APPLESOX THROTTLE GOLDPANNERS, SCORE SEVENTEEN

Otis Statum and Sheldon Liikala led a strong offensive attack for the AppleSox, who won 17-6, Friday.

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-0, nonleague), used a seven-run second inning, and a six-run seventh inning to run away with game one versus the Alaska Goldpanners, 17-6 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Otis Statum and Sheldon Liikala were unstoppable forces at the plate for the AppleSox. Statum drove in five runs in the victory, while Liikala was a singles machine, converting on five hits. 

 After falling behind on back-to-back two-out singles in the top of the first by Alaska, the AppleSox scored two times in the bottom of the first on Liikala’s first hit of the night, good for an RBI, and two wild pitches and passed balls to net a lead. 

Wenatchee would never look back, slamming five runs off of Damian Powers, who lasted only 1 1/3 innings. The AppleSox had good luck against the ‘Panners second pitcher Daniel Ferrell, striking for four more runs in the second inning, while he could only scratch one out. 

Two more runs on a two-out single for Otis Statum in the third inning but Wenatchee up 11-1. 

Ross Clevenger pitched five innings, allowing just three runs in the winning effort. Jimmy Dobrash covered an additional three innings in his final outing of 2016, also allowing three more runs. 

Statum pushed the Sox lead out for good in the seventh inning, with a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded in Wenatchee’s final scoring frame. 

Liikala, Evan Douglas, Michael Toglia, Matt Reitano, and Taylor Borchers all each collected two runs batted in as well, Friday. Tyler Burch threw the final inning for Wenatchee, and allowed runners at the corners but no runs. 

With the win, Wenatchee improved to 3-0 in non-league play this season. 

The AppleSox play the second game of the set against Alaska, Saturday, at 7:05 p.m. Matt Young will be on the mound for the AppleSox.