APPLESOX FALL IN SERIES LOSS TO HARBOURCATS

The Wenatchee AppleSox fell 12-4 in a decisive game two of a three-game series in Victoria, Wednesday. 

BOX SCORE

VICTORIA – The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-5), lost their second-consecutive series to open 2016 to the Victoria HarbourCats (2-3), in a 12-4 contest Wednesday night, at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. 

AppleSox starter Jimmy Dobrash retired all six batters who faced him in the first two innings, Wednesday. 

He allowed six runs in the third inning, and faced 11 HarbourCat batters. The inning started off with a walk, followed by two doubles, a single, and another double. A sacrifice fly, a walk, and two errors (one on a failed pickoff attempt, and another on a failed caught stealing attempt), led to the onslaught of runs in the frame.

Wenatchee committed six errors, in total, Wednesday night. Dobrash left the game in the fourth inning, and Matt Young pitched the remainder of the game. 

The AppleSox scored two runs in their half of the fourth, on an RBI single for Jordan McGowan and a sacrifice fly for Erik Sauve. 

Victoria answered with one run in the fifth inning, and three more in the sixth inning to claim a 10-2 advantage. Cody Snider, PJ Floyd, and Hayden Jaco all contributed RBI in the game to keep Victoria in front throughout. 

Wenatchee scored two runs in the eight inning off of relievers Creed Smith and Skyler Henderson. They were pitching in relief of HarbourCat starter, Colin Asworth, who earned a 7-inning quality start in his first starting appearance of 2016. 

Jeremy Ydens brough in a runner on an RBI groundout to shortstop, and Steven Machtolf reached on an error at third base. Both Parker Price and Haydan Hastings each scored from third base during the respective plays. 

Victoria went on to add two nore runs in the ninth off of Young. An RBI single for PJ Floyd and a second error by Wenatchee’s third baseman led to a 12-4 defecit. 

Wenatchee committed a season-high six errors in the game, and with the loss, is guaraunteed to lose back-to-back series for the first time since July 6-11, 2015. 

The final game of the series will be played Thursday night at Royal Athletic Park. Luke Mattson will start for Wenatchee across from James Kannenberg for Victoria.

AppleSox Continue Road Series Wednesday

The AppleSox continue a three-game set with the Victoria HarbourCats, Wednesday night in British Columbia. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX (0-4) at Victoria HarbourCats (1-3)
Sports Traders Diamond at Royal Athletic Park     |       6:35 p.m.
R- Jimmy Dobrash (0-1) vs. R- Chris Ashworth (0-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-4, 0-1, North), tied for fourth place in the division, head north to take on the Victoria HarbourCats (1-3, 1-3 North) for the first of two three-game series in Canada...Wenatchee was held scoreless for a total of 18.2 innings, before Steven Machtolf drove in a run with an RBI HBP in the ninth inning yesterday...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (27-35) (.435), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- HARBOURCATS 11 - APPLESOX 1 
VICTORIA – The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-4), fell to the Victoria HarbourCats (1-3), 11-1 Tuesday night...the AppleSox were held without a baserunner for 6 2/3 innings, and hitless through 7 innings, facing Dalton Erb of the HarbourCats...Erb received tremendous run support from the HarbourCats in the third, fourth, and fifth innings...the HarbourCats scored 10 of their 11 runs over the three frames...after 3 2/3 innings, it was 3-0 HarbourCats when Nick Hoefling made his AppleSox debut...a 2-RBI single off of the second base bag made it 5-0 HarbourCats...Cody Snider went 3-for-5 with a single, home run and double...he drove in three runs and stole two bases in the game...Victoria added more for a 10-0 lead after five innings...Ryan Murkle worked a 2-out walk off of Erb in the seventh inning to break up a perfect game, and Steven Machtolf started the eighth inning with a hard-hit single to right center field to break up Erb’s no-hit bid...Casey Legumina threw in relief along with Hoefling and struck out three batters during his inning of work, but also surrendered the HarbourCat’s 11th run...Wenatchee’s lone offensive bright spot came in the ninth inning...Royfel Granda and Jeremy Ydens got their first hits of 2016 during the frame...a walk of Ryan Murkle set up a bases loaded situation in which Wenatchee scored a run off of HarbourCat reliever Nick Wojtysiak...Steven Machtolf ended a streak of 18 2/3 scoreless innings dating back to the tenth inning of Saturday night’s game, and delivered the game’s only RBI for Wenatchee on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES

DOBRASH LOOKING TO IMPROVE ON SEASON-OPENING START
Jimmy Dobrash opened his first start for the Wenatchee AppleSox on Opening Night by retiring six of the first seven batters he faced...in the third inning he ran into some trouble, allowing three runs on three of his six hits allowed that evening...Dobrash recovered to throw a scoreless 2 2/3 inning after the Pippins struck for three, but he did run his pitch count to 94...all three of his walks came in the fourth/fifth innings...Dobrash struck out six of the first eight men he faced, Friday, and faces a Victoria team tonight that struck out 12 times a night ago...12 marked the highest strikeout total for the AppleSox pitching staff this season. 

OFFENSE BAFFLED
Wenatchee has struggled at the plate through its first four games in 2016...the AppleSox have just one extra-base hit and 5 RBI on 7 runs scored...the team is batting .157 (20x127) and has struck out 39 times (tied for second-most with the Bend Elks, and trailing league-leading Victoria [47])...last night, Wenatchee ended a consecutive scoreless inning dryspell at the plate in the ninth inning, when Steven Machtolf picked up an RBI on a bases-loaded HBP...it was the first run Wenatchee had scored since the ninth inning of Saturday’s 6-5 extra-inning loss on a Sheldon Liikala RBI bases-loaded walk...a span of 18 2/3 innings...the last time Wenatchee scored a run not via walk or HBP was on an Evan Douglas RBI single in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game...23 1/3 innings ago.

EXTENDING AT BATS
The AppleSox need to work on extending trips to the plate, Wednesday night...last night, Dalton Erb worked into the seventh inning before seeing an at bat reach 5 pitches (Granda, R.)...three-of-four batters in the inning worked past the five-pitch mark, to eventual wear Erb down for his first hit allowed...Wenatchee has been retired 1-2-3 in 14-of-37 offensive innings this season (37.8 percent). 

LIMITING THE BIG INNING
A theme of multi-run innings continues for the AppleSox in early 2016...Wenatchee has allowed runs in 13 defensive innings this season...in seven of those innings Wenatchee has given up three-or-more runs...two-or-more runs have been surrendered in 10 of the 13 frames.

GETTING THE SERIES EVEN
If the Sox win Wednesday, the series is back even at 1-1...the last time Wenatchee lost two-consecutive series was July 6-11 at home against Bend (0-3) and on the road at Cowlitz (1-2).

DOUBLE DIGITS
Wenatchee has given up 11 runs in each of its last two games...the last time the AppleSox gave up back-to-back double digit run scoring games wasJuly 3 and 4 of 2012...a span of 217 games in between.

THE STREAK
Victoria now has a five-game winning streak over Wenatchee, which started June 28 of last season in an 11-10 extra-inning win at Royal Athletic Park...the AppleSox have now lost five straight, in total, dating back to 2015. 

APPLESOX STRICKEN BY TOUGH PITCHING, FALL TO HARBOURCATS

The Wenatchee AppleSox struggled at the plate Tuesday night, being kept off base for 6 2/3 innings and no-hit through 7 innings. 

BOX SCORE

VICTORIA – The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-4), fell to the Victoria HarbourCats (1-3), 11-1 Tuesday night, while the HarbourCats starting pitcher was near-perfect at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. 

The AppleSox were held without a baserunner for 6 2/3 innings, and hitless through 7 innings, facing Dalton Erb of the HarbourCats. 

Erb received tremendous run support from the HarbourCats in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. The HarbourCats scored 10 of their 11 runs over the three frames, and chased Sox starter Tyler Burch from the game, who appeared to leave due to some sort of injury. 

After 3 2/3 innings, it was 3-0 HarbourCats when Nick Hoefling made his AppleSox debut in relief of the injured Burch. A 2-RBI single off of the second base bag made it 5-0 HarbourCats, and Victoria never looked back. 

Cody Snider went 3-for-5 with a single, home run and double. He drove in three runs and stole two bases in the game. 

Victoria added two more in the fourth and three more in the fifth, for a 10-0 lead after five innings. 

It was all the help Erb needed, as he retired the first 20 batters faced, Tuesday. Ryan Murkle worked a 2-out walk off of Erb in the seventh inning to break up a perfect game, and Steven Machtolf started the eighth inning with a hard-hit single to right center field to break up Erb’s no-hit bid. 

Casey Legumina threw in relief along with Hoefling. Legumina struck out three batters during his inning of work, but also surrendered the HarbourCat’s 11th run. 

Wenatchee’s lone offensive bright spot came in the ninth inning. Royfel Granda and Jeremy Ydens got their first hits of 2016 during the frame. A walk of Ryan Murkle set up a bases loaded situation in which Wenatchee scored a run off of HarbourCat reliever Nick Wojtysiak. Steven Machtolf ended a streak of 18 2/3 scoreless innings dating back to the tenth inning of Saturday night’s game, and delivered the game’s only RBI for Wenatchee on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. 

Erb went eight innings, giving up just one walk, and tossing 13 strikeouts. Wojtysiak added a strikeout to drive the game total to 14 for Victoria. 

Wenatchee plays Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. Jimmy Dobrash will throw against the ‘Cats

Wenatchee Heads North to Face Victoria

Wenatchee opens its first road trip of 2016 with a three-game set that begins Tuesday night in Victoria, B.C.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX (0-3) at Victoria HarbourCats (0-3)
Sports Traders Diamond at Royal Athletic Park     |       6:35 p.m.
R- Ryan Garcia (0-0) vs. L- Grady Miller (0-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE
The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-3, 0-0, North), tied for fourth place in the division, head north to take on the Victoria HarbourCats (0-3, 0-3 North) for the first of two three-game series in Canada...Sunday night, Wenatchee was shut out for the first time since its opening WCL series in 2015, and was swept in an opening series for the first time in franchise history...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (27-34) (.443), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

SUNDAY NIGHT -- PIPPINS 11 - APPLESOX 0
WENATCHEE – A tough weekend for the Wenatchee AppleSox (0-3), ended in a disappointing 11-0 loss to the Yakima Valley Pippins (3-0), Sunday night...After retiring the Pippins in order in the second inning, Sox starter Grady Miller ran into some trouble in the third inning...three runs came to score on five-consecutive Pippin hits and a sacrifice fly...Miller retired the side in each of the fourth and fifth innings, before once again falling in hot water in the sixth against the Pippins...six straight hits in the sixth, after the leadoff runner was picked off, led to four more runs scoring and Yakima Valley led 7-0...Miceal Taylor pitched in relief of Miller and got the final two outs in the inning...he later allowed a run in the seventh on Chris Ceballos’ third double of the game...Ceballos finished with 3 RBI...in the eighth, Taylor retired the Pippins in order...the ninth inning led to three more runs scoring for the Pippins. Four-consecutive hits sparked the run scoring in the inning. Zac Bonneau hammered home the final hit of Yakima Valley’s 18...Wenatchee struggled offensively, only tallying four hits. Parker Price did reach base via a hit for a third-straight night, but Ryan Garcia controlled the Sox for six innings, only allowing three hits...Connor Lau and Derek Atlee were the Pippin relievers, and they shut Wenatchee down, only allowing one hit the rest of the way. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES

SHUTOUT LOSS
The AppleSox were shut out Sunday night for the first time since June 9, 2015...a WCL season-opening series at Walla Walla.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD
The AppleSox retired the visiting side in order nine times over the first three games, however, in six-of-eight Pippin scoring innings, Wenatchee allowed more than one run (10th inning Saturday, 8th inning Sunday)...on the other hand...Wenatchee had one run-scoring inning of four runs, and two run-scoring innings of just one run.

SOMETHING EXTRA
The AppleSox only have one extra-base hit through the first three games of the 2016 season...the Pippins went for 10 extra-base hits on the other side of the card during the weekend series.

STARTING PITCHING
None of Wenatchee’s first three starting pitchers was able to make it past 5.1 innings, Friday-Sunday...in 15.2 innings pitched, the starters have surrendered 15 runs. 

GOING FOR FIRST WIN
Wenatchee and Victoria can relate, entering Tuesday night’s series opener...both teams started the season 0-3...Victoria was swept by Walla Walla in a series in which the HarbourCats were outscored 17-8...Wenatchee was outscored 23-6.

FAMILIAR ARM FOR WENATCHEE
Tyler Burch showed well for Wenatchee in 2015 after making his Sox debut July 24 at home against Yakima Valley...Burch was 3-0 and recorded 2 quality starts over his three-game starting stretch at the end of 2015...in each of the three games he tossed at least 6 innings...he received an average run support of 11 runs per game...twice he held opponents to five or fewer hits. 

LAST TIME IN B.C.
Wenatchee last visited British Columbia July 28-30, 2015 against the Kelowna Falcons...Wenatchee lost the series 1-2 to the eventual East Division-Champion Falcons...the two teams combined to score 60 runs in the series...an average of 20 per game...Tyler Burch tossed the lone win in that series...a 17-7 contest that went to the AppleSox.

LAST TIME VS ‘CATS
Victoria visited Wenatchee to July 31-Aug. 2 in the second-to-last home series of the season for the AppleSox...the HarbourCats swept away the Sox, scoring 39 runs (60 in the series for both teams)...the final game of the series was a 21-10 loss, in which the HarbourCats bashed 21 hits off Wenatchee...it marked the highest-scoring game of any AppleSox opponent a season ago, and all-time.

LAST TIME IN VICTORIA
Wenatchee visited Victoria June 26-28, 2015...the Sox won the series 2-1, with 11-8 and 1-0 wins...in the series finale, Victoria won 11-10 in 11 innings, after the AppleSox scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game...Wenatchee hit four home runs in the series, with three coming from Evan Douglas...he is unavailable to travel this series as he is completing classes at the Community Colleges of Spokane...Wenatchee was 3-3 in total last season in games played in Canada.

APPLESOX FALL TO PIPPINS, SWEPT IN FIRST SERIES

Wenatchee was never able to get its bats going, Sunday, and Yakima Valley pounced on the Sox in three big run scoring innings, to get the sweep. 

BOX SCORE            PHOTOS

WENATCHEE – A tough weekend for the Wenatchee AppleSox (0-3), ended in a disappointing 11-0 loss to the Yakima Valley Pippins (3-0), Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

The Pippins looked like they were going to get to AppleSox starter Grady Miller in the first inning, after two leadoff singles and a double steal put runners at second and third with one out. Miller followed up with a strikeout and a flyout to end the inning, unscathed. 

After retiring the Pippins in order in the second inning, Miller ran into some trouble in the third inning. Three runs came to score on five-consecutive Pippin hits and a sacrifice fly. 

Miller retired the side in each of the fourth and fifth innings, before once again falling in hot water in the sixth against the Pippins. Six straight hits in the sixth, after the leadoff runner was picked off, led to four more runs scoring and Yakima Valley led 7-0. 

Miceal Taylor pitched in relief of Miller and got the final two outs in the inning. He later allowed a run in the seventh on Chris Ceballos’ third double of the game. Ceballos finished with 3 RBI. 

In the eighth, Taylor retired the Pippins in order.

The ninth inning led to three more runs scoring for the Pippins. Four-consecutive hits sparked the run scoring in the inning. Zac Bonneau hammered home the final hit of Yakima Valley’s 18, Sunday. 

Wenatchee struggled offensively, only tallying four hits. Parker Price did reach base via a hit for a third-straight night, but Ryan Garcia controlled the Sox for six innings, only allowing three hits. 

Connor Lau and Derek Atlee were the Pippin relievers, and they shut Wenatchee down, only allowing one hit the rest of the way. 

The sweep marked the first time the AppleSox have been swept to open a franchise season. Wenatchee looks to rebound Tuesday night at Victoria. The HarbourCats were also swept over the weekend. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 at Royal Athletic Park. 

AppleSox Conclude First Homestand, Sunday

The Wenatchee AppleSox and Yakima Valley Pippins wrap up the first homestand of 2016, Sunday with first pitch at 6:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

YAKIMA VALLEY PIPPINS (2-0) at WENATCHEE APPLESOX (0-2)
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium       |       6:05 p.m.
R- Ryan Garcia (0-0) vs. L- Grady Miller (0-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-2, 0-0, North), tied for fourth place in the division, host the Yakima Valley Pippins (2-0, 0-0 South) in the final game of a three-game set...last night, despite scoring five runs with two outs in the fifth and ninth innings, to complete a five-run comeback, the Sox still fell short in extra innings...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (27-33) (.450), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- PIPPINS 6 - APPLESOX 5 (10 innings)
WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-2), fell 6-5 to the Yakima Valley Pippins (2-0), Saturday night in ten innings, after posting two furious two-out rallies to force extra frames...Wenatchee scored four runs in the fifth inning, and one run in the ninth to even the score with the Pippins, after Yakima Valley led 5-0 after two innings at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...both rallies came with two outs...the Pippins jumped out to an early lead against AppleSox starter Kyle Blankenship. Five extra-base hits in the first three innings led to 4 RBI...after the rough stretch, Blankenship recovered to retire nine of the next ten batters he faced, while only allowing one baserunner on a walk...Wenatchee got back in the game in the home half of the fifth inning, while bringing nine batters to the plate...Steven Machtolf, Parker Price and Evan Douglas all collected RBIs...Ross Clevenger fired three innings of one-hit baseball in relief, while striking out four batters and walking one...Matthew Fish took over partway through the ninth and the AppleSox walked twice, forcing home a run after already having two men on...Sheldon Liikala was the batter who walked to tie the game. Fish got the final out of the ninth to force extra frames...Ryan Garcia drove in the winning run for Yakima Valley in the top of the tenth.

TONIGHT'S NOTES

ON THE LINE
Did you know the Wenatchee AppleSox have never started a season 0-3 in 16 franchise seasons? The 2005 Sox started 0-2, but went on to win the WCCBL (WCL) Championship with a 29-7 record on the season.

MILLER LOOKS TO PASS ON WINNING WAYS
Grady Miller helped lead the Wenatchee High School Panthers to a 24-1 record in 2016...the Panthers lone loss was in the semifinal round of the WIAA 4A State Baseball Championships...Wenatchee fell to eventual state champion, Skyline....Miller was tabbed with a no-decision.

EXTRA-EXTRA
Last night was the first extra inning game of the AppleSox 2016 season...last year Wenatchee went 2-4 in extra inning contests, and is now 1-2 all time in extra inning games against Yakima Valley...all-time in extras, the Sox are 33-30...they did not play an extra inning game with the Pippins in 2015.

FAMILIAR FOES
Wenatchee finished its 2015 season against the Yakima Valley Pippins at County Stadium...Yakima Valley won two-of-three games in the series, including the series and season finale by a score of 4-3...in last year’s series, four of the nine games were decided by two runs or fewer...now in different divisions, the AppleSox and Pippins are only slated to meet in the regular season one other time in 2016...July 15-17 to end the pre-All Star schedule at County Stadium in Yakima...the Pippins now have won 4 of the last 5 meetings in the series.

2015 SEASON IN REVIEW
The Wenatchee AppleSox (24-30), failed to make the playoffs for just the third time in franchise history in 2015, after a run of 14-consecutive playoff berths was nixed in 2014...the AppleSox...Wenatchee finished 15-16 at home and 12-15 on the road last season...the AppleSox played 6 extra-inning games, going 2-4...the AppleSox had won their last three divisional series’ before running into Yakima Valley in the final series of the season...as mentioned a 2-1 series score in favor of the Pippins...Keston Hiura was the Sox’ offensive standout, while Hunter Wells tied the teams’ single-season wins record (7).

ABOUT THE APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Wenatchee is a perennial powerhouse in the West Coast League...with five championships, Wenatchee is the most decorated franchise in the league...Wenatchee has also been runner-up twice in the championship, which is a second-best mark in the league, and has won its division six times, also second best...the AppleSox’ nine playoff appearances are tied for first with Corvallis for most in the league.

Sox Comeback Bid Falls Short In Extras

The Wenatchee AppleSox fought hard, scoring five two-out runs after trailing 5-0 to the Yakima Valley after two innings at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Yakima Valley got the better of Wenatchee in the tenth, winning 6-5 in extra frames.

BOX SCORE               PHOTOS

WENATCHEE – The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-2), fell 6-5 to the Yakima Valley Pippins (2-0), Saturday night in ten innings, after posting two furious two-out rallies to force extra frames.

Wenatchee scored four runs in the fifth inning, and one run in the ninth to even the score with the Pippins, after Yakima Valley led 5-0 after two innings at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Both rallies came with two outs. 

The Pippins jumped out to an early lead against AppleSox starter Kyle Blankenship. Five extra-base hits in the first three innings led to RBIs for Jay Schuyler, Chris Ceballos, Derek Molina, and Mitchell Morimoto. 

After the rough stretch, Blankenship recovered to retire nine of the next ten batters he faced, while only allowing one baserunner on a walk. 

Wenatchee got back in the game in the home half of the fifth inning, while bringing nine batters to the plate. Jordan Rathbone started the inning with a single, and after a strikeout Kolby DeHaas was hit by pitch to put two runners aboard. 

Following another strikeout, Steven Machtolf hammered an RBI single to center field that was misplayed off of a hard bounce by Morimoto. Machtolf was credited for an RBI on the single, and DeHaas scored from first on the error. Parker Price and Evan Douglas followed up with RBI singles in the inning. 

Ross Clevenger took over in his first relief appearance for the AppleSox in the sixth inning. Clevenger fired three innings of one-hit baseball, while striking out four batters and walking one. Clevenger showcased a curveball-fastball mixture that had batters baffled. 

Tanner Simpson left the game after six innings for the Pippins, in line for a 5-4 win. In the ninth inning, the AppleSox ran Simpson’s reliever, Josh Rios, from the contest after he allowed two singles with two outs, following a failed hit and run attempt for the AppleSox and a leadoff walk of Alex Gonzales. 

Matthew Fish took over and the AppleSox walked twice, forcing home a run. Sheldon Liikala was the batter who walked to tie the game. Fish got the final out of the ninth to force extra frames. 

In the top of the tenth, Yakima Valley faced Jordan McGowan, who took over for Clevenger in the ninth. A leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt put a runner in scoring position. A groundout to the right side of the infield moved the go-ahead runner to third, and Ryan Garcia drove it in for the lead. 

The AppleSox sacrificed leadoff batter, McGowan, to second base in the bottom of the tenth after a leadoff walk, but left him stranded there on a popout and groundout to first base in the next two at bats. 

With the win, the Pippins set up an opportunity for a series sweep, Sunday. Garcia, who provided the game-winning RBI for Yakima Valley will toe the rubber against Wenatchee High School graduate Grady Miller. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., and gates open at 5 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

AppleSox Continue Series With Pippins

The AppleSox and the Pippins meet at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium tonight at 7:05 p.m. Wenatchee is looking to even the series. 

YAKIMA VALLEY PIPPINS (1-0) at WENATCHEE APPLESOX (0-1)
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium       |       7:05 p.m.
R- Tanner Simpson (0-0) vs. R- Kyle Blankenship (0-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-1, 0-0, North), tied for third place in the division, host the Yakima Valley Pippins (1-0, 0-0 South) in the second game of a three-game set with the Yakima Valley Pippins...last night, the AppleSox had a streak of four-consecutive home-opening wins snapped by the visiting Pippins...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (27-32) (.458), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT -- PIPPINS 6 - APPLESOX 1
WENATCHEE -  The Yakima Valley Pippins (1-0), were powered by dominant pitching en route to a 6-1 win over the Wenatchee AppleSox (0-1), Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in the teams’ West Coast League opener...the Pippins combined to toss 14 strikeouts, Friday, and starter Zach Draper set the tone with 6 strikeouts in the first five innings...Wenatchee and Yakima Valley were scoreless through two innings of play, and Wenatchee starter Jimmy Dobrash responded to a leadoff single in the top of the first by striking out six of the next eight batters he faced...in the third, the Pippins opened the scoring with an RBI single from Jay Schuyler...Mitchell Marimoto picked up the second RBI of the frame, driving in Derek Molina, who was hit by pitch earlier in the inning...Shuyler came around to score a third run on a wild pitch in the inning...the score would hold until the seventh...the Pippins cashed in on an RBI single from Ryan Garcia, a walk of Bonneau, an RBI single for Tanner Simpson, and an additional run when Bonneau later came to score on a wild pitch...Wenatchee claimed its lone run of the game in the eighth...with one out in the bottom half, Parker Price led off with a triple Sheldon Liikala later drove in Price with a fielder’s choice 4-3 groundout.

TONIGHT'S NOTES

2015: BLANKENSHIP AS A STARTER
Kyle Blankenship totaled an 0-1 record in three starts last season for the AppleSox...his most recent start was August 7 at Yakima Valley, a game the AppleSox lost 9-2...Blankenship earned a no-decision after holding the Pippins to 2 runs over 6.0 innings on 8 hits...he struck out three batters and did not issue a walk.

FAMILIAR FOES
Wenatchee finished its 2015 season against the Yakima Valley Pippins at County Stadium...Yakima Valley won two-of-three games in the series, including the series and season finale by a score of 4-3...in last year’s series, four of the nine games were decided by two runs or fewer...now in different divisions, the AppleSox and Pippins are only slated to meet in the regular season one other time in 2016...July 15-17 to end the pre-All Star schedule at County Stadium in Yakima...the Pippins now have won 4 of the last 5 meetings in the series.

2015 SEASON IN REVIEW
The Wenatchee AppleSox (24-30), failed to make the playoffs for just the third time in franchise history in 2015, after a run of 14-consecutive playoff berths was nixed in 2014...the AppleSox...Wenatchee finished 15-16 at home and 12-15 on the road last season...the AppleSox played 6 extra-inning games, going 2-4...the AppleSox had won their last three divisional series’ before running into Yakima Valley in the final series of the season...as mentioned a 2-1 series score in favor of the Pippins...Keston Hiura was the Sox’ offensive standout, while Hunter Wells tied the teams’ single-season wins record (7).

ABOUT THE APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Wenatchee is a perennial powerhouse in the West Coast League...with five championships, Wenatchee is the most decorated franchise in the league...Wenatchee has also been runner-up twice in the championship, which is a second-best mark in the league, and has won its division six times, also second best...the AppleSox’ nine playoff appearances are tied for first with Corvallis for most in the league.

APPLESOX FALL TO PIPPINS IN 2016 SEASON OPENER

Wenatchee AppleSox shortstop Evan Douglas completes a sweeping tag at second base against the Yakima Valley Pippins in the early innings of a 6-1 loss, Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

BOX SCORE                 PHOTOS        

WENATCHEE – The Yakima Valley Pippins (1-0), were powered by dominant pitching en route to a 6-1 win over the Wenatchee AppleSox (0-1), Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in the teams’ West Coast League opener. 

The Pippins combined to toss 14 strikeouts, Friday, and starter Zach Draper set the tone with 6 strikeouts in the first five innings. 

Wenatchee and Yakima Valley were scoreless through two innings of play, and Wenatchee starter Jimmy Dobrash responded to a leadoff single in the top of the first by striking out six of the next eight batters he faced. 

In the third, the Pippins opened the scoring with an RBI single from Jay Schuyler, which scored Zach Bonneau who was aboard earlier in the inning on a leadoff single. Mitchell Marimoto picked up the second RBI of the frame, driving in Derek Molina, who was hit by pitch earlier in the inning. Shuyler came around to score a third run on a wild pitch in the inning. The score would hold until the seventh. 

In the sixth inning, after Dobrash forced an inning-opening groundout to shortstop, two Pippins batters were hit by pitch, forcing AJ Proszek to go to the bullpen for the remainder of the evening. Dobrash finished allowing six hits, three runs, two of which were earned, while striking out seven batters on 94 pitches. 

Casey Legumina got the AppleSox out of the sixth unscathed, but the Pippins grabbed two more runs off of him in the seventh, and tallied an additional run against Matt Young, who relieved Legumina in the frame. 

The Pippins started the inning with a single, stolen base, and walk, courtesy of Marimoto and Chris Ceballos. Jonathan Sandberg then hit into a 4-6-3 double play, and the AppleSox looked to be back in business. Yakima Valley countered with an RBI single from Ryan Garcia, a walk of Bonneau, an RBI single for Tanner Simpson, and an additional run when Bonneau later came to score on a wild pitch. 

Wenatchee claimed its lone run of the game in the eighth. With one out in the bottom half, Parker Price dropped a hit into mid-range center field. Simpson thought he could catch up to the ball late, but it got under his glove on a diving try for a catch, allowing Price to cruise into third with a triple. Sheldon Liikala later drove in Price with a fielder’s choice 4-3 groundout. 

The AppleSox would load the bases on the Pippins in the ninth inning, but nothing came of it, as former AppleSox starting pitcher Zach Haggett came on in relief to shut the door. He capped the game with the Pippin’s 14th strikeout, foul tipped into the glove of Bonneau. 

The Pippins finished 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position while the AppleSox were 0-for-7. Wenatchee walked and hit four batters, for a total of eight free bases. 

For the Pippins, the win marked their third-consecutive on Opening Night, since their franchise’s inaugural Opening Night win against the AppleSox in Yakima in 2014. 

The AppleSox fell for the first time on Opening Night in four years, snapping a franchise-best Opening Night mark.

The series continues Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., and Kyle Blankenship will face off against a TBD pitcher for the Pippins. Gates open at 6 p.m. 

APPLESOX OPEN 2016 WITH JAM-PACKED WEEKEND

The AppleSox open their 17th season with an exciting home series against the Yakima Valley Pippins. First pitches Friday-Sunday are schedule for 7:05p.m., 7:05p.m., and 6:05p.m., respectively.

For complete AppleSox team information click: here
For tonight's game notes click: here

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-0), welcome the Yakima Valley Pippins (0-0) to the Valley to kick-off the 2016 WCL season Friday-Sunday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., and gates open at 6 p.m. The series continues Saturday night at the same time, and Sunday first pitch is at 6:05 p.m., with gates opening at 5 p.m., for the first Spaghetti Sunday of 2016. From the time gates open, until first pitch, you can purchase a plate of spaghetti and slice of garlic bread for $7.50.

APPLESOX TICKETS: www.applesox.com/tickets/
BROADCAST: www.applesox.com/listen-live/
PAUL THOMAS SR. STADIUM: www.applesox.com/paul-thomas-sr-field/

TONIGHT'S TILT
The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-0, 0-0, North), tied for first place in the division, host the Yakima Valley Pippins (0-0, 0-0 South) in Wenatchee’s home opener...the AppleSox have opened each of the last four calendar seasons at home, and faced Walla Walla on the road to open WCL play last year...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (27-31) (.466), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LET’S GET ITSTARTED
The AppleSox are 12-4 in Opening Night games...Wenatchee has won its last four openers...a franchise-best mark (2008-10: three consecutive)...the Sox have an 8-4 record in home-opening contests... the AppleSox have played on the road four times to open their season...they are a perfect 4-0 in those contests (all league games)...against the WCL, Wenatchee is 2-2 in opening games…against non-league opponents, the AppleSox are 6-2 in opening games...Wenatchee has faced the Pippins to open a season once (6/6/14), a game Yakima Valley won 4-3…it was the Pippins inaugural WCL game…the last time Wenatchee opened a season at home against a league opponent was June 5, 2015 against Corvallis…played in Wenatchee, the AppleSox won 3-2 in 14 innings.

FAMILIAR FOES
Wenatchee finished its 2015 season against the Yakima Valley Pippins at County Stadium...Yakima Valley won two-of-three games in the series, including the series and season finale by a score of 4-3...in last year’s series, four of the nine games were decided by two runs or fewer...now in different divisions, the AppleSox and Pippins are only slated to meet in the regular season one other time in 2016...July 15-17 to end the pre-All Star schedule at County Stadium in Yakima.

PITCHING DOMINANT IN 2015 OPENER
CJ Gettman offered a complete-game shutout, June 4, 2015 against the San Francisco Seals to open the season for the Wenatchee AppleSox...final score was 8-2 in favor of Wenatchee and it was the first AppleSox win of AJ Proszek’s Sox head coaching career...Chase Lewallen, the grandson of first AppleSox coach, Gary Lewallen, delivered the games first RBIs on a double into the left center field gap.

2015 SEASON IN REVIEW
The Wenatchee AppleSox (24-30), failed to make the playoffs for just the third time in franchise history in 2015, after a run of 14-consecutive playoff berths was nixed in 2014...the AppleSox...Wenatchee finished 15-16 at home and 12-15 on the road last season...the AppleSox played 6 extra-inning games, going 2-4...the AppleSox had won their last three divisional series’ before running into Yakima Valley in the final series of the season...as mentioned a 2-1 series score in favor of the Pippins...Keston Hiura was the Sox’ offensive standout, while Hunter Wells tied the teams’ single-season wins record (7).

ABOUT THE APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Wenatchee is a perennial powerhouse in the West Coast League...with five championships, Wenatchee is the most decorated franchise in the league...Wenatchee has also been runner-up twice in the championship, which is a second-best mark in the league, and has won its division six times, also second best...the AppleSox’ nine playoff appearances are tied for first with Corvallis for most in the league. 

AppleSox 2016 Coaching Staff

Kyle Hunt, a graduate assistant coach from Nevada (Reno), and Colton Loomis, a former AppleSox pitcher, and graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, join second-year head coach AJ Proszek to complete the AppleSox 2016 coaching staff. 

WENATCHEE – Former college baseball players, Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis will join the Wenatchee AppleSox as assistant coaches in 2016, Head Coach AJ Proszek announced, Thursday. 

Hunt, a native of Mission Viejo, Calif., joins the AppleSox after completing his first season as an undergraduate assistant coach for the University of Nevada, Reno. He lettered at Nevada from 2012-15 and played in 210 career games over that span. 

He capped his career by starting in 52 games as a senior in 2015, leading the program to 41 wins and its first Mountain West Championship. Hunt was a shortstop for the Wolf Pack and posted a .244 batting average with 161 hits, 109 runs, 86 RBI, and 24 stolen bases in his collegiate career.  

Loomis, a native of Cashmere and Vancouver, Wash., is beginning his coaching career with the AppleSox after having just wrapped up his time on the diamond as a collegiate baseball player at Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. He threw a no-hitter this spring, which was just the fifth in the 70-year history of NNU Baseball. Like Hunt, Loomis also led his program to its first conference championship. 

He played for the AppleSox in 2014 and 2015, with a 3.02 career ERA for the AppleSox. He threw 71 1/3 innings in his WCL playing career, and struck out 45 batters. He only allowed 1 earned run in his final 7 WCL outings; a span of 18 2/3 innings. 

As a senior at Cashmere High School in 2012, he was named the 1A/B State Player of the Year by the Washington Baseball Coaches Association and helped lead the Bulldogs to a state championship. 

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.

Local Arm Headlines AppleSox Final 2016 Additions

The Wenatchee AppleSox final 2016 pre-season roster features 28 players from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Wisconsin. 

WENATCHEE – Grady Miller, a left-handed pitcher from Wenatchee High School, and Miceal Taylor, a right-handed pitcher from Oregon Tech, round out the team’s 28-man roster, AppleSox Head Coach AJ Proszek announced, Tuesday.

“In Grady, we get a really talented kid,” said Proszek. “He should have the opportunity to provide some quality innings for us this summer, and it’s a great chance for him to play for us here in Wenatchee before he heads to Portland. Miceal pitched for us last season, and is another veteran guy on the roster who knows what we are looking for each day.”

Miller is currently a senior at Wenatchee High School and has helped lead the Panthers to a 23-0 record this season, and was instrumental in helping WHS qualify for the 4A State Semifinals in Pasco, May 27-28. Saturday, he turned in a complete game, one-hitter with 13 strikeouts and 1 walk, in his team’s 1-0 win over Gonzaga Prep. If Miller starts the semifinal game for Wenatchee, he will face off against Skyline High School for a chance to send the Panthers to the state championship. 

He is committed to the University of Portland, where he will enroll in the fall. 

Taylor just completed his junior season at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls, Ore. He posted a 2-6 record for the AppleSox in 2015 with 11 appearances and 7 starts. He threw 55 innings, struck out 29 batters and walked 19. He was a 2013 graduate of West Valley High School in Spokane, and pitched two seasons at Wenatchee Valley College. 

At Oregon Tech, he was 0-5 in 9 games, with 7 starts. He threw 35 innings and racked up 25 strikeouts. 

Next fall, he will begin pitching for Central Washington University. 

The 2016 AppleSox full-time roster is comprised of 28 players from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin. The team will have a handful of temporary players assigned to fill spots on the team, and those additions will fill roster spots until all full-time players have arrived during the first couple weeks of the season. Temporary players will be announced prior to June 3, at www.applesox.com/roster/  

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.

We Are a Family - AppleSox Host Families

Peter and Rozanne Lind, with 2015 AppleSox players Mitchell Holland and Drew Helmstadter, who lived were the couple's host players a season ago. In 2014, the Linds hosted AppleSox pitcher Ian Buckles. 

In baseball, the boys of summer are our heroes. They are the ones who hit the home runs, the ones that pitch perfect games, and the ones who make diving catches that take your breath away. In Wenatchee, backing up the best players in the WCL are the families of summer; the ones who make each and every year of summer collegiate baseball a success.

“If I wouldn’t have had a host family, I wouldn’t have been able to play for the AppleSox,” said 2014 pitcher Ian Buckles, who played his final summer of collegiate baseball in Wenatchee after spending time with Bellingham and Klamath Falls.

Buckles, whose baseball playing career is now over, lived with AppleSox host family, Peter and Rozanne Lind, long-time supporters (and “parents”) of AppleSox baseball.

“We’ve just had incredibly wonderful experiences with our players,” said Rozanne. Her husband, Peter, admits that he wasn’t the bigger baseball fan of the couple, but since joining the AppleSox army of host families, he has used his season tickets to engage with the game and local community.

“I didn’t know much about baseball ten years ago,” he said. “But now, not only have I learned a lot about the game, but I’ve also had the opportunity to share great experiences with the people that we see each night at the games. It’s not just about the baseball.”

For the players, having a host family also isn’t simple. It’s not about simply having a bed, but about having a family.

“Sometimes, as players, we wouldn’t get home until 11 or 11:30 at night,” Buckles said. “Often, my family would already be in bed. Rozanne would leave plates out on the counter and maybe a big pot of soup on the stove, and it was amazing to have things like that – a nice home-cooked meal to come home to. It was a homey feeling – like living with my parents. We got close in such a short period of time.”

Players also take on roles around the house, to help their summer family, who they only get to see for half of the better part of three months.

“We let them know to not be afraid to ask for help, and we’d do dishes and help clean up the yard and things like that. We can’t play baseball without them, so helping out is the least we can do.”

Families also tend to grow during the WCL summers, the Linds explained.

“We always call the parents of the players who will be staying with us ahead of time, and most often we meet them during the summer when they come to visit and have dinner once or twice,” Rozanne said. “We have a great time with the parents when we get to meet them.”

Off the field, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Just ask the Lind’s adopted grandkids.

“This year they’re 11 and 13,” Rozanne said. “The AppleSox players always love to have kids over. The kids think the AppleSox are superstars, so they’re pretty much in awe of them and love to play around in the yard with them.”

Buckles also remembers the kids – taking him back to being an older brother at his home in Kent, Wash.

“Having the grandkids over was a lot of fun,” he said. “They’d come over quite a bit, and we’d hangout. It was just a good time.”

The worst part about being a host family? That’s an easy one, say the Linds, who don’t look forward to goodbyes.

“We realized that we are their parents for the summer,” Peter said. “It’s hard when they leave us in August, it’s like sending your kids off to college.”

“There have definitely been more than a few tears shed,” said Rozanne.

“They’re an ongoing part of my life now,” echoed Buckles.

Peter and Rozanne would give prospective families one piece of advice:

“Find out what it’s all about. We’d never trade any of the summers we’ve had with the AppleSox. It’s been a great experience.”

To find out about becoming an AppleSox host family, call 509-665-6900. The AppleSox are looking for families in Wenatchee, Cashmere, and Entiat.

Each Host Family receives two premium AppleSox season tickets ($430 value) or four general admission season passes ($460 value).

Players arrive around the first of June and leave around the 18th of August.

Players have games almost nightly over the 2 ½ month period, and for half of those games, the team is on the road.

Successful host homes have been: Young families with kids, couples whose children have moved away, seniors who enjoy company and help around the house, and many others!

There are many stories like the Lind’s, call the AppleSox today at 509-665-6900 or email: info@applesox.com to sign up for the best summer of your life!

AppleSox Fan Fest June 1 - Win Season Tickets!

The Wenatchee AppleSox will be hosting its annual Fan Fest, Wednesday, June 1 at 5 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College. There will be a contest giving away two season tickets (a $430 value!). 

WENATCHEE - The 2016 baseball season is rapidly approaching, and fans have the chance to get their first taste of AppleSox Baseball, Wednesday, June 1, at 5 p.m. during Fan Fest at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College.

This year at the Fan Fest event, fans in attendance have the opportunity to win a pair of AppleSox season tickets; a $430 value.

Available seats and 2016 season ticket packages will also be clearly marked, and fans are welcome to "test drive" and purchase season ticket packages at the stadium box office. 

Additionally, the event marks the first chance to see the AppleSox new players and coaching staff practicing in preparation for their 2016 season-opener, Friday June 3. 

Those who already have purchased season tickets for the 2016 season can pick up their packets during the two-hour event, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The AppleSox mascot, Coyote, will also be hanging out with the fans throughout the night. The team's regular season concession provider, The Alley Cafe, will be on hand offering a wide variety of food and beverage options, and attendees will also have the opportunity to take home new gear from the team Souvenir Shop; including apparel from Russell, Port Authority, Sport-Tek, and Pacific Headwear. 

Training for the 2016 Chelan PUD Future Power Hitter Bat Kids will also take place at the park for a portion of the evening. Fans who want to sign up their favorite youngster for the opportunity to be a Bat Kid this summer can find out more information here: http://www.applesox.com/bat-kids/ 

The fun kicks off at 5 p.m., Wednesday June 1. More information about the AppleSox and Fan Fest even can be found online at www.applesox.com. 

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.

BROTHER OF APPLESOX GREAT AMONG LATEST SIGNINGS

Alex Gonzales, the brother of former Sox pitcher Marco Gonzales, is among the latest to join the 2016 AppleSox. Other signings include the return of last year's shortstop Evan Douglas, right-handed pitcher Ross Clevenger, right-handed pitcher Jimmy Dobrash, and left-handed pitcher Nick Hoefling. 

WENATCHEE – Two position players along with a trio of pitchers will head to Wenatchee this summer to play for the AppleSox. Utility player Alex Gonzales, infielder Evan Douglas, right-handed pitcher Ross Clevenger, right-handed pitcher Jimmy Dobrash, and left-handed pitcher Nick Hoefling have signed to play with the AppleSox. 

“Our roster is ready to go for the season and we look forward to all of these guys contributing,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “This is a really good mix of experience and youth, which not only describes these five players but the whole team as well. I am excited about the talent that we have coming to Wenatchee this summer and can’t wait for the season to get started.”

Gonzales, from Fort Collins, Colo., is finishing his senior year at Rocky Mountain High School. The versatile utility player is committed to play at Colorado Mesa University. He is following in the footsteps of his older brother Marco Gonzales, who also played for the AppleSox right out of high school in 2010. He went on to have a decorated career at Gonzaga and was the taken by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 19th overall pick of the 2013 MLB Draft. After spending time in the major leagues the last two years, he is out this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.  The baseball family also includes Alex and Marco’s father Frank Gonzales, who is the manager of the Grand Junction Rockies, the rookie league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Douglas is returning to the AppleSox after appearing in 43 games for the team last season. The Spokane native hit seven home runs last summer, which was a team-high for the AppleSox and tied for the fourth most in the West Coast League. This spring he is hitting .329 for the Community Colleges of Spokane, where AppleSox skipper AJ Proszek serves as the school’s pitching coach. The sophomore will continue his college career by transferring to Lewis-Clark State College next season. 

Clevenger, a product of Eagle, Idaho, is wrapping up his junior campaign at Northwest Nazarene University. He is a starting pitcher for the Crusaders and is currently 5-2 with a 4.87 ERA. He has contributed to one of the best seasons in program history at NNU this year. Last weekend the Crusaders clinched their first ever Great Northwest Athletic Conference baseball championship. 

Dobrash is in his freshman season at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Ariz. On the mound this spring he has compiled a 6-4 record with a 4.87 ERA. The hurler out Denver, Colo., has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, appearing in a total of 15 games. 

Hoefling is completing his senior year of high school at Valley Christian High School in Morgan Hill, Calif. The prep hurler will join the AppleSox before starting his college career at Seattle University in the fall.    

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.

AppleSox Return Two Local Products

Former AppleSox pitchers Tyler Burch and Kyle Blankenship, both Wenatchee natives are set to return to the valley in 2016.

WENATCHEE – A pair of homegrown hurlers will rejoin the Wenatchee AppleSox this season and be a part of the team’s pitching staff. The two local players who will spend their summer with the AppleSox are Wenatchee High School graduate and current Central Washington University right-handed pitcher Kyle Blankenship and Eastmont High School graduate and current Lewis-Clark State College right-handed pitcher Tyler Burch. 

“It is always an extra bonus to add players who are from the area, especially guys who already have experience with us” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “We are looking forward to having both contribute and provide valuable innings on the mound.”

Blankenship is in his junior season at CWU after playing two years at Wenatchee Valley College. It will be his third season with the AppleSox, after spending last summer with the team and serving as a temporary player in 2014. Last year he pitched in 12 games for the AppleSox, which was tied for the third most appearances on the team.     

Burch has seen action right away during his freshman campaign for the Warriors. He has appeared in five games and has made one start for LCSC this spring. He started three games for the AppleSox last year and came away with a win in each outing, finishing with a 3-0 record and a 5.30 ERA. 

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.

AppleSox Add Five Prep-Standout Gonzaga Commits

Five 2016-17 Gonzaga Bulldog commits are set to start their college careers in Wenatchee this summer. 

WENATCHEE – Three pitchers along with two position players who are finishing their senior year of high school will play for the AppleSox this summer after wrapping up their highly decorated prep careers. Right-handed pitcher Casey Legumina, left-handed pitcher Mac Lardner, right-handed pitcher Taylor Borchers, catcher Haydan Hastings, and infielder Parker Price will be joining the AppleSox. All five are Gonzaga commits who will be teammates in Wenatchee this summer with current Gonzaga players Eli Thornquist, Justin Blatner, Jordan Rathbone, and Steve Machtolf. 

“All of these high school seniors are loaded with talent. These five players will not only have the chance to make an impact for us this summer, but will be in a great position to contribute as soon as they start their college careers,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. 

Legumina hails from Chandler, Ariz., where he attends Basha High School. He was named a 2016 Perfect Game USA All-American honorable mention honoree. Last year as a junior he set a school record for most strikeouts in a season with 74. 

Lardner, from Templeton, Calif., has accumulated a number of local and national accolades during his career at Templeton High School. The southpaw was named a Max Preps First Team All-American and a Preseason Under Armour All-American. He has twice earned First Team All-State honors. 

Borchers will be making the longest trek from home to play for the AppleSox this summer. The future Bulldog will be coming to the Pacific Northwest from Appleton North High School in Appleton, Wisc. Last season he earned Perfect Game USA All-American honorable mention honors. 

Hastings is finishing his senior season at Francis Parker High School in Vista, Calif. The catcher is especially strong defensively, having thrown out 14 of 20 runners on stolen base attempts last season. He has previously been named as a Perfect Game USA All-American honorable mention honoree.
 
Price was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Idaho last season after leading Timberline High School in Boise to a state championship. Over his high school career he has won a pair of state titles and last year he earned All-State honors at shortstop from USA Today. 

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.

APPLESOX SIGN INCOMING NEVADA PLAYERS

The three future Nevada players coming to Wenatchee are left-handed pitcher Matt Young, right-handed pitcher Luke Mattson, and outfielder Otis Statum.

WENATCHEE – A trio of University of Nevada, Reno commits will join the Wenatchee AppleSox this summer. The three future Nevada players coming to Wenatchee are left-handed pitcher Matt Young, right-handed pitcher Luke Mattson, and outfielder Otis Statum. 

“It is a nice mix to receive a player with college experience along with two very talented prep players,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “We have received players from Nevada for a number of years and we are excited to have this group of guys coming to Wenatchee this season.”

Young is currently in his sophomore year at Western Nevada College. He will return to his hometown of Reno next season, where he will have two years of eligibility remaining to play for the Wolf Pack. This spring he is 6-4 with a 3.96 ERA for Western Nevada College.

Mattson is in his senior year at prep powerhouse Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif. The righty compiled a 6-3 record with a 2.74 ERA last season as a junior. 

Statum, from Oakland, Calif., is wrapping up his senior campaign at Bishop O’Dowd High School. The corner outfielder was named by Perfect Game as a top 100 prospect out of California and a top 500 prospect nationally. The three-sport athlete has lettered in baseball, football, and track and field. 

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.

APPLESOX ADD FOUR CURRENT ZAGS

Current Gonzaga Bulldogs Left-handed pitcher Eli Thornquist, left-handed pitcher Justin Blatner, catcher/outfielder Jordan Rathbone, and infielder Steve Machtolf will don AppleSox uniforms this season.

WENATCHEE – Three freshmen and a junior from Gonzaga University will spend their summer in Wenatchee playing for the AppleSox. Left-handed pitcher Eli Thornquist, left-handed pitcher Justin Blatner, catcher/outfielder Jordan Rathbone, and infielder Steve Machtolf will don an AppleSox uniform this season. 

“I know over the years Gonzaga has sent more players to the AppleSox than any other college,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “Having played at Gonzaga myself, keeping the strong connection with the school is extra special to me.”

Thornquist, a product of Arvada, Colo., is in his first season with Gonzaga after transferring from Lamar Community College. He spent his freshman campaign at the University of Sioux Falls before moving on to play at Lamar CC as a sophomore. This spring he has made five appearances with one start, compiling a 0-1 record with a 3.00 ERA. 

The three freshmen, Blatner, Rahbone, and Machtolf, are all Spokane natives who played together at Gonzaga Prep High School. 

Blatner redshirted last season in his first year with the Bulldogs. The lefty earned the win last Tuesday against Washington State University in his first college start after tossing five scoreless innings. He is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA this spring. At Gonzaga Prep High School he was named the Greater Spokane League MVP in 2013 and was the top-ranked prospect in Washington by Baseball Northwest. 

Rathbone has not appeared in a game this season with Gonzaga. Last spring at Gonzaga Prep High School he had a .471 batting average with 22 extra base hits. In high school he earned Perfect Game All-America Honorable Mention accolades and First Team All-Greater Spokane League honors. 

Machtolf has yet to play in a game for Gonzaga this season. In high school he earned First Team All-State honors as a senior. The redshirt freshman plays for his father Mark Machtolf at Gonzaga, who is the head coach of the Bulldogs. 

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.

AppleSox Ink Two Future Wildcats

Infielder Shane Martinez and outfielder Matt Frazier will spend their summer in Wenatchee before starting with the Arizona Wildcats in the fall. 

WENATCHEE – Two prep standouts from California that are committed to play at the University of Arizona will join the Wenatchee AppleSox this season. Infielder Shane Martinez and outfielder Matt Frazier will spend their summer in Wenatchee before starting with the Wildcats in the fall. 

“It is exciting to be receiving players from the University of Arizona,” said AppleSox head coach AJ Proszek. “The AppleSox have had a relationship with Jay Johnson, who is in his first season as the head coach of the Wildcats, for a number of years. We are thrilled that we are able to continue that connection.”

Martinez is from Riverside, Calif., where he is in his senior season at JW North High School. He was named a 2015 Perfect Game First Team Preseason High School Underclassman All-American. Last summer he played in USA Baseball’s Tournament of the Stars and is currently the No. 128 ranked prep player in the country by Perfect Game. 

Frazier, out of Clovis North High School in Fresno, Calif., will join Martinez with the AppleSox, before the duo heads to Arizona. He was selected in 2015 as a Perfect Game High School Underclassmen All-American Honorable Mention honoree. 

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.