Sox Enter All-Star Break With Win

BELLINGHAM, WA - Kodie Kolden drove in the game-winning run in the seventh as the AppleSox defeated the Bellingham Bells, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at Joe Martin Field.

With the game tied entering the seventh inning, Connor Kiffer hit a pinch-hit double and scored two batters later following a single up the middle by Kolden.

Gavin Gorrell (3-2) tossed 5.2 innings to pick up the victory. He allowed two unearned runs on three hits. Landon Schirer struck out two in a scoreless ninth to lock down his fifth save of the year.

For the first time in the series, the Sox opened up the scoring. Justin Lutz walked and Kolden doubled to put runners at second and third to lead off the inning. Ryan Altenberger grounded out to plate Lutz and then Johnny Sage singled in Kolden.

The Sox committed three errors in the fifth and sixth innings to plate to Bells runs, but then quickly retook the lead in the seventh. In the ninth, Altenberger hit a two-run homer with two outs on the 10th pitch of is at-bat.

Though Wenatchee dropped two-of-three over the weekend against the Bells, they did claim the season series, 4-2.

The Sox go in to the All-Star Break with an 8-4 record, good for second place in the North Division. Altenberger, Cole McKenzie, Jake Saum and Sam Wyatt will represent the AppleSox in Bend for the 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game on Tuesday. Altenberger will compete in Monday’s home run derby. Both events start at 6:30 and can be seen live on the Bend Elks Facebook page.

Box Score

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Gorrell, Altenberger and head coach Kyle Krustangel.

Sox Late Rally Not Enough Against Bells

BELLINGHAM, WA - The AppleSox scored twice in the ninth inning to cut the deficit in half, but ultimately dropped Saturday night’s game against the Bellingham Bells, 4-2, at Joe Martin Field.

Connor Kiffer hit a sacrifice fly and Kodie Kolden singled in a run as the Sox got on the board in the ninth inning, but they ultimately stranded the bases loaded to end the game.

The AppleSox could not overcome allowing three runs in the first inning and dropped the series to the Bells.

Jack Simpson tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth innings in his first AppleSox appearance.

Box Score

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interview with pitching coach Tyler VonDracek.

AppleSox Win Streak Ends on Friday Night

BELLINGHAM, WA - For the first time in over a week, the AppleSox lost as they dropped the series opener to the Bellingham Bells, 7-5, on Friday night at Joe Martin Field.

The Sox’ seven-game winning streak, the longest of the season, came to an abrupt end after the Bells scored four times in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead. Wenatchee put two on in the ninth, but couldn’t plate either.

Seth Kuykendall struck out seven in six innings and allowed three runs, but only one was earned. Kodie Kolden and Hunter Montgomery both recorded multi-hit games.

After failing to score first in any of the three games against the AppleSox last weekend in Wenatchee, the Bells scored thanks to a double and error in the first inning. Two innings later, the Bells scored two more times and held a 3-0 lead going into the seventh inning.

Though the Sox had only collected two hits off Bells starter Nick Proctor through the first six innings, they loaded up the bases against the right-hander to open the seventh. After a pitching change, a wild pitch scored the Sox’ first run of the game and then Montgomery doubled in another to make it a 3-2 game. Dylan McPhillips doubled to right-center to score two more runs and give the AppleSox their first lead of the game. Kolden singled in the final run of the inning and the game for the Sox to give Wenatchee a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Bells sent 10 men to the plate and, thanks to four walks drawn, took the lead against two different AppleSox relievers.

Jake Saum toes the rubber for the Sox on Saturday night looking to even the series up. First pitch is at 6:35.

Full Boxscore

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

AppleSox Look to Stay Hot, Face Bells

The Wenatchee AppleSox, winners of a season-best seven consecutive games, wrap up their six-game road trip with three games in Bellingham this weekend.

The series begins tonight at 6:35, continues with a 6:35 game tomorrow and concludes on Sunday at 1:05. All three games will be broadcast live on the AppleSox Radio Network and live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

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

Series Notes

Sox Sweep Falcons, Win Seventh Straight

KELOWNA, B.C. - The AppleSox continued to stay hot by defeating the Kelowna Falcons, 11-8, on Thursday night at Elks Stadium.

The Sox stretched their season-best winning streak to seven games and picked up their third sweep of the season. Henrik Reinertsen (3-2) allowed two runs in six innings to earn the win and Johnny Sage hit a three-run homer for the Sox.

In the first inning, Wenatchee sent each of its first four hitters to the basepaths and scored twice. Kodie Kolden singled and then Ryan Altenber and Sage drew back-to-back walks to laod up the bases. Kolden scored on a wild pitch and Dalton Harum was hit by a pitch to load up the bases again. Blake Klassen hit a sacrifice fly to left to make it 2-0, AppleSox.

The Falcons got a run back in the bottom of the first, but the Sox would take on seven runs over the next two innings, scoring all of them with two outs. In the second, Kolden singled and Altenberger walked before Sage hit his first home run of the season to dead center field. Harum walked and scored on a double to left-center by Klassen to give the Sox a 6-1 lead.

Three singles with two outs in the third inning gave the Sox another run, this time with Altenberger plating a run. Pinch hitter Kody Darcy plated two more with a double.

Wenatchee scored its final two runs in the fourth when Klassen reached on an errors and Dylan McPhillips doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs. Back-to-back sacrifice flies by Connor Kiffer and Justin Lutz to left field scored two more runs to push the score to 11-1, AppleSox.

The Falcons scored in the bottom of the fourth and again with five in the seventh, but got no closer.

The AppleSox continue their six-game road trip with three games in Bellingham. Last weekend, the Sox swept the Bells in Wenatchee. First pitch on Friday night at 6:35.

Full Boxscore

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Reinertsen, Sage and head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Altenberger Leads Sox to Series Win Over Falcons

KELOWNA, B.C. - The AppleSox defeated the Kelowna Falcons, 6-4, to pick up their sixth consecutive victory on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Ryan Altenberger hit a three-run home run in the third inning after the Falcons scored twice in the bottom of the second. Dalton Harum hit a two-run bomb in the fifth and Kody Darcy hit a sacrifice fly in that same frame.

Altenberger, one of four AppleSox All-Stars, reached base four four times with a single and two walks to go with his home run. The incoming junior at Xavier now leads the WCL with 25 walks.

Ryan Long (2-3) went five innings to get the win and Brett Gillis struck out seven in the final three innings to get his first save of the season.

The Sox go for their third sweep of the year when they face the Elks again at 6:35 Thursday night.

Full Boxscore

Sox Thump Falcons to Open Series

KELOWNA, B.C. - The AppleSox scored seven times in the fourth inning to defeat the Kelowna Falcons, 13-1, on Tuesday night at Elks Stadium.

Kodie Kolden finished a triple away from the cycle and Hunter Montgomery hit a grand slam to deliver the Sox’ fifth consecutive victory.

Sam Wyatt (2-2) picked up the victory by tossing five shutout innings and striking out five on the same day that he was named an All-Star.

For the fifth consecutive game, the AppleSox struck first by scoring in the first inning. Kolden led off the game with a home run on a 2-2 pitch, then Ryan Altenberger singled and scored on an RBI double from Dalton Harum to make it 2-0, AppleSox. The Sox have now scored 12 runs in the first inning over the course of their five-game winning streak.

In the second, Dylan McPhillips and Kolden both walked and then scored on a 2-RBI double by Altenberger, who then scored on an RBI double by Johnny Sage.

Wyatt pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second and, while they were held off the scoreboard in the third, the Sox went to work in the fourth. Brett Gillis singled and Kolden doubled him in to make it 6-0, AppleSox. Altenberger was it by a pitch before Sage plated Kolden with a single. Harum walked to load the bases and then Blake Klassen drove in Altenberger with a single. Montgomery launched his fourth home run of the season to clear the bases and make it 12-0, AppleSox.

The Sox scored their final run in the seventh inning when Kolden singled with one out and scored on an RBI single by Harum three batters later.

Wenatchee goes for the series win on Wednesday night at 6:35.

Full Boxscore

Listen AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Wyatt and head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Four AppleSox Selected to 2019 WCL All-Star Game

Four members of the Wenatchee AppleSox will represent the organization on Tuesday, July 23, at the 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game in Bend, Oregon.

Ryan Altenberger, Cole McKenzie, Jake Saum and Sam Wyatt have been selected by commissioner Rob Neyer. Altenbrger will also participate in the home run derby the night before at 6:30 at Vince Genna Stadium.

This is the second consecutive year that the AppleSox have had four All-Stars selected. Wenatchee hosted the inaugural WCL All-Star Game in 2006.

Altenberger is hitting .280/.425/.400 with eight extra-base hits, tied for third-most on the Sox. He leads the AppleSox with 23 walks and is second in the WCL. Altenberger went on a team-best nine-game hitting streak from June 27-July 7, batting .387 (12-for-31) with three multi-hit games and 12 walks. He’s also shown off his speed this year by swiping eight bags, tied for fourth most on the AppleSox. Altenberger’s best game came on June 19 when he went 5-for-5 with five singles and two runs in a 9-5 win over Port Angeles. He has played left field, right field, second base, third base and shortstop this season for the AppleSox. Altenberger has currently reached base in 14 consecutive games.

McKenzie is hitting .370/.466/.481 to lead the AppleSox in all four categories. He also leads the AppleSox in hit (40), stolen bases (11), doubles (9), extra-base hits (10) and hit by pitches (8). McKenzie’s batting average and on-base percentage are the second-best and third-best in the WCL, respectively. His current 18-game on-base streak is the fifth-longest in the league this summer. McKenzie has recorded 12 multi-hit games, including four three-hit games, both tops on the AppleSox. He has recorded three different hitting streak hits of at least five games. McKenzie’s best game of the summer was on June 18 when he went 3-for-5 with a double and three runs and two stolen bases in a 7-5 win over the Lefties. He has started and batted third in all 29 games he’s played in this summer.

Saum is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in five games, three starts. He has gone at least five innings in all three of his starts and is third on the AppleSox with 26 strikeouts. Saum’s three wins also lead the Sox and he has only allowed three extra-base hits. The AppleSox have won each of the last four games that Saum has pitched in. His best outing was his last on July 11. The southpaw struck out 10 in six innings and allowed just one run. His double-digit punchouts set a single-game high for AppleSox pitchers this season. Saum has walked just seven batters in 20 innings.

Wyatt is 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA entering his third start of the season tonight. He has tossed five-or-more innings in relief twice and has tossed five innings in both of his starts. Wyatt’s 29 strikeouts lead the AppleSox and his 26.1 innings and ERA are third and fourth-best. He has struck out five or more batters in three outings and is averaging about 3.1 innings per outing. Wyatt’s best appearance came on July 2 against Kelowna, when he allowed on unearned run over five innings and did not allow a hit in his first 4.1 innings. He struck out seven, one off his season-high, and allowed just the one aforementioned hit. Wyatt has allowed more than two runs in an outing just once this season.

Long Road Trip Kicks Off With Three Against Falcons

The AppleSox begin a six-game road trip with three games against the Kelowna Falcons, tonight through Thursday, at Elks Stadium. All three games will start at 6:35.

The Sox (4-2) enter tonight’s game in first place in the North Division in the second half. Wenatchee enters tonight on a four-game winning streak after sweeping the Bellingham Bells this past weekend. The Sox defeated the U.S. Military All-Stars, 13-8, last night in a non-league contest at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Kelowna Falcons (1-5) dropped their first five games of the second half before defeating the Cowlitz Black Bears, 3-1, last night. They took two of three against the AppleSox in Wenatchee July 2-4.

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

Series Notes

AppleSox, Military All-Stars Honor America's Armed Forces

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox welcomed the U.S. Military All-Stars to Wenatchee with a special Military Appreciation Night on Monday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The two teams honored fallen members of our nation’s armed forces and welcomed new members in an on-field ceremony prior to first pitch.

Following the ceremony, 739 fans watched the AppleSox defeat the All-Stars, 13-8.

Despite the Sox scoring four times in the first inning, the All-Stars tied it up with a four-spot of their own in the third inning. The game continued to entertain as Wenatchee scored once in the bottom of the third, but then allowed a run in the fifth to make it 5-5 after five.

However, the Sox took a commanding following a three-run sixth and a four-run seventh.

Justin Lutz hit a two-run homer in his AppleSox debut and Dalton Harum also added a three-run shot.

The Sox hit the road for a six-game road trip that begins Tuesday night against the Kelowna Falcons. First pitch is at 6:35.

Full Boxscore

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Lutz and AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel below and then listen to Norman’s pregame interview with the All-Stars head coach, Thomas Eaton.

AppleSox Sweep Bells

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox picked up their second sweep of the season and fourth straight win with an 8-3 win over the Bellingham Bells on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Hunter Montgomery went 3-for-4 with 4 RBI and finished a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Gavin Gorrell picked up the win on the mound after allowing one earned run in 5.1 innings. Sunday marked the fourth time in five starts this summer that Gorrell has tossed at least five innings in a start.

The Sox followed a similar recipe from their first three wins of this streak by striking first and in the first inning. Wenatchee scored twice in the first and has now scored 10 times in the opening frame over this win streak. Kodie Kolden and Johnny Sage walked and singled, respectively, with one out, and then scored on a two-RBI single to center by Blake Klassen.

After Gorrell kept the Bells off the board for the next three innings, the Sox added three runs in the fourth. Dalton Harum and Klassen walked to lead off the inning and Harum scored on an RBI single by Kody Darcy. Montgomery collected his first two RBI of the night by double to deep left field to make it 5-0, AppleSox.

The Bells got on the board in the sixth with a two-spot, but the Sox responded with a run in each of their final three innings at the plate. In the bottom of the sixth, Montgomery led off with his third home run of the summer and first at home with a bomb that traveled 408 feet and over the center-field fence.

The next inning, Harum was hit by a pitch to open the frame then scored following back-to-back singles with one out. Montgomery came through with his fourth and final RBI of the night to push the score to 7-2, AppleSox.

The Bells got a run back in the eighth, but the Sox answered in the bottom of the inning. Kolden singled and advanced to third after back-to-back wild pitches. Two batters later, Sage singled him in for the Sox’ final run of the game.

The AppleSox will face the U.S. Military All-Stars on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. First pitch is at 6:35 and members of our armed forces can receive $1 off admission to the non-league contest by showing their military identification at the gate when purchasing tickets.

Full Boxscore

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Gorrell, Montgomery and head coach Kyle Krustangel below.

Sox Claim Back-And-Forth Affair To Win Series

WENATCHEE, WA - In a game that featured just three innings without scoring, the AppleSox defeated the Bellingham Bells, 10-8, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Dylan McPhillips hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Sox picked up their third consecutive victory. Wenatchee won the first two games of a series for the third time this season.

Henrik Reinertsen (2-2) tossed the final five innings to pick up the win in relief. The right-hander struck out five and allowed two runs.

For the third straight night, the Sox scored first when Kodie Kolden up the bottom of the first with a double, stole third and then scored on an error.

The next inning, the AppleSox added another run when Brett GIllis led off with a walk. Three batters later, Kolden reached on a fielder’s choice to advance to Gillis to third. Gillis scored on a double steal attempt in which Kolden was thrown out after the run scored.

The Bells tied it up with two in the top of the third, but the AppleSox again took the lead in the bottom of the inning. Ryan Altenberger opened the frame with a walk and then scored thanks to a stolen base and two wild pitches.

The fourth inning featured the highest scoring output from both sides. First, the Bells scored four runs and then the AppleSox matched them. Jason Harayda and Kolden opened the inning with singles and then both scored on an RBI single by Altenberger. After Johnny Sage walked and Dalton Harum reached on an error to plate Altenberger, Sage scored when Klassen hit into a double play.

Neither team scored in the fifth, but the Bells took a one-run lead with a two-spot in the sixth.

The Sox wouldn’t answer in the bottom of the sixth, but kept Bellingham off the scoreboard in the top of the seventh, then scored three runs after the stretch. Kody Darcy and Gillis reached on an error and a single, respectively, then McPhillips launched a 413 foot home run to center field to give the AppleSox a 10-8 win.

Wenatchee goes for its second sweep of the season on Sunday when it faces the Bells at 5:35.

Full boxscore: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscore.html?gameid=501888

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with assistant coach Cash Ulrich and McPhillips.

AppleSox Walk Off Bells to Begin Series

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox broke a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning with a drag bunt single from Kodie Kolden to walk off the Bellingham Bells, 3-2, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

In a thrilling game where the two teams combined to score four runs over the final three innings, it was the AppleSox who picked up their first walk-off win of the season.

After the Sox scored in the first inning, neither team struck again until the seventh inning.

Both starting pitchers fired outings deserving of a victory. Seth Kuykendall tossed six shutout innings and struck out a season-high seven batters. However, he would wind up with a no-decision.

The AppleSox scored first when Cole McKenzie singled with two outs in the first inning and then came all the way around from first to score when Dalton Harum hit a bloop single into right field.

Kuykendall shut the door for the rest of his night on the mound, though the Bells had plenty of opportunities. Bellingham stranded eight runners through the first six innings. Twice, Kuykendall ended an inning with a strikeout to strand two runners.

In the seventh, the Sox added another run. Kody Darcy led off with a single, was sacrificed to third, stole third and scored a sacrifice fly by Kolden to give the AppleSox some insurance.

After not scoring in the first seven innings, the Bells sent seven men to the plate and scored twice off a pair of AppleSox relievers.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Sox wasted no time in walking off. Hunter Montgomery singled on the first pitch of the inning, was sacrificed to second and then went to third on a single by Connor Kiffer. With runners at first and third, Kolden connected on a bunt up the first-base side. The ball was dropped and not only did Kolden reach first safely, but Montgomery also scored the game-winning run.

The Sox look to take the series when they face the Bells again at 6:35 p.m. Tonight’s game is Marco Gonzales Bobblehead Night, sponsored by the IBEW-191. The first 400 fans will walk away with a bobblehead of the former AppleSox pitcher. Tickets can be purchased here.

Full Boxscore

Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Kuykendall, Kolden and head coach Kyle Krustangel.

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