Strong, Sweeney and Liolios Deliver Big Nights At The Plate In AppleSox' Win

Mason Strong, MJ Sweeney and Trent Liolios all drove in multiple runs as the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Northwest Star Academy, 12-5, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Strong led the way with 5 RBI thanks to a pair of doubles and a single with men on. Sweeney homered in the first inning before delivering two different RBI singles. Liolios also had a three-hit night with three singles to boost his batting averaged to .556 in two non-league games.

Sweeney’s two-out blast in the bottom of the first was the first blow before all nine hitters came to the plate in the second inning as the AppleSox scored four times to take a 5-0 lead into the third. Wenatchee added five runs in the bottom of the seventh to improve to 2-0 in non-league action.

AppleSox pitching combined to strike out 18 hitters. Sam Round got his first start in any type of game and retired the side in order in each of the first two innings. He surrendered a run in the third inning but struck out five. Joey Pearson punched out two in the two innings before Braiden Boyd followed with six strikeouts in three inning. Jake Putnam recorded all three of his outs in the ninth inning via strikeouts.

The AppleSox wrap up the series on Saturday as they host the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35. It’s College Night and fans who wear their favorite college apparel can save $2 off general-admission tickets when purchased at the gate.

AppleSox Pick Up Third Sweep Of 2023

The Wenatchee AppleSox swept a doubleheader against the Kamloops NorthPaws with 9-6 and 9-5 victories on Thursday at Norbrock Stadium.

Wenatchee (14-4) won its fourth and fifth consecutive games to improve remain a half-a-game back of first place in the North Division. This is the second different time that the AppleSox have won five straight games in 2023 and their eight wins in nine road games put them four away from matching last summer’s total.

Marcus Harrison led the way in Game 1 of the doubleheader by driving in a pair on three hits. Josh Williams proved to be an impossible out, reaching base in all four plate appearances and scoring three times. Bryce Johnson (1-0) allowed three runs, all in the first two innings, but retired seven-of-the-final-eight hitters that he faced to earn the victory in his AppleSox debut.

Williams continued his impressive day with a 2-for-5 and 2 RBI effort in Game 2. David recorded his first multi-hit game of the summer with a 3-for-4 day while switching from shortstop in Game 1 to second base in Game 2. Nick Putnam walked twice and doubled in a run in his first WCL game. Toby Haarer (2-1) only surrendered two runs in four innings and struck out five in his third start of the summer.

The AppleSox came out of the gate red-hot in Game 1, scoring four times in the top of the first before the NorthPaws had come to hit. Harrison and Easton Amundson recorded back-to-back RBI doubles. Amundson hit a double in the second game as well to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. MJ Sweeney added an opposite-field RBI single later before Carson Ohland reached on a fielders choice and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

The NorthPaws scored two runs in the bottom of the first but the AppleSox never led by less than two runs after that. Wenatchee scored twice in the second, twice in the third and once in the fourth. Harrison and Sebastian David recorded RBI singles in the third and Austin Ohland singled in Sweeney in the fourth.

The AppleSox used another big inning early on in Game 2 to take a commanding lead early. Wenatchee sent all nine to the plate in the top of the second inning despite no runs scoring on an RBI base hit. Izzy Lopez grounded a ball to third with the bases loaded that seemed destined to be a double play ball but instead scored two runners on an error. A Williams’ groundout two batters later got the other run in to make it 3-0, AppleSox.

Putnam’s two-out RBI double in the third scored another before Kamloops cut the deficit to two immediately after. The AppleSox gained some breathing room with a two-spot in the fifth on an RBI single by Williams with two outs and a wild pitch to plate Lopez from third.

The NorthPaws got one run back in a solo home run in the sixth and scored twice in the seventh to make things interesting but a three-run Wenatchee top of the seventh effectively sealed the game. Mason Strong hit a sacrifice to left to score David from third, Sweeney doubled the opposite way to plate another and Williams came home on a balk.

The AppleSox return home on Friday night for a 6:35 game against the Northwest Star Academy. It’s the first-of-two non-league games in as many days against the Nighthawks and Friday’s game is Bark In The Park Night. Fans who purchase a ticket to the game can bring their dog in for free. Saturday is College Night and fans who wear their favorite college apparel can purchase $5 general-admission tickets at the gate.

Doubleheader Wraps Up Road Trip To Kamloops

The Wenatchee AppleSox take on the Kamloops NorthPaws at 4 p.m. this afternoon in a doubleheader at Norbrock Stadium.

Both games will be seven innings. The doubleheader is being played today due to Tuesday’s game being rained out.

Wenatchee is coming off its third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win on Wednesday night. Easton Amundson broke a scoreless tie with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth and Mason Strong added a two-out RBI single later in the inning. Quincy Vassar did not allow any runs in six innings to earn his first win of the summer and Cam Hoiland earned his first save with a scoreless seventh, eighth and ninth.

Vassar’s outing was just the latest impressive effort from an AppleSox starter. Wenatchee starting pitching has not allowed a run since the sixth inning last Friday, spanning the last 19 innings. AppleSox starters have tossed at least five innings in 13-of-16 games this summer and the pitching staff’s 2.86 team ERA is second-best in the West Coast League.

The AppleSox send Bryce Johnson to the mound to start Game 1 in his first game for the AppleSox. The incoming freshman at Oregon State graduated from Eastlake High School and helped them capture the 4A state title this spring with a 0.37 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 76.1 innings. Johnson was named All-KingCo 4A MVP, 1st Team All-KingCo 4A Pitcher and SBLive Washington's 2023 High School Player of the Year. The Seattle native was also named Baseball Northwest's third-best prospect on May 12th from the Class of 2023.

Tony Haarer gets the ball for Game 2 for his third start and fourth appearance with the AppleSox. Haarer is 1-1 with a 2.91 ERA over 12.1 innings. He has struck out 10, walked seven and allowed 10 hits. Haarer is looking for a smooth second inning after troubles in it the last two weeks. He allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits in the second stanza on June 8 before surrounding three runs (one earned) on five hits in the second inning on June 15.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 3:40 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

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

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast to hear a recap of last night’s game, highlights and interviews with Quincy Vassar, Cam Hoiland, Mitch Darlington and Trent Liolios. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

AppleSox Earn Second Straight Shutout Win

Quincy Vassar tossed six shutout innings and Easton Amundson hit his league-leading sixth home run of the summer as the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Kamloops NorthPaws, 3-0, on Wednesday night at Norbrock Stadium.

Amundson broke a scoreless tie with a two-run blast in the top of the sixth to homer for the third straight game and for the fourth time in the last five games. Mason Strong added a two-RBI single later in the inning as Wenatchee (11-4) earned its third straight win.

Vassar (1-1) allowed a hit to the leadoff hitter off the bottom of the first and then proceeded to not allow any the rest of the way. He struck out five, walked two and hit one batter and tossed three different 1-2-3 innings. Vassar’s effort marked the third consecutive scoreless outing by an AppleSox starter in league play. Wenatchee starting pitchers have not allowed a run in their last 19 innings.

Cam Hoiland entered with one on in the seventh and proceeded to get the final nine outs to record his first save in his first relief outing.

The AppleSox conclude their first trip north of the border in 2023 with a doubleheader on Thursday. Both games will be seven innings and the first one begins at 4 p.m. Wenatchee returns to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on Friday night to face the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35. It’s Bark In The Park Night and fans can bring their dog to the game for free. Tickets are on sale at applesox.com/2023-schedule

Tuesday's Night Game From Kamloops Rained Out

The Wenatchee AppleSox’ first game of a three-game set against the Kamloops NorthPaws scheduled for Tuesday night has been rained out.

The two teams will open up the series at Norbrock Stadium on Wednesday night at 6:35. The mid-week set concludes with a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. Both games will be seven innings and the twin bill will begin at 4 p.m. All three games of the series can be heard on 93.9 FM in Wenatchee and on kcsyfm.com worldwide.

The AppleSox return home on Friday night to face the Northwest Star Academy at 6:35. It’s Bark In The Park Night and fans who purchase a ticket to the game can bring their dog to the ballpark for free. Tickets are on sale at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Travel North Of The Border For First Time In 2023

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox make their first road trip north of the border as they face the Kamloops NorthPaws tonight at 6:35 at Norbrock Stadium. The AppleSox and the NorthPaws are off to very different starts to the summer with Wenatchee sitting a half-a-game out of first place in the North while Kamloops is in last place. The AppleSox won their fourth series of the summer by taking two-of-three from Kelowna this past weekend while Kamloops dropped to seven games out of first place by being swept by Port Angeles.

Wenatchee wrapped up its homestand with a non-league victory on Monday over the Redmond Dudes to produce a 3-1 effort in a four-game stretch at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. A few newcomers got to make their mark in their first game with the team as Nick Putnam led the newcomers with two different RBI singles. two different RBI singles. Josh Williams and MJ Sweeney also collected hits in their first game with the AppleSox.

Easton Amundson and Brandham Ponce both got well deserved days off on Monday. Amundson has played in all but one of the AppleSox' first 15 games in WCL play and leads the league with five home runs, 17 RBI and a .707 slugging percentage while his 18 runs and two triples are tied for the most in the league. Amundson’s 1.115 OPS leads all WCL players with at least 50 plate appearances. He was named WCL Player of the Week on Monday after batting .291 (7-for-24) with a double, two triples, three home runs and 10 RBI in six games last week.

Ponce isn't far behind Amundson in terms of production and has regularly batted after Amundson, giving the AppleSox arguably the best combination of a no. 3 hitter and a cleanup hitter in the WCL. He arrived in Wenatchee on June 6 and has appeared in every league game since then. Ponce is on a 10-game hitting streak and is feasting on right-handed pitching, holding a .429 batting average (12-for-28) through 11 games. He has 15 RBI and is the only other AppleSox player with double-digit runs driven in besides Amundson.

Quincy Vassar makes his third start of the summer for the AppleSox in the series opener. Vassar last faced the NorthPaws on Aug. 10, 2022, in game 2 of the North Division Series as the AppleSox defeated the NorthPaws, 17-2, at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium to sweep the first-round matchup. Vassar matched his season high with eight strikeouts while allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk in seven innings. The Brewster native is 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two games this summer and is coming off allowing two runs in five innings a week ago against the Springfield Drifters. Vassar has walked at least four hitters in each of his first two games after issuing three free passes once in 10 games last summer.

Kamloops has not announced a probable pitcher.

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.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast below to hear interviews with Nick Putnam, Mason Strong and Sebastian David. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Newcomers Lead AppleSox To Win Over Dudes

Mason Strong finished a triple away from hitting for the cycle and Nick Putnam drove in two runs as the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Redmond Dudes, 10-6, on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Six of the AppleSox’ nine batters had joined the team in the last four days and many of them made an impact against Redmond. Putnam picked up an RBI single in the first inning in his first at-bat of the summer before adding another RBI single in the seventh. Strong doubled in a pair of runs in the first before adding a single in the second and a triple in the seventh in his third game played for the AppleSox.

Trent Liolios joined the AppleSox as an infielder on Friday but got it done as a two-way player on Monday. The incoming sophomore at Northwestern went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run before tossing a scoreless eighth and ninth. Liolios, who did not pitch this spring at Northwestern, struck out one, allowed three hits and did not walk anyone.

The AppleSox trailed on two different occasions after allowing a run in the top of the first and then two runs in the top of the fourth to break a 3-3 tie. Neither deficit lasted as Wenatchee scored multiple runs in four different frames, including a three-run first inning and a three-run seventh.

The AppleSox hit the road on Tuesday to resume West Coast League play as they travel to face the Kamloops NorthPaws in a rematch of the 2022 North Division Series that the AppleSox swept. First pitch for all three games Tuesday-Thursday is at 6:35 and can all be heard on kcsyfm.com.

Amundson Named WCL Player of the Week

AppleSox first baseman Easton Amundson has been named the West Coast League Player of the Week for the week of June 12-18.

Amundson played in all six of the AppleSox games and helped the team post a 4-2 record by batting .291 (7-for-24) with a double, two triples, three home runs and 10 RBI. He collected at least one hit, scored at least one run and drove in at least one run in every game last week.

The Nampa, Id. native is riding a 12-game hitting streak, which is the second-longest in the WCL after Port Angeles infielder Roberto Nunez’s 14-game streak. Amundson leads the AppleSox in at-bats, runs, hits, triples, home runs and RBI while tying for the team lead in walks. His five home runs, 17 RBI and .707 slugging percentage lead the WCL while his 18 runs and two triples are tied for the most in the league. Amundson’s 1.115 OPS leads all WCL players with at least 50 plate appearances.

Amundson just completed his sophomore year at Lower Columbia College where he helped lead the Red Devils to their 15th NWAC Championship. He led the NWAC with 10 home runs, was named an ABCA/Rawlings All-American and earned NWAC West Region MVP.

Amundson and the AppleSox wrap up their four-game homestead tonight at 6:35 against the Redmond Dudes. Wenatchee then travels to Kamloops for three games Tuesday-Thursday before returning home for a two-game set against the Northwest Star Academy Friday and Saturday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Tickets for all home games can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

Quality Pitching, Another Amundson Blast Give AppleSox Series Win

The Wenatchee AppleSox won their rubber match against the Kelowna Falcons with an 8-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Hunter Gibson (1-0) tossed six shutout innings in the first game of his second season with the AppleSox. Gibson struck out six hitters, which matched his season-high in 10 appearances with the AppleSox from 2022. He only gave up three hits while issuing one walk. Gibson’s effort marked the second straight day that an AppleSox starter did not allow any runs after Ryan Martinez went seven scoreless on Saturday.

Braiden Boyd didn’t allow any runs over the final three innings to earn his first save and help Wenatchee (11-4) to earn its first shutout victory of the season. The lefty from Chelan struck out two and the only baserunners to reach against him did so via walks.

Easton Amundson hit his West Coast League-leading fifth home run in a six-run eighth inning. His three-run blast extended his hitting streak to 12 games and traveled 348 feet with an exit velocity of 97-miles per hour. Amundson moves into a tie for the 17th-most home runs in a single AppleSox season and is five away from tying the franchise record. His hitting streak is the second longest in the WCL after Port Angeles infielder Roberto Nunez’s 14-game streak.

Brandham Ponce extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a double in the third. He has matched his 2022 output for doubles in eight fewer games.

Marcus Harrison picked up right where he left off on Saturday and singled in a run in the first inning to put the AppleSox up, 1-0. He batted .571 (4-for-7) with 3 RBI, three walks and two hit-by-pitches in the three-game series against the Falcons.

Wenatchee collected hits in each of the first three innings but did not get another until the eighth. Sebastian David drew the fourth of four consecutive walks to score a run in the sixth inning and the drove in a run with a single to open the floodgates in the eighth. Marty Kaplan followed with a single up the middle of his own and Carson Ohland hit a sacrifice fly before Amdunson’s three-run home run.

The AppleSox have won four-of-their-first-five series and are a half-a-game back of the Bellingham Bells for first place in the North Division. Wenatchee hosts the Redmond Dudes on Monday night at 6:35 in a non-league game at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Win Despite Late Chaos

The Wenatchee AppleSox scored five times in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the Kelowna Falcons, 10-7, on Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee (10-4) survived giving up a five-run lead when it surrendered six runs in the top of the eighth inning. Twelve men came to the plate against three different AppleSox relievers and the Falcons drew as many walks as they collected hits (five).

The AppleSox bounced back by scoring all of its runs with two outs. Brandham Ponce batted with the bases loaded and popped a fly ball to right-center field that seemed destined to end the inning but got lost in the lights and plated all three runners. Marcus Harrison followed with an insurance RBI single and Wenatchee completed the comeback despite surrendering one more run to Kelowna in the ninth.

Ponce and Harrison both led the way for the AppleSox offensively while batting fourth and fifth in the order, respectively. Ponce went 4-for-4 and moved into a tie for first in the West Coast League with 15 RBI this summer. Harrison recorded his first three-hit game and second multi-hit game with. 3-for-4, 2 RBI effort.

Easton Amundson blasted his fourth home run of the summer in the fifth to move into a three-way tie for the most home runs hit this season. Carson Ohland doubled in a pair of runs to open the scoring in the second inning in his first at-bat of the summer for the AppleSox. Harrison plated Ponce for the first time in the fourth and Frankie Carney tripled in a run in the sixth with two outs.

Ryan Martinez tossed seven shutout innings in his third start of the season but earned a no-decision despite Wenatchee leading 5-0 entering the eighth. Martinez struck out five while not walking anyone and only surrendering four hits.

Evan Canfield got the final two outs via a pair of strikeouts to pick up his first save of the summer.

The AppleSox will play their second rubber match of the season on Father’s Day at 1:05. Hunter Gibson makes his first start of the season in his second summer with the AppleSox after appearing in 10 games a year ago. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Host Falcons Tonight At 6:35

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to bounce back from losing consecutive games for the first time this season as they host the Kelowna Falcons at 6:35 p.m at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee fell just short in the weekend opener, 6-5, last night. The AppleSox scored first with a two-spot in the first inning but stranded a season-high 14 men on the bases.

Three different players made their AppleSox debut last night. Shortstop Sebastian David reached base with a hit by pitch while catcher Mason Strong doubled and scored in the first inning and designated hitter Trent Liolios reached once via a walk.

Two other players appeared in their first game at home last night after playing their first three games on the road Springfield. Centerfielder Marshall Lipsey reached on an infield single in the first inning but had to leave the game due to injury immediately after. Izzy Lopez reached four times than to three weeks and a double and started at second base to appear at his third different position already through four games.

The AppleSox got a big relief effort on the mound for Jack DeDonato last night. He appeared in his third game of the summer to match his total from a year ago. The left-hander from Mercer Island struck out five in three scoreless innings and only allowed one hit. DeDonato has spent parts of the last three summers with the AppleSox and last night was his second effort of two-or-more innings out of the bullpen after allowing one run in five innings last year on Aug. 3 to earn the win at Yakima Valley.

Ryan Martinez makes his third start of the season tonight and second at home. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts last Saturday vs Victoria to earn his first win of the summer. The right-hander at Pacific allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, one walk and three strikeouts in five innings at Bend on June 3.

Troy Shepard makes his fourth appearance and third start of the summer for the Falcons. The lefty at Spokane Falls has no record and a 1.86 ERA with six strikeouts, five walks and seven hits over 9.2 innings. Shepard’s best appearance was his first outing of the summer when he tossed five scoreless innings in a win over Nanaimo on June 6.

Tonight is the second game of a four-game homestand for the AppleSox. Tickets for this evening and every remaining home game can be purchased 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.

Men Left On Base Hurt AppleSox In Weekend Opener

The Wenatchee AppleSox stranded a season-high 14 men on the bases and dropped the first game of a three-game set against the Kelowna Falcons, 6-5, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Easton Amundson extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a triple in the seventh inning and Brandham Ponce followed with an RBI single for his eighth consecutive game with a hit. Jack DeDonato tossed three scoreless innings out of the bullpen and struck out five.

The AppleSox had a chance to win the game in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and no one out but only scored one run and left the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second. Wenatchee (9-4) stranded two men on the bases in six different innings to suffer its first set of consecutive losses this summer.

Amundson opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a balk scored another run to give the AppleSox a two-run cushion. The Falcons got a run back in the third and a two-run homer gave them the lead in the fourth. Gores recovered by retiring the next six hitters in order, including the final five via strikeouts, to finish five complete innings. Each of the first four hitters of the sixth recorded hits and three scored to give Kelowna a 6-2 lead.

Amundson and Ponce went to work to plate the first run in the seventh and then Reeve Boyd delivered a two-out RBI single up the middle for his 6th RBI in the last three games to make it a two-run game. Wenatchee’s only run of the ninth came when Marty Kaplan hit a ball just over the mound that allowed Izzy Lopez to come home on the putout. The AppleSox had opened up the inning by reaching on an error and two hit by pitches but each of their next three hitters were retired to end the game.

Wenatchee faces Kelowna again on Saturday night at 6:35 in the second game of the Father’s Day Weekend homestead. Tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

AppleSox Look To Start New Streak Tonight

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox host the Kelowna Falcons tonight in the first of a four-game Father’s Day Weekend homestand at 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox sit tied with the Victoria HarbourCats for second in the North Division and one game back of the Bellingham Bells for first place in the North Division.

Wenatchee's five-game winning streak came to an end last night with a 10-8 loss to the Springfield Drifters. The AppleSox still took the series, thanks to a 4-2 win on Tuesday and an 11-3 win on Wednesday. The Applesox have won three-of-their-first-four series are tied for the second-best overall record among the 16 teams in the WCL.

Easton Amundson and Reeve Boyd both homered in the series finale to give the AppleSox their first multi-home run game of the summer. Wenatchee has already clubbed seven home runs, tied for the second-most in the WCL. The AppleSox are averaging 0.58 home runs per game a season after whacking 18 bombs (0.33 per game) a season ago. Wenatchee's record for home runs in a single season is 36 in 2019 when it homered a 0.67 per game clip.

Wenatchee is looking to limit the free passes tonight after issuing a season-high 10 walks last night. The AppleSox 52 walks are sixth-fewest of the 16 teams in the WCL. Meanwhile, Kelowna has issued the second-most walks in the WCL with 69 through nine games but the Falcons have only walked one batter in the last two games after handing out six free passes on Tuesday night.

Kelowna salvaged its series against Bellingham with a 3-1 win last night. The Falcons have lost three games by seven runs or more but have also won five games decided by two runs or less. Infielder Jonas Salk enters the weekend with the second-best batting average in the WCL. Salk is hitting .455 through 10 games and already have five multi-hit games. He batted .416 (5-for-12) in the three games at Joe Martin Field. Only three of his 15 hits are extra-base hits and all of them are doubles.

Opening Day starter Garrett Gores gets his third start of the summer and second at home tonight. He was excellent last Friday, allowing one unearned run on three hits, one walk and three strikeouts against Victoria. Gores has a 3.00 ERA in two appearances, both starts. He won NWAC MVP this spring at Spokane Falls with a 1.15 ERA with 92 strikeouts over 13 starts and is transferring to Gonzaga this fall.

Kelowna has not announced a probable pitcher.

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

Tonight’s game will be televised on the NCWLIFE Channel on channel 12 on LocalTel, channel 19 on Spectrum or online at ncwlife.com. All West Coast League games can also be watched on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv.

Two Homers Not Enough For AppleSox On Thursday

Reeve Boyd and Easton Amundson both hit home runs but the Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Springfield Drifters, 10-8, on Thursday night at the Hamlin Sports Complex.

All eight of the AppleSox runs came with two outs and they recorded the final out with the bases loaded in the ninth. Wenatchee (9-3) could not overcome committing three errors even with its 14 hits, one off tying a single-game high this summer.

Boyd’s home run was his first hit of a three hit night that included drawing a walk. He launched a pitch 363 feet to left-center field with two down and a man on in the top of the second to open the scoring. The incoming freshman at Oregon State hit .461 (6-for-13) with 5 RBI and at least one hit in each of the three games against Springfield on this road trip.

Amundson blasted his team-leading third home run of the summer 413 feet the opposite way in the third inning. It marked his second of the season against Springfield righty Rylan Haider and all three of his home runs have come against the Drifters. Amundson’s long ball extended his hitting streak to nine games, which is the second-longest in the WCL after Nanaimo’s Ethan Rivera’s 10-game streak. Amundson singled and scored in the ninth inning to record his fourth multi-run game and score his 13th run in the last nine games.

Boyd’s and Amundson’s home runs supplied the AppleSox first four runs but Springfield scored three times in the second and once in the third to even it up heading to the fourth inning. The Drifters scored for a third consecutive inning when eight men came to the plate in a three-run fourth to make it 7-4.

The AppleSox recorded more two-out action in the fifth when Brandham Ponce extended his hitting streak to seven games with an RBI single. After Marcus Harrison singled, Izzy Lopez hit a low line drive to right field that dropped in front of and rolled past a diving right fielder Bobby Blandford. Lopez was thrown out trying to stretch the double into a triple but two runs scored tie the game up.

The Drifters took the lead for good with a third and final three-run inning in the sixth. A ground ball too short with runners and first and third looked certain to be an inning ending double play instead was an error to plate the go-ahead run and then two more runs scored two batters later on a double to right-center.

The AppleSox loaded up the bases in the ninth and Lopez was hit by a pitch to plate a run but a pop out to left-center ended the game.

Wenatchee still won the series and remains one game back of first-place Bellingham thanks to Kelowna’s 3-1 win over the Bells on Thursday. The Falcons come to town on Friday night as the AppleSox open up a four-game homestand at 6:35. The series includes a Father’s Day matinee against the Falcons at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets for all four games on this upcoming homestand can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast for a recap, highlights and the pregame interview with Braiden Boyd. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

AppleSox Wrap Up Road Trip To Springfield Looking For Third Win On It

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox go for their third series sweep of the summer as they face the Springfield Drifters at 6:35 p.m. at the Hamlin Sports Complex. The AppleSox took the series with an 11-3 win last night thanks to a five-run first inning and a six-run fourth inning. Reeve Boyd led the AppleSox with 3 RBI, his first three runs driven in of the summer.

The AppleSox won their fifth consecutive game last night for their longest winning streak since winning nine straight games in 2019. Wenatchee never won more than three straight games last season. The franchise record for a winning streak is 14, set in 2011. The AppleSox are outscoring opponents 40-20 during this streak and have allowed three runs or less in runs or less in each of the last three games.

Easton Amundson stretched his hitting streak to eight games with a 2-RBI double in the fourth last night. The 2023 NWAC West Region MVP leads the AppleSox in at-bats, hits and home runs, while tying for the team lead in walks and RBI. He is batting .371 (13-for-35) over this hit streak, which is the second-longest active hitting streak in the West Coast League after Nanaimo's Ethan Rivera (nine games) and Walla Walla's Logan Meyer (10 games).

Despite sitting in the middle of the pack with a .240 team batting average, good for eighth out of 16 WCL teams, Wenatchee does boast the fifth-best team OPS at .708. the AppleSox drew as many walks as they collected hits last night (eight) and are second in the WCL in overall walks drawn (68). Wenatchee was also hit by two pitches last night and is tied for the fourth-most hit by pitches in the WCL (17).

Toby Haarer gets the ball for his third apperance and second start tonight. He struck out eight Drifters in six innings last Thursday but did allow four runs (one earned) to score in the second inning. Haarer recovered from that tough inning to fire four scoreless the rest of the way, including facing the minimum from the third through the sixth innings. He retired the final eight hitters that he faced in order. Haarer's first outing of the summer was a three-inning relief effort against Bend on June 3 in which he did not allow any runs and struck out two.

It's the same pitching matchup as last Thursday as Rylan Haider goes for the Drifters. He stymied the AppleSox to the tune of two runs (one earned) on four hits, no walks and seven strikeouts over five innings to earn the win last week. Haider is an incoming sophomore at Washington State and previously allowed two unearned runs on two hits, one walk and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings on June 2 vs. Port Angeles.

Tonight’s game wraps up a quick road trip for the AppleSox. They return to Wenatchee on Friday night to face the Kelowna Falcons at 6:35 p.m. in the first game of a four-game homestand that includes a Father’s Day matinee against the Falcons at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets for all four games on this upcoming homestand can be purchased 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. with the AppleSox Pregame Show presented by Kenady Real Estate Group 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.

Big Innings Give AppleSox Fifth Straight Win

Four different players recorded multi-RBI games and the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Springfield Drifters, 11-3, on Wednesday night at the Hamlin Sports Complex.

Wenatchee (9-2) scored five times in the first before adding six runs in the fourth to earn its third series victory of the summer. Reeve Boyd led the way with 3 RBI while Easton Amundson, Travis Helm and Brandham Ponce all drove in two runs.

Chelan native Braiden Boyd (1-0) earned the win with 3.2 innings out of the bullpen. He struck out three in his first-ever West Coast League game.

Ponce hit a two-run double and Reeve Boyd delivered a two-run single in the first before Helm added a sacrifice fly as all nine hitters came to the plate. Amundson delivered the exclamation point in the fourth with a two-run double while batting with the bases loaded as 12 hitters batted that inning.

Wenatchee drew as many walks as it did hits (eight) and looks for its third sweep of the season on Thursday when it faces the Drifters at 6:35 p.m. The AppleSox return home on Friday night to play the Kelowna Falcons at 6:35 in the first game of a four-game homestand. Tickets can be purchased at AppleSox.com.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast to hear interviews with Amundson, Jack Moffitt, Mitch Darlington and Marcus Harrison. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

AppleSox Look To Keep Hot Start Going

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox look to take the series against the Springfield Drifters tonight at 6:35 at the Hamlin Sports Complex.

Wenatchee took the series opener by limiting its opponent to less than three runs for a second consecutive game. AppleSox starting pitching also tossed at least five innings for a ninth straight game last night. Brandham Ponce hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give him 8 RBI in his last four games and Easton Amundson extended his hitting streak to seven games with a go-ahead triple in the eighth inning.

The AppleSox are off to an 8-2 start for the seventh time in franchise history and for the first time since 2012. The other four instances of instances of starting 8-2 occured in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009 while the 2011 AppleSox started a franchise-best 9-1. Wenatchee captured league championships in four of those seasons (2005, 2008, 2009, 2012).

Tuesday marked the fourth time this season that the AppleSox have given up the game's first run and still won the game. Wenatchee surrendered a run in the bottom of the second inning but rallied to win the game. The AppleSox are undefeated when their opponent scores first and it is due in part to their success from the fourth inning on. Opponents are outscoring Wenatchee, 26-20, in the first three innings but the AppleSox flip the script with a 41-16 difference from the fourth through 10th innings.

Tuesday's win was also the sixth time in the first 10 games that the AppleSox have allowed four runs or less to their opponent and Wenatchee's 2.64 team ERA is fourth-best in the West Coast League. AppleSox opponents scored four runs or less 25 times last season, or in 46-percent of games.

Jack Moffitt makes his first start of the summer tonight as he returns to the AppleSox for a second straight summer. Moffitt started all 10 games that he appeared in last summer with the AppleSox, including tossing a season-high six innings in the 2022 WCL North Division Championship Game. The Seattle native appeared in 17 games this spring at Gonzaga, all in relief, and struck out 22 while walking 17 over 30.2 innings.

Hunter Dryden makes his third start of the summer for the Drifters and his second against the AppleSox. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out six while walking one in seven innings last Wednesday. Dryden allowed two runs prior to that in six innings against Port Angeles to earn his first win of the summer. He has a 2.25 ERA with 12 strikeouts, seven hits and one walk over 12 innings in his two games on the mound this summer.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the AppleSox Pregame Show presented by Kenady Real Estate Group 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

Red Devils Shine In AppleSox Win

Easton Amundson drove in the game-winning run and Jadon Williamson tossed four scoreless innings in relief as the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Springfield Drifters, 4-2, on Tuesday night at the Hamlin Sports Complex.

Amundson and Williamson, two weeks removed from winning the NWAC Championship with Lower Columbia, played pivotal roles in Tuesday’s win. Amundson tripled in Marshall Lipsey to break a 2-2 tie in the eighth and then scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly. That extended his hitting streak to a team-best seven games and also marked his seventh consecutive game scoring at least one run.

Williamson (1-0) entered with the game tied up 2-2 but only allowed two hits and two walks. Two men reached against him in the ninth but he wrapped up the game with a three-pitch strikeout.

Brandham Ponce homered in the fourth inning to briefly give the AppleSox a 2-1 lead. His two-run shot over the left-center field fence was his first of the season and sixth in two seasons with the AppleSox.

Marshall Lipsey scored on that two-run shot and also scored the go-ahead run on Amundson’s RBI triple. Lipsey went 1-for-4 in his AppleSox debut in center field while batting second. He stole three bags, including two before Ponce’s blast.

Springfield scored first in the second inning on a couple of singles and an error before trying it up in the fourth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth. Quincy Vassar limited the damage and wrapped up his five-inning start with a seven pitch 1-2-3 fifth inning. He struck out four, walked four and allowed five hits to give the AppleSox their ninth consecutive game in which their starter tossed at least five innings.

Wenatchee goes for the series victory on Wednesday when it faces Springfield again at 6:35 p.m. Coverage on KCSY FM begins at 6:10 p.m. with the AppleSox Pregame Show presented by the Kenady Real Estate Group.

AppleSox Travel To Springfield For First Time

GAME NOTES

The Wenatchee AppleSox begin their second road series of the season tonight as they face the Springfield Drifters at the Hamlin Sports Complex at 6:35.

Wenatchee and Springfield square off for the second time in a week after the Drifters came to the Apple Capital and took two-of-three from the AppleSox. Wenatchee responded by sweeping the Victoria HarbourCats and Springfield split two games at Port Angeles with one being suspended by rain.

The AppleSox have swept two-of-their-first-three series thanks in part to superb pitching. AppleSox starters have tossed at least five innings in each of the last nine games and Cam Hoiland provided perhaps the best start to date on Sunday. The incoming junior at Cal Poly struck out nine in six shutout innings a six shutout innings to become the first AppleSox starter this summer to toss multiple games of at least six innings while setting the high mark for a 2023 AppleSox starter in strikeouts. Wenatchee recorded 16 starts of at least five innings in 54 games last season.

Brandham Ponce made his 2023 debut with the AppleSox last Tuesday and had a quiet series against Springfield, collecting one hit in 11 at-bats while being hit by two pitches and drawing one walk. He turned it on in the series against Victoria, batting .667 (6-for-9) with two doubles, 6 RBI and three walks while batting cleanup in each game. Ponce led the 2022 AppleSox with four home runs and though he has not left the yard yet this summer he already has half of the six doubles that he recorded a year ago.

Cole Calnon has been Springfield's most consistent hitter through the first week-plus. In addition to picking up the save against the AppleSox last Tuesday Calnon has also hit .300 in seven games at the plate. He has a hit in each of the last four games and his five doubles are tied for the most in the WCL. Calnon batted .307 (4-for-13) in the three games against Wenatchee last week, including a pair of two-hit performances in the final two games of the series.

Quincy Vassar looks to bounce back after suffering the loss in the AppleSox home opener against the Drifters last Tuesday. Only one of the four runs that he allowed in five innings was earned but all four runs scored in the third inning. Vassar uncharacteristically walked five hitters after never walking more than three in any of his 10 games with the AppleSox last summer. He did strike out three hitters and is coming off tying for the fifth-most strikeouts in the West Coast League in 2022 with 45.

The Drifters will send Decker Stedman to the mound for his 2023 debut. He recorded 5.35 ERA with 22 strikeouts to 19 walks while allowing 37 hits over 37 innings in 11 games (seven starts) this spring at Lewis-Clark State College. Stedman previously pitched for the Bend Elks last summer and posted a 3.47 ERA in nine games. He allowed eight runs in two outings against the AppleSox but only three of the runs were earned.

Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage begins at 6:10 p.m. with the AppleSox Pregame Show presented by Kenady Real Estate Group 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 HarbourCats Behind Huge Pitching Performances

Cam Hoiland struck out nine hitters over six innings and the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Victoria HarbourCats, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Hoiland (2-0) set a high-mark for AppleSox starters in strikeouts and got the win a the final game of an AppleSox’ series sweep for the second straight Sunday. His effort was the eighth consecutive game that an AppleSox starter tossed at least five innings. AppleSox starters tossed more than five innings 16 times in 54 games last year.

Jacob Dahlstrom preserved the win with a five-out save. He entered in the eighth inning with one run across and the tying run standing at third base but recorded a strikeout before forcing a popout to end the inning. Dahlstrom retired the HarbourCats in order in the ninth with two more strikeouts in the ninth for his first save of the summer.

Hoiland earned the win thanks to stranding multiple runners on the bases to end three different innings. His best escape came when he loaded up the bases with three consecutive singles to begin the second inning but recovered to strike out the next three hitters in order. Hoiland punched out two more to open up a 1-2-3 second inning to record five consecutive hitters strikeouts.

After scoring a combined 22 runs in the previous two games runs were not as easy for the AppleSox in the series finale but they never trailed. Reeve Boyd was hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth, when to third in an Easton Amundson single and scored on a wild pitch. Brandham Ponce hit a two-out double in the sixth and scored on a Marty Kaplan single and then Ponce hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning for his sixth RBI of the series.

Wenatchee (7-2) moved into second place in the North Division behind the 8-1 Bellingham Bells. The AppleSox handed the HarbourCats their first three losses of the summer and now travels to face the Springfield Drifters on Tuesday night at the Hamlin Sports Complex. Springfield took two-of-three games earlier this week against Wenatchee in the AppleSox’ first home series of the 2023 season. First pitch for all three games this Tuesday through Thursday is at 6:35 p.m. and you can listen to all of the action on kcsyfm.com.