AppleSox Begin Six-Game Homestand Tonight vs Kelowna

Following a six-game road trip north of the border, the Wenatchee AppleSox make the trek home from Edmonton to kick off an almost week-long homestand beginning with a 6:35 p.m. game tonight against the visiting Kelowna Falcons.

The AppleSox come into the week riding the momentum of two consecutive series wins coming against the Victoria HarbourCats and the Edmonton Riverhawks. Their wins came on the heels of strong nights at the plate as they scored at least eight runs in each of their four wins over the last week. However, the pitching staff played a large part in their success over the weekend as they held off the Riverhawks by allowing only seven total runs in three games at Edmonton. A much needed off-day on Monday gives the AppleSox a bit of rest before tonight’s first pitch after their first ever trip to Edmonton.

Kelowna will travel to the states for only the second time this year and they will be the AppleSox’ third consecutive matchup with a team from our neighbor to the north. They have won two of their last seven games, but their bats came alive on Sunday as they put up 12 runs in a win against the Nanaimo NightOwls to improve to a 7-9 record on the season. This gives them a slight edge over the AppleSox in the standings with the AppleSox a half-game behind the NightOwls going into Tuesday.

The Sox will have to be careful with Kelowna’s leadoff hitter, Jacob Steels, an outfielder from Santa Maria, Cali. who leads the team in doubles, tied for the team lead in runs scored, and is hitting at a .353 clip this year in 13 games. The Falcons also have some power in the middle of their lineup with CJ Richmond, an outfielder from Indianapolis, Ind. who is slashing .283/.411/.522 and leads the team with three homeruns and 11 RBI in 14 games played.

Multiple AppleSox batters found their groove this week and look to stay hot going into the homestand. Matt Halbach and Andrew Haight have been impressive in their short time with the AppleSox so far and continued to show that in the last few games. Halbach tallied four multi-hit games in Canada and brings his season batting average to .395 with a three-for-five performance on Sunday afternoon in the 9-3 AppleSox win over the Riverhawks. Haight has been an excellent backstop and has hit safely in six straight games, going 8-for-22 on the road trip while launching two balls over the fence in back-to-back games against Edmonton.

Adam Fahsel has also been swinging a hot bat as he recorded five hits in the series at Edmonton with a double and a home run. The AppleSox added a pitcher in Evan Canfield who has yet to make his debut at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The Bothell, Wash. native tossed 5.2 innings since joining the team and has struck out five batters while only walking one to the tune of a 3.17 ERA.

The AppleSox have won four straight against the Falcons dating back to July 4th, 2019 with a 16-8 win at home where 14 runs were scored by the Sox in the seventh and eighth innings to secure the victory. They did not play the Falcons in 2021, making today’s game the first time the two teams have played in almost three years with their last matchup coming on July 18th, 2019 in Kelowna where the AppleSox came away with an 11-8 win.

Offensive firepower has been the strength of the AppleSox as they come into play Tuesday with the West Coast League’s fourth-highest team batting average. The bats will need to stay hot with Kelowna touting one of the best pitching staffs in the league with a 3.91 team ERA, which ranks fourth best in the WCL.

The starting pitcher tonight for the AppleSox is Riley Sinclair. Originally from Camas, Wash., Sinclair has spent two years at Seattle University in which he has amassed 20 total appearances and will be entering his junior year there this fall. He has made two appearances with one start this summer and is looking for a bounce-back performance after allowing three runs in two innings last week at Victoria.

Come out and cheer on the AppleSox and your community heroes as we honor first responders tonight at the ballpark. Current and former first responders can show valid ID cards for free entry into the ballpark.

It’s also a $2 Off Tuesday with $2 off general admission and premium tickets, $2 off hot dogs, burgers, and Coors Light draft pours! Tonight is also a Taco Tuesday where you can get three tacos for $7. While you're at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, stop by the souvenir stand for the chance to grab your own souvenir fillable AppleSox beer bat for a special discounted price of $5 and take an additional 20-percent off select merchandise items tonight only.

Tickets are still available to be purchased for today’s game and fans can do so by heading to saferseating.com or by purchasing their tickets in-person at the gate.

Tonight’s game can be listened to live on kcsyfm.com on your computer or smart phone. If you live in Washington you can listen on your radio on any of the following stations:

·      Wenatchee: 93.9 FM

·      East Wenatchee/Rock Island: 98.1 FM

·      Lake Chelan Valley: 95.3 FM

·      Brewster/Pateros: 101.3 FM

·      Okanogan Valley: 101.9 FM

·      Omak/Tonasket/Oroville: 97.7 FM

·      Methow Valley: 106.3 FM

Coverage of today’s game begins at 6:10 p.m. with the Horan Estates Winery Pregame Show. Stick around after the game to hear the postgame show with player and coach interviews.