Ponce Walks Off NorthPaws Friday Night

The Wenatchee AppleSox overcame blowing a five-run lead to defeat the Kamloops NorthPaws, 7-6, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Brandham Ponce singled in the game-winning run to score the second run of the bottom of the 12th inning to give the AppleSox their fourth walkoff victory of the summer.

The NorthPaws took their first lead in the top of the 12th with a two-out RBI double to make it 6-5. They sent 10 men to the plate in the top of the ninth to score five runs after stranding 11 men in the first eight innings.

Sebastian David was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the inning, was sacrificed to second and advanced to third on an error. Reeve Boyd reached on a fielder’s choice to tie the game. MJ Sweeney drew a two-out walk and then Ponce singled to right field to plate Boyd and win the game.

Austin Ohland drove in three runs with a pair of RBI doubles, one in the fourth to open the scoring and another in the eighth to plate a pair of runs. His two doubles were his first two extra-base hits of the season and he scored after his second double thanks to an RBI single by his younger brother, Carson, two batters later.

Josh Williams plated the AppleSox’ other run with an RBI single in the seventh, driving in David after his leadoff double.

Bryce Johnson (2-1) earned his first win at home by tossing the final four innings in relief. He gave up two unearned runs but struck out eight and ended every inning with a strikeout, including punching out the side in the 10th.

Wenatchee goes for the series victory on Saturday night at 6:35. Felix Schlede returns for his first start of his second summer with the AppleSox.