AppleSox Drop First Series Since Early June

Mason Strong finished a triple away from hitting for the cycle but the Wenatchee AppleSox fell to the Port Angeles Lefties, 3-2, on Thursday night at Civic Field.

Port Angeles (10-20) earned its first-ever series victory over Wenatchee (19-8) by taking the final two games of the series. This was also the first time in the six-season history of the two teams facing each other that the Lefties won consecutive games in the same summer against the AppleSox.

Fur the second straight night the Lefties scored first thanks to a three-run first inning. They ousted starter Ryan Martinez (2-1) two batters into the third inning but were silenced the rest of the way thanks to perhaps the best relief effort of the season. Jadon Williamson entered with runners at first and second and no one out and proceeded to toss six shutout innings and strike out six. The right-hander retired each of the first 14 hitters that he faced before allowing a two-out single for the only blemish against him.

Strong collected the AppleSox’ first three hits of the game in his first three plate appearances. He put Wenatchee on the board with a one-out solo home run in the top of the fourth. His first home run of the summer snapped the team’s 10-game homer-less streak.

The AppleSox got their other run in the ninth on a two-out RBI single. Brandham Ponce singled with one out and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Henington that nearly resulted in an infield single. MJ Sweeney delivered two batters later but a soft groundout stranded the tying run at first and ended the game.

Because of the AppleSox’ loss and the Bellingham Bells’ 7-5 victory over the Kamloops NorthPaws the AppleSox will need to either win the second half division title or earn one of the two wild card spots to make the postseason.

The AppleSox return home Friday night to face the NorthPaws at 6:35. The series opener is sponsored by Chelan PUD and tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/2023-schedule.