AppleSox Sign UC Irvine Duo

Two current UC Irvine Anteaters are set to wear an AppleSox uniform this summer. Pictured above are the AppleSox newest additions, left-handed pitcher Dylan Riddle and catcher Matt Reitano.

WENATCHEE – Two UC Irvine Anteaters will join the Wenatchee AppleSox for the 2016 season. The current Anteaters that will wear an AppleSox uniform this summer are left-handed pitcher Dylan Riddle and catcher Matt Reitano.  

“Both guys are fired up to be coming to Wenatchee and we are really excited to get them,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “Each season we are able to receive not only excellent players from UC Irvine, but quality individuals as well.”

Riddle, a native of San Clemente, Calif., has been active out of the bullpen for the Anteaters in his freshman season. The southpaw has appeared in six games and has a 4.91 ERA. Last season he helped San Clemente High School win their league championship and played for the National High School Invitational championship team.
 
From San Diego, Calif., Reitano is also receiving playing time for UC Irvine during his freshman campaign. He has made six starts and has appeared in ten games this season. Last year he was named the team MVP at Mira Mesa High School where he had a .420 on-base percentage. He won the 2015 U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar-Athlete Award and is majoring in biological sciences. 

The 2016 season will begin at home on June 3 with a three-game series against the Yakima Valley Pippins. The team’s 17th season will include 33 home games at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

Single game tickets start at just $7 for adults and $6 for kids. Season tickets are available now and can be purchased by contacting the AppleSox office at (509) 665-6900.

Three Future Bruins Join AppleSox

The AppleSox strong tradition of introducing college-bound Bruins to continue in 2016, the team announced, Friday.

WENATCHEE – Three UCLA recruits who will join the Bruins in the fall will first play for the Wenatchee AppleSox this summer. The future Bruins joining the AppleSox will be catcher Michael Toglia, infielder Ryan Kreidler, and outfielder Jeremy Ydens.
 
“We are extremely fortunate to have a great relationship with UCLA,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “We have had so many talented players come to Wenatchee from UCLA over the years and are thrilled for that to be the case again this season.”
 
Toglia is a Washington native who is in his senior year at Gig Harbor High School. He was ranked No. 7 on the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of Washington list and ranked No. 481 on the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects list.
 
Kreidler, from Davis, Calif., was named a 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American. He was ranked No. 23 on the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California list and ranked No. 163 on the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects list.
 
A product of Campbell, Calif., Ydens was named the 2015 San Jose Mercury News All-Area Player of the Year and 2015 CalHiSports State Junior of the Year. He was also ranked No. 33 on the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California list and ranked No. 255 on the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects list.
 
“All three are very high-level recruits and will follow in the footsteps of many other UCLA players who have come to Wenatchee over the years,” said Proszek. “They are able to get valuable experience playing in our league, which will prepare them well to make an impact as soon as they begin their college careers.”
 
The 2016 season will begin at home on June 3rd with a three-game series against the Yakima Valley Pippins. The team’s 17th season will include 33 home games at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.
 
Single game tickets start at just $7 for adults and $6 for kids. Season tickets are available now and can be purchased by contacting the AppleSox office at (509) 665-6900.
 
About the Wenatchee AppleSox:
The Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball Club is part of the West Coast League, one of the premier wood-bat summer collegiate leagues in the country. The AppleSox provide affordable family entertainment for baseball fans throughout North Central Washington, and an excellent environment for college players from around the country to develop their skills.
 
The AppleSox were founded in 2000. The team has won the WCL Championship five out of the last nine seasons (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012). Nine AppleSox alumni have reached the major leagues. Three currently play at the MLB level: Jason Hammel (Chicago Cubs), Blaine Hardy (Detroit Tigers), and Tommy Milone (Minnesota Twins). For more information, visit www.applesox.com.  

AppleSox Announce 2016 Schedule

The AppleSox 17th season features 33 home games, 27 home WCL matchups and two new opponents. Fans can also look forward to a Father's Day Matchup, Fireworks Night, and Independence Day game.

WENATCHEE – On June 3, 2016, the Wenatchee AppleSox open their 17th season, and a 33-game home schedule at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. The schedule features 27 West Coast League matchups, and 6 non-league games, the team announced Friday.

The schedule also includes a Father’s Day matchup June 19, the team’s annual Fireworks Night presented by Edward Jones July 3, and an Independence Day game the following night.

The realigned WCL schedule kicks off immediately, with Wenatchee entertaining geographical rival Yakima Valley, June 3. First pitch will fly at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m., and the Friday-night matchup opens the first of six weekend series on Wenatchee’s schedule this summer.

Two organizations make their first appearances on the AppleSox schedule in 2016, including the WCL’s newest franchise, the Gresham GreyWolves. In non-league action, Wenatchee will face the Alaska Goldpanners. This is the first time the Goldpanners, from Fairbanks, have come to Wenatchee. The team was launched in 1960 and later started the Alaska Baseball League. They are perennial contenders at the NBC tournament in Wichita.

Wenatchee will also welcome the San Francisco Seals to the Apple Capital, to complete the six-game non-league slate. It will mark the third-consecutive season the teams have met in Wenatchee.

June 3-5, Wenatchee plays its only home games with the Yakima Valley Pippins, after a league realignment moved the Pippins to a six-team South Division. Wenatchee will play in the North, with four other division members, including Walla Walla, Kelowna, Bellingham, and Victoria. Bend, Corvallis, Cowlitz, Gresham, and Kitsap round out the South. League members will compete for first and second half titles in both divisions. The winners of the first and second halves of the season will face each other in the WCL Divisional postseason series, before setting up a North-South Championship series.

The two winningest franchises in WCL history meet June 10-12 in Wenatchee, when Corvallis comes to town. The first two games of the series are slated for 7:05 p.m. first pitches, and Sunday’s game will open at 6:05 p.m.

All non-Sunday home games start at 7:05 p.m. in 2016, and all seven Sunday home games will begin at 6:05 p.m.

Wenatchee’s first multi-series homestand begins Tuesday June 14 and continues through the Father’s Day game, June 19. Walla Walla and San Francisco will be the AppleSox foes for the week.

The AppleSox next six home games will be against Canadian outfits. Victoria comes to town Monday June 27 through Wednesday June 29. To cap a streak of nine WCL home games, Kelowna will visit for Fourth of July weekend, with the series opening Sunday July 3 on Fireworks Night, and continuing through Tuesday.

Wenatchee plays its second six-game homestand against WCL South opponents Gresham and Bend, July 9-14. It will be the Sox second meeting against the two teams for Oregon, following the teams southerly six-game road trip in late June.

After the All Star Game July 19 at Cowlitz, in Longview, Wenatchee hosts the Kitsap BlueJackets for three games. Then, after a six-game roadstand, the AppleSox end a string of 12-straight games, when they welcome the Alaska Goldpanners to Washington.

The final regular season home series of 2016 will coincide with the WCL’s regular season end, when Wenatchee plays host to Bellingham, one of the league’s powerhouse organizations over the past two years.

Should the AppleSox reach their 14th postseason, Divisional Playoff games will be held August 9-11 at the participating teams’ stadiums. The WCL Championship series will take place August 13-16. The team with the best record will likely host the final two games of the series (third game, if necessary), August 15-16.

For Tickets:
Fans can enjoy three different seating options for AppleSox season tickets: Premium Reserved Seating, General Admission Bleacher Seating and General Admission Family Bleacher Seating. There's a seating choice for every taste and all are bargain-priced! Benefits include:

-       Same great seats for all events, including playoffs and promotional nights.

-       Generous discounts off the regular ticket prices.

-       Transferable. Thank valuable clients or reward star employees with your tickets.

-       An invitation to the annual AppleSox Hot Stove Party.

Premium Reserved Seats: $215 - The best seats in the house, with the best close-up location to the field. Premium seats in the "Nan & Red Ogan Seating Section" have seat backs and arms.

General Admission Bleacher Seats: $115 - All bleacher seats have great views of the field. A family seating section is alcohol-free. General admission tickets are also good for the Pepsi Patio Deck and the lawn chair areas.

Contact the AppleSox at 509-665-6900 or visit www.applesox.com/tickets for more information.

Youth Camps to Expand in 2016

AppleSox campers work at the Pitching/Catching camp, which will run June 27-29, 2016. A Hitting/Fielding camp will be held for FOUR days, July 11-14, 2016.

WENATCHEE - Popular youth camps will expand in 2016, AppleSox Owner, Jim Corcoran, and Head Coach AJ Proszek, announced Monday.

This year, aspiring baseball players will work with AJ Proszek and his 2016 team to acquire skills in hitting, fielding, pitching, and catching. 

Camps are EXPANDED this year. The Hitting/Fielding camp will span FOUR days, July 11-14, 2016, while the team's Pitching/Catching camp is utilizing a three-day schedule (June 27-29).

Both camps prepare youth baseball players with the skills they need to grow their games, and are a fun way to connect with AppleSox players and coaches. 

Camps are scheduled for 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., and feature break out sessions with the AppleSox college student-athletes. 

The Hitting/Fielding camp costs $119 and the Pitching/Catching camp is $99. Both make great holiday gifts, and each camper gets a gift bag full of cool stuff including an AppleSox t-shirt and a free ticket to the next home game.

Fans can register their favorite youth baseball players for the camp opportunities through the AppleSox website (www.applesox.com), by clicking on "Community" at the top menu bar, followed by "Youth Camps." 

Fans are also encouraged to visit www.applesoxcamps.com for more information. 

ABOUT APPLESOX CAMPS
Wenatchee AppleSox instructional clinics are for kids who want to enhance their baseball skills. Participants will learn techniques to improve hitting, fielding, pitching and catching from AppleSox players and coaches. These camps are EXPANDED with increased instruction time for each camp over previous camps, with the Pitching / Catching Camp running three days and the Hitting / Fielding Camp running four days this year.  The AppleSox camps are led by Head Coach AJ Proszek, and he is assisted by his coaching staff and players.

APPLESOX TO FACE NEW WCL OPPONENT IN 2016

FROM WCL COMMUNICATIONS

Starting summer 2016, Gresham, Oregon will be home to the newest West Coast League baseball team. Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis, along with West Coast League President Dennis Koho, made the announcement Thursday at Mt. Hood Community College’s Oslund Field.

“We are proud to welcome the West Coast League to Gresham. This league will bring a fun and affordable family-friendly activity to our community and I am excited to see kids and families at the games cheering on Gresham’s team,” said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis.

“Mt. Hood Community College is honored to be the host site for what should prove to be a wonderful addition to the Gresham community,” said Mt. Hood CC President Dr. Debra Derr.

“The West Coast League is very excited to be partnering with Gresham and Mt. Hood Community College.  Both represent high standards of growth and excellence as does the West Coast League.  Every community in which we play gets their chance at winning a championship, and I am confident that the new Gresham club with bring a strong brand to town in 2016,” said West Coast League President Dennis Koho.

The owners of the yet-to-be named Gresham team are Jerry and Lisa Walker who are also the owners of the highly successful Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, a Class A affiliate of the 2010, 2012, 2014 World Series Champions San Francisco Giants; and the Klamath Falls Gems. 

“Lisa and I join the entire WCL, City of Gresham, Mt. Hood Community College and area fans in celebrating this next chapter in community-based, family-friendly, championship-caliber baseball,” Jerry Walker said.

“Gresham is known to support baseball. We’ve had a number of major league players come from our area and it is natural the community would rally around this new team. What a great opportunity for business involvement as well,” said Lynn Snodgrass, Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce CEO.

The team’s nickname and mascot will be determined through a community-wide “name the team contest.” Fans can immediately begin submitting their entries by email togreshamwclbaseball@gmail.com.

Featuring a population of nearly 110,000 and located in Multnomah County, Gresham is a suburb of Portland, Oregon and is the fourth largest city in Oregon.

Gresham’s WCL team will play its home games at Mt. Hood CC’s Oslund Field, which features ivy on its outfield field fence like Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The new Gresham team will replace the Klamath Falls Gems in the WCL’s 2016 schedule. The WCL’s 11-team schedule will be released soon. The Klamath Falls Gems will continue play at historic Kiger Stadium, but not as a West Coast League team.

About the Wenatchee AppleSox:

The Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball Club is part of the West Coast League, one of the premier wood-bat summer collegiate leagues in the country. The AppleSox provide affordable family entertainment for baseball fans throughout North Central Washington, and an excellent environment for college players from around the country to develop their skills.

The AppleSox were founded in 2000 and appeared in the West Coast League Championship Series in 2012. The team has won the WCL Championship five out of the last nine seasons (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012). Nine AppleSox alumni have reached the major leagues. Three currently play at the MLB level: Jason Hammel (Chicago Cubs), Blaine Hardy (Detroit Tigers), and Tommy Milone (Minnesota Twins). For more information, visit www.applesox.com.

AppleSox, WCL Baseball Featured in Kitsap Sun

Check out two articles in the Kitsap Sun, featuring the AppleSox and WCL Baseball atmosphere! We miss it already, but can't wait for next season! 

LEAGUE OF DREAMS: WEST COAST LEAGUE HELPS BASEBALL PLAYERS TAKE NEXT STEP

IN WEST COAST LEAGUE, FOUR TEAMS ARE THE CORNERSTONES

For information on season tickets, and becoming a host family for the 2016 season, fans can call 509-665-6900 or email info@applesox.com - 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE APPLESOX HOST FAMILY EXPERIENCE
 

APPLESOX EARN WEST COAST LEAGUE HONORS

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox placed one 2015 player on the West Coast League First Team and two on the WCL Second Team, while four others were noted as honorable mention, President Dennis Koho announced, Thursday.

Keston Hiura (UC Irvine), named to the 2015 Perfect Game Summer Collegiate All-America First Team last week, adds to his summer accolades with a WCL First Team selection.

Hiura sported a team-best .356 batting average and also led the team in runs (39), hits (68), doubles (21), triples (6), RBI (42), HBP (9), sacrifice flies (5), and stolen bases (13). He set single-season team records for doubles (21), triples (6), extra-base hits (33), and total bases (119). Also, Hiura finished the season by reaching base in 41 consecutive games. In total, he reached base in all but one of his 49 games played.

Mitchell Holland (UC Irvine), joined his Anteater teammate, earning a second team bid. Hunter Wells (Gonzaga) was also named to the second team.

Holland was the Sox second-best hitter in 2015. He finished with a .312 average, three home runs, 29 RBI, 12 walks, and three stolen bases. He was Wenatchee’s Home Run Derby representative at the 2015 WCL All Star Game.

Wells tied a team record, posting a seven-win season, placing him atop Wenatchee’s record books with Owen Jones (2011). He was the only All Star selected from the AppleSox pitching staff, and posted a low ERA, for starting pitchers, at 2.76. He also was the team’s strikeout leader with 56.

Evan Douglas (Spokane Falls CC), Zach Haggett (Spokane Falls CC), Dustin Hamilton (Central Washington), and Sean Sparling (UC Irvine) were all noted as Honorable Mention All-WCL.

Douglas led the Sox in home runs (7), Haggett was second on the team in wins (6) and starter’s ERA (3.72), Hamilton led Wenatchee in saves (5), and Sean Sparling posted the lowest ERA of any AppleSox pitcher (1.60).

Wenatchee’s seven representatives are the first coached to All-League honors by AJ Proszek. Bend led the league in first-team selections (4), and the Kelowna Falcons captured at least a share of each individual WCL award. Falcons' shortstop Hunter Villanueva of Fresno Pacific earned MVP honors, Kelowna right-hander Brady Miller of Western Oregon was named WCL Pitcher of the Year, and Falcon skipper Billy Clontz was the league's pick for Coach of the Year. Kelowna GM Mark Nonis shared Executive of the Year recognition with first-year Bend Elks general manager Casey Powell.

Comeback Bid Falls Just Short In Season Finale

The 2015 AppleSox finished 24-30 in WCL play, and were 27-31 overall.

YAKIMA, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (27-31, 24-30) finished the season in a close 4-3 contest with the Yakima Valley Pippins (32-25, 29-25) at County Stadium in Yakima. 

The AppleSox fell behind early, with the Pippins making good on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning. Yakima Valley also added two runs in the third inning, following an error and two singles. 

Wenatchee scored a run in the fourth after a single for Mitchell Holland. A wild pitch and a passed ball set up Holland to score on a second wild pitch in the inning. 

The Pippins added their fourth run on back-to-back errors and a sacrifice bunt for an RBI. 

Wenatchee came back for a second run in the sixth inning on an RBI single for Joey Jansen, and nearly mounted a complete comeback in the ninth inning on a double by Evan Douglas and an RBI single for Keston Hiura. 

The AppleSox will be back in action June of 2016, when the 2016 season opens at Paul Thomas Sr. Field! 

APPLESOX END 2015 SEASON, SUNDAY

GAME NOTES
BASEBALL BLURBS

2015 SEASON ENDS ON ROAD IN YAKIMA
The Wenatchee AppleSox (27-30, 24-29), third place in the WCL East, will look to finish the 2015 season with a series win over the Yakima Valley Pippins (31-25, 28-25)...Wenatchee has won its last three WCL East divisional series...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (27-30) (.474), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
The AppleSox scored first in the second inning off of Pippins starter Darrion Simons...Drew Helmstadter drove in Jordan Rathbone with an RBI single. Rathbone was aboard earlier in the inning on a double...Yakima Valley answered with an RBI double from Dayton Provost, scoring Jake Manson, who was aboard on a double earlier in the inning...Zach Haggett (6-3), worked seven innings for the AppleSox, Saturday, and gave up only the one Pippin run on five hits. He threw 90 pitches over his seven innings and threw 60 for strikes...Keston Hiura gave Haggett a lead to work with in the top of the seventh. Hiura hit an RBI triple to the wall in right field to score Evan Douglas who walked earlier in the seventh off of Pippins reliever Zach Wolf (0-1)...Hiura also walked in the first inning to extend his streak of reaching base to 40-consecutive games...Kyle Vanderkin also tripled for the AppleSox in the eighth inning...in the bottom half, AJ Proszek was ejected arguing a changed call between second and third base, when a Pippins runner was originally called out on a rundown, later to be ruled safe on a missed tag...Sean Sparling rebounded to strikeout two batters with two runners in scoring position, before retiring the side in the ninth inning for the AppleSox 2-1 victory. 

CAN’T KEEP HIM OFF BASE
Keston Hiura extended his consecutive reached base safely streak to 40 games, with a walk in the first inning last night...he has reached base consecutively in more games than any other player in the WCL this season...the previous high was set by Tyler Davis of Bend (31)...there are no players with an active streak in the WCL higher than 18 games, other than Hiura...his streak began June 24 at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins, in a 10-8 AppleSox loss. 

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 867 games, the AppleSox own a 540-327 (.623) record...the AppleSox are 400-227 (.638) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 349-209 (.626) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 431-284 (.603) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 325-169 (.657) all-time home record, and is 225-177 (.561) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-29 all-time in extra-inning games.

APPLESOX WIN, END PIPPINS PLAYOFF HOPES

YAKIMA, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (27-30, 24-29) ended the Yakima Valley Pippins (31-25, 28-25) hopes for a 2015 playoff berth Saturday with a 2-1 victory in a pitcher's duel at County Stadium in Yakima. 

The AppleSox scored first in the second inning off of Pippins starter Darrion Simons. Drew Helmstadter drove in Jordan Rathbone with an RBI single. Rathbone was aboard earlier in the inning on a double. 

Yakima Valley answered with an RBI double from Dayton Provost, scoring Jake Manson, who was aboard on a double earlier in the inning. 

Zach Haggett (6-3), worked seven innings for the AppleSox, Saturday, and gave up only the one Pippin run on five hits. He threw 90 pitches over his seven innings and threw 60 for strikes. 

Keston Hiura gave Haggett a lead to work with in the top of the seventh. Hiura hit an RBI triple to the wall in right field to score Evan Douglas who walked earlier in the seventh off of Pippins reliever Zach Wolf (0-1). Hiura also walked in the first inning to extend his streak of reaching base to 40-consecutive games. 

Kyle Vanderkin also tripled for the AppleSox in the eighth inning. 

In the bottom half, AJ Proszek was ejected arguing a changed call between second and third base, when a Pippins runner was originally called out on a rundown, later to be ruled safe on a missed tag. 

Sean Sparling rebounded to strikeout two batters with two runners in scoring position, before retiring the side in the ninth inning for the AppleSox 2-1 victory. 

WP- Zach Haggett (6-3)
LP- Zach Wolf (0-1)
S- Sean Sparling (3)

APPLESOX CONTINUE SERIES AT YAKIMA, SATURDAY

GAME NOTES
BASEBALL BLURBS

2015 SEASON ENDS ON ROAD IN YAKIMA
The Wenatchee AppleSox (26-30, 23-29), third place in the WCL East, will look to play spoiler to the Yakima Valley Pippins (31-24, 28-24), who need to win out and receive some help in the final weekend of league play to make it into the WCL postseason...Yakima Valley swept the first meeting between the two teams at Paul Thomas Sr. Field, and the AppleSox took two of the next three, before losing last night...the Pippins earned the season series win last night...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (26-30) (.464), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
Yakima Valley scored seven runs over the first two innings off of Gage Burland (2-4), who ended up making his shortest start of the season at two innings...the AppleSox were no-hit by Yakima Valley starter Mitch Yada (4-3), who was facing his former AppleSox team (2013) for the third time this season...Yada gave up a run in the third after two errors allowed Kyle Vanderkin to third and he was driven in on a groundout...Keston Hiura got the AppleSox first hit in the fourth inning. With the hit, Hiura has reached base in 39-consecutive games, a high in the WCL...Kyle Blankenship pitched a strong six innings of relief, giving up just two runs to the Pippins...the outing will be the last for Blankenship in 2015, a good way to end his campaign...the AppleSox added a run in the ninth inning with doubles for Mitchell Holland and Jordan Rathbone (RBI)...Rathbone was the only AppleSox player with multiple hits Friday...the complete game win for Yada, marked the first complete game thrown by a Pippins pitcher in 2015, and was the first of his collegiate summer league career. 

CAN’T KEEP HIM OFF BASE
Keston Hiura extended his consecutive reached base safely streak to 39 games, with a single in the fourth inning last night...he has reached base consecutively in more games than any other player in the WCL this season...the previous high was set by Tyler Davis of Bend (31)...there are no players with an active streak in the WCL higher than 18 games, other than Hiura...his streak began June 24 at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins, in a 10-8 AppleSox loss. 

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 866 games, the AppleSox own a 539-327 (.623) record...the AppleSox are 399-227 (.638) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 348-209 (.626) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 430-284 (.603) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 324-169 (.657) all-time home record, and is 225-177 (.561) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-29 all-time in extra-inning games.

APPLESOX FALL IN OPENER AT YAKIMA VALLEY

YAKIMA, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (26-30, 23-29) fell 9-2 to the Yakima Valley Pippins (31-24, 28-24) at County Stadium to open the final series of the 2015 season, Friday night. 

Yakima Valley scored seven runs over the first two innings off of Gage Burland (2-4), who ended up making his shortest start of the season at two innings. 

The AppleSox were no-hit by Yakima Valley starter Mitch Yada (4-3), who was facing his former AppleSox team (2013) for the third time this season. Yada gave up a run in the third after two errors allowed Kyle Vanderkin to third and he was driven in on a groundout. 

Keston Hiura got the AppleSox first hit in the fourth inning. With the hit, Hiura has reached base in 39-consecutive games, a high in the WCL. 

Kyle Blankenship pitched a strong six innings of relief, giving up just two runs to the Pippins. The outing will be the last for Blankenship in 2015, a good way to end his campaign. 

The AppleSox added a run in the ninth inning with doubles for Mitchell Holland and Jordan Rathbone (RBI). Rathbone was the only AppleSox player with multiple hits Friday. 

The complete game win for Yada, marked the first complete game thrown by a Pippins pitcher in 2015, and was the first of his collegiate summer league career. 

The AppleSox and Pippins continue the series tonight in game two at 7:05 p.m. 

WP- Mitch Yada (4-3)
LP- Gage Burland (2-4)

APPLESOX BEGIN FINAL 2015 SERIES AT YAKIMA

The AppleSox and the Yakima Valley Pippins open their final series of 2015, Friday night at County Stadium in Yakima.

GAME NOTES
BASEBALL BLURBS

2015 SEASON ENDS ON ROAD IN YAKIMA
The Wenatchee AppleSox (26-29, 23-28), third place in the WCL East, will look to play spoiler to the Yakima Valley Pippins (30-24, 27-24), who need to win out and receive some help in the final weekend of league play to make it into the WCL postseason...Yakima Valley swept the first meeting between the two teams at Paul Thomas Sr. Field, and the AppleSox took two of the next three...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (26-29) (.473), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
The AppleSox were lifted offensively by Keston Hiura, who hit a two-run home run in the first inning to left field...it was Hiura’s sixth home run of the season, third of the homestand, and second of the series. ..a season-high crowd of 1,859 was on hand to witness the blast, which extended Keston Hiura’s reached base streak to 38 games...Walla Walla provided a bulk of the offense, Thursday, earning seven runs off of starter Micael Taylor...an RBI single for Willie MacIver in the first inning gave Walla Walla its first run. They added a second in the fourth inning on a groundout from Dyllin Mucha. A seven-run sixth inning capped the contest offensively, and the game swung in momentum after a catcher’s interference call put runners at first and second with one out...Walla Walla’s Nick Halamandaris went on to hit a grand slam to right field, which gave Walla Walla its seven-run lead.

CAN’T KEEP HIM OFF BASE
Keston Hiura extended his consecutive reached base safely streak to 38 games, with a two-run home run in the first inning...he has reached base consecutively in more games than any other player in the WCL this season...the previous high was set by Tyler Davis of Bend (31)...there are no players with an active streak in the WCL higher than 18 games, other than Hiura...his streak began June 24 at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins, in a 10-8 AppleSox loss. 

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 865 games, the AppleSox own a 539-326 (.623) record...the AppleSox are 399-226 (.638) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 348-208 (.626) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 430-283 (.603) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 324-169 (.657) all-time home record, and is 225-176 (.561) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-29 all-time in extra-inning games.

APPLESOX CONCLUDE 2015 HOME SEASON IN LOSS

Keston Hiura hit his sixth home run of the season, and third of the homestand, in Wenatchee's last home regular season game of 2015, Thursday. 

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (26-29, 23-28) fell to the Walla Walla Sweets (25-28, 22-28), by a score of 9-2 in Wenatchee's final regular season home game of 2015. 

The AppleSox were lifted offensively by Keston Hiura, who hit a two-run home run in the first inning to left field. It was Hiura's sixth home run of the season, third of the homestand, and second of the series. 

A season-high crowd of 1,859 was on hand to witness the blast, which extended Keston Hiura's reached base streak to 38 games. 

Walla Walla provided a bulk of the offense, Thursday, earning seven runs off of starter Micael Taylor. 

An RBI single for Willie MacIver in the first inning gave Walla Walla its first run. They added a second in the fourth inning on a groundout from Dyllin Mucha. A seven-run sixth inning capped the contest offensively, and the game swung in momentum after a catcher's interference call put runners at first and second with one out. 

Walla Walla's Nick Halamandaris went on to hit a grand slam to right field, which gave Walla Walla its seven-run lead. 

The AppleSox return to action Friday night for their final series of the season, at Yakima Valley. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 in game one at County Stadium in Yakima. 

WP- Micah Gorman (5-2)
LP- Micael Taylor (2-6)

APPLESOX CLOSE 2015 HOME SEASON, THURSDAY

The AppleSox and Walla Walla Sweets close the 2015 schedule at Paul Thomas Sr. Field, on Fan Appreciation Night, Thursday.

GAME NOTES
BASEBALL BLURBS

APPLESOX COMPLETE 2015 HOME SCHEDULE
The Wenatchee AppleSox (26-28, 23-27), third place in the WCL East, finish their 2015 home schedule with the Walla Walla Sweets (24-28, 21-28)...Walla Walla and Wenatchee are tied 4-4 in the series this season and Walla Walla has walked off the AppleSox in 3 of the 8 contests...the AppleSox won last night 5-3, and are going for a home series sweep to finish the 2015 season...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (26-28) (.481), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
Walla Walla struck first off of AppleSox starter Tyler Burch (3-0), on a two-error first inning...a groundout for Nick Halamandaris scored the game’s first run...the two teams combined for seven errors in the game...Keston Hiura lined a warning-track triple to center field, beating the shift, for his fifth triple of 2015, a new team record...it was the only hit for the AppleSox in the first...Hiura now holds the team single season record for doubles, total bases, and triples...an RBI single for Clayten Ayers in the third inning gave Walla Walla a 2-0 advantage...the AppleSox scored once in the fourth on a wild pitch, and then a error at second base brought around two more runs in a two-hit inning for a 3-2 Wenatchee lead...the AppleSox allowed the score to tie in Burch’s final inning, on an RBI groundout for Alex McKenna and the Sweets...Wenatchee regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning to pick up their starter...Evan Douglas doubled to set up second and third with two outs, and he and Joey Jansen scored on an error at shortstop...Douglas went 3-for-5 and has now collected multiple hits in six of his last seven games...Wenatchee held the rest of the way home, with Colton Loomis working in relief for his first save of the season. 

THE HIT MACHINE
Keston Hiura hit his third triple of the season to straightaway center field last night, to set the team’s record for triples in a single season...it was previously a five-way tie for the team records in triples at 4.

CAN’T KEEP HIM OFF BASE
Keston Hiura extended his consecutive reached base safely streak to 37 games, with a triple to center field in the first inning...he has reached base consecutively in more games than any other player in the WCL this season...the previous high was set by Tyler Davis of Bend (31)...there are no players with an active streak in the WCL higher than 18 games, other than Hiura...his streak began June 24 at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins, in a 10-8 AppleSox loss. 

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 864 games, the AppleSox own a 539-325 (.623) record...the AppleSox are 399-225 (.638) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 348-207 (.626) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 430-282 (.603) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 324-168 (.657) all-time home record, and is 225-176 (.561) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-29 all-time in extra-inning games.

APPLESOX TAKE GAME TWO, HIURA SETS TRIPLES RECORD

Keston Hiura raced for his fifth triple of the season Tuesday night, placing him alone atop the team's all-time record holders in single season triples (5). 

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (26-28, 23-27) took another step towards their team goal of finishing .500 in league play with a 5-3 win over the Walla Walla Sweets (24-28, 21-28), Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

Walla Walla struck first off of AppleSox starter Tyler Burch (3-0), on a two-error first inning. A groundout for Nick Halamandaris scored the game's first run. The two teams combined for seven errors in the game. 

Keston Hiura lined a warning-track triple to center field, beating the shift, for his fifth triple of 2015, a new team record. It was the only hit for the AppleSox in the first. Hiura now holds the team single season record for doubles, total bases, and triples. 

An RBI single for Clayten Ayers in the third inning gave Walla Walla a 2-0 advantage.

The AppleSox scored once in the fourth on a wild pitch, and then a error at second base brought around two more runs in a two-hit inning for a 3-2 Wenatchee lead. 

The AppleSox allowed the score to tie in Burch's final inning, on an RBI groundout for Alex McKenna and the Sweets. 

Wenatchee regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning to pick up their starter. Evan Douglas doubled to set up second and third with two outs, and he and Joey Jansen scored on an error at shortstop. 

Douglas went 3-for-5 and has now collected multiple hits in six of his last seven games. 

Wenatchee held the rest of the way home, with Colton Loomis (1) working in relief for his first save of the season. 

The final home game of 2015 is Wednesday night and is both a Fred Meyer Kid's Day and Fan Appreciation Night. Select beverage and souvenir items will be on sale, and first pitch is at 7:05 p.m., with the AppleSox seeking a series sweep. 

Foster Family Night, Wednesday

The AppleSox and the Walla Walla Sweets take to the diamond Wednesday night for Foster Family night, in the Sox second-to-last home game of the season. 

GAME NOTES
BASEBALL BLURBS

APPLESOX GO FOR HOME SERIES WIN
The Wenatchee AppleSox (25-28, 22-27), third place in the WCL East, finish their 2015 home schedule with the Walla Walla Sweets (24-27, 21-27)...Walla Walla holds a 4-3 lead in the series this season and walked off the AppleSox in 3 of the 7 contests...the AppleSox won last night 8-5, and are going for a home series win...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (25-28) (.472), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
Wenatchee answered a tough game Sunday, by scoring five runs in the first inning off of Kyle Molnar (1-1), who was coming off of a no-hitter in his last start...Evan Douglas and Mitchell Holland doubled in the first inning, and Sheldon Liikala, Jordan Rathbone, Nick Nyquist, and Kyle Vanderkin strung together four-straight singles in the frame...Douglas went on to go 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Holland was 2-for-5 with an RBI...Vanderkin also posted a multi-hit night...Hunter Wells started seven innings, allowing four earned runs, and left after seven with a 6-4 lead, when Holland made a diving stop at first and flipped on to the bag to save a run and get the Sox out of the inning...with the win, Wells tied Owen Jones (2011) for most wins in a single season in AppleSox history (7)...in the bottom of the eighth, Keston Hiura hit an inside fastball the opposite way to right field for his fifth home run of the season, after Walla Walla had narrowed the Sox lead to one through the top half of the frame...it was Hiura’s second home run in as many nights...he extended his consecutive games reaching base streak to 36 games in the fourth inning on a double to right center field...Dustin Hamilton earned his team-leading fifth save...all six of his outs recorded were on strikeouts. 

RECORDS SET
Hunter Wells won his seventh game of the season, Tuesday, for the AppleSox...his win ties him for the team’s all-time single-season wins record...last night Keston Hiura also set the team’s record for total bases in a season...105 bested Mitchell Gunsolus, who had 104 in 2012.CAN’T

CAN'T KEEP HIM OFF BASE
Keston Hiura extended his consecutive reached base safely streak to 36 games, with a double to right center field in the fourth inning... he also hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning.. he has reached base consecutively in more games than any other player in the WCL this season...the previous high was set by Tyler Davis of Bend (31)...there are no players with an active streak in the WCL higher than 18 games, other than Hiura...his streak began June 24 at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins, in a 10-8 AppleSox loss. 

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 863 games, the AppleSox own a 538-325 (.623) record...the AppleSox are 398-225 (.638) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 347-207 (.626) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 429-282 (.603) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 323-168 (.657) all-time home record, and is 225-176 (.561) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-29 all-time in extra-inning games.

WELLS TIES SINGLE SEASON WINS RECORD, SOX WIN 8-5

Hunter Wells won a team-record seventh game of the season, and Keston Hiura reached base in his 36th consecutive game, Tuesday. Wells is now tied with Owen Jones (2011) for most single-season wins, and Hiura also hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning.

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (25-28, 22-27) were lifted by a phenomenal offensive performance, while Hunter Wells picked up his seventh win on the season in an 8-5 win over the Walla Walla Sweets (24-27, 21-27), Tuesday.

Wenatchee answered a tough game Sunday, by scoring five runs in the first inning off of Kyle Molnar (1-1), who was coming off of a no-hitter in his last start. 

Evan Douglas and Mitchell Holland doubled in the first inning, and Sheldon Liikala, Jordan Rathbone, Nick Nyquist, and Kyle Vanderkin strung together four-straight singles in the frame. 

Douglas went on to go 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Holland was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Vanderkin also posted a multi-hit night. 

Hunter Wells started seven innings, allowing four earned runs, and left after seven with a 6-4 lead, when Holland made a diving stop at first and flipped on to the bag to save a run and get the Sox out of the inning. With the win, Wells tied Owen Jones (2011) for most wins in a single season in AppleSox history (7).

In the bottom of the eighth, Keston Hiura hit an inside fastball the opposite way to right field for his fifth home run of the season, after Walla Walla had narrowed the Sox lead to one through the top half of the frame. It was Hiura's second home run in as many nights. He extended his consecutive games reaching base streak to 36 games in the fourth inning on a double to right center field. 

Dustin Hamilton earned his team-leading fifth save. All six of his outs recorded were on strikeouts. 

Game two of the series is on Wednesday night and it is the final Fred Meyer Kid's Day of the season, and also Foster Family Night presented by Sunny FM. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m., and Tyler Burch (2-0, 6.39) gets the start for the AppleSox. 

WP- Hunter Wells (7-2)
LP- Kyle Molnar (1-1)
S- Dustin Hamilton (5)

FINAL 2015 HOME GAMES KICK OFF TUESDAY

A fun-filled week lies ahead, as the AppleSox complete their 2015 home schedule with three great nights, sponsored by Cherry Creek Radio, Sunny FM, and Washington Trust Bank. 

GAME NOTES
BASEBALL BLURBS

APPLESOX SEEK REVENGE AGAINST WALK-OFF AIDED SWEETS
The Wenatchee AppleSox (24-28, 21-27), fourth place in the WCL East, finish their 2015 home schedule with the Walla Walla Sweets (24-26, 21-26)...Walla Walla holds a 4-2 lead in the series this season and walked off the AppleSox in 3 of the 6 contests...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (24-28) (.462), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
The HarbourCats began with a two-run first inning off of Sox starter Zach Haggett (5-3), scoring on an RBI single and groundout...Wenatchee answered with a two-run bottom half of the first on an RBI double from Keston Hiura, on the first pitch he saw of the night...Sheldon Liikala also drove in a run later in the inning while reaching on a throwing error...from that point, Wenatchee’s only other run until the ninth inning was a birthday blast for Keston Hiura that sailed over the left field fence...it was Hiura’s fourth home run of the season, and was also a first-pitch home run...meanwhile, Victoria poured on the runs...from innings two-through-eight, the HarbourCats scored 19 runs on 18 hits, while Kevin Collard struck two triples and Jake Pries drove in 6 RBI...Nick Nyquist was a bright spot for the AppleSox...he went 5-for-5 with an RBI in a seven-run ninth inning, when Victoria began to empty its bullpen...Nyquist is the first AppleSox player to attain a five-hit game since Gonzaga teammate Nick Brooks accomplished the feat June 27, 2014 at Bend...Evan Douglas also hit a 2-RBI double in the ninth, Joey Jansen walked home a run with the bases loaded, to go along with the Nyquist RBI...Dominic Topoozian (5-4) got a win over six innings and the teams combined for 10 pitchers in the series finale...Victoria earned its first sweep over Wenatchee all-time, and with an AppleSox loss and Corvallis win, the Sox were eliminated from the WCL Wild Card playoff picture. 

CAN’T KEEP HIM OFF BASE
Keston Hiura extended his consecutive reached base safely streak to 35 games, with a first-pitch double to left field in the first inning Sunday... he also hit a solo home run in his next at bat on one pitch.. he has reached base consecutively in more games than any other player in the WCL this season...the previous high was set by Tyler Davis of Bend (31)...there are no players with an active streak in the WCL higher than 18 games, other than Hiura...his streak began June 24 at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins, in a 10-8 AppleSox loss. 

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 862 games, the AppleSox own a 537-325 (.623) record...the AppleSox are 397-225 (.638) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 346-207 (.626) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 428-282 (.603) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 322-168 (.657) all-time home record, and is 225-176 (.561) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-29 all-time in extra-inning games.

APPLESOX, HARBOURCATS FILL UP SCOREBOARD IN GAME THREE

Keston Hiura doubled and homered on two pitches, Sunday, to extend his consecutive games reaching base streak to 35 games. 

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee AppleSox (24-28, 21-27) combined with the Victoria HarbourCats (28-24, 25-22) to score 31 runs, in a 21-10 loss, Sunday, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

The HarbourCats began with a two-run first inning off of Sox starter Zach Haggett (5-3), scoring on an RBI single and groundout. 

Wenatchee answered with a two-run bottom half of the first on an RBI double from Keston Hiura, on the first pitch he saw of the night. Sheldon Liikala also drove in a run later in the inning while reaching on a throwing error. 

From that point, Wenatchee's only other run until the ninth inning was a birthday blast for Keston Hiura that sailed over the left field fence. It was Hiura's fourth home run of the season, and was also a first-pitch home run. 

Meanwhile, Victoria poured on the runs. From innings two-through-eight, the HarbourCats scored 19 runs on 18 hits, while Kevin Collard struck two triples and Jake Pries drove in 6 RBI. 

Nick Nyquist was a bright spot for the AppleSox. He went 5-for-5 with an RBI in a seven-run ninth inning, when Victoria began to empty its bullpen. 

Nyquist is the first AppleSox player to attain a five-hit game since Gonzaga teammate Nick Brooks accomplished the feat June 27, 2014 at Bend. 

Evan Douglas also hit a 2-RBI double in the ninth, Joey Jansen walked home a run with the bases loaded, to go along with the Nyquist RBI. 

Dominic Topoozian (5-4) got a win over six innings and the teams combined for 10 pitchers in the series finale. Victoria earned its first sweep over Wenatchee all-time, and with an AppleSox loss and Corvallis win, the Sox were eliminated from the WCL Wild Card playoff picture. 

The AppleSox will prepare for their final three-game home series Tuesday-Thursday at Paul Thomas Sr. Field which includes Salvation Army Food Drive night, Tuesday. Cherry Creek radio will donate one general admission ticket to any fan who donated one non-perishable item to the drive. Wednesday is Foster Family night and the AppleSox will host foster families and organizations from around the state in the first event of its kind east of the Cascades. Thursday is fan appreciation night. First pitch for all three games is at 7:05 p.m., and gates open at 6 p.m.