APPLESOX LOOK TO EVEN SERIES AT WALLA WALLA

GAME NOTES 6-10
BASEBALL BLURBS 6-10

APPLESOX LOOK TO EVEN SERIES WITH SWEETS
The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-2, 0-1), fourth place in the WCL East, continue their first WCL East series tonight vs. the Walla Walla Sweets (2-2, 2-2), after dropping last night’s game by a score of 1-0...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (3-2) (.600), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons. 

LAST NIGHT
The AppleSox lost their second-consecutive WCL and WCL-East Opener, 1-0...the Sweets no-hit the AppleSox through 6.1 innings, with Jeider Rincon and Jake Simmons combining for the no-hot bid...Sheldon Liikala broke through with the AppleSox first hit, extending his 2015 hitting streak to a modest five games...the Sox have dropped six of the last seven contests to the Sweets...last night was the first shutout of the AppleSox since July 30, 2014 vs. Victoria...32nd all time (60-32).

VS WALLA WALLA; 2014
Wenatchee was a dismal 2-7 against the Sweets last season...Walla Walla took 2-of-3 at Borleseke Stadium, including a 10-9 contest in 14 innings...the AppleSox longest game of the season. 

A LOOK BACK
For just the third time in 15 years, the AppleSox missed the playoffs in 2014 (34-25), ending a streak of 12-consecutive postseasons reached...they finished second in the WCL East behind Yakima Valley, and fifth in the WCL, 1.5 games away from clinching a playoff berth... Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average...they had five players bat over .300, the most of any Sox team in the past five seasons...there were more than five, but to be eligible for the batting title a player needs 146 plate appearances (2.7 plate appearances times per team game...in a 54-game season that is 146)...Tyler Frost hit .373 (third-WCL), Caleb Wood .360, Sam Brown .340, Ty Jackson .337 and Michael McCann .318.

RECORDS SET/TIED 2014
Team, Batting
- Most hits season: 559.  Old record 538 in 2012.
- Most singles season: 450.  Old record 419 in 2012.
- Most total bases season: 719.  Tied with 2012.
- Most runs season: 324. Old record 312 in 2011.
- Most walks game: 17.  Old record 12 in 2008.
Team, Pitching
- Most strikeouts: 468.  Old record 397 in 2010.
- Most batters hit by pitch: 49.  Old record 45 in 2009
Individual
- Most hits game: 5, Nick Brooks.  Tied record with three others.
- Most walks game: 4, Kyle Vanderkin and Joe Gillette.  Tied record with three others.
- Most triples season: 4, Sam Brown.  Tied record with three others.

ED KNAGGS BY THE NUMBERS
In 14 seasons as an AppleSox Head Coach, Ed Knaggs owned a 497-274 overall record (.645)...he was 377-221 in league play (.630)...Knaggs won five WCL titles and one PIL Championship...the AppleSox first coach, Gary Lewallen, was 16-23.

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 815 games, the AppleSox own a 516-299 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 376-199 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 324-181 (.642) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.786) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 407-256 (.614) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 312-154 (.670) all-time home record, and is 214-164 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 33-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).

Pitchers' Duel Goes to Sweets

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-2, 0-1) worked to erase a combined no-hitter in the seventh inning Tuesday night, against the Walla Walla Sweets (2-2, 2-2), in a tough, 1-0 loss at Borleske Stadium. 

The first game of the three-game set was a pitchers’ duel, with Gage Burland and Jeider Rincon going toe-to-toe during the first five innings.

The two each shutout their opponents, as Rincon twirled five hitless innings.

Burland gave up just four hits and walked two, while striking out five. Rincon walked four AppleSox hitters and walked six.

Jake Simmons earned the win for Walla Walla, as the Sweets pushed across a run in the bottom of the sixth on a bases loaded RBI sacrifice fly to center field, off of Micael Taylor. The Sweets ended up 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Simmons threw three innings, giving up two hits, including the AppleSox first in the seventh inning to Sheldon Liikala.

Wenatchee added one more single from Kyle Vanderkin in the eighth, but the Sox were retired 1-2-3 in the ninth by Cam Richman, who preserved the 1-0 win for the Sweets.

The AppleSox look to stay strong on the mound in game two, and will hope to heat up offensively. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Hunter Wells goes up against Easton Lucas in the two pitchers’ first starts of the season.

WP: Jake Simmons (1-0)

LP: Micael Taylor (0-1)

S: Cam Richman (1)

AppleSox Open WCL Schedule at Walla Walla

The AppleSox face the Sweets in a three game set at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla. Wenatchee was 1-2 on the road vs. the Sweets last season.

GAME NOTES 6/9 WALLA WALLA
BLURBS BY BRUCE 6/9

APPLESOX OPEN WCL SLATE WITH SWEETS
The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-1, 0-0), fourth place in the WCL East, will open their 2015 league schedule, tonight vs. the Walla Walla Sweets (1-2, 1-2), after the AppleSox made it through the non-league portion of the schedule 3-1...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (3-1) (.750), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

PUTTING A WRAP ON NON-LEAGUE PLAY
The AppleSox finished 3-1 in non-league play this season...48 combined runners LOB during the two-game non-league set with Spokane...AppleSox won game two by a score of 15-5...led offensively by Chase Lewallen, Kyle Vanderkin, and Hunter Hanson, among others...Tyler Burch pitched effectively for three innings in relief...Brian Gadsby struck out the side in his first appearance (ninth inning).

VS WALLA WALLA; 2014
Wenatchee was a dismal 2-7 against the Sweets last season...Walla Walla took 2-of-3 at Borleseke Stadium, including a 10-9 contest in 14 innings...the AppleSox longest game of the season.

A LOOK BACK
For just the third time in 15 years, the AppleSox missed the playoffs in 2014 (34-25), ending a streak of 12-consecutive postseasons reached...they finished second in the WCL East behind Yakima Valley, and fifth in the WCL, 1.5 games away from clinching a playoff berth... Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average...they had five players bat over .300, the most of any Sox team in the past five seasons...there were more than five, but to be eligible for the batting title a player needs 146 plate appearances (2.7 plate appearances times per team game...in a 54-game season that is 146)...Tyler Frost hit .373 (third-WCL), Caleb Wood .360, Sam Brown .340, Ty Jackson .337 and Michael McCann .318.

RECORDS SET/TIED 2014
Team, Batting
- Most hits season: 559.  Old record 538 in 2012.
- Most singles season: 450.  Old record 419 in 2012.
- Most total bases season: 719.  Tied with 2012.
- Most runs season: 324. Old record 312 in 2011.
- Most walks game: 17.  Old record 12 in 2008.
Team, Pitching
- Most strikeouts: 468.  Old record 397 in 2010.
- Most batters hit by pitch: 49.  Old record 45 in 2009
Individual
- Most hits game: 5, Nick Brooks.  Tied record with three others.
- Most walks game: 4, Kyle Vanderkin and Joe Gillette.  Tied record with three others.
- Most triples season: 4, Sam Brown.  Tied record with three others.

ED KNAGGS BY THE NUMBERS
In 14 seasons as an AppleSox Head Coach, Ed Knaggs owned a 497-274 overall record (.645)...he was 377-221 in league play (.630)...Knaggs won five WCL titles and one PIL Championship...the AppleSox first coach, Gary Lewallen, was 16-23.

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 814 games, the AppleSox own a 516-298 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 376-198 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 324-180 (.641) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 55-15 (.785) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 407-255 (.613) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.725) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 312-154 (.669) all-time home record, and is 214-163 (.568) on the road...Wenatchee is 33-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).

AppleSox Shell Out 15 Runs, Win In Non-League Finale

Hunter Hanson scored three times and went 3-for-6, while driving in two runs, including one on an RBI-triple, Sunday.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-1, 0-0) scored at least once in each of the first seven innings, and defeated the Spokane Expos (8-3), 15-5, Sunday evening at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.   

Jonny Krupla drove home the game’s first run for the Spokane Expos in the top half of the first, off Sox starter Kyle Blankenship.

Wenatchee responded in the home half, scoring three runs on three hits, and a wild pitch. Eight AppleSox batters came to the plate in the inning.  

The scoring continued in the second for Wenatchee, with a four-hit, four-run frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double for Evan Douglas, who finished 2-5 with 2 RBI. 

Chase Lewallen, also involved in the scoring, drove in three on Sunday, thanks to a 3-4 night. Hunter Hanson also made some outstanding plays in the field and at the plate. He finished 3-6 with 3 R and an RBI-triple. 

Kyle Blankenship worked for five innings before Tyler Burch, a local player from the Wenatchee AppleSox fired off three strong innings of one-run baseball, to help keep the Expo bats at bay.

Brian Gadsby, who joined the team Friday night, fresh out of high school, struck out the side in the top of the ninth to cap a 3-1 non-league record for the AppleSox.

Wenatchee opens up league play, Tuesday night against the Walla Walla Sweets (1-2, 1-2 WCL) at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla. Gage Burland will be the first AppleSox starter to toe the rubber in league play. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

WP: Kyle Blankenship (1-0)

LP: Jared Smith (1-1)

Spokane

101 110 010   5 10 1

Wenatchee

341 124 00X   15 14 5

AppleSox Look To Go 3-1 In Non-League Play, Sunday

AppleSox Wrap Up 2015 Non-League Schedule With Expos

Zach Haggett pitches in the early innings of the AppleSox 7-6 win, Saturday.

GAME NOTES 6/7
BASEBALL BLURBS BY BRUCE 6/7

APPLESOX LOOK TO FINISH NON-LEAGUE PLAY 3-1
The Wenatchee AppleSox (2-1, 0-0), fourth place in the WCL East, will complete their 2015 non-league schedule, tonight vs. the Spokane Expos (8-2), after walking off last night, 7-6 in extra innings...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (2-1) (.667), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

SPAGHETTI SUNDAYS
Tonight is the first Alley Cafe Spaghetti Sunday of the season. Grab some spaghetti and a slice of garlic bread when the gates open at 5 p.m. $7.50 -- Spaghetti service stops when the first pitch flies at 6:05 p.m.

LAST NIGHT
Aided by 11 walks (10 in the final 4 1/3 innings), the AppleSox walked home the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth, for a 7-6 win...the AppleSox came back from dowwn 4 (5-1) in the sixth inning...their largest comeback, so far, in 2015.

SOMETHING EXTRA
Last night’s contest tied for second-earliest extra-inning game in an AppleSox season, with a 2009 contest (2-1 win) vs. the Moses Lake Pirates...the AppleSox played a 14-inning affair with Corvallis to kick off 2013, a 3-2 AppleSox win...it took the AppleSox eight games to reach their first extended contest of 2014, a 13-12 win over Kitsap...the win against the Expos marked the AppleSox first non-league win in extra frames (5 tries: 1-4).

A LOOK BACK
For just the third time in 15 years, the AppleSox missed the playoffs in 2014 (34-25), ending a streak of 12-consecutive postseasons reached...they finished second in the WCL East behind Yakima Valley, and fifth in the WCL, 1.5 games away from clinching a playoff berth... Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average...they had five players bat over .300, the most of any Sox team in the past five seasons...there were more than five, but to be eligible for the batting title a player needs 146 plate appearances (2.7 plate appearances times per team game...in a 54-game season that is 146)...Tyler Frost hit .373 (third-WCL), Caleb Wood .360, Sam Brown .340, Ty Jackson .337 and Michael McCann .318.

RECORDS SET/TIED 2014
Team, Batting
- Most hits season: 559.  Old record 538 in 2012.
- Most singles season: 450.  Old record 419 in 2012.
- Most total bases season: 719.  Tied with 2012.
- Most runs season: 324. Old record 312 in 2011.
- Most walks game: 17.  Old record 12 in 2008.
Team, Pitching
- Most strikeouts: 468.  Old record 397 in 2010.
- Most batters hit by pitch: 49.  Old record 45 in 2009
Individual
- Most hits game: 5, Nick Brooks.  Tied record with three others.
- Most walks game: 4, Kyle Vanderkin and Joe Gillette.  Tied record with three others.
- Most triples season: 4, Sam Brown.  Tied record with three others.

ED KNAGGS BY THE NUMBERS
In 14 seasons as an AppleSox Head Coach, Ed Knaggs owned a 497-274 overall record (.645)...he was 377-221 in league play (.630)...Knaggs won five WCL titles and one PIL Championship...the AppleSox first coach, Gary Lewallen, was 16-23.

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 813 games, the AppleSox own a 515-298 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 375-198 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 324-180 (.641) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 54-15 (.785) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 407-255 (.613) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 106-40 (.725) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 311-154 (.669) all-time home record, and is 214-163 (.568) on the road...Wenatchee is 33-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).

Walkoff Walk Gives AppleSox 7-6 Extra-Inning Win

The AppleSox walked 11 times, included a bases loaded free pass to Nick Nyquist to win Saturday's game, 7-6 in 10 innings at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (2-1, 0-0) walked the winning run home Saturday night to defeat the Spokane Expos (8-2), 7-6 in 10 innings at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.  

Nick Nyquist drew the free pass, and forced in Keaton Smith, who led of the tenth with a walk of his own.

In total, the AppleSox walked 11 times Saturday, with 10-of-11 coming in the final 4 1/3 innings.

The Expos were led out of the gates by graduating high school senior starter, Ethan LaValley. He held the AppleSox scoreless through the first two frames and tossed a scoreless bottom half of the first.

Spokane drew first blood in the top of the third, when Jonny Krupla came around to score on a Jordan Rathbone RBI single. Rathbone later scored on a Jack Machtolf single, and Machtolf crossed the plate on a Zach Day RBI triple.

Wenatchee answered with one in the home half of the third. Smith scored on an Evan Douglas single, one of Smith’s two runs scored on the night.

Spokane added another run in each of the fourth and sixth innings, to take a 5-1 lead to the bottom half.

Finally the AppleSox broke through offensively, with LaValley’s five-inning, five-hit, one-run night complete. The Sox scored four runs off of Austin Lee, with one of the four earned. There were three walks in the inning, including an intentional pass, and the AppleSox brought ten hitters to the plate.

Keaton Smith slammed a two-run RBI single into left field to bring the game within one run. The AppleSox went on to knot it at five, before Chase Lewallen struck out with the bases loaded in the first of three bases-loaded opportunities down the stretch.

In the seventh, Spokane immediately reclaimed the lead on a Zach Day RBI double, scoring Jack Machtolf from first base.

The AppleSox utilized Colton Loomis to hold the Expos lead to one. Loomis gave up the sixth run at the time, and ended up striking out four over four innings of relief.

Wenatchee added its sixth run in the bottom of the eighth. Douglas singled in Scott Hilpert, who led off the inning with a walk. One of three AppleSox walks in the frame.

Things held with the relief work of Cael McKeirnan, who checked in the game during the sixth inning as a pinch runner, and transitioned to the mound in the eighth.

He held the AppleSox scoreless until the third error of the night for Spokane, coupled with a leadoff walk of Smith in the bottom of the tenth, gave the AppleSox runners at the corners with nobody out. Spokane then walked the bases loaded to face Chase Lewallen, who was pinch-hit for by Kyle Vanderkin. He struck out looking on a borderline strike, before Nyquist worked a walk on a 3-2 pitch, to win the game.

Anthony Contonio, who pitched a scoreless top half of the tenth for Wenatchee, in relief of Loomis and Haggett, picked up his first win of the year.

The loss was charged to McKeirnan.

The two-game non-league series concludes tomorrow at 6:05 p.m. Kyle Blankenship will take to the hill against Jared Smith.
 

WP: Anthony Contonio (1-0)
LP: Cael McKeirnan (0-1)

AppleSox Welcome Expos For Non-League Action

Chase Lewallen led the AppleSox with 5 RBI in the first non-league series. He and the Sox welcome the Spokane Expos, Saturday.

GAME NOTES
6/6 BASEBALL BLURBS BY BRUCE

APPLESOX FACE NEW NON-LEAGUE OPPONENT THIS WEEKEND
The Wenatchee AppleSox (1-1, 0-0), third place in the WCL East, will complete their 2015 non-league schedule, starting tonight vs. the Spokane Expos (8-1)...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (1-1) (.500), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
The AppleSox dropped a non-league game to the San Francisco Seals for the first time in team history...the Seals were spurred by offensive outbursts in multiple innings, and hit AppleSox starter, Reign Letkeman hard, after he effectively shut them out on Opening Night in 2014...Eli Alcantar went 4-5 with 2 RBI and Vlad Gomez was 4-6 with 3 RBI...Kenny Chavez contributed a two-run jack in the top of the ninth...first home run for any team at Paul Thomas Sr. Field this season.

THE RETURN OF HARMON
Brandon Harmon played for the AppleSox in 2015, helping lead the AppleSox to their first WCL Championship...he is returning to Paul Thomas Sr. Field as the Head Coach of the Expos.

A LOOK BACK
For just the third time in 15 years, the AppleSox missed the playoffs in 2014 (34-25), ending a streak of 12-consecutive postseasons reached...they finished second in the WCL East behind Yakima Valley, and fifth in the WCL, 1.5 games away from clinching a playoff berth... Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average...they had five players bat over .300, the most of any Sox team in the past five seasons...there were more than five, but to be eligible for the batting title a player needs 146 plate appearances (2.7 plate appearances times per team game...in a 54-game season that is 146)...Tyler Frost hit .373 (third-WCL), Caleb Wood .360, Sam Brown .340, Ty Jackson .337 and Michael McCann .318.

RECORDS SET/TIED 2014
Team, Batting
- Most hits season: 559.  Old record 538 in 2012.
- Most singles season: 450.  Old record 419 in 2012.
- Most total bases season: 719.  Tied with 2012.
- Most runs season: 324. Old record 312 in 2011.
- Most walks game: 17.  Old record 12 in 2008.
Team, Pitching
- Most strikeouts: 468.  Old record 397 in 2010.
- Most batters hit by pitch: 49.  Old record 45 in 2009
Individual
- Most hits game: 5, Nick Brooks.  Tied record with three others.
- Most walks game: 4, Kyle Vanderkin and Joe Gillette.  Tied record with three others.
- Most triples season: 4, Sam Brown.  Tied record with three others.

ED KNAGGS BY THE NUMBERS
In 14 seasons as an AppleSox Head Coach, Ed Knaggs owned a 497-274 overall record (.645)...he was 377-221 in league play (.630)...Knaggs won five WCL titles and one PIL Championship...the AppleSox first coach, Gary Lewallen, was 16-23.

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 812 games, the AppleSox own a 514-298 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 374-198 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 324-180 (.641) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 53-15 (.785) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 407-255 (.613) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 105-40 (.725) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 310-154 (.669) all-time home record, and is 214-163 (.568) on the road...Wenatchee is 32-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).

AppleSox Defense Struggles As Wenatchee Splits Series

The AppleSox scored seven, but untimely counts and four errors were tough to overcome, Friday.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (1-1, 0-0) dropped their first game all-time to the San Francisco Seals (4-7), 14-7, Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.  

In eleven meetings, the Seals are now 1-10 vs. the AppleSox.

Wenatchee struck first on a Chase Lewallen RBI in the first inning. Two AppleSox runners came around to score, but one was unearned due to a fielding error for San Francisco.

The Seals were led by starter Jake Casey, who threw four innings of three-run baseball, and were spurred by offensive outbursts in the fourth, sixth and eighth innings. In those three frames, the Seals managed to score 10 of their 14 runs.

Reign Letkeman faced some struggles in the middle innings, after charging out of the gates with a 1-2-3 first inning.

Down 5-3 in the fifth, the AppleSox picked up two more RBI on a double from Chase Lewallen, who finished with three runs driven in. The Seals broke the 5-5 tie in the sixth with four-consecutive base hits, resulting in three runs.

Evan Douglas chipped in an RBI triple in the bottom of the ninth, the first three-bagger of the year for Wenatchee.

Micael Taylor pitched in relief of Letkeman.

Wenatchee will face a new non-league opponent Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., as the Spokane Expos come to town. Gates open at 6 p.m.  

WP: Jake Casey
LP: Reign Letkeman (0-1)

AppleSox Close Non-League Set With Seals, Friday

The AppleSox wrap up a short two-game nonleague set with the San Francisco Seals, Fridat at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.

Game Notes
Baseball Blurbs

APPLESOX COMPLETE FIRST NON-LEAGUE SET
The Wenatchee AppleSox (1-0, 0-0), tied for first in the WCL East, will complete their first non-league series, Friday, vs. the San Francisco Seals (3-7)...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (1-0) (1.000), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014s...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT
The AppleSox are now 12-4 all-time in Opening Night games...Wenatchee has won its last four openers, now a franchise-best mark...the Sox have a 8-4 record in home-opening contests...the AppleSox have played on the road four times to open their season...they are a perfect 4-0 in those contests (all league games)...against non-league opponents, the AppleSox are 6-2 in opening games...2-0 against the Seals...3-0 vs. teams from San Francisco.

GETTMAN’S MARATHON
CJ Gettman tossed the AppleSox first complete game of 2015, Thursday night...it was the first complete game for the AppleSox, since Trevor Lubking lasted the full nine Aug. 19, 2013 vs. Corvallis.

A LOOK BACK
For just the third time in 15 years, the AppleSox missed the playoffs in 2014 (34-25), ending a streak of 12-consecutive postseasons reached...they finished second in the WCL East behind Yakima Valley, and fifth in the WCL, 1.5 games away from clinching a playoff berth... Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average...they had five players bat over .300, the most of any Sox team in the past five seasons...there were more than five, but to be eligible for the batting title a player needs 146 plate appearances (2.7 plate appearances times per team game...in a 54-game season that is 146)...Tyler Frost hit .373 (third-WCL), Caleb Wood .360, Sam Brown .340, Ty Jackson .337 and Michael McCann .318.

RECORDS SET/TIED 2014
Team, Batting
- Most hits season: 559.  Old record 538 in 2012.
- Most singles season: 450.  Old record 419 in 2012.
- Most total bases season: 719.  Tied with 2012.
- Most runs season: 324. Old record 312 in 2011.
- Most walks game: 17.  Old record 12 in 2008.
Team, Pitching
- Most strikeouts: 468.  Old record 397 in 2010.
- Most batters hit by pitch: 49.  Old record 45 in 2009
Individual
- Most hits game: 5, Nick Brooks.  Tied record with three others.
- Most walks game: 4, Kyle Vanderkin and Joe Gillette.  Tied record with three others.
- Most triples season: 4, Sam Brown.  Tied record with three others.

ED KNAGGS BY THE NUMBERS
In 14 seasons as an AppleSox Head Coach, Ed Knaggs owned a 497-274 overall record (.645)...he was 377-221 in league play (.630)...Knaggs won five WCL titles and one PIL Championship...the AppleSox first coach, Gary Lewallen, was 16-23.

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 811 games, the AppleSox own a 514-297 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 374-197 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 324-180 (.641) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 53-14 (.785) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 407-255 (.613) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 105-39 (.725) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 310-153 (.669) all-time home record, and is 214-163 (.568) on the road...Wenatchee is 32-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).

Gettman Goes Distance in AppleSox Opening Night Win

AppleSox set a franchise-best mark, with a fourth-consecutive Opening Night win, Thursday.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – CJ Gettman offered up a complete game, as the Wenatchee AppleSox (1-0, 0-0) took down the San Francisco Seals (3-8), 8-2 on Opening Night at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.  

AJ Proszek collected the first win of his AppleSox head coaching career in his first try at the top step of the dugout.

After surrendering a run in the top half of the first, Chase Lewallen offered up a poetic moment to start the 2015 season. Lewallen laced a 2-RBI double into the left center field gap, to give Wenatchee its first lead of the season.

Lewallen’s grandfather, Gary, was the skipper of the inaugural AppleSox team in 2000. Wenatchee is now 3-0 in coaches’ inaugural games, as Gary Lewallen, Ed Knaggs, and AJ Proszek all coached their clubs to wins in their career-openers.

Gettman settled in during the second, third and fourth innings. He retired ten-consecutive and struck out the side in the second inning.

The AppleSox were stifled a bit in the second and third innings, but Tyler Thorson got things started for Wenatchee in the fourth. Andrew Helmstadter was then hit by a pitch, and Sheldon Liikala singled to score the AppleSox third run of the night. Kyle Vanderkin brought home Helmstadter and Liikala later in the inning, with a 2-RBI single off the glove of Seals second baseman Pedro Hidalgo.

The Seals scored their second run in the top of the fifth on a Michael Bradley groundout.

Wenatchee added its final three runs in the home half of the fifth, with Hunter Hanson, Thorson, and Liikala, all coming around to score in an inning in which the AppleSox batted around.

Kyle Vanderkin got his third RBI on a bases loaded walk to cap the AppleSox scoring.

Gettman cruised to the finish, sprinting to the end of his marathon. He earned the complete game in just two hours and one minute. Gettman gave up two runs on three hits. He struck out 11 and walked four.

Wenatchee completes the short two-game nonleague set with San Francisco, Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Reign Letkeman will get the starting nod for the AppleSox.

WP: CJ Gettman (1-0)

LP: Eli Alcantar

AppleSox Open 2015 With Seals

The AppleSox open 2015 at home in non-league action vs. the San Francisco Seals.

Game Notes
Baseball Blurbs by Bruce

APPLESOX OPEN 2015 vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The Wenatchee AppleSox (0-0, 0-0), tied for first in the WCL East, open the 2015 season against the same opponent they faced in last year’s home-opener (also June 4), the San Francisco Seals (N/A)...The AppleSox are entering their 16th season (11th in the WCL) and are playing their first game under new skipper, AJ Proszek (0-0) (.000), who is in his 3rd season with the Sox, after managing the pitching staff in 2013 and 2014...The AppleSox are undefeated (2-0) in coaches inaugural games...Proszek is assisted by Miles Kizer and Cory LeBrun, both in their first seasons.

COVERAGE OF THE APPLESOX
Broadcast frequencies for AppleSox broadcasts are listed below. Fans can listen online at applesox.com/listen-live. Second-year broadcaster Trevor Williams will call the play-by-play all season, with broadcasts scheduled to start 25 minutes prior to first pitch.

ABOUT OPENING NIGHT
The AppleSox are 11-4 in Opening Night games...Wenatchee has won its last three openers...the three-game winning streak is tied for team-best in home opening games (2008-10)...with a win tonight, the AppleSox will have won four-consecutive openers, a franchise-best mark...the Sox have a 7-4 record in home-opening contests...the AppleSox have played on the road four times to open their season...they are a perfect 4-0 in those contests (all league games)...against non-league opponents, the AppleSox are 5-2 in opening games...Wenatchee has faced the Seals to open a season once (2014), a game Wenatchee won 5-0...Thursday marks the third time the AppleSox have faced a team from San Francisco to open a season (16-1 win vs. SF Angels, 2004 & 5-0 win vs. SF Seals, 2014).

A LOOK BACK
For just the third time in 15 years, the AppleSox missed the playoffs in 2014 (34-25), ending a streak of 12-consecutive postseasons reached...they finished second in the WCL East behind Yakima Valley, and fifth in the WCL, 1.5 games away from clinching a playoff berth... Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average...they had five players bat over .300, the most of any Sox team in the past five seasons...there were more than five, but to be eligible for the batting title a player needs 146 plate appearances (2.7 plate appearances times per team game...in a 54-game season that is 146)...Tyler Frost hit .373 (third-WCL), Caleb Wood .360, Sam Brown .340, Ty Jackson .337 and Michael McCann .318.

RECORDS SET/TIED 2014
Team, Batting
- Most hits season: 559.  Old record 538 in 2012.
- Most singles season: 450.  Old record 419 in 2012.
- Most total bases season: 719.  Tied with 2012.
- Most runs season: 324. Old record 312 in 2011.
- Most walks game: 17.  Old record 12 in 2008.
Team, Pitching
- Most strikeouts: 468.  Old record 397 in 2010.
- Most batters hit by pitch: 49.  Old record 45 in 2009
Individual
- Most hits game: 5, Nick Brooks.  Tied record with three others.
- Most walks game: 4, Kyle Vanderkin and Joe Gillette.  Tied record with three others.
- Most triples season: 4, Sam Brown.  Tied record with three others.

ED KNAGGS BY THE NUMBERS
In 14 seasons as an AppleSox Head Coach, Ed Knaggs owned a 497-274 overall record (.645)...he was 377-221 in league play (.630)...Knaggs won five WCL titles and one PIL Championship...the AppleSox first coach, Gary Lewallen, was 16-23.

APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 810 games, the AppleSox own a 513-297 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 373-197 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 324-180 (.641) all-time in WCL league games (including playoffs), and 52-14 (.785) all-time in non-league contests since 2005...all-time, the AppleSox are 407-255 (.613) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 104-39 (.725) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 309-153 (.669) all-time home record, and is 214-163 (.568) on the road...Wenatchee is 32-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).

Opening Night, Thursday vs. San Francisco Seals

The AppleSox open their 2015 season, Thursday, against the San Francisco Seals at 7:05 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. FIeld

WENATCHEE, Wash. -  The Wenatchee AppleSox open the 2015 season, Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. against the San Francisco Seals, a collegiate summer team from California.

GESA Credit Union is the proud sponsor of Opening Night, and fans will have chances to win special prizes while competing in scavenger hunt style games throughout the evening.

AppleSox – Seals Series Information
Wenatchee owns a perfect 9-0 record against the San Francisco Seals, and most recently won a pair of games against its foes from California to open the 2014 season.

Last year, on June 4, Reign Letkeman offered up seven shutout innings for the AppleSox en-route to a 5-0 Opening Night win against the Seals.

AppleSox skipper AJ Proszek will be at the helm for his first game as head coach. Wenatchee is 2-0 in coaches’ inaugural games.

Wenatchee has played a team from San Francisco twice on Opening Night. The AppleSox are 2-0 in those games.

All four of the opening weekend games, and the entire 2015 AppleSox season can be heard on the AppleSox Radio Network across North Central Washington on Sunny FM and KWCC-TV. Listeners in Grant County can hear the Sox on KBSN 1470 AM, Moses Lake. Every AppleSox game this season will be heard live on these stations, and pregame shows will start 25 minutes prior to first pitch.

For more information on following the AppleSox, visit: www.applesox.com and www.applesox.com/listen-live

Season Tickets
AppleSox season ticket packages and single game tickets are still available. Fans can enjoy three different seating options for AppleSox season tickets: Premium Reserved Seating, General Admission Bleacher Seating, and General Admission Family Bleacher Seating. Once they lock up a seat, it’s theirs all season long.

Season tickets provide discounts off of everyday ticket prices, and are transferable. Fans can thank valuable clients, or reward star employees with their tickets for a night.

Season ticket packages include playoff tickets, should the AppleSox qualify for the postseason in 2015.

Premium Reserved seats start at $215 per seat, and General Admission Bleacher Seats start at $115 per seat, with an alcohol-free family section available.

For complete ticketing information call 509-665-6900 or visit: www.applesox.com/tickets

Host Families Wanted

Becoming a host family is a great way to stay close with AppleSox Baseball all season young, and to become closer with our tremendous young athletes (Our players are really good at helping out around the house, too!).

TO BECOME A HOST FAMILY:

email: info@applesox.com
call: 509-665-6900

For 15 years, AppleSox fans have graciously opened up their homes to some of the West Coast League's best baseball talents. This season, we want your family to be a part of the tradition, and experience the best summer of baseball on the West Coast!

AppleSox Host Families are the best families, because:

• Each family receives two premium Applesox season tickets (a $430 value) or four general admission season passes (a $460 value).
• Families with kids (especially budding baseball players) love having young, energetic, and inspirational players in the household.
• Seniors, and couples who are "empty-nesters" always enjoy the added company of our local baseball players.
• Without AppleSox host families, our season wouldn't be possible.

About Being a Host Family

We ask that our host families provide a free place for our athletes to rest and recover between games, over the 2 1/2 month season. During this time, our players are also known to play with your children/grandchildren, mow the lawn, walk the dog, and be a member of your family for the summer!

Generally, Players arrive around the first of June and leave around the 18th of August.

Players have games almost every night during the 2-1/2 months (and for half of those games, they are on the road).

People that are interested in hosting can contact the Applesox at 509 665 6900 or email at info@applesox.com.  They will arrange an in-home meeting with their host family coordinator, Tammy McCants, so all questions or concerns can be answered.

Many of the host families have been with the Applesox for years and they all tell great stories about following their players as they strive to make it to the big leagues.  The Applesox have seen players posing with their host families for Christmas cards.  They really can be inspiring experiences.

AppleSox Featured by Fly Wenatchee

Check out one of the great reasons to fly to the Wenatchee Valley ... Hint: It involves our rising stars!

The Families of Summer

"We’d never trade any of the summers we’ve had with the AppleSox. It’s been a great experience.” - The Lind Family

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In baseball, the boys of summer are our heroes. They are the ones who hit the home runs, the ones that pitch perfect games, and the ones who make diving catches that take your breath away. In Wenatchee, backing up the best players in the WCL are the families of summer; the ones who make each and every year of summer collegiate baseball a success.

“If I wouldn’t have had a host family, I wouldn’t have been able to play for the AppleSox,” said 2014 pitcher Ian Buckles, who played his final summer of collegiate baseball in Wenatchee after spending time with Bellingham and Klamath Falls.

Buckles, whose baseball playing career is now over, lived with AppleSox host family, Peter and Rozanne Lind, long-time supporters (and “parents”) of AppleSox baseball.

“We’ve just had incredibly wonderful experiences with our players,” said Rozanne. Her husband, Peter, admits that he wasn’t the bigger baseball fan of the couple, but since joining the AppleSox army of host families, he has used his season tickets to engage with the game and local community.

“I didn’t know much about baseball ten years ago,” he said. “But now, not only have I learned a lot about the game, but I’ve also had the opportunity to share great experiences with the people that we see each night at the games. It’s not just about the baseball.”

For the players, having a host family also isn’t simple. It’s not about simply having a bed, but about having a family.

“Sometimes, as players, we wouldn’t get home until 11 or 11:30 at night,” Buckles said. “Often, my family would already be in bed. Rozanne would leave plates out on the counter and maybe a big pot of soup on the stove, and it was amazing to have things like that – a nice home-cooked meal to come home to. It was a homey feeling – like living with my parents. We got close in such a short period of time.”

Players also take on roles around the house, to help their summer family, who they only get to see for half of the better part of three months.

“We let them know to not be afraid to ask for help, and we’d do dishes and help clean up the yard and things like that. We can’t play baseball without them, so helping out is the least we can do.”

Families also tend to grow during the WCL summers, the Linds explained.

“We always call the parents of the players who will be staying with us ahead of time, and most often we meet them during the summer when they come to visit and have dinner once or twice,” Rozanne said. “We have a great time with the parents when we get to meet them.”

Off the field, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Just ask the Lind’s adopted grandkids.

“This year they’re 11 and 13,” Rozanne said. “The AppleSox players always love to have kids over. The kids think the AppleSox are superstars, so they’re pretty much in awe of them and love to play around in the yard with them.”

Buckles also remembers the kids – taking him back to being an older brother at his home in Kent, Wash.

“Having the grandkids over was a lot of fun,” he said. “They’d come over quite a bit, and we’d hangout. It was just a good time.”

The worst part about being a host family? That’s an easy one, say the Linds, who don’t look forward to goodbyes.

“We realized that we are their parents for the summer,” Peter said. “It’s hard when they leave us in August, it’s like sending your kids off to college.”

“There have definitely been more than a few tears shed,” said Rozanne.

Still the Linds will shed happy tears this summer, as they reconnect with Buckles, as many AppleSox families do.

“We’re planning on going to Ian’s wedding next month in California, that’s how much he means to us,” Rozanne said.

“They’re an ongoing part of my life now,” echoed Buckles.

Peter and Rozanne would give prospective families one piece of advice:

“Find out what it’s all about. We’d never trade any of the summers we’ve had with the AppleSox. It’s been a great experience.”

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To find out about becoming an AppleSox host family, call 509-665-6900. The AppleSox are looking for families in Wenatchee, Cashmere, and Entiat.

Each Host Family receives two premium AppleSox season tickets ($430 value) or four general admission season passes ($460 value).

Players arrive around the first of June and leave around the 18th of August.

Players have games almost nightly over the 2 ½ month period, and for half of those games, the team is on the road.

Successful host homes have been: Young families with kids, couples whose children have moved away, seniors who enjoy company and help around the house, and many others!

There are many stories like the Lind’s, call the AppleSox today at 509-665-6900 or email: info@applesox.com to sign up for the best summer of your life!

APPLESOX NAME FINAL FOUR TO COMPLETE PRIMARY ROSTER

The final four players to complete AJ Proszek's 25-man roster have been announced.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox named four more players to the 2015 roster, as two Spokane Falls Community College athletes, one Westmont catcher, and one Oregon State outfielder are all set to join the team, Head Coach AJ Proszek announced Tuesday.

The four additions will help complete the 2015 primary roster. Sophomore Zach Haggett, who previously pitched with Wenatchee on a temporary basis, and freshman Evan Douglas, will be the additions from Proszek’s team at Spokane Falls. Junior Ryan Crowe will work with the pitchers as one of this season’s back stops, and redshirt junior Joey Jansen, an outfielder from Oregon State, rounds out the group.

Haggett, a native of Boise, Idaho, joins last week’s addition, Kyle Blankenship, as a temporary pitcher who will fill a full-time role this season.

“He’s been with me for two years now,” Proszek said. “He’s a great kid, a hard worker, very competitive, and throws a lot of strikes. One of his biggest upsides and main reasons that I’m giving him the opportunity to come out and play for us, is his strike-throwing ability. I think he has the ability to compete at this level and have some success.”

Haggett pitched in two league games for Wenatchee in 2014. He earned a save in the AppleSox second league win of the season at Yakima Valley. In total, he recorded 3 2/3 innings on the mound, surrendered seven hits, walked three, and struck out two.

He is 3-2 this season at Spokane Falls Community College, through 42 innings pitched. He has allowed 10 earned runs and has a 2.14 ERA. Haggett has thrown one complete game, and struck out 17 batters while walking eight.

Douglas, a native of Spokane and Shadle Park High School, is an infielder who is rounding out his first season at Spokane Falls with AJ Proszek and company.

“He’s been great for us this year,” Proszek said. “The upside for him is hitting. He’s the best hitter on our club right now. He’s another good kid who loves the game of baseball, and is going to have a lot of success.”

Douglas is currently batting .315 with 24 games played for Spokane Falls. He has 29 hits, 14 of which are extra-base hits (10 doubles, one triple, three home runs), and 21 RBI. Douglas has walked 15 times and has a team-leading 11 stolen bases.

Crowe, a native of Ladera Ranch, Calif., played at San Juan Hills High School and Santa Barbara Community College before joining Westmont.

“For me, it’s huge to have a catcher with experience and leadership,” Proszek said. “Especially with us being fairly young on the mound, things kind of work hand in hand. He’ll have a chance to teach the younger guys how to go about it. Having that experience back there makes a pitcher’s job a whole lot easier.”

Crowe is batting .235 this season, with 33 games played. Crowe has 24 hits, three doubles and a triple. Crowe has 14 RBI, has walked 16 times and only has struck out eight times. He has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

Jansen, a native of Kennewick, Wash., graduated from Kamiakin High School, and played at Columbia Basin College before transferring to Oregon State. He played for the AppleSox in 2013, but ended up getting injured.

“He’s a great individual,” Proszek said. “From the time I spent around him a couple years ago, I know he works his tail off. I have no problems with bringing him back and adding him to the outfield list. For some of the younger guys, he will be a great role model to replicate in what it means to be a Division I athlete, and how they go about their business.”

Jansen is batting .167 on the season, through 34 games and two starts. He has two hits in 12 at bats this season for the Beavers. He has stolen one base and been walked twice.

Wenatchee opens its season with a two-game nonleague series against the San Francisco Seals, June 4-5, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900, or by visiting: http://www.applesox.com/tickets/

LEBRUN TO ROUND OUT APPLESOX COACHING STAFF

Cory Lebrun, a redshirt senior outfielder from gonzaga will be an assistant coach for the applesox in 2015.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Cory LeBrun, a redshirt senior outfielder from Gonzaga, will join the AppleSox as an assistant coach for the 2015 season, following his final college season, AJ Proszek and the AppleSox announced Friday.

 “He is a great kid and hard worker,” Proszek said. “I actually met him a couple years ago, through the Zags and have stayed in touch. As I started looking for coaches and realized what kind of guy I needed to fill the position, he stood out. His Gonzaga coaches have said from day one that he was looking to get into coaching. I’m excited to have him. He’s very knowledgeable and has been a great asset to the Zag program.”

The three-time letter winner at Gonzaga will get his first taste of coaching this summer.

LeBrun has played at Gonzaga the last three seasons. He is currently hitting .293 for Gonzaga, with 30 singles and 13 extra-base hits. He has driven in 15 runs, and owns a .348 on-base percentage. He has stolen one base and been walked 10 times.

In 2014, LeBrun started 49-of-52 games played as a redshirt junior. He hit .227 with 39 hits, two doubles, and 19 RBI. He walked 18 times and had a .342 on-base percentage. He had 11 multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games. He reached base in each of the first nine games that season.

A 2013, All-West Coast Conference First Team selection, as a redshirt sophomore, LeBrun hit .308. He was also named to the All-West Coast Conference Tournament Team and started all 49 of his games in the outfield. LeBrun hit two home runs in 2013 and tallied a team-best 34 RBI. He was 8-for-10 in stolen base attempts.

LeBrun played baseball at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Ariz., prior to transferring to Gonzaga. As a redshirt freshman, he hit .365 in 44 games. He accumulated 58 hits, 12 doubles, two triples, and 34 RBI. He went 12-for-14 on stolen base attempts.

LeBrun attended the University of Arizona as a true freshman, but did not play baseball for the Wildcats.

A native of Phoenix, Ariz., LeBrun played high school baseball at Sunnyslope High School, where he was an outfielder and pitcher for the Vikings. He also played football for two seasons, and was a three-time member of the President’s list.

LeBrun’s younger brother, and Gonzaga teammate, Calvin LeBrun, pitched for the AppleSox in 2014. He has one sister and one other brother. LeBrun’s grandfather played baseball at the University of Arizona.

LeBrun has wanted to be a baseball coach for quite some time, and stated in his Gonzaga baseball biography that he one day wants to lead the Bulldogs to the College World Series, as a coach.

His athletic career was sparked by an interest in hockey, which he played up until his senior year of high school.
In Wenatchee, LeBrun will serve as the first base coach and assist with on-field coaching.

Notable

LeBrun joins assistant coach Miles Kizer, and third-year pitching coach, first-year head coach, AJ Proszek to complete the AppleSox coaching staff. Proszek was named the AppleSox Head Coach Aug. 14, 2014.

The AppleSox open 2015, June 4 at 7:05 p.m., when the San Francisco Seals come to town for a two-game non-league series. Single game and season tickets can be purchased by calling: 509-665-6900.

Three Pitchers, One 2014 Returner Join 2015 AppleSox

Three new AppleSox pitchers all have ties to the Wenatchee Valley, and will return to Paul Thomas Sr. Field to play for the 2015 AppleSox, Head Coach AJ Proszek announced Tuesday.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox will have rotation and bullpen slots for former temporary player, Kyle Blankenship, Wenatchee Valley College teammate CJ Gettman, and a member of last year’s team, Shaun Vetrovec, Head Coach AJ Proszek announced Tuesday.

Vetrovec is now the fourth returning AppleSox player from the 2014 squad, as he joins pitchers Colton Loomis, Hunter Wells, and infielder Kyle Vanderkin. A year ago, the 2014 team was made up of entirely new faces, having no returners from the 2013 team.

Blankenship and Gettman, sophomores, will be playing in their own backyard, joining the team from Wenatchee Valley College where the duo play their regular season games at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.

Blankenship, from Wenatchee, will look to be a full-time force in the AppleSox rotation, after stepping in as a temporary pitcher for the Sox a season ago. Blankenship is a graduate of Wenatchee High School.

“He’s the kind of pitcher who shows up and says, ‘I want the ball,’ and you let him go to work,” Proszek said. “He knows how to pitch and he knows how to compete, and for me, sometimes that’s half the battle. If you get after it like that day in and day out, you’re going to have success. I had no second thoughts or second guesses on bringing Blankenship aboard.”

Blankenship made one relief appearance in league play for Wenatchee in 2014. He offered 2 1/3 innings, gave up five hits, and one earned run. He struck out two and walked just one.

In non-league play for the AppleSox, Blankenship made one start, earning a win over five innings, while allowing just three hits and one run. He walked three and struck out two.

Blankenship has totaled a 4.40 ERA over 28 2/3 innings of work this season at WVC. He has made seven appearances, with five starts. The sophomore has thrown one complete game and has a 3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (24 strikeouts, 8 walks). He also has a save to his name this season, and only 14 of the 23 runs surrendered by Blankenship this season have been earned.

Gettman, another Wenatchee native, will remain teammates with Blankenship this summer. Gettman also played high school baseball at Wenatchee High School.

“I had a chance to watch him last year and I enjoy the way he goes about it,” Proszek said. “He’s a guy that gets on the mound and gets right to action. He wants to get ahead in counts, throw strikes, and compete. He’s a good, quality individual. He’ll be a great addition to the pitching staff.”

Gettman has thrown in seven games for WVC this season, with six starts and one complete game. Over 33 2/3 innings, he has given up 25 runs, 18 of them earned, and struck out a team-best 37 batters. He has allowed 19 walks, also tops for the Knights, and has an ERA of 4.81.

Vetrovec was a member of the AppleSox bullpen in 2014. A native of Costa Mesa, Calif., he played his high school baseball at Newport Harbor, and is currently a pitcher for the UC Irvine Anteaters.

“First and foremost, Coach [Mike] Gillespie has been great with giving me some of his guys that he thinks are going to do well,” Proszek said. “Shaun was a guy that I enjoyed having around last summer. Not only as a successful pitcher, but as a hard worker. It was a no brainer for me, when Coach Gillespie asked if Shaun could come back and be a part of this again.”

A decorated high school player, Vetrovec pitched with the AppleSox prior to his first collegiate season at UCI. He was a dominant reliever for Wenatchee last season, posting a 1.98 ERA for the AppleSox, which was good for second-best amongst pitchers with at least 10 appearances (behind Gonzaga standout Brandon Bailey’s 1.37 ERA). Vetrovec only allowed five earned runs over 22 2/3 innings. He struck out 28 batters and walked 14, while only giving up one extra-base hit.

This season, he has a 7.63 ERA at UCI, through nine appearances and two starts. Over 15 1/3 innings, he has given up 19 hits, and has struck out six, while walking 14.

Wenatchee opens its season with a two-game non-league series against the San Francisco Seals, June 4-5, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900, or by visiting: http://www.applesox.com/tickets/

AppleSox Add Second Radio Station to Broadcast Network

KBSN Moses Lake joins the AppleSox flagship station, Sunny FM 93.9 (Wenatchee) and KWCC-TV to broadcast the Wenatchee AppleSox 16th West Coast League season.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Wenatchee AppleSox baseball games will now be carried on 1470 AM, KBSN Moses Lake. KBSN joins AppleSox flagship station, 93.9 Sunny FM, and KWCC-TV to help provide excellent West Coast League baseball coverage to a baseball-rich community.

“We’ve received great support from Grant County over the years,” said AppleSox owner Jim Corcoran. “It is exciting for us to be able to deliver our games to a market that is so integral to our success, and it is a pleasure to work with KBSN.”

KBSN joins iFIBER One Sports in providing extensive coverage of the AppleSox to the Grant County region.

“I’ve followed the AppleSox for quite a while and have seen them in many different venues,” said Bill Ecret, KBSN’s general manager. “Our listeners are very interested in baseball – our county and our town, in particular – and it will be an added value for listeners to have more baseball to listen to on our station.

“We want to bring our listeners as much as we possibly can, as far as sports coverage and a variety of sports coverage goes. The exciting thing about it is, listeners can count on it being there every night. We expect listeners – not only from our area, but outside the area – as well, to tune in. We’re excited to have the AppleSox on the air.”

Plans are also in the works to incorporate AppleSox stories, interviews, and recaps during the day on KBSN’s “Sportstalk,” hosted by former big league arm, Dave Heaverlo.

Local AppleSox baseball can now be heard on air across six Washington counties. Trevor Williams will call the play-by-play for a second-straight summer across Central Washington, after broadcasting all of the team’s 59 games in 2014.

Wenatchee opens its season with a two-game non-league series against the San Francisco Seals, June 4-5, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900, or by visiting: http://www.applesox.com/tickets/ .

For more information on the AppleSox Radio Network, visit:
http://www.applesox.com/listen-live/

APPLESOX SIGN FIELDERS FROM NEVADA, LINFIELD, SAN DIEGO

Keaton Smith, Scott Hilpert, and Brhet Bewley are the newest names headlining the 2015 AppleSox roster.

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Three new AppleSox will back the pitching staff in the field this season, Head Coach AJ Proszek announced Tuesday.

Keaton Smith, a freshman infielder from Nevada, Scott Hilpert, a sophomore outfielder from Linfield, and Brhet Bewley, a freshman-to-be at the University of San Diego, will all hope to back AppleSox aces with big gloves this year.

Smith, a native of Henderson, Nev., will be primarily an infielder for Wenatchee, but could see some time as a utility outfielder, Proszek said. He played his high school baseball at Green Valley High School.

“Coach [Jay] Johnson sent us a couple quality guys last year,” Proszek said. “I’m looking forward to Keaton being a utility guy after our conversation. He can play some second base, shortstop, and definitely help out in the outfield. We’ll give him a chance to run around the infield and outfield this summer, which will help give our outfielders a day off every now and again.”

Smith hasn’t logged a game to-date for the Wolfpack, and will likely exercise a redshirt option throughout the 2014-15 Nevada season.

Hilpert, a native of Liberty Lake, Wash., and multi-sport athlete at Central Valley High School, brings a strong outfield arm to Wenatchee.  

“I’ve always been interested in Linfield, especially with talking to Coach [Scott] Brosius,” Proszek said. “Scott has family in the area and is definitely interested in coming back for summer ball. To be close with some family and have a chance to play competitively in the West Coast League is a great opportunity.”

A six-time letter-winner in football and baseball with the CVHS Bears, Hilpert owns a .272 average for the Wildcats, along with a .364 on-base percentage. Hilpert has scattered 28 hits this season, with three doubles, a home run, and 10 RBI.

Bewley, an infielder from Chaparral High School in Temecula, Calif., will get his first taste of collegiate baseball around the infield this summer.

“I talked to [assistant coach] Tyler Kincaid at USD, a former AppleSox coach under Coach Knaggs,” Proszek said. “He said that Brhet is a great guy, fits in well, and will be a great addition. Primarily a second baseman, we will give him a chance to move around, get some experience, and watch him progress.”

Bewley was forced to fight off a life-threatening case of pneumonia with MRSA, in February. After 15-days in the hospital, he worked his way back to the diamond for Chaparral, where he has been enjoying his senior season.

Wenatchee opens its season with a two-game nonleague series against the San Francisco Seals, June 4-5, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900, or by visiting: http://www.applesox.com/tickets/