Sox Walk Off to Sweep Pickles
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WENATCHEE, WA - The AppleSox picked up the fourth series sweep of the season thanks to a 2-RBI single by Connor Kiffer to walk off the Portland Pickles, 7-6, on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.
With two outs and runners at second and third and the AppleSox trailing by one, Kiffer singled to right field to score Blake Klassen and Trent Sellers. The base-hit gave the Sox their second walk-off win of the season and their fourth consecutive victory.
The Sox were two outs from victory in the top of the ninth, but gave up a two-run homer and had to rally in the bottom of the inning. Klassen led off with a walk, Hunter Montgomery drew a one-out walk but was erased when Sellers reached on a fielder’s choice. Sellers took second base on defensive indifference a pitch before Kiffer drove in the tying and winning runs on a 2-2 pitch.
Johnny Sage reached base in all five plate appearances with a three-hit night and the Sox recorded a third consecutive 10-hit night en route to victory.
The AppleSox struck first and took a 3-0 lead into the fourth after a quick start. In the second inning, Kody Darcy led off with a single and then scored two batters later on a single by Sellers. Ryan Altenberger went deep to open the third inning for his fifth home run of the season and his second in as many days in the third inning against the Pickles. Sage followed with a single and scored two batters later on a single by Klassen.
The Pickles got on the board with a couple RBI singles with the bases loaded to cut the deficit to one. The AppleSox responded with two more in the sixth to regain the three-run lead. Sage put down a bunt single with two outs and moved into scoring position thanks to a throwing error. A passed ball and a wild pitch scored Sage. Dalton Harum and Klassen followed with walks and as both attempted a double steal, Harum came home on a throwing error.
Portland scored two more in the seventh, but could have had more. On the second of back-to-back singles with the bases loaded, the Pickles second a runner home from second, but Altenberger gunned him down at home plate from right field.
With the win, the AppleSox are all alone in first place in the North Division. The Sox don’t face any league opponents again until Friday when they open up a three-game series against the Yakima Valley Pippins. After an off day tomorrow, the AppleSox face the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase team on Wednesday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. First pitch is at 6:35 and Peter Sanchez will start for Wenatchee.
Listen to AppleSox broadcaster Joel Norman’s postgame interviews with Kiffer and head coach Kyle Krustangel.
