AppleSox Can’t Hold Off Late Bells Rally

The Wenatchee AppleSox scored four runs in the first inning but fell to the Bellingham Bells, 11-5, on Thursday night at Joe Martin Field.

Enzo Apodaca recorded his first three-hit games of the summer with a 3-for-4 performance in the loss. 

The AppleSox started strong and even took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Bells got a run back in that frame before adding two more in the sixth to tie up the game. They took a three-run lead into the eighth before adding three more runs in the bottom of that inning.

Things started swimmingly for the AppleSox as two batters into the game they led 1-0 on an RBI triple by Dakota Duffalo. Two batters later Tino Bethancourt tripled in a pair and then scored on a wild pitch to give starter Jacob Hughes four runs of support before he took the mound. He didn’t allow any runs in his first two innings before exiting in the third after a pair of runs scored. From there, the Bells slowly chipped away before a big final two innings at the plate. 

The AppleSox return home on Friday night to face the Cascade Collegiate League All-Stars for the first game of a three-game series. Tickets are available for all three games at applesox.com/tickets.

FULL SCORE

Wenatchee is Looking to Ring Bellingham's Bells and Take the Series

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to take their third straight road series decider with Bellingham Bells tonight at 6:35 at Joe Martin Field. The Bells are just 1.5 games ahead of Wenatchee for second place in the North after last night's win for your AppleSox. A series win tonight would boost the AppleSox that much closer to the North division's wild card playoff position.

The AppleSox got the longest start of the summer from Logan Mercado yesterday. Mercado went seven innings strong and gave up just two hits and one walk with three punchouts. Offensively, Wenatchee got two home runs from Zach Toglia and Enzo Apodaca in the top of the second to jump out to a 4-0 lead. One more RBI grounder from Toglia helped him and Apodaca finish with two RBIs to lead the team while Michael DeFelippi pitched two shutout innings after Mercado to close the win for Wenatchee.

The win over Bellingham has given Wenatchee another shot to win a road series. In road game three's for the series, Wenatchee has picked up wins over Cowlitz and Port Angeles. The AppleSox’ 53 wins in WCL games versus Bellingham are the second-highest victory total for the Sox over any of their WCL foes. The AppleSox have 80 victories overall in WCL play over the Kelowna Falcons.

After the victory, Wenatchee pulls into today's Thursday finale second among WCL teams with 158 walks and 60 stolen bases. The Sox are also fifth in runs scored and total hits. Wenatchee is fourth in on-base percentage (.354) behind Ridgefield, Bend and Portland. Pitching-wise, the Sox are also fourth with 118 walks and 252 innings pitched. Moving on, Wenatchee has tossed the third-fewest wild pitches. Finally, the AppleSox are one-of-three WCL teams with multiple shutouts this summer, joining Bellingham (three) and Portland (four).

Wenatchee has not announced their starting pitcher for today’s game. But once they do, you can find that along with any other updates about today’s game by following us on Twitter. Bellingham will send out Zack Simon for tonight’s contest. Simon is 1-2 with a 3.04 earned run average over six previous appearances including three starts. He took the loss back on Saturday, June 12th, in Wenatchee after giving up two earned runs in his second start.

Tonight’s game can be heard on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

AppleSox Shut Out Bells

Logan Mercado tossed seven shutout innings and Zach Toglia and Enzo Apodaca both hit home runs to lead the Wenatchee AppleSox to a 5-0 win over the Bellingham Bells on Wednesday night at Joe Martin Field.

Mercado struck out three and only allowed three baserunners to earn his second win of the season. He tossed four 1-2-3 innings, including three in a row from the third-through-fifth innings. That was part of a stretch where Mercado retired 12 consecutive hitters

Toglia opened the bottom of the second inning up with a solo shot on the first pitch he saw for his first home run of the season. Apodaca followed with a two-run shot three batters latter for his second of the season, but first in West Coast League play.

Michael DeFelippi tossed the final two innings in relief. He allowed a leadoff walk to begin the eighth but retired each of the final six hitters in order to end the ballgame. DeFelippi and Mercado combined to only allow two hits, the fewest surrendered in a game by AppleSox pitchers this season.

The AppleSox struck first for the fifth consecutive game, but this marked the first time that it resulted in a win. With runners at first and third, Adam Grob took off for second and the throw was late and off target. Jackson Van De Brake trotted home easily on the throwing error to give the AppleSox a 1-0 lead.

The Sox got their fifth and final run in the sixth. Tino Bethancourt smacked a one-out double and then scored two batters later on a groundout by Toglia.

The AppleSox have a chance to take the series on Thursday when they wrap up the series against the Bells at 6:35 p.m.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Look To Even Up Series With Bellingham

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to take game two of their three-game set with Bellingham Bells tonight at 6:35 in Joe Martin Field.

The Bells are 2.5 games ahead of Wenatchee for second place in the North after last night's win. The AppleSox have split the season series against the Bells so far and will look for Logan Mercado to build off his impressive start last week to even the series.

The AppleSox scored four times yesterday without collecting any RBI hits. Adam Grob got a run home after he hit into a double play in the third. After Bellingham scored in the bottom of the third, Wenatchee punched back with three runs in the top of the fifth. All three runs came off another double play and two walks with the bases loaded. Bellingham managed to take the lead in the eighth off Sox reliever Skylar Hales and held on to win it. Five of the Bells’ six runs came with two outs.

After losing the first two games of that series against the AppleSox the Bells were 2-6, but are 12-11 since. The Bells are hitting just .231 this summer (sixth) but are third in the entire league with 239 total hits and 136 runs batted in. Bellingham is also second in doubles and home runs offensively behind the Ridgefield Raptors. Daniel Gernon is tied with Corvallis' Travis Bazzana and Yakima Valley's Noah Williamson for first in the West Coast League with 26 runs scored.

Keeping with the trends, Wenatchee is tied for first in the WCL with 157 total walks after collecting nine last night. Both Bellingham and Wenatchee lead the league in strikeouts with the Bells ahead of the Sox by 39. Wenatchee is still second to Corvallis with 58 stolen bases. Pitching wise, The AppleSox are last with an ERA of 5.28. Bellingham is third with a 3.42 ERA led by Eric Chavarria's league-best 1.04 ERA thru 5 starts. Despite the trouble, Wenatchee is fourth with just 116 freebies allowed while Bellingham has the third-highest walk total this summer with 143.

Wenatchee will look to Logan Mercado for a repeat performance today. Seven days ago, Mercado set a new season-high for AppleSox pitching when he struck out eight Port Angeles Lefties in five innings to earn Wenatchee a key victory. Mercado’s win set the table for the Sox to take the series last Thursday. This will be the young righty’s third start of the summer. He is 1-1 with a 4.96 earned run average and 16 strikeouts.

Opposing Mercado for Bellingham is Trevin Hope. The Bells’ strong arm is 1-4 after five starts. The future Lewis-Clark State Warrior has struck out 22 over 20 innings. This start will be Hope’s first go-around versus Wenatchee this summer.

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Tonight’s game can be heard on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Hatton Sharp But Sox Fall To Bells

Cole Hatton struck out a season-best seven hitters but the Wenatchee AppleSox lost, 6-4, to the Bellingham Bells on Tuesday night at Joe Martin Field.

Hatton finished one out away from tossing five innings in a start for the first time this summer but exited with two outs in the fifth. Two of the four runs that he allowed were unearned.

The AppleSox loaded up the bases in two different innings and collected all four of their runs from those chances, but none of their runs came in on base hits. Two walks with the bases loaded plated two-of-their-three runs in the fifth and they hit into double plays twice with the bases loaded to bring in a run. The AppleSox drew nine walks but only collected three hits.

Bellingham answered Wenatchee first run scored via a double play ball by plating two in the bottom of the third. They tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth with two runs after the AppleSox scored three in the top of the inning. In the sixth, a two-out solo home run gave the Bells the lead for good. The only run that they scored with less than two outs came in the ninth.

The AppleSox look to bounce back on Wednesday night when they send Logan Mercado to the rubber. He is coming off tossing five innings and striking out eight in last Wednesday’s win over the Port Angeles Lefties.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Face Bells in Pivotal Road Trip

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox begin a important three-game series against the Bellingham Bells this evening at Joe Martin Field at 6:35 p.m.

The Yakima Valley Pippins clinched the first-half North Division playoff berth so now the Sox and the Bells are two-of-the-four teams left to battle it out for the second-half postseason spot. The AppleSox are 0-3 to begin the second half while the Bells are 2-4.

The AppleSox took two-of-three games against Bellingham when they visited Wenatchee June 11-13. The first game on June 11 remains the AppleSox’ best offensive performance this season. The Sox scored five runs in the first inning and five more in the eighth en route to a 13-8 victory. Adam Grob led the way that night by going 4-for-4 with 4 RBI. His effort remains the only time a Sox player has recorded four hits or 4 RBI in a game this summer.

After losing the first two games of that series against the AppleSox the Bells were 2-6, but are 11-11 since. They lost two-of-three against the Pippins this past weekend but both losses were one-run defeats. Each of the Bells last five losses have been decided by three-or-fewer runs, with three of those losses by one run. They jumpstarted this turnaround on June 13 against the AppleSox by picking up a 12-3 win in 6.5 innings due to rain. Bellingham scored seven runs in the third and four in the fourth that night.

The Bells are tied with the AppleSox for sixth in the West Coast League with a .230 batting average. The AppleSox hold a slight edge in on-base percentage (.359 to .345) and the Bells have the advantage in slugging percentage (.340 to .314). Although the AppleSox had their most productive offensive effort against Bellingham earlier this season, the Bells have the third-best ERA in the WCL (3.41) while the AppleSox have the worst (5.75). However, the AppleSox have had a starter toss at least five innings and strike out eight in three-of-the-last-five games.

The AppleSox have not announced a starter for tonight’s game yet. Joey Dixon will appear in his second game this summer for Bellingham. He allowed one run on five walks, no hits and three strikeouts against Corvallis on July 6.

Tonight’s game can be heard on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Listen to Head Coach Ian Sanderson’s postgame discussion with Joel Norman following Sunday’s game.

Ian Sanderson 7.11.21

Hot Start Not Enough As Sox Drop Series Finale

The Wenatchee AppleSox took a 6-1 lead into the sixth inning but fell to the Corvallis Knights, 7-6, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Tino Bethancourt hit his fourth home run of the season, Adam Grob drove in two and Cam Liss struck out eight, but Wenatchee could not overcome a late rally by the Knights and dropped all three games this weekend.

Liss exited following the fifth inning after only allowing one unearned run and matching the most strikeouts thrown by an AppleSox pitcher in a start. A 2-RBI single in the sixth and then a three-run homer in the seventh against two different AppleSox relievers tied the game, then the Knights scratched across the game-winning run in the ninth on two singles and an error.

The AppleSox had an opportunity to tie it when they loaded up the bases with one out but back-to-back hitters struck out to end the game.

Bethancourt launched a two-run shot for his team-leading fourth home run of the season after Collin Villegas double to begin the second inning. Michael O’Hara drove in another run with an RBI single and then Grob grounded out to first to bring in the fourth run of the inning.

The AppleSox weren’t finished yet and recorded another multi-run inning in the fourth. O’Hara picked up his third hit of the night with a single and scored on a double by Grob, who would then score on a single by Luc Stuka.

The AppleSox struggled at the plate the rest of the way, only collecting two hits over the final five innings after getting 10 in the first four.

Chase Grillo suffered the tough-luck loss after firing two innings and allowing an unearned run to score in the ninth. He struck out the side in the eighth and finished one pitch away from tossing an immaculate inning.

The AppleSox are off Monday but head to Bellingham to face the Bells Tuesday through Thursday at Joe Martin Field. First pitch all three nights is at 6:35.

BOXSCORE

AppleSox Conclude Weekend Set Against Corvallis Tonight

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox face the Corvallis Knights at 5:35 p.m. tonight in the weekend series finale at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Knights have won each of the first two games despite the AppleSox scoring first both times. Friday, the Sox struck when Justin Simpson stole a couple bases in the first inning and scored on an error to make it 1-0, Sox. The AppleSox again opened the scoring yesterday, this time in the third inning on a two-out 2-RBI double by Dakota Duffalo.

Regardless, the Knights have shown incredible resiliency against the AppleSox this season. In five of the six innings that the AppleSox have scored against the Knights this series Corvallis has immediately responded in the top half of the next inning with runs of their own.

Big innings have been a recurring trouble for the AppleSox this season. Wenatchee has now given up four-or-more runs in an inning 16 times this summer. Last night, Corvallis scored six times in the fourth and then four times in the fifth. The Knights have scored four runs in an inning six times against the AppleSox through five meetings in 2021.

Corvallis has now won 10 consecutive games against Wenatchee dating back to June 13, 2018. Five of those games have been decided by three-runs-or-less.

Travis Bazzana entered this weekend leading the WCL in batting average and continues to hold that honor after going 5-for-10 in the first two games of this series against the AppleSox. He's driven in three runs and is batting .533 (8-for-15) against the Sox this summer. Bazzana enters tonight on a five-game hitting streak.

The AppleSox are trying to get Adam Grob going at the plate. He entered the weekend hitting .321 but is 0-for-8 in this series with four strikeouts. Grob leads the AppleSox in RBI (19), SLG (.419) and OPS (.840).

Prior to tonight’s game, AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman spoke with Knights’ and former AppleSox’ utilityman Brett Gillis. Listen to the discussion below.

Brett Gillis recalls his 2019 season with AppleSox

Cam Liss starts for the AppleSox in his third start of the summer and third appearance in West Coast League play. He’s coming off an impressive outing against the Highline Bears in relief on July 3 when he did not allow any runs or hits and struck out six, including the side in one-of-his-three innings of relief. Liss enters tonight with a 6.30 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 10 innings of relief in WCL action this summer.

Brock Townsend will oppose Liss for Corvallis. He has a 2.84 ERA in five games, three starts, and has truck out 19 in 19 innings. Townsend is coming off tossing six shutout innings in the Knights’ 2-0 win over Ridgefield on July 4. He allowed one run in six innings in the outing prior to that against the AppleSox in a 7-6 win on June 27.

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Tonight is Worx Gym Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium and tickets are available at applesox.com/tickets. Gates open at 4:30.

The AppleSox will provide a live video broadcast of tonight’s game with a synced-up radio feed. It can be seen on playsight.com. Joel Norman and Reily Chestnut will provide play-by-play coverage.

Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Duffalo Plates Three But Sox Fall to Knights

Dakota Duffalo drove in three runs but the Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Corvallis Knights 14-7 on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Duffalo brought across the game’s first two runs with a 2-RBI double in the third and then hit a two-out solo home run in the fifth for his first bomb of the season. Duffalo now moves into a tie for fifth in the West Coast League in batting average with his .333 mark.

Though Wenatchee led 2-0 after three innings, the Knights answered with a six-run top of the fourth before adding four more in the fifth and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Jack Lee struck out four and did not allow any runs through his first three innings on the mound, but allowed four runs (three earned) in the fourth inning to give up the lead and suffer the loss.

The AppleSox look to salvage the series against Corvallis on Sunday night at 5:35 p.m. Tickets are available at applesox.com/tickets.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Face Corvallis On Coyote Bobblehead Night

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox are hosting their third-ever bobblehead night this evening as they face the Corvallis Knights at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

After giving away Coyote and Marco Gonzales bobbleheads in 2019, the AppleSox are handing out their second iteration of a Coyote bobblehead. The team mascot is depicted tossing an apple as if it is a baseball.

Meanwhile, the AppleSox will look to even up the weekend series against the Knights and pick up their first win over Corvallis. since June 12, 2018. The Knights have defeated the AppleSox in nine consecutive games since then with last night’s loss the only one in Wenatchee.

The AppleSox got off to a strong start by scoring first but the Knights out-hit Wenatchee, 14-4, and collected at least one hit in all but two innings. Corvallis stranded 12 men on the basepaths compared to just two AppleSox runners left on.

Justin Simpson and Luc Stuka sparked the AppleSox offense last night. Simpson reached twice, scored both times and stole three bases. He leads the AppleSox with 15 runs and is tied for 15th in the West Coast League in runs scored despite playing just 13 games so far. Stuka launched his first home run of the season in WCL play and second overall with two outs in the fourth inning to bring the Sox within a run. It marked the second straight Friday that Stuka went deep after hitting for the cycle against Highline last Friday.

The Knights followed the same strategy that helped them defeat the AppleSox the last time the two teams met on June 27: steal bases. Corvallis swiped six bases last night after stealing nine in their previous game against the AppleSox. The Knights lead the West Coast League with 65 stolen bases and are 10 ahead of the second-place AppleSox.

Jack Lee gets the ball this evening for his second start this summer and first in WCL action. He started last Saturday’s game against the Highline Bears and gave up four runs (two earned) in two innings. He tossed his only game in WCL action against Corvallis on June 26 and and allowed three runs and struck out two in 4.1 innings of relief. Lee spoke with AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman prior to last night’s game.

Jack Lee 7.9.21

Corvallis counters with Ben Kibbe. The right-hander 10.28 ERA is second worst on the Corvallis pitching staff and he has started all four games that he has appeared in this summer. He allowed four runs in four innings against the AppleSox on June 26 but is coming off a start against Ridgefield on July 3 where he only allowed one run against Ridgefield in 3.2 innings.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the first 400 fans will take home a bobblehead. Purchase seats for tonight’s game on AppleSox.com/tickets to secure your spot to the game.

The AppleSox will also provide video with a synced-up radio feed. It can be seen on playsight.com. Joel Norman and Reily Chestnut will provide play-by-play coverage.

Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Stuka and Simpson's Effort Not Enough As Sox Fall To Corvallis

Luc Stuka homered and Justin Simpson stole three bases and scored two runs but the Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Corvallis Knights, 5-3, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The Knights out-hit the AppleSox, 14-4, but stranded 12 runners on-base and kept the window open for a Sox comeback. The Sox scored first for the second time in four games against Corvallis, but are still looking for their first win against the Knights.

Simpson single-handedly opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with a leadoff walk. He stole second and then third and the throw to third to try and gun him down sailed into left field and Simpson walked home with his 12th run of the season.

The Knights immediately answered with a run in the second thanks to their first three hits of the game and there would be plenty more still to come. They added a two-spot in the fourth on four more hits and then played singular runs in the fifth and seventh.

Stuka homered with two outs in the fourth after showing bunt on the first two pitches of the at-bat. In marked the second consecutive Friday home game that he went deep after hitting for the cycle against the Highline Bears on July 2.

Wenatchee’s best chance to tie the game up came in the sixth inning. Simpson led off with a single, stole second and went to third on a passed ball before scoring on a fielder’s choice two batters later. After coming on to get that out, Sean Wiese, who pitched for the AppleSox for two games in 2019, shut the door. He retired all 12 hitters that he faced to earn a four-inning save.

The AppleSox look to even up the weekend series on Saturday night when they face the Knights at 6:35 p.m. Jack Lee will start for the AppleSox in his second appearance in West Coast League action and his third overall trip to the mound with the Sox. Saturday’s game is Coyote Bobblehead Night and is sponsored by IBEW-NECA. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/tickets.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Welcome Knights to Wenatchee For First Time Since 2017

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox return home to face the Corvallis Knights this evening for the first game of a three-game series starting at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox took two-of-three games against the Port Angeles Lefties this past week and return home winners of back-to-back games. They took down the Lefties in the final two games of the series at Civic Field and have now won four series this season.

A five-run fifth inning buoyed the AppleSox last night as Hunter Salinas tossed his third start this summer of at least five innings to earn his third win. A.J. Guerrero drove in two and picked up his fifth consecutive multi-hit game, including non-league games.

The Sox face a tough Corvallis squad which already has clinched a playoff spot after winning the South Division in the first half of the 2021 season. The AppleSox have not defeated the Knights since June 12, 2018 and play their first home game against the Knights this evening since Aug. 7, 2017. The Sox have lost eight consecutive to Corvallis including a three-game sweep from June 25-27 at Goss Stadium.

Riley Way and Nate Nankill led the Knight’s offensively against the AppleSox. Way hit 6-for-15 (.400) in the series with 5 RBI and five stolen bases. Nankill recorded back-to-back three-hit games to open the series before finishing 1-for-3 with two walks in the series finale.

Corvallis just took two-of-three from Bellingham but fell last night, 8-4, at Goss Stadium. Seven different Knights have hit a home run and Corvallis is tied for fifth in the WCL in homers. Braden Boisvert is one off being tied for first in long balls and is tied with two other players with four home runs hit this summer. Travis Bazzana leads the WCL with a .372 batting average.

Trey Miller makes his fourth overall appearance on the mound for the AppleSox tonight. He has pitched in two league games as well as one non-league game. His most recent outing was in non-league action against the Highline Bears last Friday. Miller allowed one run on five hits in five innings in the AppleSox’ 21-1 win.

Corvallis has not announced a probable pitcher.

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Tonight’s game is being sponsored by GESA Credit Union. Tickets are still available for tonight’s and all remaining home games this season.

Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on The NCWLIFE Channel. Grant Olson will provide play-by-play coverage. Fans can watch the action the following ways…

• Online: NCWLIFE.com

• LocalTel: Channel 12

• Charter: Channel 19

The AppleSox will also provide video with a synced-up radio feed. It can be seen on playsight.com. Joel Norman and Reily Chestnut will provide play-by-play coverage.

Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Wenatchee Walks Out of Port Angeles Series Winners

The Wenatchee AppleSox have gotten a little hotter! Tonight, they beat Port Angeles 6-2 to close out their second series win on the road.

It took a little bit but when the runs came, they came in bunches. Trailing 1-0 after Hunter Salinas gave away a run on an RBI balk, Wenatchee took advantage of Lefties reliever Luke Jewett’s mistakes and scored two runs off two passed balls to take the lead in the top of the fifth. Adding onto the five run fifth, Michael O’Hara extended the lead with an RBI ground out and designated hitter A.J. Guerrero laced a two-run double to rack up the damage. Despite giving up a solo home run in the bottom half of the fifth frame, Wenatchee kept the ship on course and parked it with shutout pitching the rest of the way.

But the later innings were still eventful. Twice the AppleSox left-handed relievers Gavin Gorrell and Alex Brady had to work around multiple runners with two outs. Gorrell cleared the first hurtle when he struck out Bryce Matthews to leave the tying run at the plate with an emphatic fist pump. Next, Alex Brady got a phenomenal diving catch by new right fielder Jackson Van De Brake to get the Sox out of the eighth. The rest was history.

Another day, another game and how about another multi-hitter for A.J. Guerrero?! The future Washington Husky has lived up to the billing so far by collecting multiple hits in all three of his WCL starts. Not to be outdone, Hunter Salinas was stunning for his second straight start with a road series on the line.

Salinas struck out eight to tie Logan Mercado’s mark from Wednesday for the most by an AppleSox pitcher this summer. The right hander also tied his own season-high by lasting six innings for the second time in his last three appearances. It was the first time this season that back-to-back Wenatchee wins featured two starters who lasted at least five. This makes the AppleSox a perfect 6-0 when their first option arm lasts that long.

The win over Port Angeles helps Wenatchee move up to third place in the North Division. Now just behind Bellingham with three more games in the first half, Wenatchee will face Corvallis for the second time this summer starting tomorrow night. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are available at applesox.com/tickets.

The AppleSox face Port Angeles In Another Game 3 Rubber Match

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox are set to play tonight's rubber match against Port Angeles at 6:35 out at Civic Field. Wenatchee got a few impressive pitching performances in yesterday's win for the first time since June 24th at Cowlitz. Logan Mercado went five innings with eight strikeouts and just one run allowed. His eight punchouts are the most for an AppleSox pitcher in a single game this summer. It was the first time the starter got eight whiffs since Jake Saum on August 7th, 2019 against Ridgefield.

Offensively, Wenatchee managed to score above their 4.9 runs per game average for the third straight WCL contest. The big blow came when catcher John Newman Jr. hit a two-run blast in the top of the eighth to provide a cushion that the AppleSox kept comfortably. It was the third straight game that Wenatchee had three guys get at least two hits. Yesterday it was Newman, Dakota Duffalo, and Michael O'Hara that joined the club. All guys have 11 two-hit games combined this summer. And yet, only Duffalo has been with Wenatchee the entire summer.

The offensive numbers for Wenatchee continue to improve. The AppleSox are ranked 6th in the WCL with a .231 average. On paper that might not catch your eye, but keep this in mind. Over their last WCL three games, Wenatchee has hit .304 and averaged nearly seven runs per game. The AppleSox still pace the entire league with 125 walks as well as placing third with an on-base percentage of .366. Finally, after they stole seven bases yesterday, Wenatchee is third in the WCL with 47 stolen bases.

Port Angeles is fourth with a .358 OBP. Despite being fourth with 13 homers, the Lefties are just eighth among league teams with a .321 slugging percentage. Center fielder Garett Lake remains tied with the Pippins' Noah Williamson for the HR lead of five. On Wenatchee's side, Duffalo and Adam Grob are ranked sixth and eighth in batting average, respectively.

Tonight’s starting pitcher has come up big for the AppleSox before. Hunter Salinas leads the team in strikeouts and innings pitched. In his last rubber match on June 24th at Cowlitz, Salinas had the best pitching performance of the Sox summer season. Salinas tossed a team-high six innings, gave up no runs, walked one, struck out four and allowed only one hit. That performance earned the Austin, TX native WCL pitcher of the week honors.

Opposing Salinas is Port Angeles Lefties’ righthander Tatsuya Uemoto. The sophomore out of Kanagawa, Japan hasn’t started in his previous seven appearances for PA. Uemoto last pitched on Tuesday against Wenatchee. Uemoto tied his season-high by lasting two and two-thirds with one earned run allowed off three hits while he walked one and struck out another.

Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Wenatchee Gets Even against Port Angeles

Happy days are here Wenatchee! The AppleSox took down Port Angeles 5-1 tonight at Civic Field to even the series. Wenatchee scored first with back-to-back RBI singles from Dakota Duffalo and Adam Grob in the top of the third. After the Lefties scored in the bottom of the third, Wenatchee kept their 2-1 lead going strong past the seventh. Wenatchee would break through to add some insurance because of one man.

John Newman Jr. tattooed a hanger and flew it out past the left field wall for his second home run this summer. After a double steal attempt brought home Tino Bethancourt, the Sox had all they would need to finish the game. It was a wonderful night spearheaded by the best start for an AppleSox pitcher since June 24th in Cowlitz.

Rising Oregon sophomore put his stamp on this game tonight. In the fifth game where Wenatchee got a starter for five innings or more, Mercado had his best outing yet. Mercado walked just two and struck out eight Lefties to set a new benchmark for the 2021 Wenatchee AppleSox. But Mercado wasn’t the only arm to perform today. His replacement Skylar Hales continued to trend up with three shutout innings where he gave up one walk, one hit and struck out four. Then, Sox closer Chase Grillo came into the ninth to strike out two of the four he faced to give the Sox a big victory lap.

Newman’s homer helped him finish with his second two-hitter this summer. Right fielder Michael O’Hara returned from a four-game injury absence to pick up his fifth game with multiple hits in his first 12 contests as a Sox. Finally, Dakota Duffalo quietly racked up two hits. This was Duffalo’s third straight game with two hits and his eighth multi-hit game overall.

The win moves Wenatchee out of the fifth spot in the North and pushed Port Angeles back behind them by half a game. Despite the funk, Wenatchee is just one game behind Walla Walla for that first half wild card spot out of the North.

Wenatchee will focus on taking the series tomorrow night in Port Angeles. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m on Thursday.

BOX SCORE

Wenatchee Will Try to Get Even Against Port Angeles

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox are going to try and get even with the Port Angeles Lefties tonight at Civic Field at 6:35. The Sox came up with seven runs and 12 hits to head into the bottom of the eighth with a 7-6 lead after a four-run seventh.

Adam Grob had three hits in three tries with three RBI. It was the most RBI in a single game for Grob since he opened the Bells' visit to Wenatchee with four. Meanwhile, Cole Hatton struck out six and walked just one, both season-bests for him.

Still, the AppleSox had early opportunities that weren't capitalized on last night by leaving 12 men on base, including seven in the first three frames. Overall, the AppleSox have left 73 men on base during this losing streak for an average of over 10 men left on each game. The fifth inning has also plagued Wenatchee as they have been outscored 29-to-five in that frame this summer. But after scoring five times late yesterday, Wenatchee is outscoring foes by 13 runs in the seventh inning or later.

The AppleSox kept Port Angeles' eighth-hitting offense from using it's calling card yesterday by not giving up a long ball. Despite not hitting one yesterday, Garrett Lake remains tied for the west coast league lead with five goners this summer. Port Angeles is also fourth in the WCL with a .360 on-base percentage right behind Wenatchee.

The AppleSox look to build off their four-game offensive surge and improve their .229 team batting average. They are back in front of Ridgefield for the most walks in the WCL with 125 walks. Wenatchee is right behind Ridgefield and Bend for third-best in the WCL with a .365 on-base percentage.

Pitching wise, Wenatchee is fifth in the WCL with 92 BB allowed. On defense, the AppleSox remain in last place with a .945 fielding percentage after committing three errors in last night's game. Port Angeles, after their one mistake yesterday, is tied for eighth in fielding with a .945 mark.

The AppleSox are sending out Logan Mercado to right the ship and bring it into Port Angeles. In his 1st start on June 30th, Mercado navigated some rough patches to give Wenatchee four innings with 41 strikes thrown out of 63 pitches. The righty from Oregon walked two, struck out 3 and pitched a clean 1-2-3 third inning. In his previous two appearances out of the bullpen, Mercado managed to give the AppleSox seven and one thirds of time while he retired eight of the first 10 batters he faced on June 25th at Corvallis.

Port Angeles has not announced a starter for today’s game.

Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Wenatchee Falls in Port Angeles

The Wenatchee AppleSox battled with their bats but fell to the Port Angeles Lefties 8-7 tonight at Civic Field.

Wenatchee swung with swag and plated seven runs off 12 hits. This opener in Port Angeles was the fourth straight game that the AppleSox scored seven or more runs. Wenatchee ran in front of Port Angeles after they scored two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. Then, after they trailed 5-2 late, Wenatchee drove home five combined runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take the lead back. Even more impressive, Wenatchee scored all four runs in the seventh with two outs.

The big stars tonight for Wenatchee shined with some familiar faces. Adam Grob retook the team lead for hits after his perfect night with three hits, three RBI and two runs tonight. Grob was not alone though. Snuck in the last two spots of the order, Dakota Duffalo produced his own two-hit show while left fielder A.J. Guerrero picked up three knocks in five trips. Guerrero, Duffalo and leadoff hitter Enzo Apodaca all scored twice.

For Port Angeles, the go-ahead runs in the bottom of the eighth came across on an error and a passed ball before reliever Zach Thomas picked up the final three outs to earn the win.

Starting pitcher Cole Hatton turned in his finest start yet. After struggling with his control in prior performances, Hatton gave up just one walk and struck six Lefties to set a new season-best. Hatton’s improved control set the tone for Wenatchee as they gave up just three walks all night long.

Wenatchee is back again tomorrow night for game two against Port Angeles. First pitch is thrown at 6:35. Tickets are available at applesox.com/tickets.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Look To Continue Offensive Resurgence vs Lefties

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox open up a three-game weekday road trip tonight against the Port Angeles Lefties at 6:35 p.m. at Civic Field.

The AppleSox return to the road after taking two-of-five games during their most recent homestand, though the two wins were both in non-league play. In West Coast League play, the AppleSox have lost six straight but will face a Port Angeles team that is in last place in the North Division.

The AppleSox struggled at driving in runs prior to this past weekend. Overall, the AppleSox have left 61 men on base during this losing streak for an average of just over 10 men left on. Considering they only averaged just under five runs a game during the streak, the men left on base were killing the AppleSox.

That theme changed once the Highline Bears visited Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium this past Friday and Saturday. The AppleSox outscored the Bears 35-9 in the two games, including a 21-1 victory on July 2 in a game called after six-and-a-half innings. Luc Stuka hit for the cycle that evening to become the first player in AppleSox history to achieve the feat. Skylar Hales also homered that night and then Enzo Apodaca and A.J. Guerrero added bombs on July 3.

The AppleSox will look to limit the long ball when they travel to Civic Field. They face a Port Angeles squad that is third in the West Coast League in home runs (13) and has two players in the top-10 in the WCL in home runs. Garrett Lake is tied for first with five home runs, although he is hitting just .200 and three of his home runs came in one game back on June 6 against the Bellingham Bells. Jack Holman is tied for seventh, along with AppleSox infielder Tino Bethancourt and three others, with three home runs. Holman is hitting just .180 and has gone deep once in his last 11 games.

The AppleSox hope to build off their strong weekend and improve their .224 team batting average. They are tied with Ridgefield for the most walks in the WCL despite not playing this past weekend. Wenatchee is also tied four fourth in WCL with 39 stolen bases.

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Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Apodaca and Guerrero Go Deep In Sox' Win Saturday

Enzo Apodaca and A.J. Guerrero launched home runs in the AppleSox’ 14-8 win over the Highline Bears in front of Saturday night’s capacity crowd at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox took both games from the Highline Bears by hitting multiple home runs in consecutive games to secure the two-game sweep. Apodaca led off the fifth with a solo shot to right and Guerrero hit a two-run blast in the sixth. Guerrero led all players with four runs driven in after adding a 2-RBI single in the eighth.

Cam Liss excelled in relief, tossing three shutout innings. He labored in the third inning by loading the bases with one out but stuck out each of the final two hitters of the inning for a scoreless first inning of work. Liss would strike out four more, including the side in order in the fourth.

Highline scored four in the top of the first to take an early lead but the Sox responded with consecutive four-run frames of their own to take a lead that they would not relinquish.

The AppleSox return to action on Tuesday night in Port Angeles for the first-of-three against the Lefties at 6:35 p.m. Listen to the action on 93.9 FM and on other translators on the AppleSox Radio Network.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Face Highline On Fireworks Night

The Wenatchee AppleSox will face the Highline Bears at 7:35 this evening on Fireworks Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Before the AppleSox hold a postgame fireworks show they’ll look to take both games of this weekend’s non-league set against Highline after opening the weekend with a 21-1 win last night. Luc Stuka hit for the first cycle in AppleSox history, Skylar Hales homered and Trey Miller tossed five solid innings to give Wenatchee the win.

The AppleSox scored 20-or-more runs in a game last night for the first time since a 25-8 win over Yakima Valley back on June 12, 2017. The 21 runs last night marked their most in a non-league game since July 9, 2014, when they defeated the Northwest Star Academy 22-0.

Now, the AppleSox look to head into a pair of off days starting tomorrow on a high-note. They’ll send Jack Lee to the rubber for his first start of the summer tonight. Lee has pitched in one game since joining the AppleSox just before their six-game road trip from June 22-27 and it came on June 26 against Corvallis. The incoming sophomore at UC Santa Barbara allowed three runs and struck out two in 4.1 innings.

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Fans can purchase tickets for tonight’s game and all remaining AppleSox home games by visiting applesox.com/tickets.

Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on video with a synced-up radio feed. It can be seen on playsight.com

Listen live to the action on Sunny FM at kcsyfm.com on your desktop computer or by tuning in at any of the following stations below.

• Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

• East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

• Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

• Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

• Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

• Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

• Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Pregame coverage begins at 7:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show and the broadcast wraps up with the Denny’s Late Night Postgame Show.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.