AppleSox Youth Clinics return for another season, Tuesday June 23.
Today is the last day for $79 online registrations for the AppleSox first youth camp of 2015!
For complete information on AppleSox Baseball Youth Camps, visit: applesoxcamps.com
Don't Miss out! Late registrations will be accepted tomorrow at the park at 8:30 a.m.
The AppleSox didn't allow much for Bells hitters, Sunday afternoon, holding Bellingham to a season-low three hits.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (8-8, 5-7) won their first day game of 2015, by a score of 5-1, after falling behind early to the Bellingham Bells (10-5, 10-5), to avoid the series sweep at Joe Martin Field.
Bellingham was only able to muster three hits on the afternoon, two of which were obtained by Jesse Kuet. The Bells were stifled early by Hunter Wells (2-0), who threw five innings, giving up the Bell run, a Beau Branton RBI single in the second inning.
Colton Loomis also tossed three scoreless innings in the contest, and Brian Gadsby fired away in the final frame.
The AppleSox pushed across three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, on RBI singles for Ryan Crowe, Mitchell Holland, and Sheldon Liikala. All runs in the fifth were scored with two outs, on four hits.
The Sox chased Grant Schneider (1-1), during that fifth inning but still teed off the Bells bullpen as well. In the seventh inning, Holland doubled home Keston Hiura, who reached base after being hit by pitch.
Then it was Hiura in the ninth, supplying one last surge on the weekend, with a solo home run to right field. It was Hiura’s first home run of the season, and the cap to a 2-for-3 day that included a double for the UC Irvine outfielder.
The three hits for the Bells marked a new low on the season for the defending-WCL Champions. The AppleSox also snapped a six-game losing streak to Bellingham, with the win.
Wenatchee returns home Monday for a day off, and will face Divisional foe, Yakima Valley, Tuesday-Thursday at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. All games will start at 7:05 p.m.
WP: Hunter Wells (2-0)
LP: Grant Schneider (1-1)
The Bells scored the final five runs of Saturday's game, including two in the ninth, to win it 5-4.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-8, 4-7) held a 4-0 lead at one point Saturday, but couldn’t hold off the Bellingham Bells (10-4, 10-4), who scored the next five to win 5-4 at Joe Martin Field.
With the win, the Bells also guarantee a series win over Wenatchee, and have won six-straight over the AppleSox.
Wenatchee got things going offensively in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Scott Hilpert worked a walk out of the nine spot in the order. His RBI, coupled by a Joey Jansen 2-RBI single, gave the AppleSox a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the fourth.
In the fifth, the Sox added another on a bases loaded walk of Keaton Smith, which scored Mitchell Holland.
It was the beginning of a walk parade for both sides at Joe Martin Field. The AppleSox offered up reliever Dustin Hamilton in the fifth, after Kyle Blankenship walked home a pair of Bells runners with the bases loaded.
Hamilton got into two tight spots in the fifth and sixth innings, with runners making it to second and third with only one out in each frame. Both times, Hamilton was able to back out of the corner without any runs scoring.
With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning against reliever, Micael Taylor (0-2), the Sox pitcher got a ground ball on the infield, but a close and possibly controversial, safe call at first base kept the inning going and plated a Bells run to make the score 4-3.
In the bottom of the ninth, Taylor stayed on and Bellingham loaded up the bases with nobody out. A wild pitch scored the game’s tying run, and a Bronson Larsen single in the next at bat gave Bellingham the come-from-behind series win.
Sunday, the AppleSox play their first day game of the season. A 3:05 first pitch at Joe Martin Field. Hunter Wells will head to the hill for Wenatchee.
WP: Brice Longanecker (1-0)
LP: Micael Taylor (0-2)
Mitchell Holland hit the AppleSox first home run of 2015 to lead off the eighth inning, Friday.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-7, 4-6) rallied late Friday night, but still fell 5-3 to the Bellingham Bells (9-4, 9-4), in game one of the weekend set at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham.
Wenatchee drew first blood Friday night, with a run scoring in the first inning on a Bells error at first base. Bells starter Kyle Rossman, settled down from there, holding the Sox scoreless over the next three innings.
Bellingham scored its first run in the third inning on a Chris Carns (0-1) wild pitch. Carns was making his first start of the season for the AppleSox.
Bellingham added a go-ahead run in the fifth on a Dustin Breshears single, making the score 2-1. Zach Johnson (1-0), who entered the game in the fifth inning for the Bells, was able to continue forward with the lead, until Bellingham rattled off three more in the sixth.
The Bells’ three-run scoring frame was marked by two singles and a fielder’s choice, and Bellingham owned a 5-1 lead heading to the seventh inning.
Mitchell Holland cranked the first AppleSox home run of 2015, to lead off the top half of the eighth inning. His shot to left was the first of two runs scored in the inning. Shelon Liikala came around to score in the inning on an Andrew Helmstadter RBI single. Liikala, who reached base in the inning via a walk, saw his 12-game hitting streak end Friday, going 0-for-4, with the run scored and the walk.
The AppleSox tried to complete the comeback in the ninth, but were stopped short by Jacob Howard, who picked up save number one on the season. It wasn’t an all-around efficient save for Howard, who let the tying run aboard, but got out of the night with a flyout to center field.
The AppleSox will look to even the series Saturday night, with first pitch once again scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Joe Martin Field.
WP: Zach Johnson (1-0)
LP: Chris Carns (0-1)
S: Jacob Howard (1)
The last time the AppleSox got a sweep at home was Aug. 5-7, 2013 against the Victoria HarbourCats.
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (7-6, 4-5) swept the Medford Rogues (5-7, 5-7), with a 3-2 win, Wednesday night. It was the first sweep at home for the AppleSox since August 5-7, 2013.
Mitchell Holland drove in his fourth run of the season in the fourth inning off of Rogues starter, Max Bethel (0-1). The RBI single for Holland, brought home Ryan Crowe and Wenatchee was on top.
Holland helped Joey Jansen around in the third inning on a hard-hit ball to third base that was ruled to get past John Kinne, due to a fielding error. Wenatchee led 2-0.
Zach Haggett (1-0), was brilliant from the start, Wednesday. He retired the first twelve men he faced, in order. Medford had a scoring chance in the fifth on their first hit, a double to center field, from Bily Fredrick, however, a strong relay throw for Keaton Smith brought catcher Ryan Crowe up the third base line, in time to collide with the runner Andrew Martinez, who was out on the play.
Rogues manager Josh Hogan was ejected arguing the call.
The AppleSox, meanwhile, had a 3-0 lead thanks to a fielder’s choice RBI in the fourth, credited to Jansen.
Medford cracked the board in the sixth with a moon shot solo home run to right field, for Jimmy Wright. It was the first Medford home run on the season not hit by Dan Mayer or Nathan Etheridge, and it marked the team’s seventh round-tripper. Medford added one more run in the inning to make it 3-2.
The AppleSox pitching staff then had to fight the rest of the way. Haggett got out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the seventh with one out. He forced an infield fly popout for Jimmy Wright, and then got Brock Pradere to strike out swinging.
In the eighth, Kyle Blankenship tossed a scoreless frame for the AppleSox, after walking a runner aboard and hitting a Rogue batter in the head with an errant fastball. The player, Martinez, was ok and able to stay in the game. Blankeship worked out of the inning with a strikeout of Chris DeVito.
Sean Sparling earned his first save of the summer, after he struck out Pradere again in the ninth inning to win the game and deliver the sweep for the AppleSox. Dan Mayer, who pinch hit in the inning, was left on base.
The AppleSox have a well-deserved off day Thursday, and travel to Bellingham, Friday, to take on the Bells in a weekend set. Chris Carns will make his AppleSox debut on the mound, Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Joe Martin Field.
WP: Zach Haggett (1-1)
LP: Max Bethel (0-1)
S: Sean Sparling (1)
The AppleSox have a chance to sweep a team for the first time since August, 2013, at Paul Thomas Sr. Field, tonight. It's also Kid's Night and the game is sponsored by Numerica Credit Union.
GAME NOTES 6/17
BASEBALL BLURBS 6/17
SOX SEEK FIRST HOME SWEEP SINCE 2013
The Wenatchee AppleSox (6-6, 3-5), fourth place in the WCL East, handed the Medford Rogues (5-6, 5-6) their fifth-consecutive loss last night in an 8-3 win, and the middle of the order combined to collect six of the team’s eight hits...the AppleSox won the series last night and now have a chance to complete their first home sweep since Aug. 5-7, 2013 over the Victoria HarbourCats...Wednesday is Kid’s Day brought to you by Fred Meyer...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (6-6) (.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 won their second-consecutive game by a score of 8-3 over the Medford Rogues...Wenatchee used a six-run fourth inning (highest single scoring inning of the season) to take a lead that they would not relinquish...Mitchell Holland went 3-for-4 to lead all batters in total hits, Keston Hiura drove in 2-RBI and was the only multi-RBI Sox player, while Sheldon Liikala extended his hitting streak to 12-consecutive games, and eight-consecutive in WCL play.
GET HIM ON, MOVE HIM UP, DRIVE HIM IN
The AppleSox bats drove in four of the team’s six RBI, with two outs last night...Keston Hiura had both of his on a two-out single, Mitchell Holland followed with another on a single, both in the fourth inning.
MIDDLE OF THE ORDER LIVES LARGE
The three-four-five spots in the AppleSox lineup may be safe for awhile...Keston Hiura, Mitchell Holland, and Sheldon Liikala are a combined 13-26, 9R, 6RBI over the last two games, as the three-four-five hitters....the combo is batting .500 with a .593 on-base percentage.
IF IT’S DECIDED BY A RUN...
The AppleSox and Medford are different teams in one-run games...the Rogues are 3-1 in one-run games, and the AppleSox are 0-3...the Sox have played a 4th one-run game, but it was in non-league play, a 7-6 win in extra innings over the Spokane Expos.
AMONGST THE LEADERS
Sheldon Liikala sits at ninth in batting in the WCL, with a .379 average entering play...Bend’s Tyler Davis leads at .463...his eight-game league hitting streak is tied for second-best with Bend’s Christian Cavaness, and Kelowna’s Ben Gamba, all chasing Tyler Davis at 10 games.
IN TIGHT SPOTS
Wenatchee has a .304 average with runners in scoring position, and it skyrockets to .378 with runners in scoring position with two outs...Sox pitchers are holding opponents to .224 with runners in scoring position, and .170 with scoring position and two outs. (Bases loaded: Sox: 0-7, 6 RBI - opponents: 4-18
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 822 games, the AppleSox own a 519-303 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 379-203 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 327-185 (.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 410-260 (.614) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 314-157 (.670) all-time home record, and is 215-165 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-27 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests.
Keston Hiura, Mitchell Holland, and Sheldon Liikala combined to go 6-12, with three runs scored and three RBI, as CJ Gettman picked up his first win, Tuesday.
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (6-6, 3-5) won their first West Coast League series of 2015, in an 8-3 contest, securing a chance for a sweep against the Medford Rogues (5-6, 5-6), Wednesday night.
Unlike a night ago, the Rogues started the night off, offensively with two runs in the first inning, both unearned, following an error on the infield.
In the second inning, Wenatchee manufactured a run after Mitchell Holland led off the inning with a double into the left field bullpen. Sheldon Liikala then moved him up to third with a groundout to the right side. Nick Nyquist also turned a ball on the right side of the infield for an RBI groundout to first, which evened the game at one.
Starter CJ Gettman (1-0) had to expend a lot of pitches in the first three innings, but really settled in during frames four and five, throwing just 21 pitches, while only allowing one runner on base. He was caught stealing by Andrew Helmstadter. Gettman lost his 16-consecutive scoreless innings streak at 16 2/3 innings, following the two-out runs for Medford in the first.
Wenatchee got Gettman the runs he needed in the fourth inning, taking advantage of three Rogue errors. Medford entered Tuesday night as the top defensive team in the West Coast League, by fielding percentage. The AppleSox also chased Medford starter Gabe Gentner (0-1) in the inning. The Rouges used five relievers for a second-straight night.
All of the AppleSox runs in the fourth came across unearned, but Holland, Keston Hiura, Nick Nyquist, and Kyle Vanderkin all got hits in the inning as well. The AppleSox three, four, and five hitters (Hiura, Holland, and Sheldon Liikala) combined to go 6-for-12 on the night with three runs scored, and three runs driven in.
Liikala extended his hitting streak to twelve games in the seventh inning with a double. Helmstadter added the AppleSox eighth run on a sacrifice fly to score Holland, who got aboard via a single up the middle to open the inning. Holland went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. His UC Irvine teammate, Hiura, was the only AppleSox player with 2 RBI.
Brian Gadsby pitched the final 2 2/3 innings in relief of CJ Gettman and helped secure the AppleSox win, while throwing three strikeouts along the way to bring his season total to six.
Wenatchee has a chance to sweep the series Wednesday night. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and Zach Haggett (0-1, 6.00) takes to the hill for the AppleSox.
WP: CJ Gettman (1-0)
LP: Gabe Gentner (0-1)
CJ Gettman has thrown 16-consecutive scoreless innings to start 2015 for the AppleSox. He will be tonight's starting pitcher when Wenatchee takes on Medford at 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES 6/16
BASEBALL BLURBS 6/16
APPLESOX GOING FOR FIRST WCL SERIES WIN
The Wenatchee AppleSox (5-6, 2-5), fourth place in the WCL East broke a four-game losing streak last night in an 8-3 win, with five hitters collecting double-digit hit totals against the Medford Rogues (5-5, 5-5)...both Wenatchee and Medford were swept on the weekend by the Corvallis Knights and Kelowna Falcons, respectively...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (5-6) (.455), 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 snapped a four-game losing streak a night ago, and started the game quickly, with three-consecutive two-out singles in the first to plate a run, and take the early lead...Medford tied the game in the top of the fourth, with a Stefan Panayiotou RBI single...then it was all AppleSox, with a two-run fourth, and three-run fifth...Andrew Helmstadter had an RBI triple in the fourth, the third three-bagger of the year for Wenatchee, a part of a 2-3 2RBI night for the AppleSox DH...Colton Loomis and Dustin Hamilton combined to hold the Rogues scoreless in the final three innings, Monday...the Rogues are now losers of four straight, the longest active losing streak in the WCL.
DOUBLE DIGITS AND STREAKS (AGAIN)
Last night marked the second time in league play this season that the AppleSox have attained double-digit run scoring totals, and it was acheived in back-to-back nights...Sheldon Liikala also extended his active hitting streak in the first inning, after utilizing the ninth inning two nights ago in the 12-inning affair with Corvallis...which began on Opening Night...his streak is now up to 11-consecutive games with a hit...in league play it is a seven-game hitting streak, tied for third-longest active streak behind Bend’s Tyler Davis (9 games), and Kelowna’s Ben Gamba (8 games)...Liikala is currently tied with Christian Cavaness of Bend (7 games), and Cooper Hummel of Bend (8 games) and Dan Mayer of Medford (7 games) each had their consecutive hitting streaks ended, Saturday, 6/13.
RUNS BATTED IN
3-of-7 runs batted in last night for Wenatchee came with two-outs...the AppleSox have driven in 14 runners with two-outs in league play this season...Scott Hilpert leads the team with 4 league two-out RBI (6 total), and Liikala is second in league play with 3 two-out RBI (3 total - T3).
W/RISP
AppleSox are hitting .313 with runners in scoring position...they have 27 RBI on 67 opportunities in league play.
UPWARD TREND
Wenatchee’s offense is slowly coming alive...five players had double digit hit totals last night, and over the last five games the team has hit .264 (47-178), with 26 RBI, to raise the team’s average from its lowest point (.186 - June 11)...the Sox hottest hitter over the last five with multiple games started is Scott Hilpert (.462 - 6-13, 4RBI).
DID THEY STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS?
The AppleSox pitching staff has vastly different ERAs between home and road contests this season (4-home, 3-road)...the staff has a combined 1.65 ERA on the road and 5.77 at Paul Thomas Sr. Field...CJ Gettman and his 16-consecutive scoreless innings streak hopes to change that trend tonight.
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 821 games, the AppleSox own a 518-303 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 378-203 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 326-185 (.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 409-260 (.614) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 313-157 (.670) all-time home record, and is 215-165 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-27 all-time in extra-inning games
With four fresh faces in the top four spots of the order, the AppleSox offense took over in an 8-3 win against the Rogues.
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (5-6, 2-5) got their first series-opening league win, Monday, over the Medford Rogues (5-5, 5-5), as five AppleSox hitters collected multiple knocks to help lead the team to an 8-3 victory.
The scoring started in the first inning for Wenatchee. The AppleSox strung together three singles off of Medford starter, Cable Wright (0-1). Sheldon Liikala drove in the game’s first run on a single to center, which also extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
In the fourth, Medford drew even off of Sox starter Hunter Wells (1-0). Wells gave up an RBI single, and faced the bases loaded with one out, but got out of it with a pop out to the catcher, Ryan Crowe, in foul territory, followed by an act of self-protection that turned in to a 1-3 putout to take the game to the bottom of the fourth.
The AppleSox added two in the inning, thanks in part to an RBI triple for Andrew Helmstadter to straight-away center field. It was Helmstadter’s first triple of the season, and part of a 2-3, 2RBI night, in which he also scored a run.
Wenatchee rattled off three more in the fifth and two in the seventh to take complete control of the game. In total, five hitters claimed multiple base hits in the game.
Keston Hiura led all hitters with a 3-5 night at the plate, including two runs scored. Helmstadter, Liikala, and Kyle Vanderkin all had two-RBI nights. Mitchell Holland went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Joey jansen returned to Wenatchee (2013), going 2-3 with a run scored.
Medford expended five pitchers, in total. The AppleSox relied on Colton Loomis and Dustin Hamilton after wells threw 100-plus pitches in his 5 1/3 innings of work.
Hamilton and Loomis each threw hitless, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth innings.
Game two is Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. CJ Gettman (0-0, 0.00), who has a 16-consecutive inning scoreless streak toes the rubber for the AppleSox at Paul Thomas Sr. Field.
WP: Hunter Wells (1-0)
LP: Cable Wright (0-1)
The AppleSox and Rogues kick off a three game set, with the first tonight, Mascot Night, at 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES 6/15
BASEBALL BLURBS 6/15
BOTH WENATCHEE, MEDFORD LOOK TO GET BACK ON TRACK
The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-6, 1-5), fourth place in the WCL East are off to their worst league start in franchise history, and welcome in the Medford Rogues (5-4, 5-4), to continue the six-game homestand...both Wenatchee and Medford were swept on the weekend by the Corvallis Knights and Kelowna Falcons, respectively...the AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (4-6) (.400), 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
AJ Proszek used three-straight pinch hitters to help spark a furious five-run rally in the ninth inning last night...it tied the game at nine after the AppleSox had taken a 4-3 lead in the seventh, only to have it immediately taken away in the eighth...Wenatchee answered one more Corvallis run in the 10th, but the Knights got one final in the 12th, to secure the win.
EXTRA INNINGS
The AppleSox played their fourth extra-inning game in eight nights, (2-2)...the AppleSox set a team-record for extra-inning games played last year with eight.
CLOSE GAMES
Sunday was already the fourth one-run game played by the AppleSox in 2015...they are 1-3 in those one-run games.
A FIRST
Corvallis swept Wenatchee for the first time on the road in the series’ history...Corvallis took over the all-time series, 35-34...last night was also the highest combined scoring meeting for the Sox and the Knights...the 21 runs beat the old record of 18, tallied July 1, 2011 in an 11-7 Corvallis win at Goss Stadium.
TOUGH START
For the first time in franchise history, the AppleSox have opened league play 1-5...their 4-6 start is tied for the worst start, overall, in franchise history, set by the 2013 and 2003 AppleSox...both teams finished with records above .500.
2-OUTS, NO PROBLEM
Scott Hilpert leads the AppleSox in two-out RBI with 6 driven in with two outs this season...the AppleSox have brought 24 runners to score with two outs, in total this season...for more information on 2-out RBI statistics, visit page 6 of tonight’s game notes.
DOUBLE DIGITS
Last night marked the first time in league play this season that the AppleSox have attained double-digit run scoring totals...Sheldon Liikala also extended his active hitting streak, which began on Opening Night...his streak is now up to 10-consecutive games with a hit...he extended it in the ninth inning on a single, and extended his conseutive games reaching base streak in the seventh inning, on a walk.
POSITION PLAYERS TURNED PITCHERS
It was second baseman vs. third baseman to finish things on the mound, Sunday...Kyle Vanderkin pitched in relief in the 12th, giving up the go-ahead run on Emilio Alcantar’s RBI single...Taylor Travess tossed two scoreless, including a 1-2-3 ninth, to secure the win.
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 820 games, the AppleSox own a 517-303 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 377-203 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 325-185 (.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 408-260 (.614) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 312-157 (.670) all-time home record, and is 215-165 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-27 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight
The AppleSox used a five-run ninth inning to comeback from a 9-4 deficit and force extras.
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-6, 1-5) scored five runs in the ninth inning, Sunday, to go to extra innings with the Corvallis Knights (6-4, 5-4), but Corvallis went on to sweep the series, winning 11-10 in 12 innings.
The AppleSox utilized a five-run rally in the home half of the ninth, after the Knights had scored four to make it 9-4, headed to the final three outs.
Three-consecutive pinch hitters, and new faces, Keston Hiura, Mitchell Holland, and Ryan Crowe each got aboard, with Holland picking up an RBI on a gapped double.
Evan Douglas contributed an RBI single, and Hunter Hanson added a sacrifice fly. Then back-to-back singles by Sheldon Liikala and Nick Nyquist set up a push bunt for Kyle Vanderkin, past the pitcher, tying the game at nine.
The Knights answered right away in the tenth inning. Emilio Alcantar was driven in on a Jackson Soto double, with two outs, to give Corvallis a 10-9, advantage.
The AppleSox countered, with Holland reaching on a hard single. He was later driven in on a sacrifice fly by Douglas.
The eleventh was a scoreless frame, with Micael Taylor, and Dakoda Klemmer, each trying to get back on track after losing opportunities to win the game for their respective teams.
Taylor Travess pitched the scoreless eleventh for Corvallis. He started the night at second base. Kyle Vanderkin, gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the twelfth – in relief of Taylor – after AJ Valencia came to score on an Emilio Alcantar RBI single to left field.
Vanderkin was charged with the loss after Travess sent the Sox down in order to complete his first win of the season.
The AppleSox homestand continues Monday. The Medford Rogues come to town for a three game set. Hunter Wells takes to the hill in game one, and first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
WP: Taylor Travess (1-0)
LP: Kyle Vanderkin (0-1)
It's the second Spaghetti Sunday of the season, Sunday, with the AppleSox set to battle the Corvallis Knights.
GAME NOTES 6/14
BASEBALL BLURBS 6/14
APPLESOX LOOKING TO AVOID SWEEP
The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-5, 1-4), fourth place in the WCL East will face a right-handed starter for the first time in league play this season, as the Corvallis Knights (5-4, 4-4), winners of three-straight, offer up Austin Kelly...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (4-5) (.444), 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
A big first inning had Wenatchee set up for a big time night, however, it was all Knights the rest of the way...four runs on four hits for Wenatchee in the first inning last night...only three hits the rest of the way...Cory Nelson and Craig Colen combined to send the Sox down 1-2-3 in each of the final four innings...AJ Valencia went 2-for-5 with 3 RBI.
KEEP THE BROOMS IN THE CLOSET
Last time the AppleSox were swept at home, it was July 10-12 , 2014 against the Walla Walla Sweets...the sweep also marked one of two occasions on the year (June 30-July 2 - sweep at home vs. Bellingham), when the AppleSox lost three-consecutive games...the three-game losing streaks were the longest for the AppleSox in 2014.
ABOUT LOSING STREAKS AND RECORDS
The AppleSox have had losing streaks last longer than three games, seven times in franchise history, and twice in the last six years...the team’s longest losing streak is eight games, set in the 2008 season...the AppleSox have only gone 1-4 in their first five league games one other time in franchise history (2007)...the good news, that team went 22-14 the rest of the way and finished second in its division.
FROM THE WRONG SIDE
AppleSox batters have seen left-handed pitching to start each of the first five league games in 2015...the Sox are 1-5 against left-handed starting pitching...3-0 against righties...they face their first righty tonight in Austin Kelly.
PLAYING FROM BEHIND
Despite the stellar starting pitching, the AppleSox have played from behind in 5-of-9 games so far in 2015...the AppleSox average their first scored run in the sixth inning, so far this season (didn’t score in league-opener, tenth in game two, second in game three, seventh in game four, and first last night).
SOX IN THE DRAFT
The AppleSox had 8 players current and former, drafted in the 2015 MLB Draft...James Kaprielian, Mitchell Gunsolus, Reign Letkeman, Ty Moore, Tyler Nevin, Taylor Jones, Ty Jackson, and Nate Esposito were all taken in the draft...Kaprielian is now the highest-drafted former Sox player...Nevin and Letkeman, as a result of the draft, are both done with the Sox in 2015...Nevin had yet to arrive from high school for Wenatchee.
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 819 games, the AppleSox own a 517-302 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 377-202 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 325-184 (.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 408-259 (.614) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 312-156 (.670) all-time home record, and is 215-165 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-26 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).
Masterfully pitching led the Corvallis Knights to victory down the stretch, after a rough first inning.
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-5, 1-4) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead against the Corvallis Knights (5-4, 4-4), Saturday, but Corvallis took over, scoring the next eight while quieting the AppleSox bats to the finish in an 8-4 win.
The AppleSox strung together four-consecutive hits in the bottom of the first after starter Kyle Blankenship retired the side in order to open the game in the top half. The AppleSox scored all four runs after an error allowed Jacob Prater aboard. Chase Lewallen, Andrew Helmstadter, Sheldon Liikala, and Nick Nyquist all had hits in order to help score the four runs.
Helmstadter ran into some defense troubles in the third inning, however, with a couple throwing errors that resulted in two Corvallis runs. The others were driven home in a four-run frame for the Knights.
AJ Valencia swung a hot bat for Corvallis, going 2-5, with a run scored and 3 RBI. He added two more to a 6-4 lead, with an 2-RBI single in the sixth inning, to give Corvallis the four-run winning margin.
The Knights starter – the fifth consecutive left-hander the AppleSox have faced to open league play – had Wenatchee in fits after the first inning. Cory Nelson (1-0), threw seven innings of seven-hit baseball, allowing four runs (none earned), with five strikeouts and no walks.
Kyle Blankenship (0-1), finished with 4 2/3 innings and gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits, while striking out three and walking two.
Anthony Contonio and Brian Gadsby pitched in relief of Blankenship. Contonio gave up the two-run single to Valencia, but Gadsby was strong, allowing no hits over two innings, with a strikeout.
Corvallis’ lone reliever on the night was Craig Colen. He worked two innings and retired the Sox in order, with two strikeouts.
Wenatchee was sent down 1-2-3 in each of the final four innings.
Corvallis earned the series win, and the set concludes Sunday at 6:05 p.m. It is Spaghetti Sunday at the park, so from the time gates open, up ‘til first pitch, fans can get a plate of spaghetti and a slice of garlic bread for $7.50. Gage Burland (0-0), will face Austin Kelly (0-0) – the Sox first right-handed opposing starter in 2015.
WP: Cory Nelson (1-0)
LP: Kyle Blankenship (0-1)
Former AppleSox hurler James Kaprielian (2012) led an eight-man AppleSox draft class in 2015. Kaprilian became the highest drafted AppleSox player, now ahead of Marco Gonzales, when he was selected with the 16th pick of this year's draft.
Eight former and current AppleSox players had their name called by Major League teams last week, and have been drafted for the opportunity to start their professional baseball careers.
James Kaprielian, a 2012 AppleSox pitcher from UCLA, was drafted 16th overall by the New York Yankees, jumping Marco Gonzales to become the highest-drafted player in AppleSox history. Gonzales was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 19th pick in the 2013 draft. He still holds the record as fastest former AppleSox pitcher to the majors, after being drafted.
Here is a look at the rest of the former (and one current/one originally incoming) AppleSox players drafted last week:
2015 APPLESOX, MLB DRAFT
James Kaprielian, UCLA, (2012 AppleSox), Round 1, Pick 16, New York Yankees
Tyler Nevin, UCLA-commit, (Incoming 2015 AppleSox), CBA, Pick 38, Colorado Rockies
Mitchell Gunsolus, Gonzaga, (2012 AppleSox), Round 10, Pick 291, Boston Red Sox
Ty Moore, UCLA, (2012 AppleSox), Round 12, Pick 367, Pittsburgh Pirates
Reign Letkeman, Big Bend CC, (2014/2015 AppleSox), Round 23, Pick 688, Tampa Bay Rays
Ty Jackson, Lewis-Clark State, (2014 AppleSox), Round 32, Pick 958, Tampa Bay Rays
Nate Esposito, Concordia, (2014 AppleSox), Round 33, Pick 999, Kansas City Royals
Taylor Jones, Gonzaga, (2012 AppleSox), Round 35, Pick 1,043, Chicago Cubs
All of the AppleSox players drafted above remain unsigned with their respective organizations.
The AppleSox had 34 players in professional baseball as of May 1, 2015. Three are currently at the Major League level: Jason Hammel (Chicago Cubs), Tommy Milone (Minnesota Twins), and Blaine Hardy (Detroit Tigers).
The AppleSox look to even up the weekend series with the Corvallis Knights, Saturday night. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES 6/13
BASEBALL BLURBS 6/13
LAST NIGHT
Zach Haggett started with a perfect first three innings, but it was all Knights in the fifth...five in the fifth and one in the sixth made it 6-0, before the AppleSox came back with one in the seventh and three in the eighth...an insurance run in the top of the ninth was plenty for Corvallis closer, Merrick Patito to pick up the save (1)...Cole Doherty got his first win of the season (1-0), and Haggett suffered his first loss (0-1).
OFFENSIVE PICK-ME-UP
The AppleSox needed the bats to finally show up, and they showed glimpses of brilliance last night...eight-of-nine applesox hitters reached base last night (Douglas)...seven-of-nine with hits (Douglas and Sauve)...the Sox also landed five extra-base hits, all hit by separate batters (Smith, Hanson, Nyquist, Liikala, Hilpert).
HILPERT BLAZING
After a rough start to 2015, Scott Hilpert has gone 4-7 in his last two games, with 3 two-out RBI, and a double...he is second on the team in hitting (.400), behind Sheldon Liikala (.462).
HAD TO SCORE SOMETIME
The AppleSox starting pitching staff gave up its first earned run, Friday, in the fifth inning...it snapped a streak of 24.2 scoreless innings pitched by starters to open the 2015 league season...CJ Gettman leads active starters (and pitchers) with 16.0 consecutive scoreless innings thrown.
FROM THE WRONG SIDE
AppleSox batters have seen left-handed pitching to start each of the first four league games in 2015...they will see a fifth-consecutive, Saturday, in southpaw Cory Nelson...the Sox are 1-4 against left-handed starting pitching...3-1 against righties.
PLAYING FROM BEHIND
Despite the stellar starting pitching, the AppleSox have played from behind in 5-of-8 games so far in 2015...the AppleSox average their first scored run in the seventh inning, so far this season (didn’t score in league-opener, tenth in game two, second in game three, and seventh in game four).
SOX IN THE DRAFT
The AppleSox had 8 players current and former, drafted in the 2015 MLB Draft...James Kaprielian, Mitchell Gunsolus, Reign Letkeman, Ty Moore, Tyler Nevin, Taylor Jones, Ty Jackson, and Nate Esposito were all taken in the draft...Kaprielian is now the highest-drafted former Sox player...Nevin and Letkeman, as a result of the draft, are both done with the Sox in 2015...Nevin had yet to arrive from high school for Wenatchee.
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 818 games, the AppleSox own a 517-301 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 377-201 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 325-183 (.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 408-258 (.614) against league opponents (including playoffs) and 107-40 (.728) vs. non-league teams...Wenatchee owns a 312-155 (.670) all-time home record, and is 215-165 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-26 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).
Corvallis' fifth inning offensive outburst set a new high for most runs scored against the AppleSox in an inning, as the Knights went on to win game one, 7-4.
WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-4, 1-3) were cooking through the first four innings against the Corvallis Knights (4-4, 3-4), allowing just one hit, until the Knights reached Wenatchee for five in the fifth en route to a 7-4 win at Paul Thomas Sr. Field, Friday.
Again it was masterful starting pitching out of the gates for Wenatchee. Zach Haggett (0-1), pitched a perfect first three innings, retiring all nine men he saw, with three punch outs to go alongside his 28 pitches (20 for strikes).
After 3 2/3 hitless innings, Emilio Alcantar got the Knights a tally in the fourth, with a two-out single to left field.
Wenatchee was relatively quiet in the early innings, having an early legitimate scoring chance in the fourth inning erased on a throw to the plate, to cut down Hunter Hanson on a Sheldon Liikala single.
The Knights finally got to Haggett in the fifth inning, as they brought ten runners to the plate and utilized five hits to post five runs on the Sox starter.
Cole Doherty (1-0), was dominant for Corvallis, striking out nine batters over nine innings of work. He allowed just six hits and one earned run, with one walk. He was the fourth-consecutive southpaw the AppleSox have seen to open league play.
The AppleSox mounted a rally in the eighth inning after Tyler Thorson drove in the team’s first run in the seventh. Against reliever, Branden Cutsforth, the AppleSox hit two doubles and a single to post three runs, including Nick Nyquist scoring on his own double, after a throw back to the infield got away into the Knights dugout.
Wenatchee was faced with Merrick Patito in the bottom of the ninth, after the Knights walked home a run in the top half, to extend their lead to 7-4. The AppleSox couldn’t get a hit off Patito, and their only baserunner was allowed aboard via the walk. He was left stranded on a strikeout to end the game.
WP: Cole Doherty (1-0)
LP: Zach Haggett (0-1)
S: Merrick Patito (1)
The AppleSox host the Corvallis Knights for a three-game set at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. The two winningest franchises in WCL history go toe-to-toe starting Friday night at 7:05 p.m.
GAME NOTES 6/12
BASEBALL BLURBS BY BRUCE 6/12
APPLESOX BACK IN WENATCHEE FOR FIRST HOME WCL SERIES
The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-3, 1-2), fourth place in the WCL East, return to the friendly confines to take on the Corvallis Knights (3-4, 2-4), after losing last night’s contest, and series, 4-3 at Walla Walla in 10 innings ...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (4-3) (.571), 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
Again, it took extras, but this time the AppleSox came away empty handed, after losing a three-run lead in the ninth inning. CJ Gettman continued the AppleSox strong string of starting pitching, but Walla Walla pushed across three with the bases loaded and Clayton Ayers hit a walkoff RBI single up the middle of the diamond to win the series for the Sweets on a close play at the plate.
WHEN NINE ISN’T ENOUGH
The AppleSox have played three extra inning games in the first seven contests of 2015...three of the last four vs. Walla Walla have taken 9+...last night was the third extra-inning game in the last five for the Sox...in league play it was their sixth in the last seven, sixth in the last 10 and seventh in the last 16... of their last 16 extra-inning games the Sox have won 12...they are 34-26 overall, 33-20 in league and now 19-11 on the road.
SOX STARTERS
Getting to the Sox bullpen has to be focus number one for opponents...the AppleSox starting rotation hasn’t given up a run in league play, and has tossed 20-consecutive scoreless innings, while only allowing nine hits.
WHERE’S THE OFFENSE?
Wenatchee lead the league in hitting with a .291 batting average in 2014...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...currently the team is tied for last in average with Klamath Falls at .186.
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.
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 817 games, the AppleSox own a 517-300 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 377-200 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 325-182 (.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 408-257 (.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 215-165 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-26 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).
CJ Gettman now hasn't allowed a hit in 16-consecutive innings for the AppleSox.
WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-3, 1-2) stumbled to the finish line, Thursday, against the Walla Walla Sweets (3-3, 3-3), falling 4-3 in ten innings at Borleske Stadium.
CJ Gettman was dominant for his second-straight start. He followed up his complete game, three-hit Opening Night performance, with seven shutout innings, Thursday. He only surrendered four hits, and struck out eight while walking just three. His season strikeout total is now 19, and the Wenatchee product has tossed 16-consecutive scoreless innings for Wenatchee.
Wenatchee got their scoring started in the second inning, on a Scott Hilpert RBI single to left field, his first of all three runs batted in on the night.
Again, Hilpert delivered in the fourth off Sweets southpaw starter Cooper Powell. An infield bunt single brought home Nick Nyquist to score, after the AppleSox were called for interference on the basepaths a play earlier, denying a run at the time.
Colton Loomis (0-1) took over for Gettman in the eighth inning and mowed down the Sweets 1-2-3, with two K’s in the final two at bats of the frame.
Wenatchee added a valuable insurance run in the top of the ninth on another Hilpert single. He finished 3-for-4.
In the bottom half, Walla Walla jolted Loomis. They loaded the bases with nobody out, after a single, a batter hit by pitch, and a walk. Willie MacIver then grounded hard to third base, but a critical throwing error to home plate allowed a run to score, with still no outs and the bases loaded.
Loomis then got a pop up to shortstop for out number one, but Matt Whitney, out of the leadoff spot, delivered a 2-RBI single on the left side of the infield to tie the game. Hunter Hanson knocked the ball down softly on the shallow left field grass and tried to throw home to get the runner at the plate, but it bounced off of Dyllin Mucha’s back.
Andrew Helmstadter, the catcher, immediately realized that Whitney had taken a long turn past first base and fired to Nick Nyquist at first. Nyquist then saw MacIver stuck between second and third, and tossed to Jacob Prater. The Sox got a tag on MacIver, and Whitney still was stuck between first and second, so a throw on to Nyquist resulted in another rundown and another tagged baserunner to take us to extra innings.
In the tenth, Cam Richman (1-0), who saved Tuesday’s contest, struck out the first two he faced, and then walked Hanson, but he was later caught trying to steal second.
A catchers interference call started off the bottom of the tenth for Walla Walla, to get Juan Gamez aboard. A sacrifice bunt by Chris McCready worked Gamez into scoring position, and a follow up single through the middle of the infield by Clayton Ayers, scored Gamez from second on a very close play at the plate, in which Helmstadter might’ve been able to block Ayers’ hand from reaching the dish. Regardless, Ayers was called safe, and the Sweets walked it off, 4-3.
The AppleSox return home Friday night to face the Corvallis Knights. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. from Paul Thomas Sr. Field.
WP: Cam Richman (1-0)
LP: Colton Loomis (0-1)
The AppleSox have a chance to win their first WCL and WCL East series tonight at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla.
APPLESOX LOOK TO WIN FIRST WCL SERIES
The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-2, 1-1), second place in the WCL East, continue their first WCL East series tonight, looking for the comeback series win vs. the Walla Walla Sweets (2-3, 2-3), after winning last night’s game 3-0 in 10 innings...The AppleSox are playing their 16th franchise season (11th in the WCL) and are led by first-year skipper, AJ Proszek (4-2) (.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.
LAST NIGHT
It took 10 innings, but the AppleSox came away victorious...Hunter Wells helped pitch the first AppleSox one-hitter since June 25, 2013, which came as part of a twin bill played at Medford (so, it was one hit over seven innings for the Rogues)...Brhet Bewley went 2-4 with 2 RBI in his AppleSox debut, including driving around the AppleSox go-ahead runs in the tenth, Tyler Thorson and Keaton Smith...Wells took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and pitched eight innings in total...Clayton Ayers had the only Walla Walla hit, a double to left, and Brian Gadsby tossed the other two hitless innings for the Sox.
EXTRA, EXTRA
The AppleSox have played two extra inning games in the first six contests of 2015...two of the last three vs. Walla Walla have taken 9+...this was the second extra inning game in five games this season...in league play it’s their fourth in the last seven, fifth in the last 10 and sixth in the last 15... of their last 15 extra-inning games the Sox have won 12...they are 34-25 overall, 33-19 in league and a super 19-10 on the road.
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.
APPLESOX ALL-TIME
Through the first fifteen franchise seasons and 816 games, the AppleSox own a 517-299 (.633) record...the AppleSox are 377-199 (.654) since the inception of the WCL in 2005...Wenatchee is 325-181 (.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 408-256 (.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 215-164 (.566) on the road...Wenatchee is 34-25 all-time in extra-inning games, and the Sox set a record for free baseball last summer, playing eight extended contests (previous high: 6).
Hunter Wells took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and helped hold the Sweets at bay in a combined one-hitter, Wednesday with Brian Gadsby.
WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-2, 1-1) took a tight extra-inning pitchers’ duel over the Walla Walla Sweets (2-3, 2-3), 3-0 Wednesday night at Borleske Stadium. Sox starter, Hunter Wells, carried a no-hitter through six innings, and new face Brhet Bewley delivered the go-ahead 2-RBI single in the tenth.
The Wenatchee AppleSox got their revenge Wednesday night, by duplicating the Walla Walla Sweets Tuesday night blueprint. Hunter Wells was dominant over eight strong innings for the AppleSox. He owned a no-hitter through six innings, erased by the Sweets only hit of the night, a double down the left field line for Clayton Ayers.
Still, Wells didn’t get any run support through the first eight innings of the game. Easton Lucas, the Sweets’ starter, threw five innings of three-hit baseball and the Sox were held hitless from the third-to-seventh innings, Wednesday.
Both bullpens eventually had to hang on to the contest, with Travis Ulvestad tossing one inning after Lucas. Chris Tate (1-2) and Clayton Ayers worked the rest of the way for Walla Walla. Tate kept it scoreless for three more innings, but was finally broken down by four AppleSox hits in the tenth, and one key error. On a bunt near home plate, Tate, catcher Dylan Wilbert, and third baseman Paul Haywood all converged on a popped attempt from Keaton Smith. All three hesitated until Haywood picked up the baseball and tossed it past his first baseman, Juan Gamez and into right field.
Smith took second base, and Tyler Thorson, aboard via a leadoff single, made it to third base with no outs. Brhet Bewley, who had the AppleSox first hit of the night, and a 2-4 night in his inaugural appearance, gave the AppleSox their first runs of the 2015 WCL season, with a 2-RBI single to left center field on a 1-1 pitch from Ayers. Both runs were charged to Tate, who was responsible for the runners.
Hunter Hanson added a third run on a sacrifice fly, scored off of Ayers.
Brian Gadsby (1-0) completed the game on the mound for Wenatchee. His services were required in both the ninth and tenth innings. Despite a couple walks, Gadsby struck out a pair and used a 4-6-3 double play to get his first win of the season.
The AppleSox have a chance to win the series, Thursday at 7:05 p.m. CJ Gettman (1-0 in non-league action), faces off against left-hander Cooper Powell.
WP: Brian Gadsby (1-0)
LP: Chris Tate (1-2)
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