Sox Strike For Seven In Seventh, Beat Sweets

Max Hartman hit a go-ahead 3-RBI triple in the seventh to help the Wenatchee AppleSox defeat the Walla Walla Sweets, 9-5, on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Trailing 4-2 after giving up two runs in the top of the seventh, Wenatchee (14-7) responded with a huge bottom of the seventh. The AppleSox sent 12 men to the plate and scored seven runs. Hartman plated the first three on a line drive down the right field to put the AppleSox in the lead for good.

Roberto Gonzalez batted leadoff for the first time in his third game of the summer and reached base safely four times with three hits and a walk.

Wenatchee drew 11 walks, two off matching its season high from June 6. Cam Hoiland led everyone with four free passes while three others also recorded multi-walk nights.

The AppleSox got on the board early with a two-run first inning thanks to an RBI single by Kade Benavidez before Luca Boscarino singled and an error allowed Hoiland to score from second. That lead held until the Sweets scored singular runs in the fifth and sixth before taking the lead with a two spot in the seventh.

Hartman’s big swing after the seventh-inning stretch opened the flood gates, He scored a batter later when Aidan Dougherty reached on an error. Boscarino plated Dougherty two batters later on an RBI single and then Antonio Gianni doubled in a pair to cap the scoring.

Ryan Martinez threw five innings in the first start of his second summer with the AppleSox. He allowed one unearned run on six hits, no walks and three strikeouts but picked up a no decision.

The AppleSox remain tied for first place with the Edmonton Riverhawks, who earned their fourth straight win on Sunday. Six games remain in the first half and the AppleSox host the Kelowna Falcons on Monday night at 6:35. It’s Nurse’s Night and all nurses can show their badge at the game for discounted tickets and concessions. Regular tickets can be purchased at applesox.com/schedule