Elks Down AppleSox in Extra Innings

The Wenatchee AppleSox twice rallied back from late deficits but fell to the Bend Elks, 11-8, in 10 innings in their series finale on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Tino Bethancourt launched his third homer of the season in a three-run seventh inning and the Sox later plated two in the ninth inning without any hits as a part of two late-inning rallies, but it was not enough as they fell in each of the final two games of the series to Bend.

AppleSox starter Cameron Liss allowed two runs in 4.1 innings and struck out a AppleSox’ starter-best seven hitters before being pulled. Sox relievers combined to surrender nine runs over the following 5.2 innings.

The AppleSox took a 2-0 lead into the fifth after plating a pair in the second but the Elks tied it with a two-spot of their own before Wenatchee re-took the lead in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball to plate Justin Simpson after he reached on a two-out walk.

Though he had been 0-for-2 prior to that plate appearance, it would be the start of a great night for Justin Simpson as he would draw two more walks and score all three times that he reached base. All-in-all, he reached base in seven of his 10 plate appearances this past weekend in his first pair of games for the AppleSox.

Though Wenatchee had a 3-2 lead, it would only last until the seventh inning when the Elks took a one-run lead after putting up a two-spot. Before Bethancourt’s two-run homer in the bottom of the inning, Grob hit an two-out RBI single right before him to tie the game before Bethancourt nearly brought the house down with his titanic blast.

Bend refused to let momentum shift away from them as they plated four in the top of the eighth in part thanks to the third of four AppleSox errors on the evening. Wenatchee faced four different pitchers and sent eight men to the plate but scored twice without collecting any hits. appleSox hitters were patient and drew four walks in the inning, but they stranded the bases-loaded and failed to plate the winning run after he reached base without any outs in the inning.

The Elks made the AppleSox pay by scoring three in the 10th and then the AppleSox struck out in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

The AppleSox have Monday off before traveling to face the Cowlitz Black Bears for the first-of-three games on Tuesday night at 6:35.