AppleSox Book On Sale Monday

The 20th season in Wenatchee AppleSox history is a landmark year. The AppleSox have celebrated it thus far with a commemorative logo, special home jerseys and plenty of exciting giveaways.

Now, the AppleSox are further adding to the fanfare of the exciting season with a book release. One Inning At A Time: 20 Years of AppleSox Baseball will go on sale this Monday at the AppleSox souvenir stand.

AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby tasked team broadcaster and communications director Joel Norman with writing a book about the history of the AppleSox. One Inning At A Time is not a chronological history of the AppleSox, nor is it only about what happens about the team on the field. Instead, it is a look at the players and coaches in addition to the other casts of characters who have helped the AppleSox celebrate summer, one inning at a time for the last 20 years. It is intended to tell the team’s history through short stories.

A limited number of copies will go on sale on Monday at the ballpark. Gates open at 5:30 and tickets can be purchased here. If copies run out, a waiting list will be available for fans to put down their names and guarantee themselves a copy. If you would like to purchase a book but are unable to attend a game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, please email info@applesox.com or call 509-665-6900 and the AppleSox will work to ship you a copy.

UPDATE: One Inning At A Time is now available for purchase on the AppleSox Team Shop here.

Four-Run Eighth Buoys Sox to Victory

WALLA WALLA, WA - Trailing 3-1 entering the eighth inning, the AppleSox scored four times in the top of the inning to defeat the Walla Walla Sweets 5-3.

Hunter Montgomery came up with the bases loaded and tied the game up with a 2-RBI single to left field. A batter later, Kody Darcy gave the Sox a two-run lead with a 2-RBI single of his own.

It was a big night for Montgomery as he picked up three hits in four at-bats to record his sixth multi-hit game of the season.

Landon Schirer struck out three in a two-inning outing to record his sixth save of the season. Ryan Isler (1-1) allowed an unearned run in the eighth to pick up the win.

For the first time in the series, the Sox struck first when they scored a run in the second inning. Blake Klassen and Montgomery both singled before Darcy walked to load up the bases. Alex Jemal drew a walk with two outs to score Klassen. It was the first of all five runs to score with two outs.

The Sweets scored one run apiece in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Though he picked up a no decision, Jake Saum allowed two of those runs but was otherwise spectacular. He punched out nine in six innings and allowed just four hits.

Full Boxscore

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

Sweets Stymie Sox Bats

WALLA WALLA, WA - The Walla Walla Sweets held the AppleSox to just one hit to win, 3-2, on Thursday night at Borleske Stadium.

Sweets’ starting pitcher Ryan Johnston held the Sox hitless until Dalton Harum tripled with one out in the seventh inning. He would score a batter later on a groundout by Blake Klassen to end Johnston’s shutout bid.

The Sweets scored three times in the first inning and led for the rest of the game. Sox’ starter Seth Kuykendall (1-2) only allowed one earned run in six innings on the mound. Kuykendall’s strong start marked the eighth consecutive time that an AppleSox starter went at least five innings.

The Sox scored their second run in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Johnny Sage walked to drive in a run. However, the Sox would strand all three runners after Harum flew out to deep left to end the inning.

AppleSox All-Star Jake Saum gets the ball on Friday night as the Sox look to salvage the series at 7:05.

Full Boxscore

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

Team Chemistry Pivotal in Sox' Second-Half Success

Team chemistry is difficult to define.

Because there’s no way to quantify how well a team gels with a statistic, it’s often cast aside by statisticians across baseball, far more than in any other sport.

However, one who follows the 2019 Wenatchee AppleSox can’t help but be impressed with this team’s chemistry. Whether it’s goofing off in pregame interviews or staying up all night on bus rides, this AppleSox team has gelled since Day 1.

“We’re on the road a lot together, so people need to get along,” pitcher Seth Kuykendall said. “We play games on the bus and I feel like that’s great for team chemistry. We’re very competitive. We’re not even happy losing games against each other.”

Make no mistake about it. The Sox are never happy with losing.

Don’t believe Kuykendall? Have a seat on the AppleSox team bus after Sunday’s 5-2 victory over the Bellingham Bells. It’s the final game of a six-games-in-six-days road trip and the Sox had to get up early for the 1:05 p.m. matinee. Despite playing on a warm summer afternoon and sweating out a narrow victory, the Sox are still eager to pick up more wins on the bus.

It’s almost become a ritual on road games. It doesn’t matter if it’s a five-minute drive back to the team hotel or a five-hour journey back to Wenatchee. No matter the length of time on the bus, the AppleSox players must get multiple games of ‘Mafia’ in.

It’s a game that doesn’t require anything other than at least six players. There are no cards nor any props needed. Participants are separated into two teams, roles are assigned and essentially, chaos ensues.

It’s a popular game at the college baseball level that is all about deception. Players are assigned different positions and when a nonpartisan moderator announces who has ‘died,’ the players debate among themselves who is in the mafia and eventually are asked to vote on their suspicions. The game does not end until the members of the mafia are discovered.

Outfielder Johnny Sage is tied for the team lead in doubles (9) and stolen bases (11), but his most impressive talent might be his ability to trick teammates in ‘Mafia.’

The Sox take Mafia very seriously. Accusations and expletives are hurled left and right quicker than infielders tossing the ball back-and-forth trying to catch a base-runner in a rundown.

Some players fare better than others, but all asked agreed on who usually wins.

“Johnny Sage is probably the best,” pitcher Gavin Gorrell said. “He’s the guy who tries to be everyone’s friend and then is always in the mafia.”

Don’t let the AppleSox outfielder’s smile fool you; he is a regular backstabber in the game, according to his teammates and himself.

“The key,” Sage said, “is to manipulate everyone and try to be their friend and then stab them in the back. Friendships are definitely lost.

Summer ball is full of turnover, but the Sox don’t mind adding new players into the mix. Just don’t ask them to remember who the guy is.

“They still call me ‘new kid,’” infielder Connor Kiffer said on July 13, just two days after joining the team.

Indeed, whether it’s on the bus or in the dugout, players can be heard hollering the phrase. Gorrell said it typically takes a week for the guys to remember a ‘new kid’s’ actual name.

Mafia isn’t the only way for a newcomer to bond with AppleSox players. Take a look at the bases the next time a player drives in a run and/or collects an extra-base hit. You’ll notice the AppleSox player look toward the dugout and rapidly sway his hands back-and-forth with his palms facing his teammates.

Infielder Kody Darcy performs the Sox’ popular ‘All Hail the Queen’ celebration after hitting a double in a recent home game.

Team’s celebrating big base-hits is nothing new across various levels of baseball, but every team has a different celebration for a different reason. The Sox’ inspiration came from their do-it-all All-Star, Ryan Altenberger.

“It came from a game that Alty created,” Gorrell said, “where the queen always wins when it’s played. Every time a queen is drawn he says ‘all hail the queen.‘“

Altenberger isn’t much of a talker, but he’s been a rallying point for this team. When he does speak, be it jokingly or seriously, his teammates notice. When Altenberger goes deep and flips his bat, his teammates notice.

Leadership isn’t always about giving a rah-rah speech. It can just be about keeping team energy loose and stepping up wherever needed. Altenberger has played every position on the field except for center field, pitcher, first base and catcher. Soon, he’ll get to scratch one of those positions off his checklist.

“I owe him an inning at some point,” head coach Kyle Krustangel said. “Before the end of this season, you’ll see Ryan on the mound for one inning. I’ve lost a couple of bets this summer and I always pay up.”

Perhaps the most hilarious of instances in which Krustangel lost a bet came back on June 20. Pitcher Owen Leonard bet Coach Krustangel that if the Sox took a 10-run lead over the Port Angeles, that he would be allowed to go out to the mound for visit.

Wenatchee led 12-0 after seven innings and after allowing two runs in the ninth, Leonard came out to chat with pitcher Sam Wyatt. However, Leonard wasn’t in jersey and a ballcap. Instead, he donned sunglasses, an AppleSox coaching staff jacket and a coach’s batting helmet. Leonard played the part perfectly, motioning to home plate umpire Dustin Catron that he was visiting Wyatt and was granted time. Both umpires didn’t catch on, but Wyatt and the AppleSox defenders and dugout couldn’t help but crack up.

AppleSox bat kid Wyatt DeLozier shows off his dance moves before the Sox faced the Bend Elks on July 12.

The fun isn’t only for the players. The Sox also have fun with their bat kids, both at home and on the road. At Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, players and coaches make sure to alert both bat kids stationed in the respective dugouts to remember to race each other for foul balls behind home plate. The time in between pitches is no longer boring as visiting teams and the AppleSox cheer for their bat kid to return to his/her dugout with a prize.

On the road, if the Sox don’t have a bat kid, pitcher Jake Saum has usually filled the bill as the ball retriever. Last week in Kelowna, Saum and a sweatshirt-wearing Falcons player delighted fans by sliding for foul balls behind the spacious home plate at Elks Stadium.

Whether it’s playing Mafia on the bus, hailing the queen or chasing after foul balls, the AppleSox have bonded and endeared themselves to fans both in Wenatchee. The summer season might only last two-and-a-half months, but the players are making the most of it both on and off the field.

Sweets Rally Late to Defeat AppleSox

WALLA WALLA, WA - Despite leading 4-2 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the AppleSox gave up five runs in the next two innings and lost, 7-4, on Wednesday night at Borleske Stadium.

Ryan Long allowed two unearned runs in six innings but picked up the no-decision after the Sox couldn’t hang on to the lead.

Eight of nine AppleSox hitters reached base multiple times, but the Sox also left 10 men on base for the second time in their last three games, both losses.

After the Sweets scored twice in the second inning, both times with two outs, the Sox rallied for four runs in the fourth inning. Dalton Harum walked to open the inning and Blake Klassen singled to open the inning. Hunter Montgomery doubled in Harum and Kody Darcy singled in Klassen. Brett Gillis walked to load the bases and then Connor Kiffer hit a sacrifice fly to give the AppleSox a 3-2 lead. Three batters later and again with the bases loaded, Johnny Sage walked to bring in another run.

Long allowed just one hit in his final four innings, but the Sox’ bullpen couldn’t hold the lead as it gave up four runs in the seventh and another in the eighth.

The Sox look to even up the series on Thursday as they send Seth Kuykendall to the rubber. First pitch is at 6:35.

Full Boxscore

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

Sox Back in Action, Take on Sweets

The AppleSox begin their post-All-Star Break on the road against the Walla Walla Sweets tonight through Friday, with the first two games starting at 6:35 and the finale on Friday starting at 7:05.

Wenatchee resumes play just a half-a-game out of first place in the North division. If the AppleSox finish behind the HarbourCats to end the second half, then they must have the next-best overall record to earn a playoff spot.

All three games can be heard on the AppleSox Radio Network. Live stats are available on Pointstreak.

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

Series Notes

AppleSox Shine in 2019 All-Star Game

AppleSox All-Stars (L to R) Sam Wyatt, Ryan Altenberger, Cole McKenzie and Jake Saum.

BEND, OR - Thanks to a nine-run second inning, the North defeated the South, 14-1, in the 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game last night at Vince Genna Stadium.

The Wenatchee AppleSox were well represented in Bend with Ryan Altenberger, Cole McKenzie, Jake Saum and Sam Wyatt all making the trip to southern Oregon.

Altenberger reached base three times and hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning. The incoming junior at Xavier, who hit two home runs in the home run derby the night before and was named the West Coast League’s Player of the Week for last week, hit the games only home run and led all players with 4 RBI while batting ninth and playing second base.

Altenberger came to the plate twice in the big second inning for the North. Fourteen hitters came to the plate with all nine hitters reaching base before an out was recorded. In the frame, Altenberger walked and singled in a run.

Wyatt and Saum each tossed singular innings of relief. Wyatt tossed a scoreless fourth inning and struck out one while Saum allowed one unearned run in the fifth.

McKenzie did not play due to a sprained left wrist.

The AppleSox begin their post-All-Star Break schedule tonight in Walla Walla with the first of three against the Sweets at 6:35.

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.