Coach's Connections Pivotal In Latest AppleSox Roster Additions

Wenatchee AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington announced on Wednesday the addition of five new players to the 2022 team. Carson Lydon, Dylan Gardner, Hunter Gibson, Riley Sinclair and Andrew Haight have all signed to play in the Apple Capital of the World this summer.

Four-of-the-five players come from places of familiar connections for the AppleSox coaching staff. Lydon is the younger brother of AppleSox assistant coach Marcus Lydon. Gardner and Lydon both are at Big Bend Community College, where Darlington and associate head coach Aaron Vaughn previously coached at. Sinclair had a chance to play for Darlington at a high school showcase event.

Two members of the Lydon family will be with the AppleSox with the younger one serving as a utilityman. Carson Lydon originally committed to Oregon but de-committed earlier this spring and is training with Driveline Baseball in the midst of searching for a new school. 

The Eugene, Ore. native graduated from Churchill High School in 2021 and spent last summer with the Medford Rogues of the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League. Lydon recorded a 2.57 ERA over seven innings in five games and hit .333 in 10 games.

“Carson Lydon is a very talented two-way player to add to our roster,” Darlington said. “He will primarily be playing first base but could see significant innings for us on the mound as well.”

Coaches Darlington and Vaughn spent a combined six seasons as assistants at Big Bend and each of the next two players come from this familiar school. Dylan Gardner has a 3.67 ERA with 42 strikeouts to just 10 walks over 27 innings in five games (all starts) in his sophomore season with the Vikings. 

The right-hander from Boise, Idaho, has committed to Arizona State and will join the Sun Devils after this summer with the AppleSox. Gardner pitched in the Expedition League with the Canyon County Spuds and recorded a 5.53 ERA over 40.2 innings in eight games (seven starts). 

“Dylan Gardner probably has the highest ceiling of any arm that we have coming in,” Darlington said. “He’s getting a ton of pro attention right now and we would not be surprised to lose him to the draft this July.” 

Fellow Viking Hunter Gibson will also suit up in the red, white and blue this summer. He has not appeared on the mound this season but posted a 2.96 ERA with 37 strikeouts and only four walks over 27.1 innings in 10 games (three starts) in 2021 as a freshman. 

The right-hander from Ellensburg, Wash. native graduated from Ellensburg High School in 2020 and played basketball there in addition to baseball.

“Hunter is a fantastic arm,” Darlington said. “He throws a heavy fastball and locates his off speed whenever he wants.” 

Riley Sinclair has not suited up yet this season for Seattle U but the right-hander appeared in 13 games last spring, posting a 4.06 ERA over 51 innings in 13 games (seven starts) as a freshman. He led the Redhawks in ERA and tossed six-or-more-innings three times.

The Camas, Wash. native graduated from Camas High School in 2020 but did not get to compete as a senior because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his junior season he recorded a 1.54 ERA in 13 games en route to Camas qualifying for the 4A State Tournament.  

“Riley Sinclair has the opportunity to step right in and be in a starting role for us every week,” Darlington said. “I had the privilege of coaching Riley at a Baseball Northwest event when he was in high school, so getting the chance to coach him again will be fun.” 

Andrew Haight becomes the third and final member of the 2022 AppleSox to come from Seattle U, along with Sinclair and Tyler Chipman. Haight has only recorded 14 at-bats in 10 games as a sophomore. He hit .231 in 13 at-bats in 13 games as a freshman in 2021. 

The Monroe, Wash. native played for the Casper Horseheads in the Expedition League last summer and hit .267 in 11 games. Haight recorded at least one hit in seven-of-11 games.

“Andrew Haight is a rock solid defensive catcher,” Darlington said. “He has the ability to shut down your opponents’ running game.” 

Stay tuned to AppleSox social media for next week’s player announcements. Search “Wenatchee AppleSox” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to hear more of what head coach Mitch Darlington has to say about the newest AppleSox players as well as interviews with other players, past and present.