AppleSox Look To Bounce Back vs Bells

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox continue their three-game series against the Bellingham Bells tonight at 6:35 p.m. Joe Martin Field.

The AppleSox fell back to .500 with a 7-0 loss last night. It marked the first time that Wenatchee was shut out this summer. Last night was also the first time that the AppleSox lost the first game of a three-game series since falling on Opening Night at Bend on June 4.

Wenatchee was done in by a couple of big innings as it gave up three runs in the third and then three more in fifth before allowing a final run in the seventh. The AppleSox committed two errors and only collected five hits, tied for their fewest in a game this summer. Michael Davinni was one of the lone bright spots, going 2-for-4 to record his fifth multi-hit game of the year and extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

Quincy Vassar makes his second start of the summer tonight for the AppleSox as they look to even up the series. He punched out eight Port Angeles Lefties in six scoreless innings on June 7. The southpaw and incoming junior at Vanguard picked up a no decision but the AppleSox rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the seventh after he exited and they won, 5-0. Vassar made his debut on June 4 against Bend by tossing 1.2 scoreless innings before the lights went out at Vince Genna Stadium and the game was suspended and resumed the next day. Vassar finished out the eighth inning before giving up two hits in the ninth before exiting and both runners came around to score after he left.

Bellingham counters with Randy Abshier, an incoming junior at Arizona. The left-hander did not pitch this spring but posted a 2.91 ERA in 20 appearances, all in relief, in 2021. He struck out 26, allowed 22 hits and walked 11 in 21.2 innings. Abshier pitched for the Mat Su Miners in the Alaska League in the summer of 2019 and was an All-Star Game starting pitcher while recording a 1.52 ERA in 10 games.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Bells Blank AppleSox Tuesday

One of the West Coast League’s top offenses met one of the league’s best pitching staffs on Tuesday night and it was the pitching that triumphed as the Bellingham Bells shut out the Wenatchee AppleSox, 7-0, on Tuesday night at Joe Martin Field.

The AppleSox entered Tuesday tied for the best batting average in the WCL and with the third-most runs scored but were shut out for the first time this season. Bellingham scored three times in the third, three more runs in the fifth and then one run in the seventh.

Michael Davinni went 2-for-4 to record his fifth multi-hit game of the summer but the AppleSox offense failed to collect any extra-base hits and struck out 10 times. Davinni extended his hitting streak to 10 games but the reigning West Coast League Player of the Week, Joichiro Oyama, could not extend his hitting streak to double digits.

Kota Sato (1-1) retired each of the first seven hitters in order before running into trouble. A one-out walk followed by an RBI double was all the offense Bellingham needed as they took the lead for good with their first run of the night.

The AppleSox look to even up the mid-week series on Wednesday night when they face the Bells again at 6:35 p.m. Reese Vassar makes his second start of the summer after striking out eight in six shutout innings on June 7 against Port Angeles. Listen live to the game on KCSY Sunny FM online at kcsyfm.com.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast to hear a recap of Tuesday’s game as well as Joel Norman’s pregame interview with Brandham Ponce. Subscribe to the AppleSox podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

AppleSox Begin Pivotal Stretch vs Bellingham

The Wenatchee AppleSox open up a six-games-in-six-days stretch against the Bellingham Bells tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Joe Martin Field.

It is an important early-season test for the AppleSox as they go up against a Bells squad that made the postseason last year and posted the best ERA in the West Coast League. Bellingham is 4-4 so far and is a half-game back of the AppleSox for second in North Division while Wenatchee is a half-game back of first.

The AppleSox lost a non-league game last night to the Northwest Star Academy, 14-5, but have still won five-of-their-last-six games, including sweeping the Springfield Drifters this past weekend. Wenatchee swept the doubleheader on Saturday by identical 7-4 scores after Friday’s series opener was postponed due to rain. The AppleSox wrapped up the series sweep by rallying to score five times in the bottom of the fifth on Sunday and then coasted to an 11-6 win in front of 968 fans at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox enter Tuesday’s game tied for the best batting average in the WCL and infielder Joichiro Oyama is a big reason why. The reigning West Coast League Player of the Week’s .463 batting averages leads all WCL players who have played in at least nine games. He hit .520 (13-for-25) last week and has at least one hit in all nine AppleSox games to go along with eight multi-hit games. Oyama, Aiva Arquette, Michael Davinni, Xander Orejudos and CJ Horn have all played at least six games and are all batting over .350.

Kota Sato gets the ball for his second start of the summer for the AppleSox. He made his debut in the home opener on June 6 and gave up two unearned runs in the first inning but recovered to stymie the Port Angeles Lefties the rest of the way. He only allowed four hits and two walks over five innings and struck out six to pick up the victory. The incoming sophomore at Edmonds retired each of the final nine hitters that he faced in order.

Trevin Hope from Lewis & Clark State College is Bellingham’s probable pitcher. He allowed one unearned run in 5.2 innings on June 1 to pick up the victory in the Bells’ 2-1 triumph over the Drifters. The right-hander is in his second summer with the Bells after going 1-5 last summer with a 3.44 ERAA in nine games (six starts). Hope punched out 37 hitters in 34 innings last year while only walking 13.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Rough First Inning Dooms AppleSox vs. NW Star Academy

Grant Sherrod collected two hits, including a two-run home run in the seventh inning, but the AppleSox fell to the Northwest Star Academy, 14-5, in a non-league game on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Brandham Ponce also had a multi-hit game with an RBI single in the first and a double in the seventh.

The AppleSox allowed eight runs in the top of the first while committing four errors. They got a run back in the bottom of the first but gave up four in the top of the third and never got within seven runs from there on out.

Cole Miller impressed in his AppleSox debut, reaching base three times and scoring twice.

Will Jacobson tossed 2.1 scoreless innings and struck out three. Anthony Sendejas allowed one run on consecutive doubles in his first inning of relief in the seventh inning but buckled down to toss consecutive scoreless innings afterwards.

The AppleSox return to West Coast League action on Tuesday night when they face the Bellingham Bells at Joe Martin Field on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. Kota Sato toes the rubber for Wenatchee in his second start of the summer after allowing two runs over five innings to earn the win in the home opener on June 6.

Listen to the latest edition of the Wenatchee AppleSox Podcast below to hear a recap of Monday’s game as well as a pregame interview with Drake Bird.

Oyama Wins WCL Player Of The Week

AppleSox infielder Joichiro Oyama has been named the West Coast League Player Of The Week for the week of June 6-12.

Oyama’s .463 batting average leads all WCL players who have played at least nine games this year. He has collected at least one hit in all nine AppleSox games so far this year and has recorded eight multi-hit games, two of which have been three-hit nights. The Okinawa, Japan, native has been a big reason why the AppleSox have won five-of-their-last-six games and is hitting .520 (13-for-25) during that stretch.

Oyama is committed to UC Irvine this fall and is coming off a tremendous sophomore year at Merced. He won the Central Valley Conference Player of the Year award after leading the conference with a .409 batting average. He posted 25 multi-hit games for the Blue Devils and recorded 29 extra-base hits in 42 games.

Oyama and the AppleSox wrap up their first hometand of the summer tonight as they face the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The AppleSox will honor the Chelan High School varsity baseball team before the game after they finished fourth in state and won the Caribou Trail League. All Chelan baseball players, high school or youth, will receive free admission if they wear their Chelan baseball jersey to the game. Tickets can be purchased at saferseating.com.

AppleSox Wrap Up Homestand Against NW Star Academy

The Wenatchee AppleSox wrap up their first homestand of the summer tonight as they face the Northwest Star Academy Nighthawks at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

This is Wenatchee’s first-of-four non-league games this summer, all of which will be at home. The AppleSox went 7-2 in non-league games last season, including winning each of their final seven. Wenatchee is 9-4 against the Northwest Star Academy but split last season’s four-game series. The Nighthawks spoiled the AppleSox’ first two games of the 2022 season by defeating Wenatchee 8-3 and 7-6 June 1 -2, 2021. The AppleSox bounced back by taking the final two games against the Northwest Star Academy on July 30-31 by scores of 15-4 and 5-3.

Luc Stuka mashed non-league pitching last summer. Including his cycle against the Highline Bears (now Dub Sea Fish Sticks) Stuka hit .409 in six non-league games. He was 2-for-10 in three games against the Nighthawks.

The AppleSox enter tonight’s non-league game rolling with wins in five-of-their-last-six, all at home. Wenatchee took two-of-three from the Port Angeles Lefties to begin the homestand and then swept the Springfield Drifters this past weekend.

The AppleSox are raking at the plate to begin the season. Their .312 batting average (tied first), 99 hits (second), 74 runs scored (third) and 134 total bases (fourth) all rank among the top five in the West Coast League. Joichiro Oyama’s .463 batting average leads all WCL players with at least nine games played.

The AppleSox send Chelan native Connor Wilson to the mound for his first start of the summer and his second appearance. Wilson’s AppleSox debut came in relief against the Bend Elks on June 4, when he allowed two runs in a third of an inning. Wilson picked up the victory against the AppleSox last season in relief on June 2 when he struck out two in 2.1 scoreless innings.

Prior to this evening’s game the AppleSox will honor the Chelan High School varsity baseball team on the field. All members of the varsity team receive free admission if they wear their Chelan jersey to the game.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

AppleSox Sweep Drifters Thanks To Big Fifth Inning

The Wenatchee AppleSox rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to sweep the Springfield Drifters on Sunday afternoon at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

CJ Horn hit a grand slam in the fifth for his second home run in as many games and Joichiro Oyama delivered an RBI single to plate the fifth run of the inning to give the AppleSox for good. Oyama collected two other hits to record his second three-hit games and eighth multi-hit game of the summer.

Brandham Ponce hit a two-out 2-RBI double double in the first inning as part of a three-run opening frame to give the AppleSox an early edge. Ponce drew a walk with the bases loaded in the sixth inning for his third RBI of the game to add an insurance run.

Eight-of-nine AppleSox starters recorded at least one hit and five posted multi-hit efforts. Grant Sherrod reached base four times, three times via base hits. Michael Davinni singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He and Oyama are the only AppleSox players with at least one hit in every game so far.

The AppleSox took a 3-2 lead into the top of the fifth inning but gave up two runs to surrender the advantage before responding in the bottom of the frame on Horn’s 410-foot blast of the flag pole in center field and Oyama’s second RBI of the summer.

Felix Schlede made his AppleSox debut on the mound and the incoming freshman at Central Arizona struck out 10 and only allowed two runs (one earned) over four innings.

The AppleSox have won five-of-their-last-six games, all on this homestand. The first stretch of consecutive home games ends on Monday when Wenatchee hosts the Springfield Drifters at 6:35 p.m. in a non-league game before hitting the road on Tuesday to start a three-game series against the Bellingham Bells. Tickets are available at saferseating.com.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast below to hear a recap of the game as well as highlights and postgame interviews with Horn, Schlede and associate head coach Aaron Vaughn.

AppleSox Sweep Doubleheader vs. Drifters

The AppleSox took both games of their doubleheader against the Springfield Drifters by identical 7-4 scores on Saturday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee has now won four-of-five games on this seven-game homestand and has won back-to-back series to get back to .500 at 4-4.

The AppleSox took a 3-1 lead into the top of the fifth inning in Game 1 but gave up three runs in the top of the fifth, all with two outs. Springfield could not hang onto its 4-3 lead though as Michael Davinni doubled in Joichiro Oyama, who reached on a leadoff single, to tie the game. Aiva Arquette singled past a drawn-in infield two batters later and then Adam Fahsel added insurance with a two-run double.

Chase Matheny entered with two outs in the third inning and went the distance to earn the win. The right-hander from South Carolina Upstate tossed the final 4.1 innings and only allowed three runs.

In Game 2 another reliever came through with a brilliant effort. Mason Philley allowed one unearned run in 4.2 innings and struck out eight hitters to earn the victory. It marked the second consecutive game that the AppleSox’ lone reliever entered in the third inning and finished up the game.

The AppleSox scored seven runs in the first inning thanks to four consecutive singles to open up the inning. Grant Sherrod and Arquette drove in the first two runs with RBI singles and then Xander Orejudos hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0, Wenatchee. Fahsel singled with two outs and then Lydon reached on an error that scored Arquette and Fahsel. CJ Horn followed with a two-run opposite field home run to make it, 7-0 AppleSox.

Oyama and Davinni continued their incredible starts to the season by collecting hits in both games and have now collected at least one hit in the season’s first eight games. Oyama went 2-for-3 in Game 1 with three runs before going three-for-four in Game 2, including collecting two hits in the big first inning.

The AppleSox have already guaranteed themselves a winning record on this homestand and back-to-back series wins but are looking to take all three games against the Drifters when they face them again at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday’s game is the first Sunday afternoon home game of the summer. Fans who arrive early will receive AppleSox baseball cards as well as rally towels, sponsored by the IBEW-191. Kids can sign up before the game to high-five AppleSox players as they take the field and then can run the bases on the field after the game. Fans 21-and-older can stop by the AppleSox concession stand to purchase mimosas for the afternoon ballgame. Tickets are available at saferseating.com.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast for a recap of Saturday’s doubleheader sweep and for postgame interviews with Philley, Orejudos and head coach Mitch Darlington as well as pregame interviews with Ryan Mullan and Luc Stuka.

AppleSox' Series Opener vs Springfield Rained Out

Friday night’s 6:35 p.m. game against the Springfield Drifters has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The two teams will play a single-admission doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. Both games will be seven innings and fans with tickets to Friday or Saturday’s games will be welcome to attend.

The rainout is the first in Wenatchee since June 18, 2016, when the AppleSox’ non-league game against the San Francisco Seals was canceled and not made up.

The last time any AppleSox game was rained out was June 10-12 against the Portland Pickles. All three games never began and the two teams played a doubleheader on June 13 and the other game was made up in Wenatchee as the two teams played another doubleheader on July 19.

AppleSox Play First-Ever Game vs. Drifters Tonight

The Wenatchee AppleSox’ first home weekend series of the 2022 season begins tonight at 6:35 p.m. against the Springfield Drifters at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. This is the first time that the AppleSox will ever face the Drifters. Springfield was announced an expansion team last summer and is in its inaugural season.

The AppleSox took two-of-three games against the Port Angeles Lefties earlier this week to open up a seven-game homestand. Wenatchee won 16-2 in the home opener on Monday night before picking up a 5-0 shutout win on Tuesday. Brandham Ponce hit a grand slam in an eight-run second inning Monday while Quincy Vassar and Conner Ashworth combined to blank the Lefties with 16 strikeouts on Tuesday. Wenatchee did not hit a grand slam last summer until August and finished one strikeout away from matching their team single-game high.

The Drifters come to Wenatchee after picking up consecutive walkoff victories against the Bend Elks the last two nights. First it was a 4-3 triumph in 13 innings on Wednesday night for their first walkoff win in franchise history when Ryne Hays delivered a two-out game-winning single. Last night the Drifters again won with two outs, this time via a 10th-inning double by Nate Stevens in the bottom of the 10th.

Over the course of their three-game series with Bend from Tuesday through Thursday the Drifters used 14 different pitchers to take two-of-three from the Elks. The AppleSox used eight pitchers in their series victory over the Lefties and had Thursday off.

The AppleSox will send Ryan Mullan, an incoming freshman at Loyola Marymount University, to the mound to make his debut tonight. He graduated from Damien High School in California this past spring and his older brother, Bradley, is at Gonzaga and pitched for the Corvallis Knights last summer.

Springfield counters with Dylan O'Connor, who is making his second start of the summer. He allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits, three walks and three strikeouts over 4.1 innings and earned a no decision on June 3 against Cowlitz.

It’s Wenatchee and Eastmont Youth Baseball Weekend at the ballpark as all members of Wenatchee or Eastmont Youth Baseball receive free admission Friday through Sunday if they wear their jersey to the game. Tonight’s game is also Diamonds at the Diamond Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. One lucky fan will win a diamond necklace and another will win a watch thanks to Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers in East Wenatchee.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Youth Baseball Weekend Highlights AppleSox' First Home Weekend of 2022

The Wenatchee AppleSox play their first home weekend series of the season this Friday through Sunday as they host the Springfield Drifters at 6:35 p.m. the first two nights before wrapping up the series Sunday at 1:05 p.m. The seven-game homestand wraps up on Monday against the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35 p.m.

This will be Wenatchee’s first three games against Springfield in their inaugural season in the West Coast League. The Drifters are one of four other expansion teams to join the WCL in 2022. Monday will mark the fifth time in the last two seasons that the AppleSox will face the Northwest Star Academy.

It’s Wenatchee and Eastmont Youth Baseball Weekend at the ballpark as all members of Wenatchee or Eastmont Youth Baseball receive free admission Friday through Sunday if they wear their jersey to the game. The Chelan varsity baseball team will be honored prior to Monday’s game for placing fourth at state and for winning the Caribou Trial League for the third straight year. All players wearing their Chelan jersey will receive free admission.

Friday’s game is also Diamonds at the Diamond Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. One lucky fan will win a diamond necklace and another will win a watch thanks to Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers in East Wenatchee.

The series with Springfield wraps up on Sunday with the first AppleSox afternoon game of the summer. The AppleSox take on the Drifters at 1:05 p.m. and fans of all ages have plenty to look forward to. This Sunday’s game is sponsored by the IBEW-191 and they are sponsoring a rally towel giveaway. Kids can sign up before the game to go down on the field and high-five AppleSox players as they take the field and then head back down to the field after the game to run the bases. Arrive early and you will take home AppleSox baseball cards of three players from this summer’s roster. Fans can also stop by the third-base concession stand to purchase mimosas.

The AppleSox’ concession stand is serving brand-new concession items for every game. Fresh fruit and cake pops are two new items now available to purchase any game this summer as well as Sox Seltzer, a new adult beverage from Eastmont Seltzer Works.

Listen to the latest edition of the Wenatchee AppleSox Podcast below to hear Joel Norman’s interviews with former Wenatchee Valley College athletic director Sandy Cooprider and AppleSox outfielder Corey Jarrell from in the middle of last night’s game.

Lefties Top AppleSox in Series Finale

Joichiro Oyama and Michael Davinni both extended their hitting streaks to six games but the Wenatchee AppleSox dropped Wednesday night’s game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium to the Port Angeles Lefties, 7-1.

Oyama singled in the first and doubled in the seventh to record his team-best fifth multi-hit game of the summer. Davinni delivered a two-out single up the middle off the pitcher for his 10th hit of the year and he leads the AppleSox with a .417 batting average through the first six games.

After holding the Lefties for 18 innings spanning three games, the AppleSox finally allowed Port Angeles to score again on Wednesday night. A two-out opposite field home run in the bottom of the second by Evan Jilbert gave Port Angeles a 2-0 lead and they never looked back from there. The Lefties scored another run in the third, two more in the fifth and another two in the seventh.

The AppleSox scored their only run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Xander Orejudos and Jett Nelson drew back-to-back walks and a wild pitch during Nelson’s at-bat put Orejudos at third base. He scored a batter later when Nick Giesinger reached on a fielder’s choice.

Wenatchee has Thursday off after opening the season with six games in six straight days. They continue their seven-game homestand this weekend beginning on Friday night when they face the Springfield Drifters for the first-of-three games. It’s Diamonds at the Diamond Night and two lucky fans will walk away with a diamond necklace and a watch thanks to Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers. Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. game is Rally Towel Giveaway Day sponsored by IBEW-191. All three games are part of Wenatchee Youth Baseball Weekend and all members of Wenatchee and Eastmont Youth Baseball receive free admission to all three games if they wear their jersey to the game.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox podcast for a recap of tonight’s game as well as Joel Norman’s pregame interview with AppleSox pitcher Will Jacobson.

AppleSox Aim To Continue Perfect Homestand

The Wenatchee AppleSox are 2-0 to begin their seven-game homestand and look for their third straight win against the Port Angeles Lefties tonight at 6:35 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee blew out Port Angeles, 16-2, on Monday night in the 2022 home opener and then blanked the Lefties 5-0 on Tuesday night. AppleSox pitchers have been dominant over the last two days. They have not allowed a run over the last 17 innings and have struck out 26 hitters in the last two games.

The AppleSox’ bats collected a season-low seven hits last night but have still out-hit their opponent in all five games this summer. Joichiro Oyama, Michael Davinni and CJ Horn all collected hits last night and now have at least one hit in every game this season.

The AppleSox will send Reese Ligtenberg to the mound to make his team debut tonight. Ligtenberg arrived yesterday just before batting practice and will suit up for the Sox before his redshirt sophomore year at North Dakota State. He appeared in two games in relief this spring and tossed four innings for the Bison.

Port Angeles counters with Hunter Kirkpatrick, an incoming sophomore at San Diego Community College. He is making his second start of the summer after debuting a week ago today. He allowed one unearned run over 4.2 innings on four hits and walked one while striking out three. Kirkpatrick earned a no-decision in an eventual 4-2 Lefties win over the Victoria HarbourCats.

Prior to this evening’s game former Wenatchee Valley College athletic director Sandy Cooprider will be honored as the athletic complex on the college campus will bear his name. Cooprider was pivotal in securing the funds and materials needed to construct Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as well as the women’s fast-pitch field, North Rotary Field, and the men’s and women’s soccer field, Mike Hollis Field. The Knights played their first game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in 1995 and the AppleSox have played all 22 of their seasons there. Cooprider will also throw out the first pitch prior to tonight’s game.

Wednesday is the first WINatchee Wednesday of the season. All fans coming to the game are eligible to win prizes from local businesses just by showing up. The AppleSox will announce winners in the third through sixth innings. Tickets can be purchased at saferseating.com.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Brewster Grads Lead AppleSox Past Lefties

Brewster natives Quincy Vassar and Conner Ashworth combined to strike out 16 Port Angeles Lefties to earn a 5-0 shutout victory on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Vassar punched out eight Lefties in six innings before Ashworth (1-0) took over in the seventh and retired all nine hitters that he faced, including striking out each of the final eight hitters. They kept the crowd of 965 fans entertained all night long and helped the AppleSox pick up their first series victory of the season.

Wenatchee entered Tuesday night having scored 41 runs through its first four games while allowing 39 in that span but it was their pitching staff’s time to shine. Tuesday’s win marked the second straight night that the AppleSox only needed to use two pitchers to earn a victory.

The AppleSox bats were kept at bay while Vassar and Ashworth stymied the Lefties until the bottom of the seventh inning. After Ashworth’s first inning of work kept the game scoreless Wenatchee sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs to take the lead for good. Joichiro Oyama drew a bases loaded walk to score the game-winning run and Michael Davinni provided insurance with a two-run double. A wild pitch allowed Oyama to score and then Davinni scored as Brandham Ponce reached on an error.

The five-run seventh inning marked the sixth time in the season’s first five games that the AppleSox scored four-or-more runs in the same inning. Nick Giesinger, signed to a 10-day contract on Monday several weeks after completing his sophomore year at Wenatchee Valley College, doubled and drew two walks to reach in all three plate appearances in his second game with the AppleSox.

The AppleSox go for the sweep of the Lefties on Wednesday when they face them again at 6:35 p.m. It’s the first WINatchee Wednesday of the summer and all fans are eligible to win prizes from local businesses during the third-through-sixth innings just by attending the game. Tickets can be purchased now at saferseating.com

Listen to the latest edition of the Wenatchee AppleSox podcast to hear postgame interviews with Vassar, Ashwworth and head coach Mitch Darlington.

AppleSox Look To Keep Bats Rolling Tonight vs. Port Angeles

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to take the series with a victory tonight against the Port Angeles Lefties at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox have scored seven-or-more runs in three-of-their-first-four games games and picked up their first win of the 2022 season last night thanks to an eight-run second inning. Wenatchee’s 16-2 victory came in the home opener and also marked the fourth consecutive game that they collected four-or-more hits.

All eight runs in the second innings came with two outs as Brandham Ponce hit a grand slam to deliver the big blow. He finished a triple short of the cycle and collected 5 RBI in the home opener. Aiva Arquette went 4-for-5 with 3 RBI in his first game with the AppleSox and turned a slick double play to end the top of the seventh inning. Joichiro Oyama reached base four times to record his fourth consecutive multi-hit game to open the season.

Wenatchee’s bullpen is fresh today after only having to use one pitcher after starter Kota Sato tossed five solid innings. Ryan Arredondo followed up with a scoreless four-inning save to save the ‘pen.

Quincy Vassar gets the start on the mound in his second appearance of the season. The Brewster native came on in relief in the seventh inning and tossed a scoreless 1.2 before the game was suspended due to darkness after a light pole went out. Vassar remained on the bump when the game resumed the next day and completed the eighth inning to toss scoreless frames. However, he would allow two singles to lead off the ninth before being pulled and both inherited runners scored as Bend rallied to score four runs to pick up a walkoff victory. Vassar struck out five, including two on dropped third strikes.

Port Angeles will send John Pfeffer to the hill for his second appearance on the bump this season. The right-hander from San Bernardino Valley College started the Lefties’ season opener on the road against Victoria on June 1 and allowed two runs on two hits, four walks and four strikeouts in four innings in an eventual 9-6 Port Angeles win.

Tonight’s game is being sponsored by Wenatchee College and they are hosting a canned food drive before the game. It’s also a $2 Off Tuesday as AppleSox fans can save $2 on tickets, hot dogs, burgers and Coors draft beers. AppleSox merchandise is also 20-percent off. Purchase tickets now at saferseating.com or at the gate.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Huge Second Inning Gives Darlington His First Win

Brandham Ponce hit a grand slam in an eight-run second inning and the AppleSox defeated the Port Angeles Lefties, 16-2, in front of 1,010 fans on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The win marked the first for Mitch Darlington as head coach of the AppleSox. The AppleSox helped give Darlington the big victory by topping their previous season-high for runs scored of 14 set on Opening Night on Friday.

Ponce’s two-out blast cleared the bases and marked his first home run of the season to give Wenatchee a 5-2 lead at the time. Five consecutive hitters would draw walks afterwards and four of them scored thanks to four wild pitches and a passed ball to give Wenatchee a commanding 8-2 lead after two innings.

Ponce wasn’t finished offensively and he wasn’t alone with a big night. He doubled in a run in the seventh and added a single in the eighth to finish a triple short of the cycle. Aiva Arquette led all AppleSox hitters with four hits and drove in three runs in his AppleSox debut. Joichiro Oyama recorded his fourth consecutive multi-hit game to open the season and led the AppleSox with three runs scored.

Kota Sato (1-0) bounced back from giving up two runs in the first inning to fire four scoreless innings afterwards. He retired each of the final nine hitters that he faced in order and struck out six hitters over five innings. Ryan Arredondo followed up with four scoreless innings to bookend the night and earned his first save of the summer.

Wenatchee scored in all but two innings and outhit their opponent for the fourth consecutive game. Every AppleSox starter reached base at least once and five of them scored multiple runs.

The AppleSox look to get the series win on Tuesday night when they face the Lefties again at 6:35 p.m. It’s a $2 Off Tuesday meaning that all tickets are $2 off as are hot dogs, burgers and Coors draft beer. It’s also Wenatchee Valley College Night and the gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox podcast below to hear interviews with Ponce, Arquette, Darlington and Oyama.

AppleSox Face Port Angeles in First Home Game of 2022

The Wenatchee AppleSox return home after beginning the 2022 season on the road and face the Port Angeles Lefties tonight in their first home game of the year.

Wenatchee is hoping that a return home will lead to a return to the win column. The AppleSox were swept in the season’s first series despite scoring first in all three games against the Bend Elks. Wenatchee was walked off in the first and last games and fell by eight runs in the second game.

The AppleSox took five-of-six games against Port Angeles last year, including sweeping the Lefties at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium Aug. 3-5 thanks in part to a pair of come-from-behind victories. The AppleSox are 20-4 against the Lefties since Port Angeles joined the league in 2017.

Wenatchee may be winless through its first three games but it is by no fault of their offense. The AppleSox have recorded at least 10 hits in all three games and have scored a combined 25 runs for an average of almost eight-and-a-half runs per game. Joichiro Oyama and Michael Davinni have both recorded multi-hit efforts in each of the first three games. Davinni drove in himself and Oyama with a game-tying two-out home run in the top of the ninth inning on Sunday to force extra innings.

The AppleSox pitching staff bounced back from allowing 32 runs over the first two games to keep Bend off the scoreboard on Sunday until the seventh inning. Walks proved to a bigger issue for the Sox pitchers as they issued 13 free passes while allowing eight hits.

Port Angeles is coming off a doubleheader split against the Kamloops NorthPaws on Saturday. They were trailing Kamloops 5-2 in the third on Sunday when the game was suspended due to inclement weather. The Lefties are 3-2 thanks to winning two-of-three games to open the season against the Victoria HarbourCats.

The AppleSox will send Kota Sato to the mound in his first appearance in an AppleSox uniform. The right-hander from Edmonds recorded a 2.72 ERA and struck out 67 in 13 games (12 starts) as a redshirt freshman this spring.

Port Angeles has not announced a probable pitcher yet.

Opening Night is being sponsored by AG Supply and Ace Hardware. All fans entering tonight’s game will receive an AppleSox magnet schedule courtesy of Clean Connection. Everyone in attendance is also eligible to win a Traeger Grill given away by AG Supply and Ace Hardware.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Davinni's Late-Game Heroics Not Enough For Wenatchee

BOX SCORE

Michael Davinni hit a clutch, ninth-inning game-tying home run and then later gave the AppleSox the lead but Wenatchee fell to the Bend Elks, 5-4, in 11 innings Sunday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

With the Sox down to their final out and trailing by two with a runner at second base Davinni hammered a 2-2 pitch over the left-center field fence to tie the game up, 3-3. It was enough to send the game to extra innings after Bend failed to score in the bottom of the ninth. After a scoreless 10th Davinni again played the role of hero by hitting a sacrifice fly to score Corey Jarrell and make it 4-3, AppleSox.

Davinni finished the game with two hits and 3 RBI but Bend rallied to score twice in the bottom of the 11th to pick up their second walkoff win in three games against the AppleSox and pick up the series sweep. 

The AppleSox scored first for the third straight game and outhit the Elks for the second time in as many days but left Bend still searching for their first win of the season. Wenatchee calmed down offensively but still finished with 10 hits to mark their third straight game collecting double-digit hits. 

The AppleSox scored the game’s first run in the sixth when Xander Orejudos drew a bases-loaded walk. That came two innings after Jake Moffitt fired four scoreless innings in his first appearance of the summer. Moffitt walked six but only allowed three hits and struck out five.

Will Jacobson tossed two scoreless innings before Bend broke through in the seventh. With two outs and runners at second and third Jacobson struck out Cooper Whitton but a passed ball and a throwing error allowed both runners to score. Whitton would come around to score three batters later on a wild pitch to put Bend ahead, 3-1.

Joichiro Oyama helped make Davinni’s heroic slam possible by reaching on a two-out infield single to extend the ninth inning. Like Davinni, Oyama recorded a multi-hit effort in each of the AppleSox’ first three games of the season.

Anthony Sendejas made his season debut in the seventh and tossed 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out one and did not allow any hits.

Wenatchee returns home on Monday to face the Port Angeles Lefties at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in the first home game of the 2022 season. Opening Night is sponsored by AG Supply and Ace Hardware. They are giving a Traeger grill to one lucky fan who attends the home opener. Monday’s game is also the first of a seven-game homestand for the AppleSox. Tickets can be purchased now at saferseating.com.

Listen to the latest episode of the AppleSox podcast below for a recap of the game, radio highlights, the postgame interview with associate head coach Aaron Vaughn and the pregame interview with Davinni.

AppleSox Look To Salvage Series vs Elks

The Wenatchee AppleSox conclude their first series of the 2022 season tonight at 5:05 p.m. against the Bend Elks at Vince Genna Stadium. Wenatchee is looking for its first win of the season after dropping the first two games of the season series against the Elks. The AppleSox dropped Friday's game, 15-14, though they led 13-11 when it was suspended with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. The game was resumed on Saturday afternoon and the AppleSox scored once in the ninth but surrendered four runs in the bottom half to get walked off. The Elks used a six-run bottom of the second and struck in six-of-their-eight innings at the plate to take the series from the AppleSox.

Wenatchee's offense has not been an issue early on this season. The AppleSox have scored 23 runs through the first two games, a total that is fourth out of 16 teams in the WCL. Two-of-the-three higher teams have played five games already. Michael Davinni leads Wenatchee with a .555 batting average through his first two games. He collected two hits and drew two walks on Friday before adding a 3-for-6 day on Saturday.

Despite the AppleSox' impressive offensive numbers the Elks now carry an seven-game win streak against the AppleSox into Sunday's game. Wenatchee dropped the final six meetings against the Elks in 2021 in addition to starting 2022 0-2. This is the longest losing streak for the AppleSox against the Elks in the 22-year matchup history.

The AppleSox will send Jack Moffit, a redshirt sophomore at Gonzaga, to the mound for the series finale. Moffitt did not pitch this past spring for the Zags. He has been with Gonzaga for three years but his only appearance was a third of an inning last year. He pitched for the Wheat City Whisky Jacks in the Expedition League last summer and recorded a 4.75 ERA in 13 games, 11 starts. Moffitt. recorded a 2.08 ERA in 39 innings over his final eight games in 2021 and struck out 34 of his 48 hitters in that time.

Bend has not announced a probable pitcher.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations…

• 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

Coverage of tonight’s game begins at 4:40 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.

Live stats can be found on pointstreak.

Bats Stay Hot But Sox Fall to Elks

The Wenatchee AppleSox scored first for the second straight day but fell to the Bend Elks, 17-9, on Saturday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

Xander Orejudos drove in three runs and collected three hits to lead the AppleSox offense. Michael Davinni picked up three singles and scored twice and Carson Lydon reached base safely four times.

Orejudos jump-started the AppleSox with an RBI single in the second and Wenatchee took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second but Bend scored six times on just three hits thanks to a couple of hit by pitches. The Elks never trailed from that point on and also tacked on big innings with a four-run fifth and a three-run eighth.

The AppleSox got the game back within one run with four runs in the top of the third right after the six-run Elks’ second, but they also stranded the bases loaded in the fifth and sixth innings. The first occasion particularly hurt because Wenatchee filled the bases up with just one out but did not drive anyone in.

The series wraps up on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. and redshirt sophomore Jack Moffitt from Gonzaga gets the start as the AppleSox look to salvage the series.

Listen to today’s AppleSox podcast for a recap of today’s game and AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s pregame interview with Lydon.