AppleSox Add Three Non-WCL Games to 2020 Schedule

The Wenatchee AppleSox have added three non-league games, one against the Highline Bears and two against the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase team, to their 2020 schedule.

With the addition of these three games, the AppleSox schedule now contains 57 games, 30 of which will be played at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Last season, the AppleSox went 23-10 at home, league and non-league play combined.

Non-league games are effectively exhibition games and thus do not count against the AppleSox overall record. However, with 11 days off in June, the AppleSox wanted to fill the open days with as many home games as possible.

“Non-league games are an important part of our schedule,” general manager Ken Osborne said, “because we like to give our players as many opportunities as possible to prove themselves. Sometimes, these games are great for players who haven’t seen a lot of action in league play. Regardless, we love hosting as many home games as possible in the summer.

The Highline Bears will open up the AppleSox’ 2020 season with an exhibition game on June 4. This will be the third straight season that the AppleSox’ first home game is against a non-WCL foe. The Bears hail from just outside of Seattle and play in the Pacific International League.

The Cascade Collegiate League sends its showcase team to take on the AppleSox for the second consecutive summer. This past season, the CCL visited Wenatchee for exhibition contests on June 3 and July 31. This team will comprise of players from the CCL, a summer college baseball league which completed its first season this past summer.

AppleSox season tickets are priced as affordable as $130. To purchase your AppleSox season tickets, call 509-665-6900, email info@applesox.com or visit the team office at 610 N Mission St. #204 in Wenatchee.

Current season-ticket holders who refer a friend to become a season-ticket holder will receive a free 20th season hat or cap, your choice, while supplies last. All your friend has to do is mention to us that you referred them when they purchase their season tickets.

The full 2020 schedule can be viewed below.

WCL Releases 2020 Schedule

Friday, the West Coast League unveiled its 2020 schedule. The regular season begins on June 5 and ends on Aug. 9 with the last possible day of playoffs being Aug. 18. The AppleSox begin the season on the road and end it at home. They will be home for the Fourth of July and will play at home on three weekends.

While the WCL portion of the schedule is the majority of it, the entire schedule is not finalized. The AppleSox will look to add exhibition games against non-WCL opponents on as many off days as possible. Last season, the AppleSox hosted five non-league games against three different opponents.

Schedule Highlights

Welcome Back, Coach

Former AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs (2001-14) returns to Wenatchee for the first time as a visitor when the Corvallis Knights visit the AppleSox, June 8-10. In 14 seasons as the AppleSox head coach, Knaggs led the Sox to five West Coast League Championships (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012) as well as a Pacific International League Championship (2003). The Knights hired Knaggs in 2017 as an associate head coach and he has helped lead them to championships in both of his seasons in Corvallis.

Long Opening Homestand

The AppleSox’ 2019 Home Opener is scheduled for June 8, the first of six consecutive home games. After facing Corvallis June 8-10 and Bellingham June 12-14, the Sox have four consecutive off days scheduled. However, at least half of those days will be filled with games against non-WCL opponents. Last season, the AppleSox went 23-10 at home, league and non-league play combined.

Toughest Stretch

The AppleSox’ most grueling part of the schedule is July 7-29 when they only have two scheduled days off, only one for the AppleSox All-Stars. July 16 and 20 are the only days off although July 20 is the All-Star Game. Twelve of the 18 games during that stretch will be played away from Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

We Meet Again

The Victoria HarbourCats ended the AppleSox’ 2019 season by scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning of the do-or-die Game 3 of the West Coast League North Division Championship Series on Aug. 15. The AppleSox won’t face the HarbourCats until mid-July 2020, but they’ll see plenty of them in that stretch. The Sox and Cats play a six-game ‘home-and-home’ with three games in Wenatchee, July 13-15, and then three more in Victoria, July 17-19. This series will also be fun to follow because it will be the first time that new AppleSox head coach Ian Sanderson faces his former team. Sanderson was the HarbourCats pitching coach for the last two seasons before being hired by the AppleSox in September.

Days Off

No day features more off days on the AppleSox’ 2020 schedule than Thursdays, when the AppleSox have just four games scheduled and five days off. The Sox don’t have any games currently scheduled for the entire month of June on Thursdays.

The full schedule can be viewed below.

AppleSox in MLB: End of 2019 Update

The 2019 MLB regular season has come to a close and now is a great time to look back at our AppleSox alumni. Six former AppleSox played in the majors this season. Here's how they fared...

Griffin Canning

In his first major-league season, Canning, a 2014 AppleSox alum and UCLA product, went 5-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 90.1 innings. The right-hander started 17 of the 18 games that he pitched in and tossed the fourth-most innings among Los Angeles Angels pitchers. Canning's best start of the year came on May 18 when he shut out the Kansas City Royals and struck out five in seven innings.

Marco Gonzales

After a breakout 2018 campaign, Gonzales out-did himself with a strong 2019 season. Gonzales posted career-bests in ERA (3.99), strikeouts (146) and innings pitched (203). The southpaw started on Opening Day in Japan as well as the Seattle Mariners' Home Opener, winning both en route to four consecutive wins to open his season. Gonzales tossed at least five innings in all but four of his 34 starts.

Blaine Hardy

In his sixth season in MLB, Hardy went 1-1 with a 4.47 ERA in 44.1 innings across 39 outings for the Detroit Tigers. Hardy recorded a 2.25 ERA in 10 outings in June. This was the third straight season that Hardy appeared in at least 30 games and he has pitched in 20-or-more games in every season.

Keston Hiura

Hiura is the only member of this list to participate in the 2019 MLB Postseason, even if it was brief. Though the Milwaukee Brewers fell in the National League Wild Card Game, they might not have gotten to that point without the help of Hiura. The rookie infielder hit .303 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI. He saved his best for last as he hit .313 in September while the Brewers were depleted due to a key injury to Christian Yellich.

Tommy Milone

In his ninth major-league season, Milone went 4-10 with a 4.76 ERA in 111.2 innings across 23 outings. Though he was credited with just six starts, Milone typically pitched multiple innings after coming on in relief in the second or third inning. The Seattle Mariners opted to use an 'opener' before going to Milone 15 times.

Pat Valaika

In 40 games, Valaika hit .190 with one home run and 7 RBI for the Colorado Rockies. The bulk of his major-league playing time came in April and September, when he accrued 61 of his 79 at-bats of the season.

Refer A Friend, Get A Free Sox Souvenir!

The AppleSox are providing a special offer to returning season-ticket holders.

Once you renew your season tickets for 2020, refer a friend to become an AppleSox season-ticket holder. Once your friend signs up for season tickets and mentions that you referred him/her to us, we'll give you a free 20th season hat or shirt (your choice) as thanks!

For you to be eligible for the gift, you cannot refer someone who was a season-ticket holder in 2019.

This promotion will run for the entire month of October or until supplies are depleted.

AppleSox season tickets are priced as affordable as $130. To purchase your AppleSox season tickets, call 509-665-6900, email info@applesox.com or visit the team office at 610 N Mission St. #204 in Wenatchee.

Sanderson Selected As New Sox Skipper

WENATCHEE, WA – The Wenatchee AppleSox have named Ian Sanderson the fifth head coach in team history. Sanderson will replace Kyle Krustangel, who stepped down following the 2019 season.

“I am excited to add Ian to our team,” AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby said. “Ian brings his history of success in Victoria and Lower Columbia CC to Wenatchee. I am sure the success will follow him here as well. Ian knows the league and should be able to step right into what we are trying to accomplish. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the game will serve our players well.”

Sanderson brings a championship-pedigree to the AppleSox. He has coached at Lower Columbia College since 2015 as an associate head coach and pitching coach. The Red Devils have won the NWAC in four of the last five seasons, including each of the last three seasons.

Sanderson spent the last two seasons as the Victoria HarbourCats’ pitching coach and led his staff to a 3.65 ERA, second-best in the West Coast League in 2019. Victoria defeated Wenatchee in the Northern WCL Division Playoff Series, before losing to the Corvallis Knights in the WCL Championship Series this past August. He now moves south to continue coaching in the WCL.

“Ian will make an excellent addition to our team,” general manager Ken Osborne said. “He brings impressive experience as a coach at the collegiate level and I believe he is ready to make the jump to head coach for the AppleSox. We interviewed plenty of different and unique candidates and ultimately believed Ian was the best man for the job.”

Prior to coaching at Lower Columbia, Sanderson was the pitching coach at the University of Antelope Valley for the 2015 season after spending 2014 as Kent Meridian High School’s head baseball coach.

Sanderson also carries previous summer-ball coaching experience besides his time with the HarbourCats. His West Coast League debut dates back to 2016 when he was the pitching coach for the Gresham Greywolves, who eventually left the WCL after the following season. In 2017, Sanderson served as the pitching coach for the Fort McMurray Giants of the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Sanderson and the AppleSox kick off the 21st season in team history in June, 2020. The West Coast League will announce its full schedule in November. Season tickets can be purchased for as affordable as $130 by calling 509-665-6900 or emailing info@applesox.com.

Krustangel Resigns as AppleSox Head Coach

WENATCHEE, WA - Kyle Krustangel informed AppleSox management that after three seasons at the helm, he will not return to the AppleSox in 2020.

Krustangel cited the grueling calendar year between both coaching the Yakima Valley Yaks of the NWAC and then the AppleSox in the summer as the primary reason behind his decision.

“First off, I want to thank all the fans, season-ticket holders and host families,” Krustangel said. “I’d also like to thank team owner Jose Oglesby, general manager Ken Osborne, assistant general manager Allie Schank and every single person that has made my wife, Katie, and I feel at home. It’s been an unbelievable three years to work for an arms-open community. It’s one of the toughest decisions I‘ve ever had to make. Having this job in addition to my Yakima Valley College head-coaching job makes it tough to stay championship-caliber at both places. I didn’t want to only give 80-percent to both organizations, I wanted to give 100-percent and be all-in. I didn’t feel that I could give that by continuing to coach both team. It’s been exciting to see the new direction that the organization is going under Jose’s ownership and it was a pleasure getting to the know all the great people of the Wenatchee Valley.”

In each of his first two seasons, Krustangel kept the AppleSox in contention for a postseason berth until the final weekend of the season. Krustangel broke through this past summer with his first playoff berth at the helm and the team’s first since 2013. The 2019 AppleSox set single-season WCL team records in home runs (36), RBI (275), stolen bases (102), runs (348) and consecutive home wins (12). Krustangel’s 83 wins are the second-most in AppleSox coaching history.

“We’d like to thank Coach Kyle for his three years with the AppleSox,” Osborne said. “I was very proud of the young men who he brought in. They not only were exceptional ballplayers, but also great people off the field that represented the organization well. Returning to the playoffs was a huge goal and we were thrilled to get there this past season. We understand his decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Krustangel coached three players to the WCL All-Star Game in his first season before sending four more in each of his two successive seasons. Curtis Bafus won co-WCL Pitcher of the Year honors under Krustangel in 2018 and both Colby Nealy and Troy Stainbrook were two former AppleSox to be drafted after playing for Krustangel.

“We are thankful for Coach Krustangel’s years of service with the AppleSox,” Oglesby said. “It’s said that baseball teams take on the personality of their coaches. During Kyle’s tenure, the AppleSox showed resiliency, competitiveness and sportsmanship. They played the game the right way. We will miss him but know he will remain part of the AppleSox family.”

AppleSox management has begun the search for the fifth head coach in team history.

Nine AppleSox Earn 2019 All-WCL Honors

Monday morning, the West Coast League announced its 2019 All-League Honors and award recipients.

AppleSox pitcher Jake Saum earned first-team honors. Catcher Hunter Montgomery, shortstop Kody Darcy and outfielder Ryan Altenberger all earned second-team honors. Blake Klassen, Kodie Kolden, Seth Kuykendall, Cole McKenzie and Johnny Sage all received honorable mentions.

Saum, an incoming freshman at UCLA, went 4-1 with a 2.80 ERA in nine games, seven starts. He tossed at least five innings in all seven of his starts including a season-high eight on Aug. 7 against Ridgefield. Saum struck out 54 batters, sixth-most in the WCL, and punched out a season-high 10 batters on July 11 against Bend. He was one of four AppleSox All-Stars and also started Game 1 of the North Division Series against Victoria on Aug. 13. Saum tossed seven shutout innings and struck out 10 to lead the AppleSox to a 5-1 victory over the HarbourCats.

Montgomery, an incoming junior at Portland, hit .230 with 5 HR and 26 RBI in 38 games. He primarily caught or DH’d, but also saw brief action at first and made on appearance on the mound. Montgomery’s five homers were third on the team and his 26 RBI tied for second. His 14 extra-base hits were second-most on the AppleSox. Montgomery’s finest game was a 4-for-5 effort against Cowlitz on June 28. The catcher hit a home run, stole a base, scored two runs and drove in four in a 10-2 AppleSox victory. Montgomery would drive in four runs two more times on July 14 and 16, the latter of which he hit his only grand slam of the season.

Darcy, an incoming sophomore at Xavier, hit .305 with 6 HR and 27 RBI in 39 games. He played all four infield positions and even pitched once. He led the Sox with 27 RBI while his six home runs tied for the team lead and he recorded 12 multi-hit games, four of which were three-hit efforts. Darcy both tied and set the AppleSox single-season team home-run record with his fifth and sixth bombs of the year. His best game of the year was on July 11 when he he went 3-for-4 with 7 RBI and finished a single short of the cycle.

Altenberger, an incoming junior at Xavier, hit .289 with 6 HR and 26 RBI in 43 games. He played every position on the field except for first base and catcher. Altenberger finished seventh in the WCL in walks with 31 and recorded eight multi-walk games. He tied for the team-lead in home runs and led the AppleSox in extra-base hits with 16. Altenberger was one of four AppleSox All-Stars and he reached base three times, homered and drove in four in the mid-summer classic. His finest effort of the season came on July 17 against Kelowna when he went 2-for-3 with two walks, a home run, a run scored, and 3 RBI in a 6-4 win.

Klassen, an incoming freshman at Arizona, hit .338 with 1 HR and 25 RBI in 44 games. He recorded 14 multi-hit games and ended the season on a 20-game on-base streak. Klassen’s .338 batting average was fourth-best among qualified WCL hitters and his .455 on-base percentage was second-best. He led the AppleSox with 36 runs and five sacrifice flies and tied for the team-lead with 13 stolen bases. Klassen’s seven hit by pitches and 27 walks were both second-most on the AppleSox. His 3-for-4 effort with 1 RBI and two stolen bases against Yakima Valley on June 9 was his best game of the summer.

Kolden, an incoming sophomore at Washington State, hit .290 with 3 HR and 26 RBI in 42 games. He played second, short, third, left field and even pitched once. Kolden led the AppleSox in at-bats (169) and hits (49) and finished second in doubles (10) and third in stolen bases (12). He recorded a team-best 11-game hitting streak from July 9-21, batting .365 (19-for-52) over it and seven of his 15 multi-hit games this summer came during the streak. Kolden’s best game was a 3-for-5 effort against Kelowna in which he reached base four times, homered, doubled, walked drove in two and scored four times.

Kuykendall, an incoming junior at Western Oregon, went 2-2 with a 2.17 ERA in 10 games, six starts. He tossed at least five innings in all six of his starts and tossed six in Game 2 of the Division Series. The right-hander punched put 43 batters in 41.1 innings and struck out a season-high seven batters four times. Despite allowing seven hits and two walks on July 12, Kuykendall still struck out seven in six scoreless innings for his best start of the season. Before joining the rotation, Kuykendall tossed at least three innings of relief in two of his four relief outings.

McKenzie, an incoming senior at Purdue, hit .370 with 1 HR and 12 RBI in 29 games. He started in center field and batted third in every game that he played in, providing a steady middle-of-the-order bat and defender. Though he didn’t qualify for the WCL batting title, McKenzie did lead all AppleSox batters that played at least 10 games. He tied for third in the WCL in hit by pitches with eight. McKenzie recorded at least one hit in all but six games and collected 12 multi-hit games, four of which were three-hit efforts. He earned a berth in the 2019 WCL All-Star Game, but did not play due to injury. McKenzie’s best game came on July 3 against Kelowna when he went 3-for-5 with a double, a hit by pitch, two runs and 2 RBI.

Sage, an incoming senior at Purdue, hit .327 with 1 HR and 26 RBI in 37 games. He led the AppleSox with 17 multi-hit games and reached base in all of his final 24 games. Sage also led the AppleSox with 11 doubles and tied for the most stolen bases with 13. His .327 batting average was eighth-best in the WCL, marking the second consecutive summer that he finished in the top 10 in the league in batting. On Aug. 2, Sage became the second recipient of the AppleSox’ Tommy Watanabe Award and his best game was four days prior when he went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored in a 7-6 win over Portland.

Below is a full look at previous AppleSox award-winners in the WCL.

Late Rally Not Enough as Sox' Season Ends

VICTORIA, B.C. - The Wenatchee AppleSox’ 2019 season ended with an 8-7 loss to the Victoria HarbourCats in Game 3 of the 2019 West Coast League North Division Championship Series.

Trailing by two runs entering the ninth inning, the AppleSox loaded up the bases and scored four runs to take a two-run lead into the bottom of the frame. The HarbourCats scored three times in the bottom half of the inning to walk off the Sox.

After the AppleSox won Game 1 on Tuesday, the HarbourCats won each of the final two games to win the best-of-three series.

Victoria scored first for the first time in the series after three consecutive singles to open the bottom of the first inning. The Sox took the lead back when Cody Simmons drove in two with a two-RBI double in the fourth, but the HarbourCats tied it back up on Griffin Paxton’s second RBI-single of the night in the fifth.

Nick Adams launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to give the HarbourCats a three-run lead, which proved to be the largest of the game for either team.

Despite trailing 5-2, the AppleSox wouldn’t go down quietly. Jashaun Simon doubled with two outs in the top of the seventh and scored when Brett Gillis singled and went to second on a throwing error.

The two teams had scored a combined eight runs through the first eight innings and nearly matched that total in the ninth inning alone. With one out, the AppleSox loaded up the bases and cut the deficit to one when Gillis hit a sacrifice fly. Tanner Smith added to the drama with a two-RBI double to right field and then scored on an RBI single by Torin Montgomery. All told, eight men came to the plate and four runs scored to give the AppleSox a 7-5 lead.

Though they needed just three outs to advance to the West Coast League Championship Series for the first time since 2013, the AppleSox couldn’t record an out in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Plaia led off with a single, Gus Wilson walked and then Griffin Paxton doubled in Plaia to make it a one-run game. Harrison Spohn second Victoria to its second Championship Series in three years with a 2-RBI, walk-off single to right field.

The HarbourCats will face the Corvallis Knights in the Championship Series starting Friday night at 6:35 in Victoria. Like the divisional round, this is a best-of-three series. Corvallis defeated Walla Walla, two-game-to-one, to advance to its fourth straight Championship Series. The Knights will look to add to their WCL-best six championships with another while the HarbourCats look for their first.

Stay tuned to AppleSox.com for the latest offseason information on the team and the soonest updates on the 2020 schedule. ‘Like’ the AppleSox on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram for the latest offseason news.

Full Boxscore

AppleSox Fall in Game 2 in Victoria

VICTORIA, B.C. - The AppleSox committed four errors in a 7-2 loss to the Victoria HarbourCats on Wednesday night at Royal Athletic Park.

Though the Sox struck first for the second straight night, they also stranded eight runners on the basepaths and didn’t collect a base-hit until the sixth inning.

In the first inning, Jashaun Simon drew the first of seven walks on the night to open up the ballgame and stole a couple bases to move to third and then scored on an error. However, the HarbourCats tied it back up after a solo home run in the bottom of the inning.

Two innings later, Wenatchee struck again with the bases loaded when Torin Montgomery reached base on a fielder’s choice. The HarbourCats took the lead with a two-out, two-run homer.

In the fifth, the AppleSox put runners and second and third to lead off the inning but ended up going down 1-2-3 after that. Victoria scored three times in the bottom of the inning and again for one more the sixth.

The Sox face the HarbourCats in a do-or-die Game 3 tonight at 6:35. Gavin Gorrell gets the ball for the AppleSox. Win, and the AppleSox face the winner of Game 3 between the Corvallis Knights and Walla Walla Sweets (also being played tonight) in the West Coast League Championship Series. Lose, and the Sox’ season comes to an end.

Full Boxscore

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

Spectacular Saum Delivers Game 1 Victory Over Victoria

WENATCHEE, WA - Jake Saum tossed seven shutout innings and the AppleSox defeated the Victoria HarbourCats, 5-1, in Game 1 of the North Division Championship Series on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Saum matched a season-high with 10 strikeouts and tossed three 1-2-3 innings. He has tossed at least five innings in all eight of his starts this summer.

At the plate, Tanner Smith drove in two and collected a pair of hits. Jermaine Ducham plated two and also recorded two hits.

The Sox loaded up the bases in the first inning and scored first when Brett Gillis drew a walk. Two innings later, the AppleSox tacked on another run when Jashaun Simon led off with a single then Ducham hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

In the fourth, the Sox busted out for three runs. Cody Simmons and Spencer Marenco walked and then Smith doubled both in with two outs. Ducham singled up the middle to plate Smith on the first pitch of his at-bat following a pitching change.

The HarbourCats scored their only run in the ninth when Harrison Spohn doubled in Gus Wilson with two outs.

Victoria and Wenatchee face off in Game 2 of the North Division Championship Series on Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park. The game can be heard live on the AppleSox Radio Network with pregame coverage beginning at 6:10.

Full Boxscore

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

AppleSox Open Postseason Tonight at 6:35

The Wenatchee AppleSox host the Victoria HarbourCats in Game 1 of the North Division Championship Series of the West Coast League Playoffs tonight at 6:35 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox clinched a postseason berth for the first time since and need four more wins to claim their sixth West Coast League Championship.

Game 2 is tomorrow night in Victoria at 6:35. If necessary, the two teams will meet up at Royal Athletic Park on Thursday night at 6:35.

Victoria enters tonight’s game as perhaps the top offensive team in the West Coast League this past season. The HarbourCats led the WCL in batting average (.292), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.440), home runs (54), RBI (339), total bases (873) and runs (415). They won both the first and second half titles for the North Division.

All three games against Victoria can be heard live on Sunny FM in Wenatchee as well as other translators throughout Washington listed below.

93.9 FM in Wenatchee Valley
95.3 FM in Lake Chelan Valley
101.3 FM in Brewster/Bridgeport/Pateros
101.9 FM in Omak/Okanogan Valley
106.3 in Methow Valley

The game can also be heard online on the AppleSox website.

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

Game Notes

AppleSox Confident in Game 1 Starter Saum

The West Coast League Playoffs offer the lesser of two seeds a unique opportunity: hosting Game 1.

Although the AppleSox will play two of the three games in the North Division Championship Series on the road (if the series goes three games), they have the chance to take a stranglehold on the series by winning the series-opener on Tuesday night at 6:35 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

With a chance to be in the driver’s seat immediately, there’s no one head coach Kyle Krustangel would rather give the ball to than Jake Saum, an incoming freshman at UCLA.

“I truly believe he is the best pitcher in the West Coast League,” Krustangel said. ”When he becomes draft eligible again after his junior year, this is a guy that’s going to be a first-round pick.”

That’s high praise for someone who has never pitched in an NCAA game.

With Saum, the hype is real and deserved. He finished the 2019 regular season with the fourth-best ERA (2.80) and the sixth-most strikeouts (54) in the WCL. Saum has tossed at least five innings in all seven of his starts and has also appeared in two games in relief. He was one of four AppleSox All-Stars, but the only one who was an incoming freshman.

Every time Saum toes the rubber, the AppleSox know they have a strong chance to win. Wenatchee has only lost one of the seven games that Saum has started and has won in each of his last three. He toed the rubber most recently on Aug. 7 and delivered a season-high eight shutout innings against the Ridgefield Raptors to help the Sox clinch their first playoff berth since 2013.

The Sox are energized every time Saum takes the mound, but are especially electric when the southpaw starts a home game. Wenatchee is 4-0 in Saum’s four starts at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium and he has a 2.16 ERA in games in Wenatchee this summer.

Saum has struck out at least five in all but one start and punched out a season-best 10 batters against the Bend Elks on July 11. The southpaw’s fastball typically hangs in the upper 80’s to low 90’s and clocked as high as 93 in his season-debut on June 15.

This all comes after posting a microscopic 0.92 ERA while going 6-3 in 12 games as a senior at St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California, this past spring.

Even in games that he has experienced adversity, Saum still finds ways to amaze. On July 20 at Bellingham, Saum surrendered three runs on three hits. Despite the slow start, Saum wouldn’t allow 16 of the final 19 batters that he faced to reach base and didn’t allow any hits after the second inning. The four runs allowed represented a single-game high for Saum in 2019, but he still punched out six.

Again, on Aug. 2, Saum allowed three runs on two hits and a season-high five walks but he still managed to go five innings once again. He even no-hit the Yakima Valley Pippins through the first three innings.

What separates Saum from other pitchers his age is his drive to be great. He knows what he wants to be and is willing to work as hard as possible to accomplish that goal.

"I think what makes Saum so special,” Krustangel said, “is not just what the fans can see. It’s the work he does on off days. Every time I’m at the gym, he’s at the gym. He’s first one here every day doing his arm care.”

Saum is always working to improve his game, whether he is pitching that day or not. On road trips, Krustangel says Saum is the first to ask him what gym the players have access to. Pitching coach Tyler VonDracek typically loans his coaches jacket to his starting pitchers and said that he doesn’t wear it again on days that Saum starts because of how sweaty it gets. Every day, you’ll find Saum long-tossing in the outfield or running the warning track prior to games.

Even on days where he seems filthy, Saum is still critical of himself and looking to improve. After striking out eight against Ridgefield, Saum still thought he could have done better.

“I wasn’t too worried about where (the ball) was going,” Saum said, “but I was just trying to throw strikes and make people work. There weren’t a ton of strikeouts, but I just let them put it in play and let the defense make plays behind me.”

Saum is one of the eight remaining players on the AppleSox to have played in June. Because of that, he is a leader on this Sox’ team in many ways. Over the last couple weeks he has become more vocal in the dugout and, along with the other remaining players, has helped welcome newcomers into the Sox’ winning environment.

Even if he is just an incoming freshman, there’s no doubt that Saum is the man that the AppleSox want on the mound in Tuesday’s pivotal game. This could be the first of many big playoff games in which Saum gets the ball at the collegiate level. The AppleSox are confident in their ace to get the job done.

AppleSox Lose Regular Season Finale

CORVALLIS, OR - The AppleSox dropped the final game of the regular season, 3-0, to the Corvallis Knights on Sunday afternoon at Goss Stadium.

Cameron Smith only allowed one run in 5.2 innings, but the AppleSox only collected four hits and were shut out for the second time this summer.

Smith kept the game scoreless until three straight batters reached with two outs in the fifth and an infield single gave Corvallis the game-winning run. The Knights added two more runs in seventh to pick up the series sweep.

The AppleSox have Monday off before taking on the Victoria HarbourCats on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the North Division Championship Series of the West Coast League Playoffs at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium at 6:35 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at AppleSox.com, at 610 N Mission St. #204 on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or at the gate at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on Tuesday night. It’s another $2 Off Tuesday, meaning that tickets are $2 off ($10 for premium, $5 for general admission) as are select concession items.

Full Boxscore

Sox Drop Penultimate Regular Season Game

CORVALLIS, OR - The AppleSox lost, 11-3, to the Corvallis Knights on Saturday night at Goss Stadium.

In a game that featured a combined seven errors, the Knights struck early and often and led 9-0 after three innings in part thanks to to a five-run third inning.

Torin Montgomery drove in the Sox’ first run of the game with an RBI single in the fourth and the AppleSox added two more runs in the ninth, but ultimately dropped their third straight game of the season.

The regular season wraps up on Sunday at 3 p.m. but, after an off-day on Monday, the Sox begin the 2019 postseason by hosting the Victoria HarbourCats in Game 1 of the North Division Championship Series at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on Tuesday at 6:35.

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Sox Fall to Knights on Friday

CORVALLIS, OR - The AppleSox lost to the Corvallis Knights, 6-0, on Friday night at Goss Stadium

Despite outhitting the Knights 6-5 and a 2-for-4 night from Torin Montgomery for his fourth multi-hit game in his sixth game in an AppleSox uniform, the Sox could not pick up the victory.

The AppleSox best chance to score cane in the third when Cody Simmons doubles and Tanners Smith walked to put runners at first and second with two outs. Jermaine Ducham followed with a single but Simmons was thrown out at home to end the frame.

The Knights responded with three runs on three hits in the bottom of he inning. They would also scores three more times in the fifth and all six of their runs came across with two outs.

Relievers Ryan Isler, Alex Jemal and Brett Gillis all tosses scoreless relief outings in their final respective tune-ups before the postseason.

The Sox look to even up the series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in their penultimate game of the 2019 regular season.

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

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AppleSox Face Knights to Wrap Up Regular Season

The Wenatchee AppleSox, winners of nine of their last 10 and the second-half North Division playoff berth, face the Corvallis Knights tonight, tomorrow and Sunday, for their final three games of the first half.

Peter Sanchez (0-0, 13.50 ERA) will get the start tonight against the Knights’ David Watson (4-1, 4.57 ERA) at 6:30. The Sox haven’t announced their starter for Saturday’s 7:05 game, but Eric Hill (0-1, 3.25 ERA) will start for Corvallis. Cameron Smith will make his AppleSox debut on Sunday against Cole Wilkinson, who will also make his Knights debut at 3:00.

The Sox are coming off taking two of three from the Ridgefield Raptors. The Sox won nine of the 10 games (league and non-league combined) on their homestand and just saw a 14-game win streak at home come to an end last night. Wednesday’s 5-0 win clinched a berth in the postseason.

Game 1 of the West Coast League North Division Championship Series against the Victoria HarbourCats will take place in Wenatchee on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Tickets for Game 1 can be purchased on AppleSox.com.

All three games against Corvallis can be heard live on Sunny FM in Wenatchee as well as other translators throughout Washington listed below.

93.9 FM in Wenatchee Valley
95.3 FM in Lake Chelan Valley
101.3 FM in Brewster/Bridgeport/Pateros
101.9 FM in Omak/Okanogan Valley
106.3 in Methow Valley

The game can also be heard online on the AppleSox website.

Win Streak Ends in Home Finale

WENATCHEE, WA - For the first time since July 10, the AppleSox fell at home with a 16-3 loss to the Ridgefield Raptors on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Torin Montgomery and Hunter Montgomery both homered in the third inning to tie the game up 3-3, but the Raptors scored nine times in the top of the eighth and four more times in the ninth inning.

Seth Kuykendall tossed five innings in his final tuneup before the postseason He’ll start Game 2 of the North Division Championship Series of the West Coast League Playoffs against the Victoria HarbourCats on Aug. 14.

Game 1 of the postseason will take place in Wenatchee on Tuesday, Aug. 13. Tickets for Game 1 can be purchased on AppleSox.com.

Sox Clinch Playoff Berth

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox guaranteed a return to the postseason with a 5-0 win over the Ridgefield Raptors on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox will return to the postseason for the first time since 2013. Kody Darcy and Ryan Altenberger both homered to lead the Sox to victory.

Wenatchee picked up its first shutout in WCL play this season. Jake Saum (4-1) tossed a season-high eight innings and struck out eight.

The Sox struck first in the third inning when Hunter Montgomery plated Blake Klassen with an RBI single. Darcy and Altenberger opened up the fifth inning with back-to-back solo home runs to make it 3-0, AppleSox. With those two home runs, the Sox have now hit 34 home runs this summer to set a single-season home run record.

Jason Harayda doubled in a run and Ryan Altenberger hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth for two more insurance runs. Brett Gillis tossed a scoreless ninth inning to clinch the win.

The AppleSox have now won nine consecutive games in West Coast League play and have won 14 straight games at home in league and non-league play combined. They’ll look for their third consecutive sweep and sixth of the season on Thursday.

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

Sox Wallop Raptors For Eighth Straight Win

WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox picked up their eighth straight win with a 16-2 win over the Ridgefield Raptors on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Gavin Gorrell (4-2) struck out a season-high seven hitters in five innings and the Sox scored six times in the sixth to pick up their 13th consecutive home victory.

Every hitter reached base at least once and the AppleSox strung together four multi-run innings. Blake Klassen reached base four times and drove in a run and Torin Montgomery hit a 2-RBI double in each of the first two innings. The AppleSox scored runs in all but three innings.

Montgomery doubled in two in the first inning and then again in the second, but only after Jermaine Ducham led off with a single and then scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Shortly after, Kody Darcy drove in a run with an RBI groundout as a part of a four-run inning.

The Raptors scored twice in the third, but stranded the bases loaded in it and the fourth innings. Klassen hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and the Sox got three more in the fifth when Jermaine Ducham drove in one with a single and Jason Harayda plated two with a single of his own.

The AppleSox sent 11 men to the plate in the sixth and scored six times. Each of the first seven hitters reached base before an out was recorded.

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

Red-Hot Sox Seek Playoff Berth, Host Raptors

The AppleSox wrap up their home portion of the 2019 regular season this week with three games against the Ridgefield Raptors, all at 6:35 p.m., at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

With a sweep or three wins in their final six games, the Sox will clinch their first postseason berth since 2013. Two wins gives the Sox a strong chance at qualifying as well, but they will need some help.

There are also ways that the AppleSox can clinch a playoff berth with just one win or without any wins, but the simplest route is to win at least twice.

Learn more about the Sox’ clinching scenarios and get a full preview of the series in the series notes below.

Series Notes