EVAN JOHNSON BLASTS TWO HOME RUNS, SOX BEATEN BY ONE

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Evan Johnson smashed two home runs for the Wenatchee AppleSox (0-2), but the Walla Walla Sweets (2-0), scored enough early runs to hold on for a 5-4 win at Borleske Stadium.

Johnson’s first home run, was a solo shot over the hand-operated scoreboard in left field. The second home run of the night, a three-run shot, came in the ninth inning and trimmed the 5-1 deficit. It was also to left field, this time clearing the 353-foot marker in left field.

The AppleSox were put in a tough spot early when starter Keegan Romig (0-1) had to exit the game with an apparent arm injury. He left in the first inning with two outs and runners at second and third.

Having to take over off the bench, Jarrod Molnaa had trouble settling in. A wild pitch brought home a run and a two-run home run for Jake Suddleson made it 3-0, Sweets after an inning.

Walla Walla added runs in the fourth and fifth, for the 5-1 lead.

After Romig’s early exit, Molnaa lasted the rest of the game and settled into a nice rhythm. The right-hander struck out 10 batters, becoming the first AppleSox pitcher to do so since CJ Gettman, June 4, 2015.

Scott Parker (1-0) got the win for Walla Walla, tossing five two-hit innings. Matt Amrhein came on to get the save for Wenatchee, by retiring the last two AppleSox batters to preserve the 5-4 victory.

Game three is Sunday at 1:05 p.m. In a battle of left-handers, the AppleSox Gerald Hein (0-0) will face the Sweets’ Haydn King (0-0).

The Wenatchee AppleSox will head to Victoria for a three-game series, June 5-7. The AppleSox play their home opener in Wenatchee Thursday, June 8 against Victoria. For more information, fans can visit www.applesox.com.