New-Look AppleSox Defeat CCL Showcase Monday

Cashmere native Brayden Weatherman tossed five scoreless innings of relief and the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Cascade Collegiate League Showcase team, 6-1, on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Three of Wenatchee’s nine hitters in Monday’s starting lineup had played in fewer than five games or were making their AppleSox debut. All four AppleSox pitchers were appearing in their game of the summer for Wenatchee.

Weatherman came out of the bullpen in the third inning and dominated. He allowed a hit to the first batter that he faced but that would be the last hit that he allowed as the southpaw struck out five and only walked two the rest of the way.

Wenatchee dug into its reserves and signed several new players to help for its stretch run while also having some fun late in the game. All three coaches appeared in Monday night’s game as head coach Mitch Darlington and hitting coach Marcus Lydon batted in the eighth inning while pitching coach Aaron Vaughn struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

Incoming Chelan High School senior Braiden Boyd started and allowed one run and struck out three in two innings. Ryudai Watanabe also made his AppleSox debut by tossing a 1-2-3 eighth inning.

Wenatchee gave up the game’s first run in the top of the first but bounced back to score twice in the second and three times in the third. Xander Orejudos led the offense with a 2-for-4 night with a double in the first inning and a solo home run in the sixth inning. Corey Jarrell, DJ Massey and Justin Stransky (the latter two making their AppleSox debut) also delivered RBI singles.

“Play For The AppleSox” contest winner Eddie Pichardo batted to lead off the seventh inning and worked a full count but ultimately grounded out back to the mound. Eddie was one of three people randomly selected to compete in a postgame batting practice on July 28 and collected the most hits of all three contestants.

The AppleSox return to West Coast League action on Tuesday night when they face the Yakima Valley Pippins at 6:35 p.m. at Yakima County Stadium.

Listen to the latest edition of the AppleSox Podcast for a recap of the game and a pregame interview with Brooks Rasmussen. Subscribe to the AppleSox Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.