AppleSox Take On Bells In Rubber Match On Thirsty Thursday
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The Wenatchee AppleSox conclude their three-game series with the Bellingham Bells tonight at 6:35 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.
The AppleSox suffered their first loss at home last night since June 27 as the visitors rallied late to claim a 7-5 lead. Wenatchee erased a 3-0 deficit with a five-run bottom of the fourth but Bellingham retook the lead with four runs in the eighth scored in part due to three AppleSox errors.
That loss snapped Wenatchee’s 12-game home winning streak in league play and seven-game win streak overall. Victoria and Kelowna also both lost on Wednesday, meaning that they still remain two and three games back, respectively, of Wenatchee in the second half. Ten games remain in the regular season and the next four are at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium before a six-game road trip to Bellingham and Kelowna to conclude the schedule.
Despite the loss last night the AppleSox got another impressive night from Carson Ohland. He extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-out 2-RBI double to cap the scoring in the fifth and give Wenatchee its first lead of the game. Ohland becomes the third different AppleSox player to record a double-digit hit streak, joining Brandham Ponce (11 games, June 8-21) and Easton Amundson (15 games, June 4-22).
Speaking of Amundson, the AppleSox get a surprise addition today as he returns today for the next week. Amundson originally concluded his summer on July 9 but was convinced by Wenatchee’s coaching staff to come back for the next seven games before he has to head east for his junior year at Liberty. Amundson has not played in the last 14 games but still leads the West Coast League with seven home runs. In addition to leading the AppleSox in home runs he also leads the team with 25 RBI, two triples and 15 extra-base hits. Amundson is three home runs away from becoming the AppleSox’ all-time leader in home runs in a single regular season to surpass Taylor Sparks, who hit nine regular-season home runs in 2012 before adding one in the playoffs.
Samuel Round attempts to deliver a series-clinching start tonight. He has earned the win in each of his last two games, first allowing one run over a season-high six innings on July 12 at Nanaimo before striking out a single-game high six batters on July 19 against Bend. Round is 2-0 with a 4.23 ERA, 16 strikeouts, seven walks and 14 hits over 17 innings in five games (three starts).
Bellingham sends Hunter Long to the mound in attempt to win its second consecutive series. He has a 0.56 ERA with 13 strikeouts, four walks and six hits over 9.1 innings in five relief appearances. Long last pitched three scoreless innings with five strikeouts, no walks and two hits last Friday at Kamloops.
Tonight’s game is a Thirsty Thursday. Fans can purchase general admission tickets for as affordable as $3 at AppleSox.com/2023-schedule and fans 21-and-over can enjoy discounts on adult beverages.
The AppleSox will be holding their fifth annual presentation of the Tommy Watanabe Award to an AppleSox player prior to the game. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:20 to ensure that they will be able to see the whole ceremony. Please visit applesox.com/tommy-watanabe-award to learn more about the award.
Fans can tune in to the action tonight and all season long on KCSY Sunny FM. Pregame coverage presented by Kenady Real Estate Group begins at 6:10 p.m. You can listen online worldwide at kcsyfm.com, the TuneIn radio app or on one of the following translators.
93.9 FM in Wenatchee
95.3 FM in the Lake Chelan Valley
97.7 FM in Omak, Riverside, Tonasket and Oroville
98.1 FM in East Wenatchee, Rock Island and Quincy
101.3 FM in Brewster and Pateros
106.3 FM in the Methow Valley
All West Coast League games can also be watched on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv.
