Sox Face Stiff Test in Bells This Weekend

The Wenatchee AppleSox continue their seven-game homestand with three games against the Bellingham Bells, beginning tonight at 6:35. Tonight’s game is Cascade Autocenter Night.

Tomorrow’s game also takes place at 6:35 p.m. and is Marco Gonzales Bobblehead Night, sponsored by the IBEW-191. The first 400 fans in attendance will receive a free bobblehead of the 2010 AppleSox pitcher. Gates open at 5:30.

The series wraps up on Sunday at 5:35 p.m.

Click on the series notes below to get a full preview of the series.

Series Notes

Darcy, Saum Buoy AppleSox Past Elks

WENATCHEE, WA - Jake Saum struck out 10 in six innings and Kody Darcy finished a hit short of the cycle to lead the AppleSox to a 16-2 victory over the Bend Elks on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox scored early and often to defeat the Elks to salvage the final of the three-game set and tie the season series, 3-3. Darcy drove in seven runs and Saum picked up his third win of the season.

Darcy singled in the first inning, tripled in the second and hit a grand slam in the sixth inning. Saum struck out at least two batters in every inning.

After scoring 16 runs in their last five games, the AppleSox matched that run total on Thursday night. It was the second consecutive home game on a Thursday in which the Sox scored 16 runs, which is the team’s single-game high this summer.

Wenatchee scored six runs in the first inning for the third time this season and for the first time at home. Ryan Altenberger led off with a walk, Johnny Sage followed with a single and then Altenberger scored on a wild pitch. With one out, Dalton Harum singled in Sage, then Blake Klassen and Brett Gillis drew back-to-back walks. Darcy drove in two with a single up the middle. After a pitching change, Dylan McPhillips plated Gillis and Darcy with a double down the left-field line.

In the second inning, the Sox added three more runs. Sage and Cole McKenzie opened up with a single and a hit by pitch, respectively. Klassen drove in Sage with a single and then Gillis plated McKenzie with a sacrifice fly. Darcy drove in his third run in two innings with a triple to make it 9-0, AppleSox.

The Elks scored a run in the top of the fourth, but the Sox answered with two runs in the bottom half. McKenzie singled and then Harum doubled to put runners at second and third. Klassen and Gillis followed with back-to-back sacrifice flies to plate two more runs and make it 11-1, Sox.

In the sixth, the Sox scored their final five runs of the night. Sage and McKenzie walked to open the inning and Sage eventually scored on a couple wild pitches and a passed ball. After Klassen was hit by a pitch, Gillis drew a walk to load the bases. Darcy plated all of them with a grand slam for his team-leading fourth home run of the season and the Sox’ second grand slam of the year.

The Elks added another run in the eighth but ultimately dropped the series finale.

The AppleSox stay at home and begin a three-game series against the Bellingham Bells this weekend. First pitch on Friday night is at 6:35.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501886

Listen to postgame interviews with Darcy, Saum and head coach Kyle Krustangel.

Sox Stymied By Elks Pitching Wednesday Night

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox collected just four hits in a 9-1 loss to the Bend Elks on Wednesday Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Bend Elks starter Gil Luna struck out 12 in seven innings in his second win against the AppleSox in less than a week. Brett Gillis and Kodie Kolden collected two hits, but the Sox only mustered four hits in the loss.

The Elks scored two runs in the top of the first inning off AppleSox starter Ryan Long (1-3) before scoring four times in the fifth inning, then once in each of the game’s final three innings.

The Sox got their only run in the sixth when Kolden led off with a double. As he advanced to third on a wild pitch, a throwing error allowed him to round third and score.

Jake Saum toes the rubber in Thursday’s series finale as the Sox look to even up the season series against the Elks. First pitch on Sunny FM Foster Family Night is at 6:35. Tickets can be purchased on AppleSox.com.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501885

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster’s postgame interview with head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Sox Drop Series Opener to Elks

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox fell to the Bend Elks, 4-2, in the first game of the second half of the the West Coast League season on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Playing the Elks for the fourth consecutive game, the Sox gave up the first three runs of the game before getting on the board.

Johnny Sage reached base in all four of his plate appearances and Brett Garcia tossed two scoreless innings, but it wasn’t enough.

After Bend scored once in the third and twice in the fifth, the Sox answered in the bottom of the fifth. Dylan McPhillips walked to open the inning and then Kodie Kolden and Sage singled and walked, respectively. Cole McKenzie was hit by a pitch to score the Sox’ first run of the game, but they would strand the bases loaded.

Bend regained a three-run lead with a run in the top of the seventh, but the AppleSox quickly cut the deficit to two again. Sage and McKenzie singled and doubled with one out, then Dalton Harum grounded out to first, but as McKenzie got caught between second and third, Sage scored before McKenzie was tagged out to end the inning.

The Sox look to do what they did against the Elks this past weekend and take the final two games of the series. First pitch on Wednesday night is at 6:35.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501884

Listen to Joel Norman’s interview with head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Sox Face Elks For Three More, Now in Wenatchee

The AppleSox open the second half with a three-game series against the Bend Elks, the same team that they faced to conclude the first half.

After taking two of three from the Elks in Bend, Oregon, the Sox begin the second half searching for a playoff spot. They ended the first half in third place, but must win the division in the second half to earn the final playoff spot and set up a North Division Championship Series against the Victoria HarbourCats.

Tonight’s game is Coyote Bobblehead Night, sponsored by Denny’s. The first 400 fans will receive a free bobblehead of the AppleSox mascot. First pitch for tonight and all three games is 6:35.

Get a full preview of the series by clicking on the series notes below.

Series Notes

AppleSox Wrap Up First Half With Win

BEND, OR - The AppleSox scored twice in the eighth inning to defeat the Bend Elks, 4-2, in their final game of the first half on Sunday at Vince Genna Stadium.

Seth Kuykendall tossed five strong innings in his first start of the season, allowing just one run while striking out six. Alec Gomez (2-1) picked up the win with a scoreless seventh and Landon Schirer didn’t allow any runs over the final two innings to pick up his fourth save of the summer.

At the plate, Cory Meyer went 2-for-4 with his first home run of the season while Ryan Altenberger reached base four times for the second consecutive day. Cole McKenzie delivered the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the eighth.

The Sox wasted no time striking first for the second consecutive game as Johnny Sage doubled with one out in the first inning and then scored two batters later on an RBI single by Blake Klassen. An inning later, Meyer went deep on the second pitch of his at-bat.

The Elks got one run back in the third and then tied the game up in the sixth.

Despite 19 consecutive hitters coming to the plate in between base hits, the Sox made their fourth, fifth and sixth hits count. Altenberger, Sage and McKenzie each opened the inning with singles, with McKenzie’s single plating Altenberger. Sage and McKenzie both took off on a double steal attempt during the next at-bat. The throw to third intended to gun down Sage went into left field and he came around to score as well.

The Sox also won 8-4 on Saturday to take two of three games from the Elks and conclude the first half with a 12-15 record.

The second half begins on Tuesday when the Elks come to Wenatchee for three games. First pitch each night is at 6:35 p.m. and Tuesday is Coyote Bobblehead Night, presented by Denny’s. The first 400 fans in attendance will walk away with a bobblehead of the AppleSox mascot, Coyote. Gates open at 5:30 and tickets can be purchased for as cheap as $5 at applesox.com.

Full Boxscore

Sox Flip Script to Beat Elks

BEND, OR - The AppleSox drew 11 walks and used a four-run fifth inning to defeat the Bend Elks 8-4 on Saturday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

A night after Sox pitchers issued 10 walks and committed three errors, the Elks walked one more and committed as many errors.

Gavin Gorrell (1-2) was stellar on the mound, striking out six in six innings, both season-highs.

Cole McKenzie collected three hits and drove in two while Ryan Altenberger reached base in all five of his plate appearances.

The Sox scored twice in the second inning when Altenberger and Brett Gillis walked and singled, respectively, with one out. Kody Darcy singled in Altenberger and Gillis scored on a double steal.

In the third, McKenzie led off with a single and then Blake Klassen and Altenberger both walked. Gillis reached on an error that allowed McKenzie to score to make it 3-0, AppleSox.

The Elks scored their first run in the fourth, but Wenatchee immediately responded with a big inning. Klassen, Altenberger and Gillis singled to start the fifth inning, with Gillis driving in Klassen. Darcy walked to load the bases. After Kodie Kolden grounded out to score Altenberger for the second run and second out of the inning, Johnny Sage walked to reload the bases. McKenzie plated two with a blooper into left field to cap a four-run inning.

An inning later, Klassen agained up with a single, then stole second and scored on a single by Altenberger.

The Elks scored once in the sixth and twice more in the eighth.

The Sox and Elks battle in the rubber match on Sunday at 5:05.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501939

Walks Cost AppleSox Series Opener Against Elks

BEND, OR - AppleSox pitchers walked 10 batters en route to an 11-1 loss to the Bend Elks on Friday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

The Sox also committed three errors, one in each of the first three innings, to fall behind 5-0 early on. Wenatchee never led and didn’t get on the board until the ninth inning.

The AppleSox look to reset when they face the Elks again on Saturday night at 6:35.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501938

Listen to Joel Norman’s postgame interview with AppleSox assistant coach Cash Ulrich below.

AppleSox Wrap Up First Half in Bend

A day after putting together their highest run output of the season, the Wenatchee AppleSox conclude the first half of their season with three games against the Bend Elks at Vince Genna Stadium.

The first two games, tonight and tomorrow, take place at 6:35 p.m. with Sunday’s series finale getting underway at 5:05. All three games will be broadcast live on the AppleSox Radio Network. Live stats can be found on Pointstreak and make sure to also follow @AppleSox on Twitter for live game updates.

Get a full preview of the series by clicking on the series notes below.

Series Notes

While you wait for first pitch, listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s interviews with Dalton Harum, Blake Klassen and head coach Kyle Krustangel following last night’s victory over Kelowna.

Late Offensive Onslaught Pushes Sox Past Flacons

WENATCHEE, WA - Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the AppleSox scored 14 of their 16 runs in the final two innings to defeat the Kelowna Falcons, 18-6, on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox batted around in both the seventh and eighth innings to take the series finale against the Falcons. Blake Klassen delivered the game-winning bases-clearing double to buoy the Sox to victory.

In addition to his 3 RBI, Klassen scored three runs and reached base three times. Eight of nine Sox starters reached base at least twice.

Kelowna struck twice in the third inning and again in the fifth inning to take a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Kody Darcy led off the bottom half of the frame with his team-leading third home run of the season to put the AppleSox on the board.

After Kelowna tacked on another run in the top of the sixth, Wenatchee answered with a run of its own. Klassen walked with one out, Cory Meyer singled and Brett Gillis walked to load the bases. Quinn Ayers then hit a sacrifice fly to score Klassen.

With the Sox trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh, the bats woke up. Tyler Detloff led off with a walk, then Johnny Sage and Cole McKenzie followed with back-to-back singles. Dalton Harum tripled off the center-field wall to clear the bases, then scored on a wild pitch as the Sox took the lead.

However, they weren’t finished. Klassen singled and scored three batters later when Kodie Kolden doubled him in. Kolden then scored when Darcy reached on an error.

Even though the Sox scored six times in the seventh to take the lead, the Falcons rallied to tie it back up with a four-spot in the top of the eighth.

With the game tied 8-8, the AppleSox doubled their run output in the bottom of the inning for their best inning of the season. Sage walked to open the inning and then McKenzie and Harum were both plunked by pitches to load up the bases before Klassen cleared the bases with a double to left-center. He scored on a wild pitch to make it 12-4, Sox.

However, that was only half of the run production. After each of the first four batters reached base and scored to open the inning, Gillis and Kolden both walked with one out. Darcy singled in Gillis and then Detloff reached on an error to load the bases. Sage plated a run with a sacrifice fly to right field and then McKenzie score two more with a double.

The Sox salvaged the series and now head to Bend to face the Elks this weekend for the final three games of their first-half schedule. First pitch on Friday night is at 6:35.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501883

Big Crowd Not Enough to Will Sox to Victory

WENATCHEE, WA - Despite collecting nine more hits than the night before, the AppleSox fell to the Kelowna Falcons, 6-3, on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox stranded the bases loaded three times in the game’s first four innings and ultimately left a season-high 15 runners on base. Despite the ample opportunities, the Sox never led on Wednesday night in front of standing room only sellout crowd of 1,968.

Dalton Harum and Kodie Kolden both reached base three times in the loss. Cameron Sommer tossed back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the eighth and ninth innings.

Kelowna put up a three spot in the first inning thanks to a three-run homer from March Guarin. It wouldn’t be the last time that Guarin hurt the AppleSox, as he hit an RBI double in the fifth inning. The Falcons’ designated hitter collected four hits and finished a triple away from the cycle.

In between his RBI knocks, the Sox struck in the second and third innings. Harum doubled in Ryan Altenberger in the second after Altenberer reached with two outs. However, the Sox would end the inning by stranding the bases loaded for the second consecutive frame.

Blake Klassen led off with a 1-1 home run over the right-field fence. Klassen’s first bomb of the summer traveled 408 feet and cut the deficit to one. The Sox scored their final run in the fifth when Kolden led off with a walk, then scored on an RBI double by Kody Darcy.

The AppleSox look to salvage the series when they take on the Falcons at 6:35 p.m. on Independence Day.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501882

AppleSox Drop Series Opener Against Kelowna

WENATCHEE, WA - After scoring a combined 27 runs in their previous four games, the Wenatchee AppleSox’ bats fell silent in a 5-3 loss to the Kelowna Falcons on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Sox led from the third inning on until the sixth, but then never again after that en route to their second consecutive loss. Wenatchee collected three hits, committed three errors and stranded three men on the basepaths.

Sam Wyatt started and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning, but allowed his only run of the ballgame in that inning. The right-hander struck out seven in his first start of the season and only allowed one hit.

The Sox opened the scoring with two runs in the third inning. Tyler Detloff led off with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI groundout by Blake Klassen. With two outs, Cole McKenzie and Hunter Montgomery singled to put runners at the corners. McKenzie scored on a double steal attempt after Montgomery took off first, drew a throw and was then tagged out, but only after McKenzie scored.

Kelowna struck once against Wyatt in the fifth and then three times in the sixth thanks to three hits, a sacrifice fly and an error to take the lead.

In the bottom of the inning, the Sox cut the deficit to one when McKenzie single-handedly took advantage of several different mistakes. McKenzie was hit by a pitch, swiped second base and went to third on a throwing error, then scored on a wild pitch.

Kelowna regained its two-run lead with a run in the top of the ninth and picked up the series-opening win. The two teams will face each other again on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501881

AppleSox Return Home For Independence Day Series

The AppleSox kick off one of the most popular homestands of the season tonight with the first of three games against the Kelowna Falcons at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

First pitch for tonight and Thursday is at 6:35 while Wednesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05. The start time was pushed back to allow for darkness for the postgame fireworks show. Tickets for all three games can be purchased online or at the gate.

The Sox just completed a six-game road trip, which they concluded by taking two of three from the Cowlitz Black Bears. The series victory marked Wenatchee’s third of the 2019 season. The Sox are currently fourth in the North Division with a 9-12 record.

Now, the Sox take on another cellar-dweller in the Kelowna Falcons, who enter tonight’s game last in the North Division with a a 6-14 record.

Get a full preview of the series by clicking on the series preview notes below.

Series Notes

AppleSox Begin Lengthy Road Trip in Victoria

The Wenatchee AppleSox are on the road today through Sunday in their first of two six-game road trips. It begins with three games in Victoria, followed up by three more in Cowlitz.

The Sox played two non-league games this weekend and won both against the Highline Bears. Wenatchee has won six consecutive games, league and non-league games included.

Click on the series notes below to get a full preview of the upcoming series north of the border with the Victoria HarbourCats.

Series Notes

Sox Score Early and Often to Defeat Bears

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox scored in all but two innings to defeat the Highline Bears, 14-6, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Ryan Altenberger and Brett Gillis each finished a hit away from hitting for the cycle. Altenberger singled, doubled and homered while Gillis singled, doubled and tripled. Every AppleSox starter collected at least one hit and seven drove in at least one run.

Wenatchee used seven different pitchers, including three players making their AppleSox’ debut.

After giving up a two-out solo home run in the first inning to trail for the first time in a game in their last five games, the AppleSox resoundingly responded in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Altenberger led off with a solo home run and then, two batters later, Cole McKenzie responded with a solo shot of his own.

In the second, the Sox tacked on two more when Johnny Graham walked and scored on an RBI double by Kodie Kolden. Kolden swiped third and then scored on an RBI single by Altenberger.

The next inning, the Sox scored three runs in an inning for the first of two occasions. Dalton Harum walked and then Dylan McPhillips was hit by a pitch. Quinn Ayers plated both with a double and then he scored on an RBI single by Graham to make it 7-1, AppleSox.

The Bears cut the deficit to two runs with a four-run fourth inning, but the AppleSox got a couple runs back with a two-spot in the fifth. McPhillips singled, then was replaced by a pinch runner in Hunter Montgomery, who in turn stole second base. Montgomery scored on an RBI single by Graham, then Gillis plated Graham with a double.

Neither team scored in the sixth, but the Bears struck in the top of the seventh before the AppleSox scored three more times. Gillis led off with a triple and scored on a passed ball, then Kolden and Altenberger followed with a single and double, respectively. Back-to-back sacrifice flys by Tyler Detloff and McKenzie plated both runners.

The Sox concluded the scoring the eighth inning when Ayers led off with a walk, advanced to third on a couple wild pitches, then scored on a single by Gillis. Kolden reached on a fielder’s choice and then scored two batters later on a Detlfof single.

The AppleSox have now won all three non-league games that they have played this summer. Their next non-league game is on July 15 against the U.S. Miltary All-Stars. Wenatchee resumes West Coast League play on Tuesday against the Victoria HarbourCats. It’s the first of a six-game road trip that will have three games in Victoria and then three more in Cowlitz.

Listen to postgame interviews with Altenberger and head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Sox Take Advantage of Bears' Miscues

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox took advantage of seven errors to defeat the Highline Bears, 11-2, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox moved to 2-0 in non-league games thanks to plenty of miscues by the Highline defense. The Bears committed three errors in the second inning to lead to five AppleSox runs. From there on out, the Sox never led by less than three runs.

Johnny Sage and Quinn Ayers both had two RBI doubles apiece. Sage also drew a walk and reached on an error to reach base in four of his five plate appearances.

On the mound, Seth Kuykendall tossed three shutout innings and struck out three in relief to pick up the win.

The Sox sent all nine batters to the plate in a five-run second inning. Dalton Harum opened up by singling and reaching second on an error. Ayers drove him in with an RBI double and then scored when Brett Gillis reached on an error. After Gillis stole second and went to third on a fly out, he scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Harayda. With the bases clear and two outs, Kody Darcy singled and Johnny Graham drew a walk. Sage doubled Darcy in and then, on the third error of the inning by Highline, Graham came around to score to make it 5-0, Sox.

The Bears scored in the third and fourth innings to cut deficit to three, but the Sox answered with one in the bottom of the fourth. Graham was plunked on the first pitch of the inning and after a two-base error came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Hunter Montgomery.

The Sox scored in each of their final three innings at the plate. In the sixth, Harum walked and stole second and then scored on Ayers’ second RBI double of the night. An inning later, Dylan Ohlsen was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Kody Darcy reached on a fielder’s choice and Graham grounded out to score Ohlsen then Sage doubled in Darcy. Ayers and Gillis walked to open the eighth and after a double steal, Harayda hit his second sacrifice fly of the night to score Ayers. Darcy reached on the Bears’ final error of the night and Gillis scored.

The Sox wrap up the two-game non-league series with a 5:35 game on Sunday night.

Listen to postgame interview with Johnny Sage and head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Red-Hot Sox Return to Wenatchee for Two Non-League Games

The Wenatchee AppleSox, winners of four-in-a-row and six of their last eight, are back in Wenatchee for a brief two-game series against the Highline Bears tonight and tomorrow. First pitch this evening is at 6:35 and tomorrow’s game gets started at 5:35.

The Sox were off yesterday, but wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Port Angeles Lefties with a 12-2 victory on Thursday.

Tickets for both games against Highline can be purchased on AppleSox.com.

Get a full preview of the series by clicking on the series notes below.

Series Notes

Sox Sweep Lefties for Fourth Consecutive Win

PORT ANGELES, WA - The AppleSox (7-8) scored seven times in the third inning to sweep the Port Angeles Lefties (6-9) with a 12-2 win on Thursday night at Civic Field. The Sox won five of the six meetings with the Lefties this season.

Quinn Ayers hit a grand slam to plate the final four runs of that third inning and drove in five runs in the victory.

James Kulak struck out seven in four scoreless innings and Sam Wyatt (1-0) punched out eight in the final five. Sox pitchers combined to strike out 38 batters over the three games in Port Angeles, their most in a three-game series this season.

For the first time in the series the AppleSox failed to score in the first inning, but they did strike twice an inning later. Hunter Montgomery walked and was doubled in by Dylan McPhillips. Two batters and a wild pitch later and McPhillips scored on a ground out by Ayers.

The Sox sent 10 men to the plate and hung a seven spot on the Lefties in the third inning. Kodie Kolden and Tyler Detloff led off with singles and then, two batters later, Cole McKenzie singled to left and an error by Lefties leftfielder Ron Rust scored Kolden and Detloff scored on a wild pitch shortly after. Montgomery drew his second of three walks on the night and McPhillips drew a free pass of his own before Kody Darcy singled in McKenzie. Ayers followed with a bases-clearing bomb over the center-field fence for his second home run of the season.

Two innings later, Darcy hit a solo homer to make it 10-0, Sox. Darcy’s second dinger of the season and in as many days was his sixth RBI in the last two days.

Ayers opened the seventh with a single to record his third consecutive multi-hit game. After Kolden singled with one out, Detloff was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Altenberger hit a sacrifice fly and McKenzie drove in Kolden for his third single of the game and eighth multi-hit game of the season.

The Lefties plated their two runs via a two-run homer in the ninth.

The AppleSox, winners of six of their last eight, have Friday off before hosting the Highline Bears for two games on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com

Darcy’s Big Night Pushes Sox Past Lefties

PORT ANGELES, WA – AppleSox second basemen Kody Darcy went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and 2 RBI to lead the Sox (6-8) to a 9-5 victory over the Port Angeles Lefties (6-8) on Wednesday night at Civic Field. The Sox picked up their third straight victory and fourth consecutive over the Lefties.

Darcy’s home run was the final touch a six-run first inning which proved to be the difference in the series clinching victory. He entered the evening without any RBI on the season, but was the Sox top run-producer on the evening.

Ryan Altenberger, a late addition to the lineup after Johnny Graham was scratched due to injury, went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with five singles. He drove in a run and scored twice.

Jake Saum (1-0) got the victory on the mound, tossing three scoreless frames and striking out four.

Wenatchee struck in the first inning for the second time in as many days and nearly equaled their season output with six runs coming across on six hits. The Sox entered Wednesday’s game with eight runs scored in the opening frame through their first 13 games.

Blake Klassen and Cole McKenzie singled with one out and then Brett McPhillips singled in Klassen to give the Sox a 1-0 lead. A wild pitch scored McKenzie and then Altenberger drove in McPhillips with a single and went to second on an error. He would score on a single by Brett Gillis, then Darcy launched a 1-0 pitch over the left-center field fence for his first home run of the season and second in two years as a member of the AppleSox.

The Lefties cut the deficit to two with a four-run third inning, but the Sox got a run back in the fifth. McPhillips and Altenberger singled, then Gillis walked to load the bases. Darcy hit a sacrifice fly to score McPhillips and make it 7-4, AppleSox.

Darcy picked up his final RBI with a double to score Altenberger following his single to lead off the seventh. The Sox’ second basemen scored as the Lefties threw to complete a strikeout a batter later.

For the first time this season, the AppleSox enter a series finale with an opportunity to sweep their opponent. The Sox will send James Kulak to the mound to try and finish off the Lefties on Thursday night at 6:35.

Lights-Out Long Leads AppleSox to Victory

PORT ANGELES, WA – Ryan Long struck out nine batters across seven shutout innings and the AppleSox defeated the Port Angeles Lefties, 7-3, on Tuesday night at Civic Field.

Long, an incoming junior at Pomona-Pitzer, did not walk any batters and allowed just four hits to stymie the potent Port Angeles offense. The Lefties entered Tuesday night tops in the West Coast League in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Cole McKenzie, one game removed from snapping his eight-game hitting streak, collected three hits and three runs as a part of a 3-for-5 night at the plate. The incoming senior at Purdue doubled and singled twice.

It was McKenzie who scored the first run for the Sox as he singled with two outs in the first, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on an RBI single by Hunter Montgomery. The Sox added another run in the second when Quinn Ayers and Dylan Ohlsen both singled with one out. A wild pitch moved both up 90 feet and Ayers scored on a sacrifice fly by Kodie Kolden.

In the third, the Sox erupted for a three-run inning. Each of the first three batters reached with base-hits and scored. Johnny Graham doubled then McKenzie and Montgomery singled and Graham scored on an error by Lefties’ centerfielder Ethan Groff. McKenzie scored on an RBI single by Ryan Altenberger with one out, then, during a double-steal attempt, Montgomery stole home as Port Angeles tried, but failed, to catch Altenberger at second.

The Sox didn’t score again for the next three innings, but tacked on two more in the seventh. McKenzie doubled and scored two batters later when McPhillips singled him in and with two outs, Ayers played McPhillips with a single.

Port Angeles struck twice in the eighth with Long out of the ballgame and again for one run in the ninth.

The Sox picked up their first road win of the 2019 season and now look to take the series on Wednesday night at 6:35. Henrik Reinertsen will toe the rubber for Wenatchee against Dwayne Angebrandt of Port Angeles.