APPLESOX DROP GAME TWO AS BELLS BATS EXPLODE FOR FOUR HOME RUNS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (22-19, 7-7 second half) surrendered four home runs on a windy night in a 12-6 loss to the Bellingham Bells (22-19, 6-8), Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Bellingham took an early 1-0 lead off of Easton Henke (0-2) on an RBi triple for Colby Barrick in the second inning.

Wenatchee responded in its half of the second with two runs, on back-to-back RBI singles from Jalen Garcia and Jack Reisinger. Zach Pettway (3-0) recovered to strand the bases loaded, although he suffered a 40 pitch inning.

The work load didn’t seem to bother Pettway much, who ended up working six innings. It was just the Bells’ fourth time this year, getting a pitcher through six frames. Pettway struck out 12 batters in the outing and allowed only two runs in that second inning.

Bellingham started its slugfest in the third inning, with the reigning West Coast League home run derby champion, Chase Illig, launching a ball over the right field fence for a two-run home run, following a walk.

After a second walk in the inning, Ryan Mendoza launched a two-run home run to right field for a 5-2 lead.

A scoreless fourth led to another two-home run inning for the Bells in the fifth. Austin Shenton, the WCL’s leading hitter, put down a bunt against the shift to reach base for Illig, who his his second home run of the game over the right field fence. The blast was his 11th of the season, which tied Jordan Qsar for the league lead. The next home run for either batter will set the WCL single-season, individual home run record.

Kyle Stowers followed Illig’s second home run, with a solo shot of his own down the right field line.

Belllingham brought home another run in the seventh off of reliever Steen Fredrickson on back-to-back doubles, including an RBI double from Austin Pinorini.

The home runs weren’t done flying, Sunday, after six and a half innings. In the bottom of the seventh, Jake Taylor hit one for the good guys. It was his third of the season, and bashed over the wall in left-center field. The two run shot made it a 9-6 game.

Three more Bellingham runs scored in the eighth, to put a bow on the game-two win for the Bells. Only one of the runs was earned, following an AppleSox error.

Game three of the series is Monday, and it’s Mascot Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Mike Townsend will get the start for Wenatchee in the rubber match at 7:05 p.m.