Mitch Darlington wins Coach of the Year!

For the second time in his AppleSox tenure, Mitch Darlington is your WCL Coach of the Year. No better time to give out this award, especially after Darlington was doused in champagne following his first championship with the AppleSox.

In his five years in Wenatchee, Darlington has yet to be denied the postseason. He made his way to a championship appearance in 2024, and just came short of a ring against the Portland Pickles. Funny enough,, he also won Coach of the Year that season, a testament to how far he carried that team through his leadership.

Looking at his half-decade in the valley, you get a taste of just how dominant he has been. He has built up 169 regular-season wins, ranking him second among AppleSox coaches. He has strung together four straight 30-win seasons, making him the first skipper to achieve the feat. He is also the only coach to reach the postseason in each of his first four years.

The list goes on and on. Throw in the championship season this year and it becomes obvious why he is your coach of the year.

Ask any player on the squad, and they will be the first to tell you how impactful Darlington has been. This year specifically, he built a team destined for greatness and gave them the tools needed to win it all.

His knowledge of the game, love for Wenatchee, and genuine compassion for everyone on the diamond are just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much that makes Darlington who he is, and it's safe to say he is just getting started in Wenatchee.

Congratulations to head coach Mitch Darlington, your WCL Coach of the Year!

Go AppleSox!  

This Year in AppleSox Baseball: It's a Wrap!

2026 was a summer to remember. A WCL championship, the best record in the league, and the first ring of coach Mitch Darlington’s career. So much happened this season that it can be hard to keep it all straight. Well, let’s take a look back at this truly unforgettable season.

The summer kicked off exactly how it ended… with a win. Wenatchee ventured north to Edmonton to start their season, and they took down the Riverhawks in their home opener. Yes, Edmonton did manage to strike back in game two, but the ‘Sox had already set the tone. Game three was canceled on account of brutal rain, forcing Wenatchee to pack up early and make the 15-hour bus ride back home to the valley.

No rest for the wicked though, as Wenatchee flipped around and immediately headed north to take on the Bellingham Bells, their North Division rival. The series was exactly what you would expect between the two teams. The ‘Sox won the series, and each game was a nail-biter. Game two was the most exciting, with Wenatchee winning 5-4 in extra innings.    

Finally, the ‘Sox made their way home to welcome the Kamloops NorthPaws for their first home games of the season. Fans got quite the welcome-back moment, with the AppleSox walking off the NorthPaws in extra innings to start the homestand.

The ‘Sox went 4-2 on the homestand, taking down both the NorthPaws and Springfield Drifters.

After that, they packed their bags again and hit the road. This time, they ventured to Nanaimo to face the NightOwls. The ‘Sox pummeled the Owls in the opening two games, but tripped short of the sweep.  

Then, the ‘Sox came home for seven straight games at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium. First was Edmonton, where Wenatchee made up for the rain-out at the start of the year. Action-packed and suspenseful: that was the series against the Riverhawks. At one point, the ‘Sox walked off Edmonton after tallying three runs in the bottom of the ninth, the most exciting game that the home crowd had seen all year.  ​

In just three days, the AppleSox won two series and notched their sixth straight series win. Next on tap were the NightOwls, and they left the valley in tatters.

Wenatchee scored 36 runs in the first two games, blowing out Nanaimo 21-11 in game two. That night was highlighted by James Castagnola nearly hitting for the cycle. With a double, a triple, and two home runs, Castagnola was just a single away from the cycle. In just his sixth game back with Wenatchee, he went 4-for-5 with six RBIs.

After burying the NightOwls in the dirt, Wenatchee went back on the road to close out the first half of the summer. It started easy-breazy against the Yakima Valley Pippins, sweeping them comfortably in three games, and ended with a sour taste against the Walla Walla Sweets.

The ‘Sox seemed to run out of gas in the final stages of the first half, losing the first two games to Walla Walla on the road. Those losses broke up an eight-series win streak, and gave Wenatchee their first series loss of the year. Each loss was by a single run, making the Sweets an annoying wall Wenatchee just couldn't surmount.

But the ‘Sox were not about to get swept. They got back to their winning ways in game three, beating the Sweets 13-6. The win secured the ‘Sox as the first half champions of the North, and immediately punched their ticket to the postseason as the first seed.

With the first half under their belt, Wenatchee got a nice reprieve from the division slate. They welcomed in the DubSea FishSticks for two games, and also welcomed in some new faces to help recharge the roster.

New players, new pitchers, and a playoff berth already secured, the ‘Sox were ready for the second half. It began with an opponent that the ‘Sox were almost too familiar with… the Riverhawks.

The series began with fireworks, both during and after the game. It was fireworks night at the ballpark in game one, with 2,180 fans packing into Paul Thomas. The ‘Sox smoked the Hawks 14-2, and then treated the home crowd to a fireworks show to remember.

In game two, it was more of the same, with Wenatchee blowing out Edmonton 10-1. But the ‘Sox got a taste of their own medicine in game three, where the Hawks dodged the sweep with a 12-2 win.

After a bitter taste in their mouth from Edmonton, the ‘Sox got back on the snide with an easy road sweep of Port Angeles, the team that finished the year with the worst record in WCL.

Next up… the Kelowna Falcons. At this point, Kelowna was elbowing for the second-place spot in the North. Both the Falcons and the AppleSox were the top two pitching teams in the league, and it was slated to be the best series of the year. And truly, it was.

‘Sox barely won game one 2-1. Then, Kelowna punched back in game two, winning 5-2 and keeping the ‘Sox at bay. Then, in the series decider, with the pressure on, the ‘Sox walked off game three. Landon White delivered a clutch single in the ninth to score the winning run and keep the ‘Sox on top.

Finally, after over a month, the ‘Sox got some rest. The All-Star break gave everyone in Wenatchee some needed time off, except for the AppleSox’s five All-Stars.

Landon White, Kainoa Santiago, Raphael Dunne, Clint Beck, and Joe Thornton each made their way up to Victoria and got a chance to represent the valley on the league’s biggest stage. White and Dunne both got starts in the game, and each went hitless in the evening. Santiago came in late and struck out to end the game and hand the North the loss.

Thornton and Beck were the two bright spots, each spinning scoreless frames in relief.

After the break, the ‘Sox stayed in Victoria to take on the HarbourCats. The series began with one of Wenatchee’s worst losses of the year, a true punch in the mouth. The 9-7 loss woke up the ‘Sox, who took down Victoria in the proceeding two games, winning the series and maintaining their North Division dominance.  

After a week away, they ventured back home and started an identity-defining homestand. It began with Port Angeles, who posed a tougher threat the second time around. The ‘Sox shut them out 2-0 in game one, a little too close for comfort.

If that wasn’t close enough, the Lefties really gave Wenatchee a run for their money in game two. The Lefties came from behind to tie the game in the sixth, and forced the ‘Sox to extras. In need of a hero, it was Kanoa Morisaki who donned the cape. The kid from Honolulu grounded a ball up the middle and scored the winning run, walking it off and winning the series.

The ‘Sox handled them comfortably in game three to get the sweep, but then they had the Bells. After barely sweeping the last-place team in the league, they had to face off with the team hot on their heels in the North.

The result was exactly as you’d expect. Yes, Wenatchee took game one, but games two and three were all Bells. Specifically game three, where Bellingham blew out the ‘Sox 18-5.

That loss was a bucket of cold water thrown on the ‘Sox’s momentum. But it did not seem to slow them down in the slightest.

They hit the road for six games up in Canada, and they came home flawless. They went undefeated on the road trip, sweeping both the Falcons and NorthPaws at their home ballparks.

What made the whole trip worth it was Mitch Haythorn’s outing against Kamloops. In his five innings against them, he struck out seven batters, giving him 100 career strikeouts on the dot.​

The century mark puts Haythorn in a select group of AppleSox, and cements his name in the Wenatchee history books.

Now into August, the season was coming to a close. The ‘Sox had just one series left before the postseason, and unfortunately they never truly got to play it. Wildfires from Chelan blew smoke down into the valley, raising the air quality index to over 900. Wenatchee did play game one, coming from behind to beat the HarbourCats 5-2.

The remaining two games against the Cats truly were inconsequential. The ‘Sox were already the first overall seed, and Victoria had already been eliminated. So, the two days off were a chance for the ‘Sox to rest up and get ready for the playoffs.

And ready they were. They drew Kelowna in the first round, and it wasn’t even close. The ‘Sox shut them out 9-0 in the first game on the road, with Mitch Haythorn holding the Falcons scoreless through seven innings.

Then, one win away from the North Division Championship, the ‘Sox did it again, beating the Falcons 8-3 in the series decider. The ‘Sox were the only team to sweep the divisional series, giving them an extra day of rest.

Before the second game at home, the ‘Sox had some important news to announce. Every year, they hand out the Tommy Watanabe award to a player on the squad who most embodies a love for baseball and his team. That honor went to Kanoa Morisaki, a three-year AppleSox who was a no-brainer for the award. If you want to read more about Saki and his journey with the AppleSox, visit our website.

Who else but the Bells? Bellingham won their series against the NightOwls and set the stage for a North Division throwdown in Wenatchee. Both teams were the top contenders all season, and everyone truly had their eyes on this game.​

What ensued was a merciless beatdown of their North Division rivals. Wenatchee pummeled them 18-4, with every member of the team chipping in to dominate the Bells in every aspect of the game.

The laugher of a game punched Wenatchee’s ticket to the championship, getting the ‘Sox back to the dance for their ninth all-time appearance.​

On a gorgeous night in Wenatchee, it was the ‘Sox and the Corvallis Knights. Two of the most successful programs in WCL history, and here they were facing off in the biggest game of the year.

Two top teams, playoff history, and each hungry for a return to glory. You bet it was the recipe for the most exciting game of the year.

Corvallis struck early, tagging the ‘Sox for three runs. Despite the early hole, the ‘Sox were not going away. They managed to load the bases in the bottom of the second, and cashed in for four runs to take the lead.

The Knights and ‘Sox proceeded to trade blows all the way into the eighth. It was 7-5 going into the final stretch, and fans got to see the greatest comeback of the year. They worked the bases loaded, and it was Reese Vassar who delivered with two outs. Vassar lined a ball to right field that made its way to the wall and cleared the bases.

The swing gave Wenatchee the lead and flipped the game on its head. Every fan at Paul Thomas was on their feet, and they sensed a win was on the horizon.

Easton Brooks had the mound for the ninth, and sat down the side in order, prompting a dog-pile on the mound and the celebration to start in Wenatchee.

A truly unforgettable season got its unforgettable conclusion. It was Wenatchee’s sixth championship in program history, and the first for head coach Mitch Darlington.

Through thick and thin, wins and losses, smoke or shine, the ‘Sox rode it out. Their reward? One of the best years in franchise history.

It truly was a season to remember. Now that it’s over, there really is only one thing to say…

Go ‘Sox!

Wenatchee wins the championship!

14 years in the waiting, and Wenatchee is finally back atop the mountain. The AppleSox are your 2026 WCL Champions after a nail-biting boxing match against the Corvallis Knights. Wenatchee came from behind to win 8-7, giving their home crowd a game to remember.

Corvallis struck early, tagging two runs in the first and one in the second. But the ‘Sox clawed them all back in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs off a flurry of hits.

However, Corvallis was not going home without a fight. The Knights tied the game in the fourth, and then put their foot on the gas by scoring three in the fifth.

Hope seemed lost for Wenatchee. Heading into the eighth inning, they had been held scoreless for four straight innings. But that’s when the spark was lit. With two outs the ‘Sox loaded the bases for Reese Vassar, who lined a ball to deep right field and scored three runs with a triple.

The swing gave the ‘Sox the lead and got every fan on their feet at Paul Thomas. Now with the lead and only three outs away from a championship, Wenatchee did not blink. Easton Brooks took the mound for the ninth and sat down the side in order, starting the party for the ‘Sox in Wenatchee.

Brooks took over on the mound in the fifth inning and pitched all the way to the game’s conclusion. He held the Knights scoreless in that time, allowing only two hits and striking out eight batters. Truly, the ‘Sox could not have won without the stellar outing from Brooks.

The championship is Wenatchee’s first in 14 years and their sixth in program history. After finishing the regular season with the best record in the WCL, it was the perfect cherry on top of an unforgettable season.

A special thank you to my broadcast partner Jackson Dodd, general manager Allie Schank, the entire AppleSox team, the coaching staff, and all the fans this season. You all have made this year incredibly special. It has been a fun one.

For the last time this summer, I’ve been Smith Slye… Go AppleSox.  

The 'Sox are championship bound!

Against their North Division rivals, in one of the most important games of the year, the AppleSox positively pummeled the Bells 18-4 in the Division Championship game. The blowout win punches Wenatchee’s ticket to the WCL Championship, where they will face off with the Corvallis Knights.  

Despite Bellingham striking first in the second, it was all AppleSox after that. In the bottom of the second, it was Ryder Young who started the party with a solo home run to right field to get Wenatchee on the board. Soon after, Paxton Bigby launched a ball 388 feet over the same right field fence to score three runs and give the ‘Sox the lead.​

What ensued was a beat-down of the Bells. Wenatchee tallied 14 runs in the proceeding six innings. The offense was highlighted by bases-clearing triples from Zach Doyle and Raphael Dunne, along with a two-run double from Noah Fields.

Pitching was near-flawless all evening. Sean McGrath got the start, and despite getting into trouble numerous times, managed to hold Bellingham to one run. Joe Thornton took over for him in the fifth, and managed to strike out the last batter to end the frame. Finally, Chihiro Sato got the rock and picked up his first save, tossing three innings to close it out.

The win was one of the ‘Sox biggest blowouts of the year, and it came in one of their most crucial games of the season. Now, they are back in the WCL Championship after missing out the year prior.

Wenatchee has won five titles in the WCL and has been to the championship eight times. With this being their ninth cameo, they are teed up for their first championship in 14 years.

The penultimate game will be hosted at 6:35 p.m on Thursday at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

This Week in AppleSox Baseball: Smoke Outs, Awards, and Playoff Wins

Week 11 is in the books, and it was a doozy. Whether it was wildfire smoke canceling a series, shutout playoff performances, or the ‘Sox clinching the North Division Championship game, this week had a little of everything.

It began with a series against the Victoria HarbourCats that actually never happened. Games two and three were canceled on account of egregious amounts of wildfire smoke, with the Air Quality Index spiking above 900 at one point. But they still managed to play game one, where the ‘Sox got the win.

Wenatchee came from behind to beat the HarbourCats, with Landon White and Zach Doyle hitting back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning to give Wenatchee the lead. Doyle’s home run was rocketed 420 feet to dead-center, the furthest hit ball at Paul Thomas this year.

After that, the two canceled games gave Wenatchee some extra time off before they started the postseason. It began up north in Kelowna, with the four-seed Falcons hosting the top-seed ‘Sox for game one.

Very quickly, fans saw exactly why Wenatchee was top of the league. Mitch Haythorn got the start for the ‘Sox, and spun six scoreless innings from the rubber. He allowed only four hits, no walks, and struck out six men. The lockdown outing earned Haythorn Pitcher of the Week for the WCL, his first time receiving the honor this year. At the plate, Raphael Dunne mashed the baseball, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI.

The ‘Sox won game one 9-0 in shutout fashion, setting the tone for the postseason. The next morning, the team packed onto the bus and made the long drive south back to Wenatchee.

Before game two began, the ‘Sox had a special announcement for the home crowd. After three years as an AppleSox, Kanoa Morisaki was bestowed the Tommy Watanabe Award. A yearly honor given to a player who best embodies a love for the game of baseball and his teammates. Kanoa is truly a no-brainer for the award. You can read more about the selection and Saki’s journey with Wenatchee on the AppleSox website.

Then, it was on to the game, where the ‘Sox took down the Falcons comfortably to punch their ticket to the North Division Championship game. They won 8-3, after standout performances from Ryder Young at the plate and Chihiro Sato on the mound, who picked up the win. Young went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Sato pitched 2 ⅓ innings, striking out three batters.  

With the stage set, the ‘Sox have a chance to play for a WCL Championship this Thursday. But they first have to get past the Bellingham Bells in the North Division Championship.

Wenatchee hosts the battle for the North tomorrow afternoon at 6:35 p.m at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

Mitch Haythorn wins Pitcher of the Week in the postseason!

He dominated in the regular season, and he’s dominating in the postseason. Mitch Haythorn got the start for the ‘Sox in game one of the playoffs, and he did not disappoint. His scoreless outing on the mound won him pitcher of the week for the WCL and gave Wenatchee the spark to sweep the Falcons in the series.

After securing 100 career strikeouts to close out his regular season with Wenatchee, Haythorn kept the momentum going into August. He pitched six innings against Kelowna, allowing only four hits, no walks, no runs, and striking out six batters.

The win gives Haythorn a 4-1 record overall on the year and drops his ERA to 4.32. He has had phenomenal outings all year, but none has quite compared to this flawless performance in the playoffs.

The next day, the ‘Sox journeyed back home and beat Kelowna again. The 8-3 win punched their ticket to the North Division Championship, which they will play against the Bellingham Bells tomorrow.

First pitch for the North Division Championship game will be at 6:35 p.m at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium in Wenatchee.

Wenatchee advances to the North Division Championship!

After shutting out the Falcons the night before, the ‘Sox took them down in game two. The 8-3 win gives the ‘Sox the series and punches their ticket to the North Division Championship game.

Wenatchee struck early and often, scoring two in the first, two in the second, and three in the third. It was a pair of Bulldogs who got the ‘Sox on the board, with Ryder Young scoring two with a single and Landon White clearing the bases with a double. Then, it was Raphael Dunne and Paxton Bigby who both singled in the third to extend the lead.

Vincent De Marco got the start for the ‘Sox, pitching 4 ⅔ innings and allowing just one run while striking out four men. Then, it was Chihiro Sato who took over and got the win, going 2 ⅓ innings of relief and only allowing one run. Finally, Easton Brooks took the reins in the eighth, and coasted Wenatchee to the win.

The win knocks Kelowna out of the playoffs and sends the ‘Sox to the North Division Championship game. As the highest-seeded team in the WCL, Wenatchee will host the game on Tuesday, with first pitch at 6:35 p.m at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

"It's all love": Kanoa Morisaki receives the Tommy Watanabe award

Nine years ago, the baseball world lost a genuine soul. Tommy Watanabe may no longer be with us, but his memory will forever be remembered at Paul Thomas. When someone receives the Watanabe Award, it is not just an indication of their love for baseball, but the remembrance of a life worth knowing.

After three years as an AppleSox, there is no one more deserving of that legacy than Kanoa Morisaki.    

“The award to me is about a player that has a joyful love for baseball,” head coach Mitch Darlington said. “Loves his teammates. Loves the organization. A guy who shows up every day and is excited to be at the yard… I think Kanoa is the perfect choice for this award.”

“I know that it holds a lot with not just the AppleSox but with the Watanabe family,” Matty Morisaki said, Kanoa’s father. “I was very moved hearing this.”

All the way from Honolulu, Morisaki’s name holds an appropriate meaning.

“Kanoa means free spirit,” Matty said. “I think that fits him well because growing up he was a free spirit. I don’t know how much parenting I did. Kanoa is teaching me. So, it’s a perfect name for him.”  

There really is no one more free than Kanoa. Ever since arriving in Wenatchee, he has played as much as he can for as long as he can.

“I first figured out he was a catcher,” pitching coach Quincy Vassar said. “Then he was a pitcher. And then he played shortstop for 20 games. I was like ‘this guy is a super hero’. He plays every position. He’s an amazing pitcher, and most people don’t even know.”

That quality served him well his first year in Wenatchee, where he played an invaluable role in the team’s playoff run.

“He could play every position,” Darlington said. “He was a catcher, he played short, he pitched. He was a big tool for us to have in that first year… He was a guy who was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win.”

That first season in 2024, Morisaki played shortstop for a majority of the season, on top of pitching in the clutch for playoffs. That dedication stems from a deep love for the game, which began even before Kanoa could speak.

“My earliest memory was… coming home and seeing Kanoa in this sagging diaper with a plastic bat,” Matty said. “We had this pitching machine that shot up a plastic ball and him just swinging and hitting that. That was probably at two years old.”

Flash forward to when he was eight, and Mr. Morisaki began to see just how unique his kid was.

“Every level that he went into, all the coaches said how special he is,” Matty said. “I remember in tee-ball he had really long hair, and most of the other coaches thought he was a girl…Everyone would say ‘Man, she’s so good!’. It got to a point where I just said thank you. I didn’t want to correct them.”

After committing to California State Bakersfield, Kanoa’s path took a turn that would forever alter his career. Saki’s teammate Elijah Pelayo had just wrapped up his season with the AppleSox and could not help but recommend Kanoa to the coaching staff. In the blink of an eye, Saki was getting the call and hopping on a flight to the valley.

The rest is history. Every single year, month, week, day, and minute that he has been in Wenatchee, he has repeatedly touched the lives of those around him.  

“Saki is the best man,” AppleSox pitcher Joe Thornton said. “He’s caught me for three years. Two years ago when I was really new to pitching, I came into a game against Bend, and he could tell I was a deer in headlights. He was fantastic at getting me to calm down.”

“When he walks in the room… everybody kind of loosens up,” teammate James Castagnola said. “He’s just fun to be around.”  

That ability to put people at ease is not common, and it is what makes it so easy for him to be a leader.

“He sets the standard,” Thornton said. “A new guy is able to come in, and they can tell right away, ‘whatever number 11 is doing I should probably be doing too.’”

It did not start that way. When Saki first arrived, he was a youngster, and has since developed his confidence by leaps and bounds.

“That first year here, he was a true freshman, and he didn’t really know what position was his,” Darlington explained. “He was a shortstop for us that summer. He’d catch every third game. But I think his confidence, especially catching, has taken off. He just has a presence about him.”

That presence is infectious, and the youngest AppleSox have felt its effects.  

“Guys like Akkani [Owodunni] and [Michael] Podstreleny,” Darlington said. “Just having that professionalism of how to show up every day to work. Taking some guys under his wing.”

His ability to teach has been long in the making. Year after year he has gotten better at being a mentor, largely because of a trait that has grown within him.  

“His independence,” Matty said. “It continues to grow and grow and grow. I come from the old school that you’re a student for life. Keep learning. Keep wanting to learn. The AppleSox give you an opportunity to work on your craft… Also touching other players. One of them came up to me and said that Kanoa has been a great mentor for me. That’s what it’s about.”

Leading by example goes beyond the game itself. Morisaki repeatedly gives back whenever he can.

“He’s such a humble guy,” Vassar said. “On days when he’s not playing, he’s down here catching every bullpen… He’s finding any way to be helpful… He’s helpful to younger guys.”

“Kanoa is the kind of kid where it’s Thanksgiving morning, and he’s sending you a text to say Happy Thanksgiving or Merry Christmas,” Darlington said. “He just cares. He cares about everyone around him.”

It can be hard in baseball to stay positive. In a sport that repeatedly faces you with failure, Kanoa knows how to keep his mind right. Specifically, by playing the ukulele.  

“It resets me from my day,” he said. “After a long day, playing the ukulele for a little bit, it relaxes me and teaches me good lessons in life.”

“I used to play a little bit, but he’s taken it to a whole new level,” Matty said. “My wife and I gave him his first ukulele when he was small. He’s self-taught. After baseball, he could go home and play for a half hour. Kind of decompress.”

Matty will be the first to tell you that, while he may be his dad, he did very little to shape who Kanoa is.

“I said very little to Kanoa growing up,” he said. “He kind of raised himself. It's not the old teaching the young, it’s the young teaching me… He leads by example. They see the work he puts in every day and that speaks volumes.”

That self-taught kid has grown up into a man that Matty will never stop being proud of.  

“As a parent, I am so proud of Kanoa,” he said. “As a person, he’s a great human being. Seeing him touch a lot of people, and believe me, the people are touching him too; it’s a two-way street, that’s what I’m very, very proud of.”

Talking to Matty and Kanoa, you can see what matters most to them… community.

“It’s the people here,” Matty said. “The greatest people. His host family, Larry and Shirley, have been parents to him. We trust them, and they love Kanoa…. The whole community here. I just love talking to everybody. They talk to you. It’s a real country feel which is beautiful.”

“The culture here,” Kanoa said. “Playing for Mitch, Quincy, and especially Ian Sagdal this year. They do a great job of helping us become better players.”

That love for the people and community is a rare trait. Building family in a strange place can be hard; the Morisakis make it easy.

“It’s him and his family,” Darlington said. “His dad shows up here and has these shell necklaces to give to our kids. Gives you a hug immediately, and he means it. It’s all love with him and Kanoa.”

He has truly found a home in Wenatchee, and they wouldn’t know what to do without him.

“He’s a foundational piece,” Vassar said. “When Kanoa’s here, we can expect the true pillar of a player.”

Gratitude is what that pillar is built on. Saki is permanently grateful for every moment he has on the diamond. That gratitude is rooted in the understanding of his family’s history. Saki’s grandfather picked pineapples when he was Kanoa’s age, working to give his family a good life. Now, at the age of 99, he still watches all of Kanoa’s games as best he can. Matty always makes sure Kanoa knows how far he’s come.

“I told Kanoa when he signed with Bakersfield… your ancestors before you, their fields were jacked up,” he said. “They made it smooth for you on the field you play on now.”

Safe to say, Kanoa does not take anything for granted. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who wants to be on the field more than Saki.

“It’s just wanting to be here,” he said. “Baseball is such a blessing. Getting to play the game, especially in college. Everyone should be smiling about that every day.”

And smile he does. All day every day. Seldom will you see Kanoa without a smile.

There truly is no one kinder, more caring, harder-working, or more grateful than Kanoa. For that reason, he is the obvious pick for this award. Congratulations to Kanoa Morisaki… your 2026 Watanabe Award winner.  

Wenatchee Kicks Off the Postseason With a Bang

After finishing the regular season with the best record in the WCL, the Wenatchee AppleSox entered the postseason looking to prove why they were the first seed in the North Division. They did just that, shutting out the Kelowna Falcons 9-0 in game one of the WCL North Divisional Series. 

The ‘Sox got ahead early and never looked back. They tallied two runs in the first and fifth innings, then broke the game open with five runs in the seventh after batting through the entire order.

Raphael Dunne was a key part of the AppleSox’s bats in game one. The San Diego native went 3-5, scoring twice and recording two doubles to lead his squad to victory.

However, the real story Friday night was the ‘Sox’s pitching staff, as they kept the Falcons off the board all night and held them to a mere six hits. Mitch Haythorn took the bump first and picked up his fifth win of the season after tossing six scoreless innings, walking none, and punching out six. Joe Thornton followed him up with a three-up, three-down inning in the seventh.

Finally, Wenatchee native Joe Schuyleman closed out the ball game and allowed only two hits while striking out one.

The victory tees the AppleSox up for a potential series win on Saturday. If the ‘Sox win, they’ll get a day off Sunday and advance to the North Division Championship Game.

Wenatchee returns to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium for game two of the series. First pitch is slotted at 6:35 p.m.

Game 3 Canceled Due to Smoke

The Wenatchee AppleSox’s game scheduled for Wednesday, August 5th against the Victoria HarbourCats has been canceled due to poor air quality. The ‘Sox will return to Wenatchee on Saturday, August 8th for the West Coast League North Division Series. Game time is slotted for 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Any tickets purchased for the last two days can be used toward Saturday’s playoff game. If you are unable to attend, please contact allie@applesox.com to receive a refund for your tickets.

Game 2 Canceled Due to Smoke

The Wenatchee AppleSox’s game scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th against the Victoria HarbourCats has been canceled due to poor air quality. Despite the game’s cancellation, the ‘Sox plan on hosting their regularly scheduled game Wednesday, August 5th. Game time is slotted for 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

We will continue to monitor conditions and provide any updates on our social media channels. Stay tuned for the latest information. 

AppleSox come from behind to beat Victoria

After going undefeated on the road trip, the ‘Sox kept the momentum going against the HarbourCats. They beat Victoria 5-2 in the first game of the series, coming from behind to power their way to the win.​

The Cats got out to an early lead, scoring one in the first and one in the fourth. After falling behind early in the game, Wenatchee locked in.

Landon White and Zach Doyle both crushed solo home runs back-to-back in the fourth, tying the game and swinging momentum back to the ‘Sox. White’s was a towering fly ball to left field, and Doyle’s was a monster slam 420 feet to straight-away center.​

Then, Michael Podstreleny singled to give Wenatchee the lead in the same inning. Flash forward to the sixth inning, and the ‘Sox tacked on two insurance runs.

It was a bullpen day for Wenatchee, throwing five different arms. Alec Johnson got the start, but only went one inning. Then it was Miles Barnes and Miles Ducharme who combined for three innings. Colin Fraser then came out to spin three innings of relief, allowing just two hits and no runs.

Finally, Joe Thornton took the reins in the eighth and got the save, tossing two innings and keeping the Cats scoreless.

The win extends their win streak to seven games and keeps the ‘Sox hot before they go into playoffs. They continue the series tomorrow with first pitch at 6:35 p.m at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

This Week in AppleSox Baseball: Undefeated Road Trips, Historic Wins, and the Best Record in the League

Ten weeks in, and the ‘Sox show no signs of stopping. Nearing the end of the regular season, Wenatchee decided to have an action-packed road trip and put together one of their best stretches of the season. An undefeated road trip, historic milestones surpassed, and the best record in the West Coast League is just the beginning of this week in AppleSox baseball.

The week began and ended on the road, starting against Kelowna up north of the border. The last time the two teams faced off in Wenatchee it was a close affair, and Kelowna was the second-place team in the league.

This time around, things were not nearly as close. Wenatchee swept the Falcons in their home ballpark, beating them comfortably in each matchup. Game one was an arms-length blowout at 10-2, with Harry Pelzman tossing a stellar start and getting his second win of the season. Immediately after him, it was Chihiro Sato who came in and slammed the door in 3 ⅓ innings of flawless relief, picking up his first save of the year. Noah Fields shined offensively, slapping his first home run of the year early in the game.

Game two was slightly tighter, with Derek Render making his first start of the summer and tossing six innings of technically two-run baseball. A frenzy of errors put a blemish on Render’s outing, with blunders from Bryce Hampton, Kanoa Morisaki, Josiah Rodriguez, and two from Raphael Dunne. Those errors coughed up two unearned runs, giving the Falcons the only four runs of their night. The ‘Sox still managed to win 8-4, after Joe Schuyleman took the reins in the seventh and threw three innings of hitless and scoreless relief. The game was tied 4-4 going into the ninth, but the ‘Sox still delivered the go-ahead run and put on some insurance with a James Castagnola bases-clearing double.

In the sweep decider, Wenatchee clutched up. Colin Fraser took the mound for his very first start as an AppleSox, and he did not disappoint. The lefty spun six innings on the mound, allowing only six hits and just three runs. Then, it was Levi Grothen who tossed his best outing of the road trip to carry Wenatchee across the finish line 9-3 in the final game.

After handling the Falcons in those three games, the ‘Sox headed even further north to Kamloops. This series was a must-watch for AppleSox fans, and had history being made in each game.

For game one, it was Mitch Haythorn who hit an impressive career milestone. With seven strikeouts in the evening, Haythorn hit 100 career K’s on the dot. In just his second year as a ‘Sox, the Colorado kid has hit triple digits in the strikeout column. The game also featured Hampton getting his first home run as a ‘Sox with a go-ahead grand slam in the fourth inning. The matchup still came down to the wire, with Noah Sorensen giving up three runs in the ninth and just barely holding on for the 6-5 win.

In game two, Wenatchee set a new high-water mark for walks. Going into the affair, they needed eight walks to tie their record of 300 in a season. When it was all over, the ‘Sox had 13, giving them 305 and blowing their previous record out of the water. Plus, with numerous games still left in the season, they will continue to grow it every day. Wenatchee won the second game 12-3, in large part due to the 13 walks given up by Kamloops.

Teed up for the sweep in game three, the AppleSox took care of business. Noah Fields put the team on his back, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Pitching was as phenomenal as always, with Vincent DeMarco spinning four scoreless innings to start and Joe Schuyleman slamming the door late to secure the sweep.

The 6-0 road trip officially gives Wenatchee the best record in the WCL and wins them the second-half championship. It truly was their best stretch of the entire season, and their first time going undefeated on a road trip this year.

However, the season is not over yet. The ‘Sox welcome the Victoria HarbourCats to the valley today for a three-game series right before the start of playoffs.

As the number one seed, the best team in the league, and the second half champions, the ‘Sox are just getting started. Everything is leading to the postseason, and safe to say the ‘Sox are itching to go on a run.  

The 'Sox go undefeated on the road trip!

The ‘Sox have the best record in the West Coast League. Their win today over the Kamloops NorthPaws mathematically grants them the second half championship and secures them as the top team in the league. The 5-1 win in game three also gives them back-to-back sweeps on the road.​

Wenatchee struck first when Noah Fields doubled in the third to drive in the opening run. Then, it was in the fifth where the ‘Sox strung together two hits, five walks, and four runs.

Vincent DeMarco got the start for the ‘Sox and set the tone. The incoming freshman pitched four innings of scoreless baseball, giving up just three hits and one walk. Then, it was Chihiro Sato, fresh out of the pen, who spun three scoreless frames in relief.

Finally, it was Joe Schuyleman who took over late and closed out the sweep decider. The win was the finishing touch on the 6-0 weekend and Wenatchee’s 15th series win of the year.

The dominant weekend mathematically gives Wenatchee the best record in the league, and some needed momentum heading into playoffs. But before that, they finish out the regular season against Victoria at home.

Game one of the home series is at 6:35 p.m on Monday, August 3 at Paul Thomas Senior Stadium.

'Sox secure 15 series wins this season!

With a comfortable win over the Kamloops NorthPaws, the AppleSox took home their 15th series win of the season. They beat the NorthPaws 12-3 in game two and are now teed up for back-to-back sweeps on the road trip.​

Wenatchee got out to an early lead, scoring eight runs in the first four frames. With a comfortable cushion, Sean McGrath kept the NorthPaws at bay.

The righty threw 6 ⅓ innings of one-run baseball sitting down the side in order for five straight innings. He walked only one batter and struck out five.​

It wasn’t until the seventh inning that McGrath finally started to shake. After coughing up a walk, the ‘Sox handed it off to Damian Pantoya out of the pen. Pantoya went just ⅓ of an inning, allowing two runs off three hits and a walk.

Then, it was Tyler Schuyleman who was trusted with the escape job. Schuyleman pitched the remaining 2 ⅓ innings of the ballgame and held the NorthPaws scoreless.

James Castagnola stood out at the plate for Wenatchee, going 3-for-6 with an RBI-triple late in the game to give Wenatchee some insurance.

The ‘Sox offense also drew 13 walks in the game. Those 13 free passes helped set a new team record for single-season walks at 305. The previous record was 300, and now the ‘Sox will be adding to history in every remaining game.

Wenatchee will aim for the sweep tomorrow afternoon in game three against the NorthPaws. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m at Norbrock Stadium in Kamloops.  

Wenatchee wins in a nailbiter

On a hot and smoky day in Kamloops, the AppleSox just barely beat the NorthPaws by the skin of their teeth. The ‘Sox led 6-2 going into the ninth, and nearly coughed up the lead. However, they still managed to hold on and snuck out the 6-5 win in game one.

Kamloops struck first in the outing, scoring in the first and third innings. Down by a pair of runs in the fourth inning, the ‘Sox managed to load the bases. Then, Bryce Hampton came to the plate.

The ‘Sox shortstop absolutely pulverized a ball into deep left field and single-handedly gave Wenatchee the lead with a grand slam. The swing was Hampton’s first slam as a ‘Sox and his first home run with the team as well.

After that, the ‘Sox sprinkled on some insurance in the sixth and eighth innings just to be safe.

The real headline of the evening was a historic outing from Wenatchee’s starting arm Mitch Haythorn. The kid from Colorado struck out seven batters, giving him 100 career strikeouts on the dot. This puts him in a tight club of four AppleSox pitchers to ever record 100+ punch outs.

After him, it was Chihiro Sato who spun two innings of scoreless relief. Then, the ‘Sox handed it to Noah Sorensen to close out the ballgame. With a four-run lead and the NorthPaws down to their last three outs, it seems like an easy task, right? Think again.

Sorensen gave up two walks, two hits, and two hit-by-pitches in the final frame to load the bases and inevitably score three runs for the NorthPaws. However, he still managed to bear his teeth when he struck out the last batter to finally end the game.

It may not have been the prettiest win, but it’s still a win in the books. The ‘Sox are now set up for the series win tomorrow night in game two of the set. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m at Norbrock Stadium in Kamloops.

'Sox sweep the Falcons aside in game three

For the fifth time this year, the AppleSox broke out the brooms. With their 9-3 win over the Falcons tonight, they put the cherry on top of their 14th series win of the season.

The ‘Sox scored all nine of their runs in the first three innings, and then coasted their way to the ninth. It was abysmal pitching for the Falcons that handed Wenatchee all of their runs, with Kelowna’s starting pitcher Jacob Beaudoin walking six runners and allowing six runs to score in the first two innings.

After him, Josh Butters coughed up three runs off two hits and three walks. With a 9-1 lead, the ‘Sox just needed to fend off the Falcons for the remaining seven innings.

Colin Fraser was making his first start of the summer for Wenatchee on the mound, and he did not disappoint. He spun six innings of three-run baseball, striking out four batters while allowing six hits.

After him, Levi Grothen took over in the seventh and shut down the Falcons. He allowed no runs off three hits and struck out five batters to close out the game.

Four AppleSox batters recorded multi-hit games, with Ryder Young and James Castagnola smacking multi-RBI games. It was truly an ensemble cast that made up the Wenatchee offense in the sweep decider.

Now, the ‘Sox head north to play the Kamloops NorthPaws to end the road trip. Game one begins tomorrow at 6:35 p.m at NorBrock Stadium in Kamloops.

Wenatchee wins their 14th series of the year!

14 series wins. That’s what the ‘Sox locked up last night with their 8-4 win over the Kelowna Falcons on the road. The game was tied up 4-4 in the ninth inning, and Wenatchee pulled off some late-game magic to steal the win from Kelowna.

The Falcons struck first in the opening frame, capitalizing on numerous errors for the ‘Sox. However, Wenatchee was able to tie it up with an RBI-walk from Kanoa Morisaki in the proceeding frame.

The ‘Sox and Falcons then exchanged blows for the next four innings, inevitably tying the game at four runs going into the ninth. Wenatchee loaded the bases in the final inning, and then scored in the most bizarre way possible. Aidan Lopez popped a ball straight into the air right above home plate. However, the Falcons’ infield was unable to make a catch, and it dropped right in front of the plate, resulting in the go-ahead run scoring.

Immediately after that, James Castagnola teed up a pitch to deep right-center field and cleared the bases with a three-run RBI double.

Now with an 8-4 lead, the ‘Sox slammed the door on the Falcons. Joe Schuyleman pitched in the ninth and sat down the side in order to confirm the win.

Derek Render was the starting arm for the ‘Sox, and he spun an impressive outing. He went six innings, allowing just three hits and only one earned run. After him, Schuyleman pitched the remaining three innings and put the Falcons to bed. He allowed no runs off no hits and struck out the last batter to end the game.

Now with 14 series wins on the season, the ‘Sox are set up for their fifth series sweep in game three against Kelowna. First pitch for the sweep decider is 6:35 p.m tomorrow night at Elks Stadium in Kelowna.

'Sox bounce back against the Falcons

After losing the series to Bellingham just a few days prior, the ‘Sox bounced back brilliantly against Kelowna. They shot down the Falcons 10-2 in game one and set themselves up for the series win in game two.

The game began as a staring contest, with both teams trading scoreless frames. However, the ‘Sox broke it open in the third with four runs off a frenzy of hits.

Then, it was Noah Fields who crushed a two-run home run in the fourth inning to add some more insurance for the ‘Sox. Wenatchee then tacked on one in the sixth and three in the seventh to put the game further out of reach.

Harry Pelzman was the starting arm for the ‘Sox, and while he did get into some hot water, he still posted a phenomenal outing. The lefty spun 5 ⅔ innings of two-run baseball while striking out eight batters in total.

After him, it was Chihiro Sato who carried the team the rest of the way, throwing 3 ⅓ scoreless frames with no hits and three strikeouts.

Minus a hiccup in the fifth and sixth, Wenatchee kept the Kelowna bats in check all evening and brought the boom when it mattered most at the plate.

The ‘Sox now have the series win on tap in game two against the Falcons. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m tomorrow at Elks Stadium in Kelowna.

This Week in AppleSox Baseball: Sweeps, Walkoffs, and a Series Loss

Week nine was about as up and down as it gets for Wenatchee. They went from a sweep over the Lefties to a series loss to the Bellingham Bells. Whether it was barely edging out the Lefties in a pair of games, falling short of a comeback against the Bells, or getting blown out by them, this week in AppleSox baseball was an eventful one.

The six-game home stand began with Port Angeles on Tuesday. The ‘Sox took care of the Lefties, shutting them out 2-0 in the opening game. Clint Beck picked up his fifth save of the season, tossing the final three innings and striking out five batters while allowing no hits.

Game two was far closer than it had a right to be. The Lefties were able to tie up the ‘Sox 4-4 heading into extra innings, and began to make them sweat. But, it was Kanoa Morisaki who was the hero and got the walk-off single in the 11th to end the game.

The sweep decider was much more on brand for the ‘Sox. It was kicked off by Aidan Lopez destroying a three-run home run over the right fence in the very first inning. The ball carried 413 feet and gave the ‘Sox an early lead.

Wenatchee tacked on an insurance run later in the evening and then rode a four-inning relief outing from Derek Render across the finish line. The win secured the fourth sweep of the season for the ‘Sox. It also locked up five straight series wins to start the second half.

After that, Wenatchee welcomed their North Division rivals to the valley. In game one against Bellingham, the ‘Sox came out hot. They kept the Bells at arm's length in the 10-5 win, where Mitch Haythorn got the start and struck out eight batters through 5 ⅔. In total, the pitching staff punched out 12 Bells in the first game, setting the stage for a series win on Saturday.

However, the ‘Sox tripped at the finish line. Game two was a nail-biter, with both teams taking turns putting up big innings to trade the lead back and forth. It was a flurry of errors for the ‘Sox that really cost them, leaving their pitchers out to dry.

The ‘Sox were trailing 11-9 going into the bottom of the ninth, and it was Ryder Young who breathed life into the team. The Gonzaga Bulldog smacked an opposite-field solo home run to put the ‘Sox within one, but it was not enough to beat the Bells. They won 11-10 and forced a rubber match in game three.

It all came down to Sunday. While the series decider started as a boxing match, the final score would not reflect that. The error bug struck again, paired with nine walks from the pitching staff and 15 hits from the Bells. The ‘Sox had no answer for their rivals in the final game, losing 18-5 in blowout fashion.  

The series loss is just Weantchee’s second of the year, and snapped their five-series win streak. Now, they head on the road for six games up north of the border. They’ll start with three against Kelowna, and then head further north to play against the Kamloops NorthPaws on the last leg of the trip.

Game one of the road trip will be at 6:35 p.m on Tuesday, July 28 at Elks Stadium in Kelowna.