APPLESOX RING BELLS IN GAME ONE, RIDE COLLIN MAIER TO VICTORY IN HIS FINAL OUTING

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (22-18, 7-6 second half) would not let Collin Maier’s final start of 2017 go to waste, as they rolled to a 12-5 win over the Bellingham Bells (21-19, 5-8), Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Maier’s summer has been capped at nine outings, so that he can get adequate rest for his upcoming season at Washington State. The right-hander finished with a 6-1 record on the year, and went 7-3 in three seasons in the West Coast League. Maier was one-win shy of tying the AppleSox single-season wins record.

Pitching against his former team (temporary contracts in 2015 and 2016), Maier delivered a stout seven innings, and struck out six batters, which matched his season high.

After he was hit for a triple and an RBI single in the first inning, the AppleSox got him a big cushion in the second inning, delivering a nine-run frame, in which 13 batters came to the plate against Holden Powell.

The inning started when Jake Taylor was hit by a pitch. Josh Zamora singled and Adrian Vela walked to load the bases for Connor McCord. The sophomore delivered a 2-RBI double and the AppleSox cashed in on two wild pitches and a passed ball.

Up 4-1, Matt Reitano singled home a run, and Zamora, at the plate for a second time, drew a bases-loaded walk. Jordan Prendiz capped the scoring with a 3-RBI double with the bases loaded to put Wenatchee up 9-1.

In the fifth, the AppleSox added two more off of reliever Cooper Misic, on a 2-RBI double for Dugan Shirer.

One more run scored in the sixth for Wenatchee off of Zach Grech. Adrian Vela drove it home on an RBI single.

In the eighth, Michael Spellacy threw a scoreless frame behind Collin Maier. Tommy Watanabe was inserted in the ninth inning, coming off a five-week back injury. The righty struggled to find his groove and gave up three runs, but the AppleSox still took the win on a game-ending punchout, 12-5.

Game two of the series is Sunday at 6:05 p.m. It is another Spaghetti Sunday when gates open at 5 p.m.! Easton Henke (0-1) will be on the mound for the AppleSox.