AppleSox Score In Each Of First Five Innings To Defeat HarbourCats

The Wenatchee AppleSox drew a season-high 15 walks to defeat the Victoria HarbourCats, 13-6, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee (6-2) loaded up the bases in each of the first four innings and scored 10 times. The AppleSox scored at least two runs in each of the first five innings, including tallying four runs in the second inning. The first six hitters in the AppleSox order came to bat in each of the first four innings.

Brandham Ponce led the way by driving in four runs and going 3-for-4. He is batting .833 (5-for-6) with three walks, three runs and two sacrifice flies in his last two games after collecting one hit in his first three games of the summer. Ponce hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning with the bases loaded and then walked with the bases full in the second inning. He batted with AppleSox runners at each base again in the fourth inning and delivered a two-out two-run double.

Reeve Boyd reached four times and scored three times. Frankie Carney also scored three runs, marking the second consecutive day that he achieved the feat. Marty Kaplan made his summer debut by reaching base with three walks and an RBI single in the second in his first four plate appearances. Aiden Van Rensum delivered a two-out RBI single in the third with the bases loaded to give him 5 RBI with two outs this summer.

Ryan Martinez (1-0) started and tossed six innings to mark the seventh consecutive game that an AppleSox starting pitcher tossed at least five innings. He gave up five runs (four earned) on four hits, walked two and struck out two. Michael Cunneely earned the save by striking out four over the final three innings. The only blemish against him was a solo home run to lead off the eighth inning.

The AppleSox look for their second sweep of the season when they host the HarbourCats again at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. Cam Hoiland makes his second start of the year after only allowing one run and striking out three in six strong innings last Sunday.

Sunday is the first Family Fun Day of the season. Arrive early and you’ll receive baseball cards of Ponce, Evan Canfield and Jack DeDonato. Stick around after the game for a live music performance by the Wenatchee High School Mariachi Band and kids can run the bases. The postgame performance will last for 35-40 minutes after the conclusion of the game and concessions will remain open. Purchase tickets now at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast below to hear a recap of the game, highlights and a pregame interview with Carney. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast today on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

AppleSox Take On HarbourCats In Fireworks Night Matchup

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox face the Victoria HarbourCats in their first Fireworks Night of the 2023 season tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Following tonight’s game there will be a postgame fireworks show, the first-of-two this summer. Tonight’s Fireworks Night is presented by the Sleep Inn and Comfort Suites.

Wenatchee is coming off its second walkoff victory in the last two days with a 9-8 victory in 10 innings last night. The teams traded crooked innings in the final three innings to force extras before the AppleSox walked it off. With two walkoff victories this season the AppleSox have matched their combined total from the previous two seasons.

The AppleSox busted out offensively after three quiet days at the plate. Wenatchee entered last night's game with the lowest batting average in the West Coast League and only 19 hits in their three games against Springfield but collected a season-high 15 hits last night. Their nine runs scored were also the most that Victoria has allowed to an opponent this summer. The AppleSox cashed in multiple times with two outs, scoring five times after the second out was recorded in the seventh and eighth innings.

The HarbourCats suffered their first loss of the season, running into trouble over the final four innings. Victoria held the AppleSox to one run on seven hits in the first six innings but then surrendered eight runs on eight hits from the seventh inning on. The HarbourCats stole three more bases on five attempts last night to move to a WCL-leading 30 bags swiped in their first seven games. Nick Dumensil continued his impressive start to the season with a 3-for-4 game with one walk. He hit a three-run home run in Victoria's four-run top of the seventh for his first blast of the summer and stole his WCL-leading eighth bag.

While Dumensil has led the way early on for the HarbourCats it has been Easton Amundson consistently delivering for the AppleSox. His third hit of last night was a walkoff single in the bottom of the 10th to score Reeve Boyd after his leadoff double. Amundson is hitting .400 through his first six games, including .461 (6-for-13) on this homestand. He did not play Monday but has driven in a run in each of the last three games on it and recorded his third multi-hit game and second three-hit game last night. His two home runs lead the AppleSox and 5-of-his-7 RBI have come in the last four games.

Ryan Martinez makes his second start of the summer tonight for the AppleSox as they look to take the series. Martinez gave up three runs (two earned) in five innings last Saturday against Bend. All three runs came in the first inning and he buckled down to toss four scoreless the rest of the way and strike out three hitters. He had an 8.46 ERA over 27.2 innings in 19 games (3 starts) as a freshman at Pacific before joining the AppleSox.

The HarbourCats oppose Martinez with Benny Roebuck. He gave up two runs on eight in in four innings against Walla Walla on Monday. The right-hander struck out three three and did not issue any walks. Roebuck recorded a 4.62 ERA in 17 games (four starts) this spring at Kent State. He struck out 39, allowed 40 hits and walked 25 in 39 innings.

It’s Youth Baseball Weekend and all kids and coaches who wear their youth baseball jerseys can save $2 off general admission tickets and get in for just $5. Youth Baseball Weekend ticket discounts can only be accepted at the gate and not online. Tickets can still be purchased at regular pricing of as low as $7 at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

All West Coast League games can also be watched on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv.

Amundson’s Third Hit Walks Off HarbourCats

Easton Amundson singled in Reeve Boyd in the bottom of the 10th inning and the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Victoria HarbourCats, 9-8, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Boyd led off with a double and went to third on a wild pitch before Amundson roped the 3-1 offering into right field to hand Victoria (6-1) its first loss of the season. Wenatchee earned its second walkoff victory in the last three days and improved to 2-2 on the homestand.

Amundson went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI to lead the offense. Frankie Carney batted leadoff for the first time and picked up three hits while scoring each time. Brandham Ponce reached base in each of his first four plate appearances before recording a sacrifice fly in the eighth. Aiden Van Rensum went 2-for-4 and reached based in each of his final three plate appearances.

Garrett Gores earned a no-decision but only allowed one unearned run in five innings. It marked the sixth consecutive game that an AppleSox starter tossed at least five innings. Luke Meyers (2-0) became the first AppleSox pitcher to earn multiple victories with three innings of relief.

Fifteen of the games’ 17 runs scored over the final four innings. Amundson drove in the first run of the game three batters into the bottom of the first. Carney collected his first of three hits with a push bunt single to the right side that was mishandled and rolled out of play to allow Carney to advance to second before Amundson singled him in.

The HarbourCats cashed in on a double-steal attempt thanks to an error in the third to tie the game and then scored four runs, all with two outs, in the top of the seventh to take their first lead of the game and break a 1-1 tie. The AppleSox quickly responded with four runs of their own in the bottom half. Carney led off with a hustle double to center field on a shallow base hit where he never stopped running upon contact until sliding into second. Boyd grounded a ball to the right side that could not be handled and trickled into right-center field to score Carney. Ponce doubled two batters later and Van Rensum walked to load up the bases. Bunn hit a sacrifice fly and then Cam Hoiland roped a two-run double to right field for a two-out rally of the AppleSox’ own.

Meyers entered and recorded a 1-2-3 top of the eighth before a three-run Wenatchee outburst. Cole McGowan and Carney singled to open up the inning. A sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk loaded up the bases but a wild pitch scored McGowan to give the AppleSox their first lead since the second inning. Ponce’s fly out to left plated Carney and then Van Rensum delivered a two-out RBI single to score Amundson.

Victoria would not go quietly, scoring three times in the top of the ninth. Four-of-the-first-five batters reached base and scored on a wild pitch, a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. Meyers kept the go-ahead run from scoring from third base with a strikeout to end the inning. He returned to the mound in the 10th and retired the side in order, punching out the first and last batters.

The AppleSox will hold their first Fireworks Night on Saturday night as they face the Victoria HarbourCats at 7:05. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Host Victoria For First Time Since 2019

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox welcome the Victoria HarbourCats to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium at 6:35 p.m. for the first time since the 2019 West Coast League Playoffs.

With the 2020 season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian teams not participating in the 2021 season and the only three games between the two teams last season taking place in British Columbia, this is the first time in four years that the HarbourCats have visited the Apple Capital of the World. Wenatchee defeated Victoria, 5-1, on Aug. 13 in Game 1 of the North Division Series. Current AppleSox pitching coach Mike Callia tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief for the HarbourCats that night.

The AppleSox are looking to get back on track after dropping two-of-three games to the Springfield Drifters in their first home series of the season. Wenatchee is 4-2 now after opening up the season with a three-game sweep on the road at Bend.

The AppleSox walked off the Drifters on Wednesday night but were doomed by three errors last night. Easton Amundson left a mark on fans by homering twice, including a 425-foot blast over the right-field fence in the bottom of the first inning on Thursday. The AppleSox have homered in four consecutive games, matching their longest stretch from last season (June 28-July 1), and also lead the West Coast League with four home runs.

Victoria comes to town as the only undefeated team remaining in the West Coast League. The HarbourCats swept the Kamloops NorthPaws before taking all three games against the Walla Walla Sweets in a six-games-in-six-days stretch. Four-of-their-six wins have been by margins of four runs or more, including all three wins against the Sweets.

Perhaps the most impressive stat from the HarbourCats' hot start are their 27 steals, which are 12 more than the next-closest team (Springfield). Victoria just broke the WCL single-season stolen base record last season with a 149 bags swiped and have led the WCL in stolen bases in each of head coach Todd Haney's first two seasons at the helm.

The AppleSox send Garrett Gores to the bump for his second start of the summer. He gave up three runs in the bottom of the first on Opening Night last Friday but quieted the Bend Elks in the ensuing three innings. He has batted as the AppleSox designated hitter in each of the last five games and is hitting .316 with a home run and 4 RBI. Gores was named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American earlier this week after winning NWAC MVP at Spokane Falls. He finished sixth in NWAC in batting average, fourth in ERA and second in strikeouts.

The HarbourCats will toss Cam Caley in his second start of the summer. The incoming sophomore at Baylor debuted last Saturday, tossing four innings and allowing two runs (one earned) in four innings. He struck out seven, walked three and allowed one hit against Kamloops. Caley was 0-6 with a 8.63 ERA in 15 games (nine starts) this spring. He struck out 42 hitters and allowed 28 walks along with 47 hits.

It’s Youth Baseball Weekend and all kids and coaches who wear their youth baseball jerseys can save $2 off general admission tickets and get in for just $5. Youth Baseball Weekend ticket discounts can only be accepted at the gate and not online. Tickets can still be purchased at regular pricing of as low as $7 at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

All West Coast League games can also be watched on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv.

Springfield Takes The Series Against Wenatchee

The Springfield Drifters used a four-run second inning to win the rubber match of a three-game series against the Wenatchee AppleSox, 5-2, on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Easton Amundson launched 425-foot home run in the bottom of the first inning but Wenatchee (4-2) was done in by three errors. The AppleSox only collected four more hits after Amundson’s second home run of the summer. The AppleSox have now homered in four consecutive games

Toby Haarer (1-1) allowed four runs in six innings but only one run was earned. He struck out eight, a season-high by an AppleSox starter, and faced the minimum from the third through the sixth innings. Haarer retired the final eight hitters that he faced in order.

Wenatchee’s other run came in the fourth inning when Austin Bunn led off with a double and scored on an infield single and a throwing error. Ty Kennedy reached and moved into scoring position but was injured on the play and had to leave the game shortly after.

The AppleSox shift their focus to the Victoria HarbourCats, who come to town on Friday for the first of a three-game series at 6:35 p.m. The HarbourCats led the North Division with a 6-0 record and are the lone undefeated team remaining in the West Coast League. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast below for a recap of the game as well as the pregame interview with Amundson. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast today on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

AppleSox Face Drifters In First Thirsty Thursday Of 2023

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox go for their second consecutive series win to open the 2023 season tonight as they host the Springfield Drifters at 6:35 Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee earned its first walkoff victory of the season last night with a 4-3 triumph in 10 innings. The AppleSox erased a 3-0 deficit after three-and-a-half innings by scoring four unanswered runs, three of which came in the final four innings.

AppleSox pitching combined to strike out a season-high 16 hitters last night as Jacob Dahlstrom struck out seven in five solid innings before Evan Canfield punched out nine in five innings. Canfield joins Luke Meyers from last Friday night as the second AppleSox reliever to toss five innings after the team did so eight times last summer but never this early in the season. Canfield has now tossed five innings in relief twice in his AppleSox tenure after also having done so on July 5, 2022 at Kelowna.

The AppleSox are battling in their first rubber match of the 2023 season. Wenatchee went into the final game of a three-game set with both teams claiming a victory in the first two games eight times last summer. The AppleSox won three rubber matches with all three series-clinching victories coming in three consecutive series June 21-23 at Victoria, June 24-26 at Edmonton and June 28-30 vs. Kelowna. Wenatchee dropped each of its next five rubber matches.

The AppleSox send Toby Haarer to the mound for his first start of the summer tonight. Haarer made his debut on Saturday night at Bend and tossed three scoreless innings to earn the victory. He entered with Wenatchee up by a run after scoring with two outs in the top of the seventh and shut the door on the Elks, striking out two while only allowing one walk and one hit. Haarer only pitched in four games this past spring at Kansas, accruing five strikeouts, seven walks and one hit over 3.1 innings. He will transfer to Central Arizona this fall.

Springfield will counter with Rylan Haider. The right-hander made his summer debut on Saturday as well as he got the start and allowed two unearned runs on two hits, one walk and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Haider redshirted at Washington State this spring after being rated the No. 11 overall prospect in Washington by Perfect Game after graduating from Olympia High School in 2022. Haider went 1-1 with a 3.85 ERA in five relief appearances last summer while pitching for the Corvallis Knights.

This evening is the first Thirsty Thursday of the 2023 season. Fans can purchase general admission for just $3 here and can save a few dollars off select adult beverages all night long.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

All West Coast League games can also be watched on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv.

AppleSox Walk Off Drifters

The Wenatchee AppleSox scored on an error in the bottom of the 10th inning and defeated the Springfield Drifters, 4-3, on Wednesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning and one out Austin Ohland grounded a ball to the right side of the infield that was bobbled and allowed every to be safe, including Easton Amundson coming home from third with the winning run. Ohland, who went 2-for-5 in his second game with the AppleSox, came to the plate facing a new pitcher after Amundson drew a walk and Austin Bunn and Brandham Ponce were both hit by pitches with one out.

The AppleSox matched their 2022 walkoff output in only their second home game of the 2023 season. They did so by rallying back from a 3-0 deficit after three-and-a-half innings to score the final four runs of the game.

The comeback was made possible thanks to the brilliant work of Evan Canfield, who struck out nine hitters and only allowed one hit and one walk in five shutout innings. Canfield, who tossed three-or-more innings in relief four times in six appearances out of the bullpen last summer, punched out four in a row from the last out of the sixth through the final out of the seventh.

Jacob Dahlstrom had a strong first start of the summer for Wenatchee as he struck out seven and allowed three runs (one earned) in five innings. He recorded a pickoff in the third and ending three different innings with strikeouts.

Amundson plated the first run of the game for the AppleSox in the bottom of the fourth when he led off with his first home run of the season on a long drive to right-center field that hit off the top of the wall and went over it for the AppleSox’ third home run in as many games. Wenatchee is a game away from matching last season’s high of hitting home runs in four straight games June 28-July 1.

Fred Buckson delivered a two-out RBI single in the seventh to cut the deficit to one and Reeve Boyd led off the eighth with a double before scoring three batters later on a couple of errors.

The two Wenatchee errors directly led to Springfield runs. An errant pickoff attempt in the second put a man in scoring position before a walk and a two-out two-run double in the second inning. A leadoff double and a two-out error in the fourth plated the Drifters’ final run of the night.

The AppleSox wrap up the series against the Drifters on Friday night at 6:35 p.m. in their first rubber match of the season. It’s the AppleSox’ first Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark. General admission tickets are just $3 and there will be discounts on select adult beverages all game. Purchase tickets now at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Look To Even Up First Home Series Against Drifters

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to even up their home-opening series against the Springfield Drifters as they face them tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Springfield spoiled Wenatchee's home opener last night with a 5-4 win victory. The two teams committed four errors a piece but it was the Drifters' four-run inning that proved to be the difference.

After recording several crooked innings offensively the AppleSox gave up their first four-run-or-more inning last night. Wenatchee had previously allowed three runs to score in the bottom of the first inning in each of the first two games of the season on the road at Bend. The AppleSox rallied to eventually win both of those games but only scored two more runs last night after the Drifters' outburst. Wenatchee has scored four-or-more runs in an inning twice this season with five runs in the top of the third in the season opener against Bend on Opening Day and then with an eight-run top of the seventh inning on Sunday night to secure the series sweep.

Tonight is the second game of a six-game homestand for Wenatchee. he AppleSox opened up the home slate 0-1 but look to rectify that number tonight. Wenatchee went 15-12 at home in league play a season ago and is 301-210 all-time at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in league games. The AppleSox' best single-season performance at home was in 2013, when they finished 20-6 when playing in the Apple Capital. That season marked the second consecutive year that the AppleSox won 20 games at home after posting a 20-7 mark the year before.

Wenatchee will start Jacob Dahlstrom for his first appearance this summer. The right-hander from Vanguard recorded a 4.35 ERA this spring as a junior and now rejoins his Lions' teammates Fred Buckson and Quincy Vassar on the AppleSox. Dahlstrom struck out 68 hitters and issued 25 walks over 63 innings in 13 games (11 starts). He previously pitched in 12 games for the Walla Walla Sweets for the Walla Walla Sweets in 2021. Dahlstrom had a 7.26 ERA with 33 strikeouts to 19 walks over 26 innings and started five of the 12 games that he pitched in.

Springfield has not announced a probable pitcher for tonight's game.

Tonight is the first WINatchee Wednesday of the season! Just by purchasing a ticket to tonight’s game you are eligible to win prizes to local businesses. Keep your ears open in the middle innings and you may hear that you are a winner. Check out all of the 2023 AppleSox Promotional Nights here.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

All West Coast League games can also be watched on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv.

AppleSox Drop Home Opener To Drifters

Aidan Van Rensum homered and Garrett Gores reached base four times but the Wenatchee AppleSox dropped the first game of the three-game set to the Springfield Drifters, 5-4, on Tuesday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season in its first home game of the 2023 season. It scored first in the bottom of the first inning but could not overcome giving up four runs in the third inning. Springfield (4-0) sent all nine men to the plate in the fourth and cashed in on three errors in the frame.

Michael Cunneely shined on the mound, tossing three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out each of the final four hitters that he faced in his summer debut.

Ty Kennedy picked up a hit for a fourth consecutive game with an infield knock that drew a throwing error and put him at second base immediately to open up the bottom of the first inning. A passed ball and a wild pitch brought him home to put the AppleSox up, 1-0.

A pair of two-out walks followed by a Drifters error gave the AppleSox a run in the fourth but Springfield got the run back in the sixth on a two-out single before Van Rensum led off the seventh with his first home run of the season. Wenatchee scored its final run in the ninth on a fielder’s choice but stranded the tying run at second base.

The AppleSox to even up their home-opening series on Wednesday when they face the Drifters again at 6:35 p.m. It’s a WINatchee Wednesday as all fans are able to win prizes from local businesses just by attending the game. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Host Springfield In 2023 Home Opener

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox play their first home game of the 2023 season tonight at 6:35 against the Springfield Drifters at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox and the Drifters both come into tonight's game undefeated after sweeping the Bend Elks and the Port Angeles Lefties, respectively, this past weekend. Wenatchee eeked out a two-run win on Friday and a one-run win on Saturday before blowing out the Elks, 12-1, thanks in part to an eight-run seventh inning on Sunday. Springfield walked off Port Angeles on Friday night before picking up comfortable 18-2 and 8-2 wins.

The AppleSox are off to a 3-0 start for the fifth time in franchise history and for the first time since 2009. Wenatchee also won its first three games in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The franchise record for consecutive wins to open the season is five games, accomplished in 2001 and 2005. Wenatchee won a League Championship three times in the previous four instances that it began a season 3-0 (2003, 2005 and 2009).

AppleSox fans will get their first chance to see plenty of new players in action while also welcoming back some familiar faces tonight. Infielder Ty Kennedy is tied for the WCL lead in RBI with five thanks to three runs driven in via a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning on Sunday. Garrett Gores shined as a pitcher last summer on the AppleSox but has batted in the middle of the order in each of the the last two games and picked up four hits in nine at-bats, including a solo home run in the fifth inning on Sunday.

Wenatchee will send Brewster native Quincy Vassar to the mound for the home-opener start. Vassar was the last AppleSox pitcher to start a game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium after firing seven strong innings to earn the win against the Kamloops NorthPaws in the North Division Series last Aug. 10. He recorded a 4.73 ERA with 45 strikeouts to 12 walks over 38 innings in nine regular-season games (seven starts) last season with the AppleSox. The incoming senior at Vanguard posted a 4.50 ERA along with 41 strikeouts to 21 walks over 38 innings in 17 games (three starts) as a junior at Vanguard.

Springfield counters with Steyr Brinkley from Lane Community College for his first appearance of the summer. He recorded a 5.76 ERA with 47 strikeouts to 28 walks over 29.2 innings in 13 games (five starts) as a sophomore.

Tonight is the first $2 Off Tuesday of the season. Fans can purchase general admission tickets for as affordable as $5 and can save $2 off select food and drinks. Fans can also donate a canned food item at the gate and receive free admission thanks to the home opener sponsor, Townsquare Media.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

AppleSox Sweep Bend To Cap Road Trip

The Wenatchee AppleSox scored eight runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Bend Elks, 12-1, on Sunday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

Cam Hoiland struck out six and only allowed two hits over six innings on the mound in the longest start by an AppleSox pitcher through three games. After allowing a run in the first inning Hoiland (1-0) retired 13 consecutive hitters and faced the minimum from the second through fifth innings.

Garrett Gores homered in the fifth drove in two more runs with two RBI singles. Easton Amundson also recorded a two-hit game with a pair of doubles and a single. Wenatchee (3-0) hitters drew nine walks and were hit by four pitches with Travis Helm getting clipped three times.

The AppleSox earned their first-ever sweep of the Elks in the 23-year history of the two teams and open up the season 3-0 for the first time since 2009. This is the fifth time in franchise history that the AppleSox have won their first three league games of a season (2001, 2003, 2005).

Aiden Van Rensum got the AppleSox on the board first for the first time this season with a two-out RBI single to plate a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Wenatchee surrendered a run in the bottom of the first for the third time this season but retained a 2-1 lead after one inning.

Gores went deep on the first pitch that he saw off the fifth inning and Hoiland escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth before Wenatchee went to work in the seventh. Thirteen men came to the plate and eight scored on four hits and two errors. Ty Kennedy delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a bases-clearing double as the ninth hitter of the inning.

Joey Pearson tossed two scoreless innings, including escaping a one-out bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning. Keegan Adams fired a scoreless ninth to seal the sweep.

Wenatchee is off on Monday before playing its home opener on Tuesday night against the Springfield Drifters. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. and it’s the first $2 Off Tuesday of the season. Fans can purchase general admission tickets for as affordable as $5 and can save $2 off select food and drinks. Fans can also donate a canned food item at the gate and receive free admission thanks to the home opener sponsor, Townsquare Media.

AppleSox Wrap Up Road Trip To Bend

The Wenatchee AppleSox look for a perfect road trip as they face the Bend Elks again tonight at 5:05 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium.

The AppleSox are 2-0 to open the 2023 season after a 6-4 win on Friday night and then a 4-3 win last night. They have overcome three-run first-inning deficits in each of the last two games. Wenatchee was 9-18 in 2023 when its opponent scored first.

Third baseman Ty Kennedy is off to a strong start at the plate, batting .375 through his first two games. The redshirt freshman at Washington State reached base three times via a hit and two walks on Friday and then recorded two hits and stole a bag last night.

The AppleSox send left-hander Cam Hoiland to the mound for his first start of the season. Hoiland has batted sixth and played center field for the AppleSox in the first two games of the season but now gets an opportunity on the mound. He recorded a 1.43 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 30 walks over 75.1 innings in 14 games (all starts) at Bellevue. Hoiland is transferring to Cal Poly and played in the Independence League last summer with the Spearfish Sasquatch. He started three of the seven games that he pitched in and posted a 3.48 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 16 walks over 31 innings.

Bend has not announced a probable pitcher for the game.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

AppleSox Improve To 2-0 In 2023

The Wenatchee AppleSox overcame a three-run first-inning deficit for a second straight day to defeat the Bend Elks, 4-3, on Saturday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

Austin Bunn singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the seventh inning and Toby Haarer tossed three scoreless innings to earn the win.

Bunn reached out to hit a ball into right field over the second baseman’s head and score Ty Kennedy from second base after he reached earlier in the inning on a one-out double.

Haarer (1-0) struck out two over his three innings with both of them coming to end the eighth and ninth innings. He did not allow a hit until there were two outs in the ninth inning.

Bend took the lead with a three spot in the third inning for the second straight day but AppleSox starter Ryan Martinez buckled down to silence the Elks over the next four innings while Wenatchee’s bats went to work. Kennedy singled in Cade Westerlund in the third after Westerlund drew a walk and went to second on a balk. Gores doubled in Bunn the next inning after Bunn led off the fourth with a single and then a groundout scored Gores two batters after his extra-base hit.

The AppleSox look to make it a 3-0 road trip to Bend as they face the Elks again at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday in the series finale. Cam Hoiland will get the start after recording a 1.43 ERA in 14 games (all starts) this spring.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast below to hear a recap of the game, highlights from the game and interviews with Kennedy, pitching coach Mike Callia and Gores.

AppleSox Look To Take Season-Opening Series Against Bend

GAME NOTES

The AppleSox face the Bend Elks tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium in the second game of their first series of the 2023 season.

Wenatchee won its Opening Night game against Bend last night with a 6-4 win thanks to a five-run third inning and five dominant innings of relief from Luke Meyers. He punched out six hitters and did not allow any runs until the second out of the ninth inning.

The AppleSox quieted the Elks’ bats from the second through eighth innings, not allowing any hits and only six hitters to reach base safely. Elks hitters went 31 consecutive plate appearances without a base hit before one-out double in the ninth.

AppleSox hitters only collected four hits but cashed in thanks to eight walks, including at least one in five-of-the first-six innings. Their third-inning outburst was eerily reminiscent of a characteristic of the 2022 AppleSox; Wenatchee scored five-or-more runs in an inning 20 times last summer.

A win tonight or tomorrow would give the AppleSox their first series victory of the season and their first at Bend since 2019. Wenatchee lost its first two road series last season, dropping three games at Bend before falling three times at Bellingham.

Wenatchee sends Ryan Martinez to the mound for his first start of the summer. The right-hander from Pacific posted an 8.46 ERA in 19 games (three starts) as a freshman. Martinez struck out 19 and allowed 36 hits along with 14 walks in 27.2 innings. His most recent outing was a scoreless inning of work against Loyola Marymount on May 19. Martinez’s longest outing of the spring was a four-inning effort against Cal on April 3.

Bend sends lefty Ryan Rembisz from Portland to the mound after tossing four different right-handed pitchers last night. He recorded a 4.82 ERA with 22 strikeouts, nine walks and 21 hits over 18.2 innings in 15 games (one start).

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

Meyers Shuts Door, AppleSox Win Season Opener

Luke Meyers struck out six over the final five innings in relief and the Wenatchee AppleSox began the 2023 season with a 6-4 win over the Bend Elks on Friday night at Vince Genna Stadium.

Meyers (1-0) entered in the fifth inning and went the distance in his first outing in an AppleSox uniform. Wenatchee scored five runs in the third inning to erase an early 3-0 deficit.

Meyers flirted with danger in the eighth and ninth innings but escaped the first time and limited the damage the second time. After the first two hitters reached in the eighth he punched out the next three hitters in order. Prior to the eighth he only allowed two batters to reach in the previous three innings.

Marcus Harrison, Travis Helm and Ty Kennedy all reached base three times and all of them contributed in the big third inning. Helm led off with a single, the AppleSox’ first hit of the game and then Aiden Van Ransom, Nino Vultaggio and Kennedy all reached on walks to drive in the first run. Harrison singled to left to drive in Van Ransom before Vultaggio scored on a wild pitch. Easton Amundson and Austin Bunn hit consecutive sacrifice flies to score the final two runs.

That response came after surrendering three runs in the first inning when each of the Elks first three hitters reached base and came around to score. The 5-3 score held from the third inning to the ninth when Amundson delivered a two-out RBI single and the Elks got the run back in the bottom of the frame on an RBI groundout.

The AppleSox improved to 15-8 all time in season openers with the win on Friday night. A win on Saturday or Sunday would give the AppleSox their first series win at Bend since 2019. First pitch on Saturday night is at 6:35 p.m. and Ryan Martinez makes his first start of the summer for the AppleSox.

Listen to the AppleSox Podcast below to hear a recap of the game as well as interviews with Meyers and head coach Mitch Darlington.

AppleSox Begin 2023 Season At Bend

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox open up the 2023 season on Friday, June 2, against the Bend Elks at 6:35 p.m. at Vince Genna Stadium. Wenatchee and Bend are opening up a season against each other at the same location for the second straight season.

The AppleSox advanced to the North Division Championship Game last season by sweeping the Kamloops NorthPaws in the North Division Semifinals. Wenatchee ultimately fell to the Bellingham Bells, 4-2, to end its season. Wenatchee shattered single-season team records for walks (281), runs (388), stolen bases (106) and RBI (299) while leading the WCL in runs and hits (549). The AppleSox finished in the top five in the WCL in 2022 for batting average (.285, second), RBI (second), walks (third), on-base percentage (.390, third), OPS (.765, third), stolen bases (fourth) and slugging percentage (.375, fifth). Ten players who appeared in at least one game for the AppleSox last summer are signed to play this summer.

The Elks finished with a winning record (28-26) in 2022 for the first time since winning the WCL Championship in 2015 but fell just short of a playoff berth. They took five-of-the-six games against the AppleSox last season and both squads combined to score at least 14 runs in all but one matchup. Bend led all teams in walks drawn (304) while also hitting the second-most home runs (34) and scoring the second-most runs (375) in the WCL in 2022. Former AppleSox outfielder Steven Meier is signed with the Elks this season.

Right-handed pitcher Garrett Gores returns for his second summer with the club and gets the Opening-Day nod tonight. The Spokane native was named All-NWAC MVP and NWAC East Region MVP this spring by recording a 1.15 ERA in 13 games (all starts) with 92 strikeouts to only 19 walks. Gores also excelled as a position player, batting .344 with 14 extra-base hits and winning an All-NWAC East Region Gold Glove at first base.

Bend counters with Dylan MacCallum from Pepperdine. He recorded a 6.53 ERA in 14 appearances this spring, all in relief. The right-hander from Portland struck out 12 and walked 16 in 20.2 innings but limited opponents to a .240 batting average.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.

• 93.9 FM in Wenatchee

• 95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley

• 97.7 FMin Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville

• 98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy

• 101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros

• 106.3 FM in the Methow Valley

AppleSox Reveal 2023 Promotions

The 2023 season begins tomorrow and the Wenatchee AppleSox have unveiled the promotions and theme nights for the 23rd season in franchise history.

The popular July 3 Fireworks Night returns following the AppleSox’ 7:05 p.m. game against the DubSea Fish Sticks. There will also be a fireworks show on the first Saturday night home game of the season on June 10 following the AppleSox’ 7:05 p.m. game against the Victoria HarbourCats.

Popular week night themes such as $2 Off Tuesdays, WINatchee Wednesdays and Family Fun Sundays return for a second straight season. All tickets and select food and drink items at the third-base concession stand are $2 off each Tuesday.

Each Wednesday night you can walk away a winner just by attending the game. One lucky fan will win a prize from a local business during each inning from the third through the sixth inning.

Family Fun Days return with another exciting element. Arrive early and you’ll receive baseball cards of AppleSox players. Stick around after the game for a live music performance by a local artist or group each Sunday afternoon and kids can run the bases. Each postgame performance will last for 35-40 minutes after the conclusion of the game and concessions will remain open.

New this season are Thirsty Thursdays. For each AppleSox home game played on a Thursday fans can purchase general admission tickets for as affordable as $3 and also save on adult beverage purchases at the concession stand.

Single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule. The best way to enjoy the season is with season tickets, which run as affordable as $145 for all 31 home games and can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900 or emailing allie@applesox.com.

Check out a full list of the 2023 promotions below.

June 6: Opening Night presented by Townsquare Media. $2 Off Tuesday

June 7: WINatchee Wednesday.

June 8: Wenatchee Valley College Night. Thirsty Thursday

June 9-11: Youth Baseball Weekend: Kids get $5 general admission tickets if they wear their youth team jersey.

June 9: Skydive Chelan Night: Pregame skydive onto field.

June 10: Fireworks Night presented by Comfort Suites and The Sleep Inn.

June 11: IBEW-191 Sponsored Game. Family Fun Day. Wenatchee High School Mariachi Band Postgame Performance. 

June 16: School’s Out Night: Show student ID at gate, get $5 general admission tickets.

June 17: First Responders Night: Show first responder ID at gate, get $5 general admission tickets.

June 18: Father’s Day. Family Fun Day. Micah J Postgame Music Performance.

June 23: Bark in the Park Night. Bring your dog to the game for free. All owners and their dogs can run the bases after the game.

June 24: College Night. Wear any college gear, get $5 general admission tickets.   

June 27: $2 Off Tuesday

June 28: WINatchee Wednesday.

June 29: Thirsty Thursday

July 3: Fireworks Night presented by Kenady Group.

July 7: Scout Night: Wear your scout uniform to the park, get $5 general admission tickets at the gate.

July 8: Military Appreciation Night. Show military ID at gate, get $5 general admission tickets.

July 9: Family Fun Day. Chris Jones Postgame Music Performance. 

July 18: $2 Off Tuesday.

July 19: WINatchee Wednesday.

July 21: Christmas in July Night

July 22: Pepsi Sponsored Night

July 23: Family Fun Day. The Ramones Cover Band Postgame Performance.

July 25: $2 Off Tuesday.

July 26: Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council Sponsored Night. WINatchee Wednesday.

July 27: Tommy Watanabe Night. Thirsty Thursday.

July 28-30: Hawaiian Weekend.

July 28: Hula Hoop Contest Night: Whoever can do the hula for the longest wins 2024 general admission season tickets and a bat signed by the whole team.

July 29: Worx Gym Night. Limbo Night: The winner of a limbo contest will receive a special AppleSox prize.

July 30: Final Regular Season Home Game. Coconut Bowling: win an AppleSox Hawaiian jersey signed by the whole team and 2024 premium season tickets.

Meet The AppleSox At Our 2023 Fan Fest

We are two weeks away from the AppleSox’ home opener on June 6 but your first opportunity to see the team in action and to meet the players comes on June 1 at team’s annual Fan Fest.

Stop by Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium from 6-7:30 p.m. to watch the team practice and enjoy free hot dogs and hamburgers. Let’s Color Art will also be on hand for face painting at the ballpark. Players will come up to greet fans in the stands after they are finished practicing. Fans who have not picked up their season-ticket badges will be able to do so at the park. Badges will begin to be available for pickup on May 24 at 610 N. Mission Street between 9-5.

The 2023 season begins on June 2 as they AppleSox travel south to take on the Bend Elks. They return home after the three-game road trip for a six-game homestead from June 6-11, including a Fireworks Night on June 10. Single-game tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule and season tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/season-tickets.

Ashworth Returns, Four Others Signed To 2023 AppleSox

AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington announced on Thursday the addition of five players to the 2023 roster. Two of these players have previous experience in the Apple Capital. Jadon Williamson, Cade Westerlund, Travis Helm, Conner Ashworth and Fred Buckson will all play for the AppleSox in the summer.

Williamson suited up for the AppleSox two seasons ago as a late addition to the roster down the stretch. The right-hander tossed two scoreless outings at the beginning of August, 2021, prior to his redshirt freshman year at Lower Columbia College. Williamson got more work last summer, recording a 4.11 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 19.2 innings over 16 games for the Cowlitz Black Bears.  

The Longview, Wash. native will join the AppleSox on a 10-day contract at the conclusion of his sophomore year with the Red Devils. Williamson has not allowed any runs in 10.1 innings over three games. His most recent outing of 6.2 scoreless innings of relief with nine strikeouts this past Friday against Centralia was his finest effort to date this spring. 

“If you follow the West Coast League or AppleSox baseball,” Darlington said, “you know that pitching is a premium in this league so there is a chance that Jadon could stick around the whole summer for us. He’s really gotten into a groove lately (after he) wasn’t able to pitch early on in the season but is back and fully healthy.”

Westerlund is the first-of-two catchers joining the AppleSox this week on 10-day contracts. The sophomore at Everett Community College leads the Trojans with five home runs and 31 walks while also posting an impressive .407 on-base percentage.

The Billings, Mont. native began his collegiate career at Yavapai, where he slashed .247/.360/.342 in 26 games. Westerlund graduated from Mountain Pointe High School in 2021 and hit .377 with four home runs and .500 on-base percentage in 18 games. 

“A really good defensive catcher. For me at the catching position the defense has to be the number one thing. I love a good defensive catcher who can control the running game, can receive well, can learn from his pitching staff and call a good game. The bat is just a bonus. He definitely has some juice with the bat though.”

Helm is another 10-day contract signed by the AppleSox to bolster the catching position early on. He is coming off a strong year at Central Washington where he led the Wildcats in RBI, walks, hit by pitches and on-base percentage to earn Second Team All-GNAC honors. He’ll join his teammate and fellow backstop Austin Ohland on this summer’s team.

The Beaverton, Ore. native has previous experience in the WCL, primarily playing for non-league teams. He appeared in two games for the Portland Gherkins in non-league action before later playing in a pair of games for the Port Angeles Lefties in league play. Helm got his first taste of college baseball action in 2021. With Clark College not competing that spring he and many other Penguins played for the Northwest Star Academy. Helm recorded a .373 on-base percentage in 18 games for the Nighthawks, including going 2-for-5 with a double and 2 RBI against the AppleSox on June 2 that summer. 

“Central’s coaching staff has had nothing but good things to say about Travis,” Darlington said. “I reached out to see if they had another catcher available and they really wanted to get Travis with us. You get a guy like Travis who is really proven at the plate and also is hungry to get some playing time behind the plate and it’s the perfect combo. Really excited about Cade and Travis and that opening weekend against Bend will be their shot to show me and show our fans what they can do.”

Ashworth has battled injuries over the last year that began last summer but shined in his first season with the AppleSox. He has not pitched this spring at Montana State University Billings after recording an impressive season with the AppleSox. Ashworth recorded a 3.24 ERA in four games (one start) during the regular season before only allowing one run in five innings to earn the win as the starter in Game 1 of the North Division Series at Kamloops. 

The Brewster native and graduate also shined in his summer debut for the AppleSox on June 7 against Port Angeles. Ashworth retired all nine hitters in order, striking out each of the final eight to pick up the win at home. The right-hander also recorded a 2.18 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 20.2 innings for Spokane Falls as a sophomore in 2022.

“He got to Montana in the fall and was still having some lingering issues so he had to shut it down for the whole year,” Darlington said. “He still may be doing some rehab and we probably won’t see him until late June or early July for an in-game appearance but you’ll definitely see Conner out at the park. He’ll be in our dugout, in the bullpen and ramping back up. I’m so excited to have Conner back to have another local kid and a guy who just wants to pitch for us. I put him in the same boat as Quincy (Vassar) where summer baseball almost means more to him than his regular school season. He’s always texting me, giving me updates on his arm and making sure we have a jersey ready for him. He’s just a guy who really cares about our organization and wants to see us do well.” 

Buckson is the final 10-day contract addition from this week and he will shore up the middle of the infield for the AppleSox to begin the season. He is batting .294 with a team-high nine home runs and 45 RBI in 53 games this spring for Vanguard. Buckson is also second on the Lions with 19 stolen bases and 57 hits. 

The Silverdale, Wa. native is a sophomore in eligibility this spring but is playing in his fourth season of college baseball. He played Bellevue from 2020-21, combining to hit .274 with four home runs and 20 RBI over 33 games. Buckson played at Northwestern Oklahoma State University last spring and hit .275 in 20 games before transferring to Vanguard. 

“This is a Quincy find for us,” Darlington said. “I’ve gotta give him his credit. He’s connected to everybody off his own team and a lot of those California schools and they were teammates at Bellevue. He’s an upperclassman with a ton of experience, a ton of games under his belt. He’s had a monster year for Vanguard. Basically played every game at second base. Might see him at second base opening night, could see him bump over to shortstop. Just a good veteran player who is going to start the season with us.”

To hear more about this week’s roster additions please listen to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Darlington and broadcaster Joel Norman break down the latest on these players and you can also listen to previous episodes to hear more on the AppleSox.

Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2023 season and can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule. The 23rd season in AppleSox history opens up on June 3 at the Bend Elks before the home opener on June 6. Season tickets lock in your seats for all 31 home games and run as affordable as $145 for general admission bleacher seats while reserved premium seating is $245. Additionally, fans can get 10-ticketDouble Play Ticket Packs for $60. These 10 general-admission ticket punches can all be used at once or spread out over the course of the season over multiple games. To purchase 2023 ticket packages please visit applesox.com/season-tickets, call 509-665-6900 or email allie@applesox.com.

2023 Single-game Tickets Now On Sale

The first Wenatchee AppleSox home game is 22 days away and fans can now purchase single-game tickets for all 31 home games of the 2023 season, the 23rd in AppleSox history, by visiting applesox.com/2023-schedule.

The AppleSox open up the summer schedule on June 2 at the Bend Elks and their home opener is on June 6 against the Springfield Drifters at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. It’s the first-of-four $2 Off Tuesdays where fans can $2 off all tickets and select concession items.

WINatchee Wednesdays also return where fans are eligible to win prizes from local businesses each inning just by attending the game. General admission tickets for Thursday games are once again available for just $3. Stay tuned for a full promotional schedule release.

Single-game tickets are priced at a rate affordable for the whole family. General-admission seating in the bleachers is available for $8 while premium, reserved seating closer to the field can be purchased for $12.

AppleSox season-ticket packages are also currently available. For a rate of less than $5 per game you can purchase general admission season tickets for $145. Premium season tickets are on sale for $245 and both season-ticket plans lock up your seats for all 31 home games in addition to any postseason home games. 10-game flex packs that give fans 10 tickets to be used for any game(s) can be purchased for $60 (a value of $6 per game). Purchase AppleSox ticket packages at applesox.com/season-tickets or by calling 509-665-6900.