AppleSox Sweep Doubleheader vs. Drifters

The AppleSox took both games of their doubleheader against the Springfield Drifters by identical 7-4 scores on Saturday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee has now won four-of-five games on this seven-game homestand and has won back-to-back series to get back to .500 at 4-4.

The AppleSox took a 3-1 lead into the top of the fifth inning in Game 1 but gave up three runs in the top of the fifth, all with two outs. Springfield could not hang onto its 4-3 lead though as Michael Davinni doubled in Joichiro Oyama, who reached on a leadoff single, to tie the game. Aiva Arquette singled past a drawn-in infield two batters later and then Adam Fahsel added insurance with a two-run double.

Chase Matheny entered with two outs in the third inning and went the distance to earn the win. The right-hander from South Carolina Upstate tossed the final 4.1 innings and only allowed three runs.

In Game 2 another reliever came through with a brilliant effort. Mason Philley allowed one unearned run in 4.2 innings and struck out eight hitters to earn the victory. It marked the second consecutive game that the AppleSox’ lone reliever entered in the third inning and finished up the game.

The AppleSox scored seven runs in the first inning thanks to four consecutive singles to open up the inning. Grant Sherrod and Arquette drove in the first two runs with RBI singles and then Xander Orejudos hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0, Wenatchee. Fahsel singled with two outs and then Lydon reached on an error that scored Arquette and Fahsel. CJ Horn followed with a two-run opposite field home run to make it, 7-0 AppleSox.

Oyama and Davinni continued their incredible starts to the season by collecting hits in both games and have now collected at least one hit in the season’s first eight games. Oyama went 2-for-3 in Game 1 with three runs before going three-for-four in Game 2, including collecting two hits in the big first inning.

The AppleSox have already guaranteed themselves a winning record on this homestand and back-to-back series wins but are looking to take all three games against the Drifters when they face them again at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday’s game is the first Sunday afternoon home game of the summer. Fans who arrive early will receive AppleSox baseball cards as well as rally towels, sponsored by the IBEW-191. Kids can sign up before the game to high-five AppleSox players as they take the field and then can run the bases on the field after the game. Fans 21-and-older can stop by the AppleSox concession stand to purchase mimosas for the afternoon ballgame. Tickets are available at saferseating.com.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast for a recap of Saturday’s doubleheader sweep and for postgame interviews with Philley, Orejudos and head coach Mitch Darlington as well as pregame interviews with Ryan Mullan and Luc Stuka.