural divide, and it becomes borderline impossible.

That is what Sato has had to deal with in his first two years in the States. The righty from Tokyo was discovered back in 2024, when an Edmonds College scout saw him pitch in Japan.

One 10-hour flight later, Sato got his college career rolling with the Tritons in Washington. In just his freshman year, Sato showed exactly why the cross-continental flight was worth it.

He made 12 appearances in year one, eight of which were starts. He allowed just 19 runs, 10 walks, and punched out 36 batters in that time, giving him a 2.81 ERA in his debut college season.  

After the spring ended, Sato continued to scratch the baseball itch when he joined the Bellingham Bells in the West Coast League for the 2025 season. He was used heavily by the Bells that summer, who called him in 15 times, mainly in relief.

In his 15 outings, Sato coughed up just 16 runs, 13 walks, and struck out 20 batters. This brought his ERA to 3.60 after the summer.

Getting to live with a host family over the summer made Sato’s transition to leagues better. He spent much of his time watching and talking baseball with his host family, the Reeds, in Bellingham.

As someone new to the country, finding community can be hard. But with a family built in, summer league baseball suited Sato well.

After his time in Bellingham ended, Sato got right back to work with the Tritons. This year, he made 10 starts on the mound, averaging around 6.0 innings per outing. In those 10 starts, he averaged two runs, one walk, and five strikeouts per game. This gives him a 2.93 ERA, which is slightly worse than his freshman year, but still wildly impressive for the 5-foot-10 righty.​

With a fastball that doesn’t crack 90 mph, deception becomes the key to Sato’s success. His ability to change tempo, throw off-speed, and mess with hitters is a direct product of the Japanese style of pitching.

Along with that, the Japanese style is his rubber arm. Sato throws long tosses often, allowing him to pitch longer than his American counterparts.

Put it all together, and you get a Japanese right-hander that pitches like a lefty, something you don’t see often. After swapping the Bells for the ‘Sox this summer, Sato will be getting back to work in the WCL and continuing to find his stride in the States.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

a COUG AND A GLADIATOR COMING NORTH TO THE ‘SOX

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

A Coug and a Gladiator coming north to the ‘Sox

With two JUCO faces, the AppleSox are adding some quality hitters to the roster in 2026. Sam Moore and Joseph Coupland may be new to Wenatchee, but this is not their first rodeo.

Whether that’s Moore coming over from Lassen College, or Coupland sliding in from Chabot, they’ll bring their own level of college experience that sets them apart from the rest. As a sophomore making his first summer cameo with Wenatchee, an outfielder switching sides in the West Coast League, and a catcher finally getting his chance to slug the ball, all three should be exciting to watch in Wenatchee.  

So, let’s get to know these future AppleSox…

Sam Moore - OF - Freshman

With his first year of college ball in the books, the ‘Sox are adding a switch-hitting outfielder with serious slugging potential to the valley. Moore committed to Lassen out of Mead Senior High School, and in just 33 games, he has made an impression.

Moore ends this year with a 0.347 average, 1.076 OPS, 11 doubles, 32 RBIs, and five home runs. From both sides of the plate, the 6-foot-1 right-hander hit the ball to the long part of the yard again and again.

He was also flawless in the field, posting a crisp 1.000 fielding percentage on 11 total chances. Although with only two stolen bases, he was kept in check on the base paths.

Despite being a freshman, Moore is not new to summer league baseball. Last year, the Spokane native spent the summer with the Yakima Valley Pippins in the West Coast League.

With Moore only playing in 15 games and Yakima being in the opposite division, he did not get a chance to play the AppleSox last year. But, in his limited at-bats, Moore still managed a 0.278 average off 15 hits, two doubles, and one home run.  

His time in Yakima means that Moore will be reunited with another former Pippin in the valley. Right-handed freshman pitcher Cristian Brewster also played in Yakima last summer and is also switching sides to join the ‘Sox this season. While it may only be one additional face, it can go a long way in building chemistry on the squad.

While he might be young, Moore’s resume is quite extensive. With six home runs in just one full year of baseball, he has the potential to be a slugger in the valley.

As a young switch-hitter patrolling the outfield, the ‘Sox will be capitalizing on Moore’s dual-threat capabilities. Going into his second year at Lassen, he will need every rep he can get to stand out on the Cougs.

Joseph Coupland - C - Sophomore

He may be a sophomore, but Coupland has just a single year of college baseball on the statsheet. After sitting out his freshman year, he did not make his Chabot college debut until this season.

In his opening campaign, Coupland batted 0.307 with a 0.971 OPS, 43 hits, 11 doubles, 32 RBIs, and eight home runs. What makes those numbers really pop is the 35 games he did it in.

In a limited time, he still managed to drive in 10% of the team’s runs and 14% of their homers. Put him in the catcher’s gear, and the defense stood out as well. He did botch three plays this year, but the 105 total chances kept his fielding percentage at a solid 0.971 on the season.

While he is a new face to the WCL, Coupland is not unfamiliar with summer ball. Last offseason, he spent 23 games with the Walnut Creek Crawdads in the California Collegiate League.

While there, he launched three homers, three doubles, 11 hits, and eight RBIs. This plopped his average at an underwhelming 0.224 paired with a surprising 0.836 OPS. Essentially, on the off chance he hit the ball, he hit it hard.  

He carried that trend with him to Chabot, where he crushed baseballs from the right side. With the most home runs out of the three, Coupland is, without a doubt, the most intriguing. While his experience may be deceiving, he makes up for it with his condensed production.

If he can do that in the valley, there is no doubt he will be handing out souvenirs game after game in Wenatchee.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

THREE SASQUATCHES TREKKING TO WENATCHEE IN 2026

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

Three Sasquatches trekking to Wenatchee in 2026

All three are from Spokane Falls Community College and are Washington natives. Chase Edwards, Luke Brown, and Tate Swanson are all staying in the Evergreen state for their summer season when they join Wenatchee in a few weeks.

Whether it’s an outfielder who may be a base thief in the valley, a top-ranked righty trying to get back on the wagon, or a freshman carving up batters in Spokane, the Squatches are handing over three top talents to Wenatchee this summer.

So, with the introductions out of the way, who are these three Squatches…

Chase Edwards - OF - Sophomore

After a quietly productive career at Ballard High School, Edwards made the four-hour drive east to join the Squatches in Spokane. The true lefty outfielder has been a regular face in the Falls these past two years, and will be dipping his toes into summer ball for the first time this summer with the ‘Sox.

His freshman year set a high bar, with Edwards clocking in 50 games, 51 hits, 26 RBIs, a 0.766 OPS, and a 0.309 average. However, his sophomore year has been quiet.

Through 31 games, Edwards has 28 hits, four doubles, a 0.252 average, and a 0.692 OPS. He does have a handful of games left in the season, but it is not enough to reach the bar he set for himself last year.

What he may lack in power, he makes up for in speed. On the base paths, Edwards has already snagged 54 career bases with 35 of those coming as a freshman. With 19 stolen bases this season, he is clearly a sneaky runner on the diamond.

The glove is not too shabby either. In his 81 career games, Edwards has made only two errors, giving him a 0.987 fielding percentage.

A solid average, A+ defending, and exceptional speed all make Edwards a quality tool for the ‘Sox to use this year. As a JUCO product possibly eyeing a spot on a D1 roster, this summer will be a good test for Edwards.

Luke Brown - RHP - Sophomore

He may have spent last summer in Kelowna, but this year Brown finds himself in Wenatchee for the offseason. His time in Kelowna was short and sweet, with just four appearances and 13 runs allowed, which spiked his ERA to 11.32.

Now with his former WCL opponent, Brown is primed to build on a career that has bogged down in his sophomore year. His freshman season with Spokane was eventful, as he made 13 relief appearances and posted a 4.86 ERA.

Flash forward to this year, and Brown has been riding the pine for almost the entire season. He made just one appearance this year, back on Feb. 21, where he spun ⅔ of an inning and handed over three runs. This gives him a misleading ERA of 40.50 as a sophomore.

Brown came to the Squatches from Gonzaga Prep High School and was highly coveted in his senior year. The 6-foot-7 Spokane native was the No. 1-ranked right-hander and the No. 42 overall player in the state according to Baseball Northwest back in 2024.

With two JUCO campaigns under his belt and a summer stint in Kelowna, the top prospect has been seldom used. Only 18 appearances in his college career make it hard to grasp what kind of arm he has.

But the four saves, 16 strikeouts, and 8.64 K/9 in his freshman year show exactly where the ceiling lies for Brown.

With a chance to get back on the mound, Brown will be taking advantage of every outing he gets in Wenatchee. He was a lockdown reliever in his freshman year. The question is, can he get back to that in the valley?

Tate Swanson - RHP - Freshman

As the youngest of the three, Swanson will be playing his first summer season in Wenatchee. Fresh out of Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, the 6-foot-4 righty has gotten to work early with the Squatches.

He has made nine cameos thus far, his most recent on May 2, when he went 1.0 inning, giving up one run on one hit. Overall for the year, Swanson has been incredibly efficient, repping a 1.65 ERA with just three runs allowed and seven scoreless outings.

On top of that, he is averaging 4 batters faced per inning, with over an inning pitched in all of his appearances. Length and efficiency: that is what Swanson has shown in his few outings with the Squatches.

With a ton of momentum built up in just his freshman year, the ‘Sox can only hope that he rolls it into the valley this summer. As a long-outing reliever, Wenatchee will most likely need Swanson to close out games for them all summer long.

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.

APPLESOX ADDING THREE JUCO TALENTS FROM WASHINGTON

Smith Slye - smith.slye@wsu.edu

AppleSox adding three JUCO talents from Washington

Familiar friends, Washington JUCOs, and all sophomores. Nathan Woodside, Noah Figuered, and Sawyer Wickerstrom may play for different programs, but they have quite a few similarities below the surface.

All three are finding their way to Wenatchee this year, and each one adds depth to their position group. Whether that’s an undersized catcher keeping runners in their place, a middle infielder swiping bag after bag, or a righty starter who has found his groove in JUCO, the ‘Sox picked three quality faces to join their ranks.

So, let’s peel back the curtain on these JUCO sophomores…

Nathan Woodside - C - Sophomore

Out of Woodinville, Washington, the ‘Sox are scooping up a catcher with a golden glove behind the dish. Currently at Lower Columbia Community College, Woodside is not exactly slugging the baseball, but he makes up for it with his defense.

Through 23 games, the 5-foot-7 sophomore is batting 0.222 with just 12 hits, nine RBIs, and one double. He has posted no triples and no home runs, making that one double his only extra-base hit of the year.

But the 0.993 fielding percentage jumps off the page immediately. To complement it, he has already thrown out four runners this year.

It makes sense considering his accolades from high school. A first-team All-Kinco selection in 2023 and a second-team selection in 2024. He excelled in his high school career, and now he is doing the same with the Red Devils.

Woodside is not alone on his trip to Wenatchee. He joins Harlan Rowe, who has been a Swiss Army Knife with Lower Columbia thus far.

​With Rowe as a pitcher and Woodside as a catcher, the two battery mates will be reunited this summer in Wenatchee.

Noah Figuered - INF - Sophomore

After spending last summer with the Bellingham Bells in the WCL, the ‘Sox have flipped Figuered to the valley. He is currently in his second year with Edmonds Community College, and his numbers paint a very clear picture.  

The kid out of El Cajon, California, committed to the Tritons out of high school and immediately got to work. A 0.281 average, 47 hits, 13 doubles, 35 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases made up his explosive freshman year in Edmonds.

​Of course, the glove was a little shaky that first year, with Figuered botching 13 plays in the middle infield and recording a 0.936 fielding percentage.

However, he has one-upped himself this season. A 0.315 average, 10 doubles, 46 hits, only three errors, and an insane 53 stolen bases. With eight games left on the slate, Figuered has plenty of time to continue growing his numbers and possibly break into 60 stolen bases.

A career 52 RBIs and 82 stolen bases are what truly pop about Figuered. After snatching him away from the Bells, the ‘Sox will be benefiting from both his speed on the basepaths and his clutch factor at the plate.

He is one of two Tritons who will be coming to the valley this summer, and as someone who does nothing but improve, he should be an exciting face to watch up the middle.  

Sawyer Wickerstrom - RHP - Sophomore

From the right side, Wenatchee is adding a Trojan who finds three familiar faces in the valley this year. Wickerstrom is joining Dylan Dyer, Basil Hendrix, and Hiroshi Johnson on the ‘Sox squad this summer, all three of his current teammates at Everett Community College.

He is a first-year Trojan, given that he started his journey at Utah Valley during his freshman season. Wickerstrom made just six cameos with the Wolverines, tossing six innings and giving up four runs. That rang up his ERA at a flat 6.00 in his Utah Valley career.

After that, Wickerstrom took the step down to JUCO, heading back to his hometown of Bothell. Ever since setting foot on the Everett rubber, he has not once looked back.  

As one of Everett’s starters, Wickerstrom has made ten appearances this year. In about five innings per outing, he has posted a 1.29 ERA, only seven earned runs, 20 walks, and 62 punchouts.

Essentially, Wickerstrom has found a home at the JUCO level. Now with Wenatchee this summer, he will have a chance to test his arm against a good mix of college talent.

As the fourth Trojan pitcher on the roster, Wickerstrom bolsters a bullpen that is stuffed to the brim. But his numbers against NWAC bats may give him an edge to grab a starting spot in the rotation.  

The 2026 season begins on May 29 as the AppleSox jet off to Edmonton to play the Edmonton RiverHawks at RE/MAX Field at 6:05 p.m. The AppleSox open their home season on June 5th at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as they host the Kamloops NorthPaws. The AppleSox have 29 home games and play until mid-August. The franchise’s five West Coast League championships are the second-most in league history. Season ticket packages are available for purchase now at applesox.com/season-tickets.