AppleSox Look For Back-To-Back Wins Vs NW Star Academy

The Wenatchee AppleSox wrap up a two-game set against the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35 p.m. tonight at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox are coming off a night in which they matched their season-high for runs scored in a 15-4 win over the Nighthawks. The AppleSox have now scored 15 runs in two-of-their-last-three home games.

The win marked the Sox’ first in three meetings against the Northwest Star Academy. The Nighthawks opened Wenatchee’s 2021 season by defeating them on June 1 and 2. Last night’s victory was the AppleSox’ sixth in non-league play this summer.

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Tonight’s game is being sponsored by Confluence Health. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at applesox.com/tickets.

If you cannot make it to tonight’s game, 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.

Sox Offense Strikes Early, Often to Beat NW Star Academy

The Wenatchee AppleSox opened up their final homestand of the season with a 15-4 win over the Northwest Star Academy on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Friday’s game marked the first of an eight-game homestand to end the 2021 home slate and the AppleSox began it with a big night offensively. Collin Villegas homered and drove in four and Jacob Wyeth drove in three runs as well to lead the Sox to victory.

Enzo Apodaca (seven games) and Aidan Selfridge (five games) both entered the weekend on two impressive multi-game hit streaks. Though stats from this non-league series won’t be included with their strong recent WCL work, they both continued to get it done at the plate. Apodaca went 2-for-3 with a triple, two walks, two runs and 2 RBI. Selfridge went 2-for-2 with a triple, two walks, three runs and 1 RBI.

The AppleSox scored five in the first inning and added six more in the sixth inning. The 15 runs scored matched their season high for runs in a game this summer, in league or non-league play. Wenatchee also picked up their sixth straight non-league victory to improve to 6-2 this summer against non-WCL foes.

Despite all the offense the biggest cheer of the game came in the top of the seventh inning. Midway through the game the AppleSox and the Northwest Star Academy decided to play a seven-inning game so that the Nighthawks would have enough pitching for Saturday’s game. Eastmont High School graduate and AppleSox’ Manager of Ballpark Operations Lucas Banning toed the rubber to get the final three outs. As fans cheered him on, Banning recorded a 1-2-3 inning to end the game and give the AppleSox a victory.

The AppleSox look to take both games of the series with the Nighthawks when they host them again on Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. It is Confluence Health Night at the ballpark and tickets are available at applesox.com/tickets.

AppleSox Return Home to Face NW Star Academy

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox return home tonight to face the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in the first game of their final homestand of the season. The Sox will face the Nighthawks again tomorrow at 6:35, get two days off then play six straight games to round out the 2021 home schedule.

Wenatchee welcomes the Northwest Star Academy to town for the second time this summer. The Nighthawks spoiled the start of the AppleSox season by picking up wins in Wenatchee on June 1 and 2. The first game was sloppy all around as the two teams combined to commit 14 errors. The AppleSox got a late rally going the next night but could not pick up the victory.

The AppleSox return home after dropping all three games of their road trip against the Bend Elks. Last night, the Sox struck first on a solo home run by Adam Grob in the bottom of the first inning for his third homer of the summer. However, the Elks cashed in on five AppleSox errors to win, 8-4. AppleSox pitchers allowed eight runs but only one was earned.

Wenatchee is 5-2 in non-league play and has won every non-league game since losing to the Northwest Star Academy twice to open the season. The AppleSox have a +39 run differential in non-league games against the Nighthawks, the Highline Bears and the Cascade Collegiate League All-Stars. The majority of the non-league games have come this month with the two previous games against the Northwest Star Academy the only ones to come in June.

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Tonight’s game is being sponsored by Weinstein Beverage. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at applesox.com/tickets.

If you cannot make it to tonight’s game, it can also be seen live on The NCWLIFE Channel. You can watch the game the following ways…

• On their Facebook page

• On NCWLIFE.com

• Charter Channel 19

• Local Tel Channel 12

The AppleSox will also 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.

AppleSox Swept in Bend

Wenatchee fought hard but fell to Bend in 8-4 loss at Vince Genna Stadium. The Elks got a quality outing from starter Jack Slominski as the righty gave up one earned run in five innings before Cole Wilkinson and Eli Ankeney brought the win home.

For the first time this season Wenatchee hit a home run three days in a row. Adam Grob slugged a 412-foot blast to left field that gave the AppleSox the first run for the second straight game. The Sox offense would strike again as Enzo Apodaca hit a grounder that second baseman Aidan Welch couldn’t hold onto. The error plated Aidan Selfridge in the top of the seventh.

The AppleSox added two more run in the ninth while down to their final out. Wenatchee managed to bring in two more runs with two outs. Zach Toglia reached on a throwing error that brought Michael O’Hara home then Tino Bethancourt drove in Apodaca on a bases-loaded walk.

Apodaca had his fourth two-hit game while A.J. Guerrero also enjoyed another multi-hit night. Despite the loss, first-time starter Michael DeFelippi struck out three Elks and held down their offense for the first two innings.

Wenatchee will enjoy a two-game weekend back home as they face the Northwest Star Academy Nighthawks. First pitch is Friday night at 6:35 and tickets are available at www.applesox.com/tickets.

BOX SCORE

Wenatchee Will Try to Take One Tonight in Bend

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox are back tonight at Vince Genna Stadium looking to avoid their second road sweep of the summer as they battle the Bend Elks at 6:35.

Wenatchee lost the series last night after Bend put up a series-rivalry record 21 runs to take win. The Sox got early offense to take the 1-0 lead on Zach Toglia's single. But to set the tone, Bend scored five runs in the first to take the lead and never look back. Bend scored multiple runs in third (three), fifth (four) and seventh (nine). A.J. Guerrero went deep in the top of the fourth while Aidan Selfridge delivered a two-run double in the top of the sixth. Guerrero's homer tied Tino Bethancourt for longest home run by a 'Sox hitter in WCL play this summer after it traveled 417-feet.

Entering tonight, Wenatchee is 3.5 games behind Bellingham for second place in north division for the second half. With Wenatchee currently third in overall record (14-24) for northern units, the ‘Sox still have time to catch up to Bellingham for the second half wild card spot. But it must start tonight as they look to avoid their first road sweep in Bend since late July of 2013.

Wenatchee's offense is still second in the west coast league with 190 walks. On the other side of the coin, Bend's performance last night has kept them in second place with a .268 batting average and first among WCL teams with a .384 on-base clip. The 'Sox pitching staff has dealt with control issues as they have hit eleven Elks in the first two games of this series to move into a tie for second with 40 hit batters this season.

Wenatchee has not announced a starter for the last game in Bend this summer.

The starter tonight for the Elks is rising Grand Canyon University junior Jack Slominski. Slominski is 0-3 with an 8.16 earned run average over five appearances and three starts this summer. This will be his start against Wenatchee, but not his first outing. In the AppleSox last win over Bend on June 18th, Slominski earned the loss out of the bullpen after walking Jackson Van De Brake to give away the winning run in a 5-4 contest.

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. Reily Chestnut will provide the play-by-play coverage.

• 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 Series Decider to Bend

The AppleSox lost the series tonight in Bend by a score of 21-4. The loss gave Bend the series win over Wenatchee on Wednesday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

Early on, first baseman Zach Toglia gave the AppleSox the first run of the game on an single to drive in Enzo Apodaca in the top of the first. Toglia, who will join Utah this fall, has eleven runs batted in over just 15 games. But he wasn’t alone as designated hitter A.J. Guerrero clocked a 417-foot home run out to left center field to tie Tino Bethancourt for the longest home run of the season in the top of fourth. Finally, left fielder Aidan Selfridge clocked a two-run double into the right field corner in the top of the sixth to extend his hitting streak to four games in a row.

Unfortunately, Bend scored five runs in the first, three in the third, four in the fifth and then nine in the seventh to take home the win.

Tomorrow night at 6:35, Wenatchee will try to salvage the series in Vince Genna Stadium as they battle Bend one more time this summer.

BOX SCORE

Wenatchee Meets Bend for Game Two of Three-Game Set

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox have round two against Bend tonight at 6:35 from Vince Genna Stadium. In front of a raucous crowd of 1,138 Tuesday night, Bend beat Wenatchee 10-2 after getting 13 hits off AppleSox pitching. Right fielder Enzo Apodaca continued to impress with his second home run in WCL play and a ground ball that allowed A.J. Guerrero to score the ‘Sox last run in the 8th. Bend managed to score 8 of their 10 runs over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

In the last three losses to the Elks, Wenatchee has given up over ten runs in all three contests. their lone win over Bend back on June 18th, they gave up multiple runs in only one inning. Over the four games against Bend so far, the Elks' offense has scored two or more runs in ten of the 37 innings played.

The AppleSox enter tonight eighth in the league with a .227 batting average. The Sox are also fifth with a .346 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, Bend is first in the west coast circuit with a .377 on-base clip and second in league batting average (.266). Looking back to the AppleSox, they are currently second in WCL stolen bases with 69 and second among league teams with 185 walks.

Pitching wise, Wenatchee has the highest earned run average in the league (5.69). Bend is fifth with a 4.26 earned run average. Enzo Apodaca is tied for second among league hitters with 26 walks. Apodaca also has a share of the team lead for runs scored (17) with Tino Bethancourt.

Today’s Wednesday starter is Oregon sophomore Logan Mercado. Mercado has become a regular mid-week option for Wenatchee. The Pasco, Washington native is 2-0 over his last three starts. In that span, Mercado has tossed 12 innings, given up three earned runs, struck out 18 and walked four. He has also thrown at least 89 pitches in all of his July starts.

Facing off against Wenatchee tonight is Tulane sophomore Turner Thompson. This will be his second straight start after he went four innings last Wednesday at Yakima Valley. In that start, Thompson gave up a season-high five earned runs but also struck out seven Pippins.

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. Reily Chestnut will provide the play-by-play coverage.

• 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 Struggle to Hit in Series Opener at Bend

The Wenatchee AppleSox collected five hits and fell to the Bend Elks, 10-2, on Tuesday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

Right fielder Enzo Apodaca was the offensive force for the AppleSox. Apodaca hit his second home run of the summer over the right field fence to cut Bend’s lead down to 2-1 in the top of the fourth. Apodaca also hit a ground ball in the top of the eighth that allowed A.J. Guerrero to come home before Apodaca was tagged out by the pitcher. Apodaca has now hit safely in 21 of his last 29 games.

Bend scored two runs in the bottom of the first, four in the fifth, one in the sixth and three more in the eighth.

The AppleSox are back at Vince Genna Stadium Wednesday night at 6:35 for game two to try and even the series.

BOX SCORE

Wenatchee Hits the Road For Penultimate Road Trip

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox are back on the road to face the Bend Elks at Vince Genna Stadium tonight at 6:35.

The AppleSox took one-of-three games against the North division-leading Yakima Valley Pippins last weekend with Saturday’s win marking their season-high for runs scored (15) and hits collected (16). Skylar Hales kept Yakima Valley at bay with 4.1 scoreless innings of relief and struck out 10 Pippins for a new Sox season-high to seal the victory. Former AppleSox righty Seth Kuykendall stymied the AppleSox in a 5-1 Pippins win in Sunday’s rubber match.

In the past seven days, Wenatchee hit .261 with Michael O'Hara, Luc Stuka and Jackson Van De Brake collecting 19 combined hits. The .261 mark is 33 points higher than the team's .228 batting average overall. This boost helped Wenatchee score seven or more runs in half of their games last week.

In the last meeting between the AppleSox and Elks, the Sox took an exciting game one before losing the next two games to Bend at home. Bend got 41 hits off the AppleSox pitchers that weekend. Meanwhile, guys like former AppleSox infielder Justin Simpson set the Elks on fire as Simpson's first weekend in Wenatchee saw him score six runs in just three games.

With Wenatchee currently two-and-a-half games behind Bellingham for second place in the second half, the guys will look to take start their second-to-last roadtrip of 2021 in style. Bend enters this game behind the Sox in WCL runs scored with 175 (seventh) to Wenatchee's 180 (sixth). Currently, Bend is dead last with just seven home runs this summer. However, the Elks have the fewest offensive strikeouts in the league (267).

The Wenatchee AppleSox will send out Cole Hatton for another series opener on the road. In July, Hatton is 1-0 with 3.40 earned run average, 18 strikeouts and just five walks. The Grayland, WA, native has pitched more innings in each successive start this month. Hatton is coming off his first win last Tuesday at Walla Walla.

Jacob Kmatz gets the nod for Bend. The incoming freshman at Oregon State is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in one appearance. He has pitched in two non-league games but allowed three runs (two earned) in four innings against Yakima Valley on July 20 to suffer the loss. He struck out seven Pippins and walked three.

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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. Reily Chestnut will provide the play-by-play coverage.

• 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.

Kuykendall Shuts Door On AppleSox

Former AppleSix right-hander Seth Kuykendall only allowed one run in eight innings and the Yakima Valley Pippins defeated the AppleSox, 5-1, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Kuykendall, who earned West Coast League Honorable Mention honors in 2019 with Wenatchee, struck out five in a season-high eight innings before another former AppleSox righty, Landon Schirer, pitched a scoreless ninth. 

Wenatchee’s only run came on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Wyeth in the second inning.

Yakima Valley scored one in the first inning before plating two in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

The AppleSox are off on Monday before heading to Bend to take on the Elks for the first of a three-game set beginning at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday at Vince Genna Stadium.

BOX SCORE 

Sox Look To Steal Series From Pippins

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to take the series against the Yakima Valley Pippins at 5:35 p.m. tonight at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox are coming off a 15-7 win over the Pippins after losing 15-5 on Friday. Last night's win marked season-highs for the AppleSox in runs and hits as nine-of-10 players collected at least one hit and six players recorded multi-hit efforts.

The real story of the game was Skylar Hales. The right-hander from Santa Clara tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. He struck out 10 batters to set a Sox single-game high this summer. Hales improved his ERA to a Sox-best 1.59. Saturday's appearance was his fourth scoreless multi-inning relief appearance of the summer.

Zach Toglia led the AppleSox at the plate by going 3-for-4 with four runs and 3 RBI. Dakota Duffalo also drove in three with a game-tying bases-clearing double in the sixth. Garrett Cutting gave the AppleSox the lead with a two-run single in the seventh before the Sox scored six runs in the eighth to blow it open. It was the second straight day that the AppleSox collected at least 12 hits. The AppleSox offense had only scored 24 runs in their previous six games but they have plated 20 in the last two days.

The AppleSox sit three games back of the Pippins for first place in the second half. The Pippins won the North Division in the first half and have thus clinched a playoff spot already.

If the Pippins win the North in the second half, the playoff spot goes to the team with the second-best overall record. The AppleSox enter tonight's game 2.5 games back of Bellingham for the second best mark. The Bells have won three in a row and are looking to sweep Ridgefield today at 1:05 p.m.

Tonight’s pitching matchup is a battle of two pitchers going against their former teams. Cam Liss pitched in two games for Yakima Valley in 2019, including tossing 4.1 scoreless innings in relief against the AppleSox on June 8. He has a 2.74 ERA through six games this summer (including two non-league appearances). Liss has tossed back-to-back five inning starts and has only allowed one run across them while striking out eight both times.

Liss will be opposed by Seth Kuykendall. The right-hander earned All-WCL Honorable Mention honors with the AppleSox in 2019 and is 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA in seven games (all starts) this summer for the Pippins. He has struck out 33 and walked just eight in 40.2 innings.

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Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at applesox.com/tickets. The first 100 fans at tonight’s game will receive a Cam Liss baseball card while the first 150 will receive an AppleSox cowbell. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

The AppleSox will also 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 5:10 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.

Hales Shuts Down Pippins, Bats Rally to Give Sox Win

Skylar Hales tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in relief and the Wenatchee AppleSox set a single-game high this summer for runs scored as they defeated the Yakima Valley Pippins, 15-7, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Hales (1-1) turned in his second superb outing of the summer and kept the Pippins at bay while the AppleSox rallied late. He struck out 10, a Sox single-game high this summer, and recorded his fourth scoreless relief outing of three-or-more innings.

Dakota Duffalo, Collin Villegas, A.J. Guerrero, Zach Toglia, Garrett Cutting and Jackson Van De Brake all recorded multi-hit games in the victory. Toglia collected three hits and drove in three as well. Their 15 runs and 16 hits set single-game highs in both categories this summer. Duffalo tied the game with a bases-clearing double in the sixth. Cutting gave Wenatchee the lead with a two-run single in the seventh.

The Pippins scored first with two runs in the second but the AppleSox responded with four in the bottom half thanks to an RBI single from Toglia, a wild pitch to score Guerrero, an RBI double from Michael O’Hara and a sac fly by Van De Brake.

Yakima Valley scored five runs over the next three innings to take a 7-4 lead but that was all that they would get offensively for the rest of the game. The AppleSox added six runs of insurance in the eighth to pick up perhaps their finest win of the summer to date.

The AppleSox look to take the series on Sunday night when they face the Pippins at 5:35 p.m. Cam Liss tosses for the AppleSox against former Sox right-hander Seth Kuykendall. Fans will receive a Liss baseball card as well as an AppleSox cowbell for the first 150 fans.

AppleSox Searching for Win Against the Pippins Tonight

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox will try to even the series tonight at home against the Yakima Valley Pippins with a 6:35 first pitch. The Sox fell 15-5 yesterday in the second highest scoring contest between the AppleSox and Pippins ever. Last night's 20 runs was 13 less than June 12th, 2017's 33 run display powered by Wenatchee's single game record 25-run explosion.

The Pippins scored in six innings with the tone set early by their four-run first inning. Still, Wenatchee kept the fight against Kenny Johnson. Wenatchee scored four times in the bottom of the sixth. The onslaught forced Johnson's start to end as the Sox collected five hits, including four straight singles. Jackson Van De Brake joined Michael O'Hara in the three-hit club with his first this season. Tino Bethancourt also had two hits with the first RBI knock by a Sox in the second frame.

Outside of Wenatchee, northern rivals Bellingham and Walla Walla both picked up wins last night. Now, the AppleSox need to build up some victories as they sit two game behind Walla Walla for second place.

Heading into tonight's second game of the weekend, Wenatchee sits at eighth in the league with a .224 batting average after tallying 12 hits yesterday. Yakima Valley is only one step higher with their .229 mark. The Sox are still second in stolen bases around the West Coast circuit. Wenatchee has stolen 65 bags this summer.

The Pippins have stolen 42 altogether, but are tied with Cowlitz for fewest failed attempts (six). Yakima Valley and Wenatchee possess the second and third most offensive strikeouts respectively. Pitching wise Wenatchee is tied for fourth with 148 walks allowed this summer while the Pippins are tied for seventh with Bellingham.

Starting tonight for the AppleSox is starter Trey Miller. Miller will try to earn his first win of the summer against the North division leading Yakima Valley Pippins. Miller is 0-2 with 6.30 ERA. His last outing was July 16th against the CCL All-Stars. Miller lasted four innings while he gave up five runs off ten hits. But, Miller did walk just one batter and struck out six, both season-bests.

Opposing Miller is Yakima Valley’s Tyler Frieders. Frieders has allowed just two earned runs in the month of July. The Yakima Valley College Yak is sporting a 3-2 record complemented by a 2.61 earned run average, 34 strikeouts and nine walks.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at applesox.com/tickets. Tonight is “Christmas in July” night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium so be sure to bring your spirits and grab some ‘Sox ornaments for the best time of the year!

The AppleSox will also provide a live video broadcast of tonight’s game with a synced-up radio feed. It can be seen on playsight.com. 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.

AppleSox Fall In Series-Opener to Pippins

The Yakima Valley Pippins defeated the Wenatchee AppleSox, 15-5, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Michael O’Hara and Jackson Van De Brake both recorded three-hit games in the loss.

The Pippins pounced early by scoring four runs in the first and later plated five in the fifth and three in the sixth. The AppleSox scored four in the sixth but never led on Friday night.

The series continues on Saturday night when the AppleSox celebrate Christmas in July by giving out AppleSox Christmas ornaments to fans. Tickets are available at applesox.com/tickets.

BOX SCORE

AppleSox Welcome Familiar Faces, Pippins to Wenatchee This Weekend

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox face the Yakima Valley Pippins for the first time this season in a three-game set beginning tonight at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium at 6:35 p.m.

Former AppleSox head coach Kyle Krustangel and assistant coach Cash Ulrich return to Wenatchee for the first time since quitting to take on the same roles with the Pippins. From 2017-19 the duo led the AppleSox to an 84-78 record and came within three outs of leading the team to the 2019 West Coast League Championship Series.

Krustangel and Ulrich aren’t the only familiar faces on Yakima Valley. Four different Pippins played for the AppleSox previously. Spencer Marenco, Landon Schirer and Seth Kuykendall played for Wenatchee in 2019 while Mason Marenco suited up for the AppleSox in 2018. Schirer led the 2019 AppleSox with six saves and has already recorded that many this summer in six appearances. Kuykendall earned All-WCL Honorable Mention honors in 2019 after recording a 2.17 ERA in 10 games. Mason Marenco was one of the AppleSox’ four All-Stars in 2018 and his younger brother, Spencer, joined the team late in 2019 and played in eight games.

The Pippins won the first half with a 15-9 mark and finished four games ahead of the next-closest team. The Sox are three games back of first place Yakima Valley in the second half but if the Pippins win the second half, the second-half playoff spot goes to the team with the next-best overall record. The AppleSox sit a game-and-a-half back of having the next-best overall record.

Taking the ball today is lefthander Jack Lee. The southpaw is 0-1 with a 7.04 earned run average through two appearances this summer. Lee is really fresh after not pitching last weekend against the CCL All-Stars. The future UC-Santa Barbara Gaucho was a late scratch due to an illness but is ready to go today against the best team in the North Division. This will be his second straight start.

Battling Lee for Yakima Valley is Kenny Johnson. Johnson, who was Lee’s teammate this past spring at Cal State-Bakersfield, is 3-3 with a 5.11 earned run average. The Lancaster, CA native is coming off back-to-back starts with six or more innings and six strikeouts. Time to see who will win in this battle of former CSUB Roadrunners!

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at applesox.com/tickets.

The AppleSox will also 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.

AppleSox Win Pitchers' Duel to Take Series vs Sweets

In a game that featured a combined 27 strikeouts the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Walla Walla Sweets, 1-0, on Thursday night at Borleske Stadium.

Travis Craven of Walla Walla and Jacob Hughes of Wenatchee both tossed shutout starts and racked up the strikeouts. Craven struck out 14 in eight shutout innings while Hughes punched out eight in six shutout innings. Gavin Gorrell did not allow any hits and struck out four in three shutout innings of relief to earn his first win of the season.

The AppleSox scored. the game’s only run in the ninth against Sweets reliever Caden Kaelber. Adam Grob drew a one-out walk and then Luc Stuka was intentionally walked with two outs to put runners at first and second. Collin Villegas hit a ball slightly to the left of second baseman Parker Price. The former AppleSox infielder gloved it, did a 360-degree turn and threw it toward the AppleSox first-base dugout. Grob easily scored and that was all the AppleSox needed.

For the second straight night an AppleSox starting pitcher set the team’s single-game high for pitches thrown. Logan Mercado threw 99 pitches on Wednesday and then Hughes tossed 99 on Thursday night. His six-inning start marked the eighth time in the last 11 games that an AppleSox started tossed at least five innings and the Sox have won five of those eight games.

The AppleSox return home Friday night to face the Yakima Valley Pippins at 6:35 p.m. for the first game of a three-game series. Friday night is Chelan PUD Night and Satuday is Christmas in July Night where fans will receive an AppleSox Christmas ornament. Tickets for all three games are available at applesox.com/tickets.

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AppleSox End Road Trip Tonight vs Sweets

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox face the Walla Walla Sweets tonight in their seventh rubber match of the season tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Borleske Stadium.

The AppleSox have entered the final game of a three-game set against a West Coast League opponent tied six times previously and have won the rubber match three times with wins on June 10 against Walla Walla, June 24 on the road at Cowlitz and July 8 at Port Angeles.

Wenatchee looks to bounce back from an 8-2 loss last night. Logan Mercado was sharp again, tossing six innings and striking out seven on a season-high 99 pitches, not just the most in a start for him but for any AppleSox pitcher this summer. The right-hander at Oregon struck out seven, one off his single-game high. Mercado's effort marked the 11th time that an AppleSox starter has tossed at least five innings in a start. An AppleSox starter has now tossed at least five innings in seven of their last 10 games but the Sox have only won four of those last seven five-or-more inning starts from their starting pitcher.

Offensively, Luc Stuka continued his impressive road trip with his second consecutive multi-hit game and his eighth this season with a single and a double. His ninth-inning double ties him with Adam Grob for the most two-baggers on the AppleSox this summer. Stuka is second to only Dakota Duffalo (nine) for the AppleSox lead in multi-hit games but tied him with his seventh two-hit night of the summer.

Michael O'Hara doubled in the AppleSox' only two runs last night for his second double in as many days at the plate.

Wenatchee looks for a turnaround performance from the bullpen tonight. After tossing four shutout innings of relief on Tuesday, they gave up six runs in Walla Walla's final two trips to the plate Wednesday. Jared Engman allowed three runs in the seventh before Alex Brady gave up three more in the eighth. AppleSox relievers have struggled this month, recording a 7.85 ERA in 47 innings pitched over 12 games.

Following tonight’s game the AppleSox return home to face the Yakima Valley Pippins tomorrow through Sunday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Friday is Chelan PUD Night and Saturday is Christmas in July as fans will receive AppleSox Christmas ornaments. Tickets for all three games can be purchased at applesox.com/tickets.

Jacob Hughes starts tonight for the AppleSox. The right-hander and incoming freshman at Oregon will make his second start since rejoining the rotation a week ago and his fifth of the summer. He allowed two runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings last Thursday against Bellingham. Hughes entered that game with just three walks issued in his first 18.2 innings of the summer over six appearances but he walked three Bells before exiting. Overall, Hughes is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA.

Hughes’ first start of the summer came June 10 against the Sweets. He earned a no decision but dazzled on the mound with only one run on four hits allowed in five innings and six strikeouts.

He’ll be opposed by Travis Craven. The southpaw from Whitman College is 3-3 with a 3.34 ERA. He has divided his 11 appearances nearly in half between starts and relief outings as tonight will be his seventh start of the summer. In 37.2 innings he has struck out 36, walked seven and allowed 36 hits.

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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. Joel Norman will provide play-by-play coverage.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Mercado Strong Again But Sox Fall to Sweets

Logan Mercado only allowed two runs and struck out seven in six innings but the Wenatchee AppleSox lost to the Walla Walla Sweets, 8-2, on Wednesday night at Borleske Stadium.

Mercado tossed a season-high 99 pitches for an AppleSox pitcher and finished one off his season-best for strikeouts but the AppleSox could not get him a third straight victory.

Michael O’Hara brought in the AppleSox’ two runs with an RBI double in the sixth inning with one out to tie but he was stranded. The Sweets scored three in the seventh and three more in the eighth to pick up the win.

Luc Stuka singled and doubled to record his second consecutive multi-hit game and his eighth this summer.

Now, the AppleSox look to take this series as well as the season series when they face the Sweets on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m.

AppleSox Looks To Take Season Series vs Sweets Tonight

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to take their fifth West Coast League series of the season tonight as they face the Walla Walla Sweets at 6:35 p.m. at Borleske Stadium. A series victory tonight would give the AppleSox a season-series victory over the Sweets. The AppleSox guaranteed at least a tie this summer against the Sweets with a 7-1 win last night. Cole Hatton struck out five and only allowed one run in five innings. Michael DeFelippi punched out two in a scoreless sixth after he loaded up the bases with no outs. Skylar Hales tossed a scoreless final three innings to pick up his first save of the summer. The AppleSox scored four runs in the top of the ninth provide some breathing room.

Now, the AppleSox turn to Logan Mercado (2-1, 3.47 ERA) to try and pick up a series victory. Hatton's effort last night marked the 10th time an AppleSox starter tossed at least five innings in a start and the sixth time in the last nine games. Wenatchee is 8-2 in these instances and has won four-of-the-last-six times that this has occurred.

A series win tonight will give the AppleSox their first since taking two-of-three against the Port Angeles Lefties, July 6-8. The AppleSox have won four series this season, including their first series against the Sweets, June 8-10. A win tonight or tomorrow would give the AppleSox their third road series victory to go along with the trip to Port Angeles and taking two-of-three from Cowlitz, June 22-24. The AppleSox enter tonight's game winners of four-of-their-last-six road games.

Last night's win pulled the AppleSox into a tie for third place in the North Division in terms of overall record. If Yakima Valley wins the second half, the second half North Division playoff spot goes to the team with the next-best overall record. The Pippins currently sit in first place in the second half and the AppleSox are 1.5 games back of the idle Bellingham Bells for the second-best overall record. The Sox are two games out of first in the second half.

Logan Mercado will make his fourth start of the summer tonight. He’s tossed at least four innings in all three starts and has increased how many innings he has tossed in each start. The incoming sophomore at Oregon is coming off tossing a seven shutout innings a week ago against Bellingham in a 5-0 win. He has only allowed one run in his last two games, spanning 12 innings, and has struck out 11 in that time.

The Sweets send Andrew Baughn to the hill in an effort to tie up the series. He’s making his Sweets debut after posting a 2.87 ERA and striking out 55 hitters in 47 innings across 16 games this spring at Southern Idaho. He allowed 30 hits, walked 17 and plunked 11 hitters in that time.

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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. Joel Norman will provide play-by-play coverage.

Live stats can be found on Pointstreak.

Pitching, Defense Buoy AppleSox Over Sweets

The Wenatchee AppleSox turned three double plays and three pitchers combined to strike out 11 Walla Walla Sweets in a 7-1 win at Borleske Stadium on Tuesday night.

Cole Hatton struck out five in five innings while only allowing one run. It marked the second time that he tossed five innings, but the first time that he did so in his six starts. Hatton allowed his only run in the fifth on an RBI triple and things got interesting as the Sweets put runners at second and third with two outs. A base hit could have tied the game but first baseman Luc Stuka snagged a liner headed over him and then tossed to second to double up the runner and end the inning.

Michael DeFelippi made things interesting in the sixth when he loaded up the bases with three straight hits allowed. He buckled down and struck out two before inducing a lineout to third baseman Tino Bethancourt to end the inning.

Skylar Hales went the rest of the way, shutting out the Sweets in three innings while striking out four to earn his first save of the summer.

The AppleSox took a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning and had only collected three hits to that point, but added some insurance with four runs on five hits. John Newman Jr. plated two on a single up the middle and Dakota Duffalo lofted a ball to center that got lost in the lights and scored two more.

It wasn’t the first time that the AppleSox capitalized on defensive mistakes. The Sweets committed three errors but the Sox’ first run came thanks to a mental error. Michael O’Hara led off with a double to left field that was misread and then scored two batters later on a triple by Adam Grob.

The AppleSox are now 3-1 against Walla Walla this season and look to take this road series with a win on Wednesday night. Logan Mercado gets the ball for the 6:35 p.m. game.

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