Sox Take First Game of 2024

Antonio Gianni delivered a two-out go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Port Angeles Lefties, 4-1, on Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Port Angeles tied the game up with a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh but the AppleSox didn’t take long to respond. Max Hartman and Fred Buckson drew back-to-back one-out walks before Gianni singled through the hole on the left side. Hartman stole second and third before scoring the eventual game-winning run.

Stephen Hammergren (1-0) shut the door with three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He struck out three and only allowed one hit while also escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth.

Blake Reece fired six scoreless innings with five strikeouts, two of which came in his final inning of work.

Hartman led the way offensively with two doubles and two walks while also reaching base on an error.

Wenatchee scored its first run in the fifth to break a scoreless tie on a Kade Benavidez sacrifice fly. The AppleSox added their final two runs in the eighth on a Jack Johnson RBI single and a groundout by Fred Buckson.

The AppleSox look to win the series on Saturday night when they face the Lefties again at 6:35. Matthew DelVecchio starts for Wenatchee and tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/schedule.