AppleSox Walk Off Bells to Begin Series
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WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox broke a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning with a drag bunt single from Kodie Kolden to walk off the Bellingham Bells, 3-2, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.
In a thrilling game where the two teams combined to score four runs over the final three innings, it was the AppleSox who picked up their first walk-off win of the season.
After the Sox scored in the first inning, neither team struck again until the seventh inning.
Both starting pitchers fired outings deserving of a victory. Seth Kuykendall tossed six shutout innings and struck out a season-high seven batters. However, he would wind up with a no-decision.
The AppleSox scored first when Cole McKenzie singled with two outs in the first inning and then came all the way around from first to score when Dalton Harum hit a bloop single into right field.
Kuykendall shut the door for the rest of his night on the mound, though the Bells had plenty of opportunities. Bellingham stranded eight runners through the first six innings. Twice, Kuykendall ended an inning with a strikeout to strand two runners.
In the seventh, the Sox added another run. Kody Darcy led off with a single, was sacrificed to third, stole third and scored a sacrifice fly by Kolden to give the AppleSox some insurance.
After not scoring in the first seven innings, the Bells sent seven men to the plate and scored twice off a pair of AppleSox relievers.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Sox wasted no time in walking off. Hunter Montgomery singled on the first pitch of the inning, was sacrificed to second and then went to third on a single by Connor Kiffer. With runners at first and third, Kolden connected on a bunt up the first-base side. The ball was dropped and not only did Kolden reach first safely, but Montgomery also scored the game-winning run.
The Sox look to take the series when they face the Bells again at 6:35 p.m. Tonight’s game is Marco Gonzales Bobblehead Night, sponsored by the IBEW-191. The first 400 fans will walk away with a bobblehead of the former AppleSox pitcher. Tickets can be purchased here.
Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Kuykendall, Kolden and head coach Kyle Krustangel.
