Oyama Collects Three Hits But AppleSox Fall To HarbourCats

Joichiro Oyama recorded his second consecutive three-hit game and third of the season on Wednesday night but the Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Victoria HarbourCats, 12-2, at Royal Athletic Park.

Oyama provided the bulk of the offense as Wenatchee only mustered six hits in defeat. The AppleSox did not score until they were down to their final out in the ninth as Andrew Haight singled in a pair.

The game was much closer than the final score indicates. Victoria scored eight times in the bottom of the eighth and only led 2-0 going into the top of the sixth. Wenatchee had only put three baserunners on through the first five innings but immediately threatened with the first pitching change of the night. Oyama singled and Apodaca walked to put the tying run at first base with no outs. Both successfully executed a double steal but three straight AppleSox hitters struck out to end the inning.

Quincy Vassar (0-2) allowed four runs or less while tossing over five innings for the third straight start but suffered his second loss. Vassar allowed one run on four hits in the first inning but stranded the bases loaded and didn’t give up anything else until a solo home run in the fifth. He toed the rubber again in the sixth at 81 pitches but allowed a one-out single and then a two-run homer to stretch the HarbourCats lead to 4-0 and was pulled.

Wenatchee wraps up the three-game series with Victoria on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. looking to win its first rubber match of the season. Chase Matheny makes his first start of the season on the mound and his third appearance overall. Listen live to the action at kcsyfm.com

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast below for a recap of Wednesday’s game as well as Joel Norman’s pregame interview with Mason Philley. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.