Improbable Comeback Keeps AppleSox in Wild Card Race

KELOWNA, BC. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (32-23, 28-22) outscored the Kelowna Falcons (15-35) 14-1 in the final seven innings of Wednesday’s game, en route to a 15-8 win in 10 innings at Elks Stadium in  Kelowna, B.C.

Kelowna scored first in the bottom of the first inning, as Ryo Shishido came around to score on a FC play on the infield, in which the AppleSox couldn’t quite turn a double play.

Wenatchee answered with a run in the top of the second as Nick Brooks doubled to right center field to score AJ Alcantara from first base.

Brooks would have three hits in the game. All three were doubles.

A six run bottom of the third inning for Kelowna chased AppleSox starter, Ian Buckles from the ball game. Buckles gave up seven earned runs on Wednesday; his highest mark on  the season. He was also struck in the left knee by a line drive in the second at bat of the game.

Nathan Hadley entered in relief for Wenatchee and surrendered one more run in the bottom of the sixth.

Wenatchee got a good margin of runs back in the fourth inning as Kyle Vanderkin gapped a bases loaded double to clear the bases and complete a four-run frame for the AppleSox.

The AppleSox added one more in the fifth and another in the eighth and ninth innings. In the ninth, Wenatchee pulled off a successful suicide squeeze play to tie the game. While the pitcher threw on to first base, Alcantara tried to sneak home for the AppleSox, but was gunned down at the plate by Kelowna’s first baseman.

Shaun Vetrovec offered up four innings out of the AppleSox bullpen and retired the side one-two-three in three of those four innings. He didn’t give up a hit and he tallied seven of the game’s ten total strikeouts. He walked just one batter.

In the tenth, Wenatchee was able to secure a win for Vetrovec as a two run single for Vanderkin gave the AppleSox a 10-8 lead. Wenatchee would pile on five more after the single and send 11 batters to the plate in the mammoth inning.

Vetrovec retired the side one-two-three in the bottom of the tenth to secure the AppleSox win.

Yakima Valley won on Wednesday, guaranteeing them the WCL East title. Wenatchee now must play for the wild card spot. If the AppleSox win out this season, Bend must lose two of their final four games for Wenatchee to make the playoffs.

A chance for the AppleSox to sweep comes tonight as Calvin LeBrun takes the mound for the AppleSox at 6:35 p.m. from Elks Stadium.

WEN   0 1 0  4 1 0   0 1 1   7   15 15  0  

KEL    1 0 6  0 0 1   0 0 0   0    8  15  3

WP – Shaun Vetrovec

LP – Brett Solano

S –