SOX BATS CATCH FIRE, DOWN BELLS IN BIG GAME TWO

Wenatchee out-punched the Bells offense early, on the way to a 9-6 win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE–  The Wenatchee AppleSox (19-34, 9-17 second half), won an offensively-powered game 9-6 over by the Bellingham Bells (31-22, 16-10) to even the season’s final series, Saturday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. 

The AppleSox looked like a team in trouble early, allowing two runs in the first inning to the Bellingham Bells, who locked up a WCL Playoff spot a night earlier. 

However, Wenatchee had a big answer for its starter Luke Mattson (2-7) in the bottom of the first. The AppleSox brought 11 batters to the plate, and Ryan Kreidler started a bases-loaded opening to the game with a single and a walk of Evan Douglas, and a hit by pitch of Sheldon Liikala loaded the bases for Michael Toglia. 

Toglia delivered a 2-RBI single through the right side to get the game back to even, and net his 37th and 38th RBIs on the season, making him the WCL leader. 

Jordan Rathbone hit in a go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice, and a Dalton Harum single and a wild pitch gave the Sox a 5-2 advantage after one inning. They chased Joey Matulovich (3-5) after an inning and a third. 

Mattson settled down to score four scoreless innings in the second through the fifth, while his offense got him another four-run backing in the fourth. 

The runs were important, as Mattson fell into some trouble in his sixth and final inning. With two runners on, and a run already home on an error, the Bells connected on a three-run blast from Landon Riker to make the score 9-6. 

The AppleSox bats fell silent late, with the game’s final 11 batters retired in order for Wenatchee, but that posed no problem for the bullpen that protected the lead. 

Nick Hoefling and Miceal Taylor each tossed two scoreless innings, and Taylor’s were mighty impressive. The senior-to-be at Central Washington wrapped up his fourth year pitching at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, only allowing one hit in his final two collegiate summer league innings, while earning his second save. 

The AppleSox play for the series, Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Mac Lardner will be the starter for Wenatchee.

SOX FACE PLAYOFF-BOUND BELLS, SATURDAY

The AppleSox and the Bellingham Bells square off Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Bellingham Bells
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
R- Luke Mattson (1-7) vs. R- Joey Matulovich (3-4)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-34, 8-17, 8-14 North), fifth place in the North Division wrap up the 2016 season at home against the Bellingham Bells (31-21, 16-9, 14-8) who clinched the final WCL playoff spot when Walla Walla lost during the Bell’s game one with Wenatchee...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (48-66) (.421), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 3, BELLINGHAM 4
WENATCHEE –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-34, 8-17 second half), were held at bay for six innings by the Bellingham Bells (31-21, 16-9) until a Haydan Hastings home run game them new life, Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in a game the Bells won 4-3 in 11 innings...until the seventh, a three-run home run for Shane Hanon had provided all of the Bells’ offense...up 3-0, Spencer Howard cruised as the starter for the Bells, tossing five shutout innings on just two hits...in the sixth, Jeff Gelinas had little trouble with the Sox, surrendering just a walk, however, in the seventh he let two aboard on a batter hit by pitch and a single, and was taken out for Jeff Zavisubin...Hastings gave Zavisubin a rude welcome to the contest, launching his first pitch out of the ‘pen over the right field fence to tie the game 3-3. It was Hastings’ second home run of the season...Tony Contonio covered for three innings in relief for Wenatchee behind Young’s six, however, the Sox couldn’t get a run and the game went into extras.without anymore rested arms, the AppleSox turned to Sheldon Liikala who threw two innings of one unearned run baseball, that included a brilliant strikeout of a Bell batter in the tenth on a pitch in the dirt...Liikala gave up the unearned run on a single in the eleventh, and eventual throwing error, E6, that brought home the game’s winning run...Sam Hellinger shut the door for the Bells and picked up his WCL-leading 12th save...Otis Statum singled in the inning, and got as far as second, but the Sox were unable to bring him around. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
ALL GOOD THINGS...
Michael Toglia’s 11-game hitting streak came to an end Friday night against the Bells...Toglia started his streak July 23 against the Bellingham Bells...over the course of his streak, his batting average rose from .274 to a team-leading .311...he was 16-for-37 (.432) and scored seven runs, with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, including an inside-the-park grand slam. He drove in 10 runners over the span and went 7-for-18 against the Bellingham Bells alone, with two doubles, a triple, a home run, and 3 RBI. 

UNBLEMISHED
With a no-decision last night, the lone All-Star representative from the AppleSox pitching staff, Matt Young, finished with a 3-0 league record, and was 4-0 over the entire season, factoring in a seven-inning win over the Alaska Goldpanners. Young joins recent additions Tony Contonio and Adam Paulson, along with full-season reliever Miceal Taylor as the only AppleSox pitchers without a loss this season. Young was the only starting pitcher to not lose a game. 

ON THE LINE TONIGHT
A win for the Bellingham Bells tonight would give them the title of WCL North Second-Half Champions...if the AppleSox steal games two and three of the series, and Victoria wins its last two games of the season, the HarbourCats would be able to claim Division titles in both the first and second halves. However, remember, regardless Bellingham punched its ticket to the playoffs last night with a Walla Walla loss in Kelowna. Coincidentally, tonight, Bellingham could guarantee the title of Second-Half Champion with a Victoria loss; something the AppleSox are rooting for, who need the HarbourCats (38 wins) to lose their final two games in order for the 2011 AppleSox (39 wins) to continue to hold the WCL wins record outright. 

APPLESOX FORCE EXTRAS ON HASTINGS’ BLAST; FALL IN 11

Haydan Hastings hit his second home run of the season, but Wenatchee fell 4-3 in 11 innings, Friday night. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE–  The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-34, 8-17 second half), were held at bay for six innings by the Bellingham Bells (31-21, 16-9) until a Haydan Hastings home run game them new life, Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium in a game the Bells won 4-3 in 11 innings.

Until the seventh, a three-run home run for Shane Hanon had provided all of the Bells’ offense. It came off of Matt Young in the third inning and was the first home run he had allowed all season. For Hanon, the WCL’s leading hitter, it was his second of the year. 

Up 3-0, Spencer Howard cruised as the starter for the Bells, tossing five shutout innings on just two hits. 

In the sixth, Jeff Gelinas had little trouble with the Sox, surrendering just a walk, however, in the seventh he let two aboard on a batter hit by pitch and a single, and was taken out for Jeff Zavisubin. 

Hastings gave Zavisubin a rude welcome to the contest, launching his first pitch out of the ‘pen over the right field fence to tie the game 3-3. It was Hastings’ second home run of the season. 

Tony Contonio covered for three innings in relief for Wenatchee behind Young’s six, however, the Sox couldn’t get a run and the game went into extras. 

Without anymore rested arms, the AppleSox turned to Sheldon Liikala who threw two innings of one unearned run baseball, that included a brilliant strikeout of a Bell batter in the tenth on a pitch in the dirt. 

Liikala gave up the unearned run on a single in the eleventh, and eventual throwing error, E6, that brought home the game’s winning run. 

Sam Hellinger shut the door for the Bells and picked up his WCL-leading 12th save. Otis Statum singled in the inning, and got as far as second, but the Sox were unable to bring him around. 

Walla Walla lost earlier in the night to help Bellingham clinch the fourth and final spot in the WCL playoffs. Game two of the series is Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., and Luke Mattson will pitch for Wenatchee. 

SOX CLOSE SEASON WITH SET VS BELLS

The AppleSox end the 2016 season at home this weekend, starting with three games against the Bellingham Bells. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs Bellingham Bells
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
R- Ross Clevenger (1-3) vs. R- Spencer Howard (2-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-33, 8-16, 8-13 North), fifth place in the North Division wrap up the 2016 season at home against the Bellingham Bells (30-21, 15-9, 13-8) who will be playoff bound with a win or a Walla Walla loss in each of the next three nights...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (48-65) (.425), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 3, WALLA WALLA 7
WALLA WALLA –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-33, 8-16 second half), nearly took every last hope from the Walla Walla Sweets (28-23, 13-11) late-season playoff push, but the Sweets hung on to a small lead and expanded it late for a 7-3 victory at Borleske Stadium...Willie MacIver connected on his third double of the last two nights for a first-inning 1-0 lead...the Sweets added two more off of AppleSox starter Ross Clevenger (1-4), in the third inning. With two runners aboard and no outs, an RBI single and double play fielder’s choice RBI, made it 3-0 Sweets...a solo home run by Jordan Myrow,in the fifth gave Walla Walla a 4-0 lead...Sweet starter Chris Murphy worked five frames, surrendering only three hits, while striking out nine batters...the AppleSox put together a comeback bid in the seventh inning against Nick Scheidler. Otis Statum walked and Haydan Hastings and Matt Fraizer singled to load the bases with no outs...a Ryan Kreidler sacrifice fly to center, and Evan Douglas 2-RBI single got the Sox within one run at 4-3...AJ Carkner and Grant Ford combined to get the final outs of the inning, and Wenatchee left the bases loaded on a strikeout...Walla Walla struggled against Taylor Borchers for two innings, who was first in relief of a five-inning Clevenger start. Borchers retired six straight, before the Sweets got three insurance runs in the eighth inning on a Nick Vigo single, MacIver fourth double of the series and a Nick Nyquist fielder’s choice...Wenatchee was shut down, down the stretch, by Kyle Narahara who retired the games final five batters.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
TOGLIA EXTENDS HITTING STREAK
It took until the ninth inning last night, but Michael Toglia did extend his team-best hitting streak to a total of 11 games. The Gig Harbor native started his streak just after the All-Star break, July 23 against Kitsap.

ROAD SCHEDULE COMPLETE
Last night, Wenatchee completed its 2016 season away from home. The AppleSox played to a total of 9-18 away from Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium this year.

HUNTING FOR A SEASON SERIES WIN
Again the AppleSox are in search of a season series win, after ending last night tied with the Walla Walla Sweets, 3-3 on the season series. Wenatchee has tied four teams in season series play this summer (Gresham, Bend, Kelowna, and Walla Walla). The AppleSox also are still looking for their first league sweep, something that the Walla Walla Sweets certainly are hoping for.

OFF HIS LONGEST START
Matt Young threw seven innings last weekend against the Alaska Goldpanners, when the AppleSox removed his innings limit...if the top is off again tonight, expect Young to be ready to go. The left-hander was an immaculately accuratestrike-thrower last weekend, tossing seven Ks without a single walk. He started in Bellingham earlier this year, throwing shutout baseball for five frames, while only allowing four hits. 

SOX COMEBACK TRY FALLS SHORT, WALLA WALLA KEEPS PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE

The Sweets and AppleSox tied on their 2016 season series 3-3.

BOX SCORE

WALLA WALLA –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-33, 8-16 second half), nearly took every last hope from the Walla Walla Sweets (28-23, 13-11) late-season playoff push, but the Sweets hung on to a small lead and expanded it late for a 7-3 victory at Borleske Stadium, Thursday night.

Wenatchee’s final road game of 2016 was off to a less-than-optimal start when Willie MacIver connected on his third double of the last two night for a first-inning 1-0 lead. 

The Sweets added two more off of AppleSox starter Ross Clevenger (1-4), in the third inning. With two runners aboard and no outs, an RBI single and double play fielder’s choice RBI, made it 3-0 Sweets. 

A solo home run in the fifth got the large Walla Walla crowd excited. Hit by Jordan Myrow, it was his first of the season and the first off of Clevenger all year. It gave Walla Walla a 4-0 lead. 

After getting through the start from WCL strikeout leader Chris Murphy, Wenatchee was finally able to generate some offense. Murphy worked five frames, surrendering only three hits, while striking out nine batters. 

The AppleSox put together a comeback bid in the seventh inning against Nick Scheidler. Otis Statum walked and Haydan Hastings and Matt Fraizer singled to load the bases with no outs. A Ryan Kreidler sacrifice fly to center, and Evan Douglas 2-RBI single got the Sox within one run at 4-3. 

Aj Carkner and Grant Ford combined to get the final outs of the inning, and Wenatchee left the bases loaded on a strikeout. 

Walla Walla struggled against Taylor Borchers for two innings, who was first in relief of a five-inning Clevenger start. Borchers retired six straight, before the Sweets got three insurance runs in the eighth inning on a Nick Vigo single, MacIver fourth double of the series and a Nick Nyquist fielder’s choice. 

Wenatchee was shut down, down the stretch, by Kyle Narahara who tied up the saves race in the WCL, posting his tenth. Narahara retired the games final five batters. 

With the win, Walla Walla stayed alive in the WCL Playoff race, while Yakima Valley clinched the second South spot via a Gresham loss. The Sweets need the AppleSox help over the weekend, having to sweep Kelowna and have the Bellingham Bells lose all three games at Wenatchee.
Game one of the AppleSox series with the Bells, and the final home set of 2016 starts Friday night at 7:05 p.m., at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. 

THURSDAY RUBBER MATCH GAME VS SWEETS

The AppleSox play their last road game of 2016 tonight, hoping to sour the Sweets' playoff hopes in the series finale. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Walla Walla Sweets
Borleske Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
R- Ross Clevenger (1-3) vs. L- Chris Murphy (2-1)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-32, 8-15, 8-12 North), fifth place in the North Division are visiting the Walla Walla Sweets (27-23, 12-11, 8-12) in another must-win game for Walla Walla’s playoff hopes...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (48-64) (.429), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 1, WALLA WALLA 6
WALLA WALLA –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-32, 8-15 second half), were stifled at the plate as the Walla Walla Sweets (27-23, 12-11), won 6-1, Wednesday at Borleske Stadium to even the series 1-1...early on, the AppleSox had trouble figuring out Easton Lucas (7-2)...the Pepperdine arm threw five shutout innings, and struck out seven of the first ten batters to face him, en route to a career-high nine strikeout night...the AppleSox picked up six innings from Grady Miller (3-4), who allowed four runs to score; the highest total since his first start in June against Yakima Valley...Walla Walla opened the scoring in the second inning on a one-out double for Nick Vigo...in the fifth, another three runs came off of Miller, as Vigo hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score a man with the bases loaded, and Willie MacIver supplied a 2-RBI double...in the seventh, Wenatchee answered Walla Walla with a run of its own, in an inning that could’ve yielded much more damage to the Sweets...with the bases loaded, and nobody out, Ryan Johnston forced a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Matt Fraizer, and while it allowed a run to score, it successfully limited the damage for the Sweets...Walla Walla got its final two runs off of Nick Hoefling in relief, ending his league consecutive scoreless innings streak at 10 innings...MacIver slammed a second double for another RBI, and Coby Kauhaahaa delivered a clutch RBI single for the the 6-1 final...Kyle Narahara, second in the WCL North in saves, with 10, got the final three outs in a non-save situation for the Sweets.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
TOGLIA SWINGING
Last night, Michael Toglia extended his hitting streak to an AppleSox season-best 10 games, passing Evan Douglas’ nine-game stretch from June 4-22 earlier this season...Toglia’s stretch started on July 23 against the Kitsap BlueJackets...over the stretch, Toglia’s average has risen from .279 to .316 and he has gone 17-for-40 (.425) with 11 runs scored, 13 runs driven in, 2 HR, 8 BB, and 4 stolen bases.

LAST START FOR CLEVENGER
Tonight marks the final start of 2016 for AppleSox reliever/starter Ross Clevenger...in a flip-flop role, Clevenger has built innings both in the starting rotation and the ‘pen this summer...his last league start was in Yakima prior to the All Star Game and he gave up just two runs over five innings in a losing outing...Clevenger’s lone win this season came as a starter in Bend, June 21 when his club backed him with a nine-run second inning. 

WCL PLAYOFF PICTURE GAINS CLARITY
In the North Division, Victoria in as first-half champ...one Bellingham victory or one Walla Walla defeat puts the Bells in the playoffs as the second-half champion...the only way the Sweets can make it would be to win their final four games and for the Bells to lose their final three games...in the South Division Corvallis in as first-half champ...Yakima Valley is in if Gresham loses to Corvallis tonight...with a loss the Pippins and GreyWolves could tie for first in the second half, but YV holds the tiebreaker. 

HARMED BY DOUBLES
Facing the worst double-hitting team in the West Coast League, last night, the AppleSox allowed four two-baggers...it was the second-highest total of doubles allowed by Wenatchee in a single game this season.

SWEETS EVEN SERIES BEHIND LUCAS’ CAREER NIGHT

The AppleSox had trouble turning on the bats against Sweets' starter Easton Lucas, Wednesday night. 

BOX SCORE

WALLA WALLA –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-32, 8-15 second half), were stifled at the plate as the Walla Walla Sweets (27-23, 12-11), won 6-1, Wednesday at Borleske Stadium to even the series 1-1. 

Early on, the AppleSox had trouble figuring out Easton Lucas (7-2). The Pepperdine arm threw five shutout innings, and struck out seven of the first ten batters to face him, en route to a career-high nine strikeout night. 

The AppleSox picked up six innings from Grady Miller (3-4), who allowed four runs to score; the highest total since his first start in June against Yakima Valley. 

Walla Walla opened the scoring in the second inning on a one-out double for Nick Vigo. In the fifth, another three runs came off of Miller, as Vigo hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score a man with the bases loaded, and Willie MacIver supplied a 2-RBI double. 

In the seventh, Wenatchee answered Walla Walla with a run of its own, in an inning that could’ve yielded much more damage to the Sweets. With the bases loaded, and nobody out, Ryan Johnston forced a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Matt Fraizer, and while it allowed a run to score, it successfully limited the damage for the Sweets. 

Walla Walla got its final two runs off of Nick Hoefling in relief, ending his league consecutive scoreless innings streak at 10 innings. 

MacIver slammed a second double for another RBI, and Coby Kauhaahaa delivered a clutch RBI single for the the 6-1 final. 

Kyle Narahara, second in the WCL North in saves, with 10, got the final three outs in a non-save situation for the Sweets.

Game three and the rubber match of the three-game set is Thursday night at 7:05 p.m., and Ross Clevenger (1-3) will pitch for the AppleSox.  

APPLESOX GO FOR SERIES WIN, WEDNESDAY

The Wenatchee AppleSox and Walla Walla Sweets meet Wednesday for a game that could win Wenatchee both the current and season series over the Sweets.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Walla Walla Sweets
Borleske Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
L- Grady Miller (3-3) vs. L- Easton Lucas (6-2)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-31, 8-14, 8-11 North), fifth place in the North Division are visiting the Walla Walla Sweets (26-23, 11-11, 7-12) in a near must-win game for Walla Walla’s playoff hopes...Wenatchee played Walla Walla earlier this season in a three-game set, winning two of the three games...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (48-63) (.432), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 6, WALLA WALLA 4
WALLA WALLA –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-31, 8-14 second half), fought back from a 4-1 deficit to win 6-4 Tuesday night at the Walla Walla Sweets (26-23, 11-11)...Wenatchee utilized a five-run sixth inning and also dialed up a game-winning 6-3 double play...the AppleSox scored first Tuesday, on a two-out double for Jordan Rathbone in the second inning against starter Bobby Ay (1-3)...the Sweets responded with two runs of their own in the second on a suicide squeeze, executed to perfection to score two runs...Walla Walla tried another suicide squeeze in the inning that was failed and resulted in a frame-ending double play...the Sweets added two more runs against Mac Lardner (2-2), in the third and fourth inning on Nick Nyquist’s second double of the game and a solo home run for Nick Vigo...Lardner’s offense got him the runs back in the sixth inning, bringing 11 batters to the plate, while loading the bases on two singles and a walk against Ay...Michael Toglia doubled home two runs on a single, and re-tied himself for the WCL RBI lead at 37...another single allowed by Ay reloaded the bases. and he walked home the tying run...Ay and AJ Carkner each walked and hit a batter for a 6-4 Sox lead...Lardner pitched a 1-2-3 sixth, before Adam Paulson took over in relief for the third time this summer, and retired an additional six in a row in the seventh and eighth innings...in the ninth, Walla Walla threatened against Paulson with a single, a balk, and another single, around a groundout to third base...with runners at the corners and one out, Paulson induced a game-winning 6-3 double play. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
SEASON-SERIES WIN
Wenatchee has tied in season series play (3-3) with three teams this season (Gresham, Kelowna, Bend)...with a win tonight, the AppleSox would guarantee no worse than a 4-2 season finish against Walla Walla, with an additional chance to win a season series against Bellingham this coming weekend (Sox lead series currently: 2-1). 

STREAKY
Michael Toglia has been having a successful offensive season, and hasn’t slipped under the radar with a nine-game hitting streak that ties for the teams’ longest of the season...Toglia’s streak started July 23 against the Kitsap BlueJackets...Evan Douglas also hit safely in nine-straight games, June 4-22 earlier this season. 

ODDITIES
Last night, Wenatchee won just its fifth game when being out-hit by its opponent (5-26), and only its third game when the opposition homers (3-11)...the AppleSox also won a two-run game for just the second time this season (2-9 in two-run games, 4-17 in games decided by two-or-fewer runs). 

MILLER’S FINAL START?
Tonight could be Grady Miller’s final start of 2016...emerging as the AppleSox ace this season, Miller has thrown at least seven innings in each of his last three starts, but has been charged with a loss in two of those three outings, despite only allowing an average of 1.67 earned runs-per-outing over the three-game stretch...Miller averages 6.52 innings-per-start, much higher than the second-best AppleSox pitcher, Justin Blatner at 5.83. 

COMEBACK
The AppleSox came-from-behind for a seventh time in 2016 last night.

NO ‘L’ IN LARDNER
After last night’s start, in three starting outings for the AppleSox, Mac Lardner has not recorded a loss...the AppleSox also have not lost as a team in any of his starts, with a team record of 3-0.

WENATCHEE COMES FROM BEHIND, WINS GAME ONE AT WALLA WALLA

The Wenatchee AppleSox defeated the Walla Walla Sweets in come-from-behind fashion, Tuesday, behind a five-run sixth inning.

BOX SCORE

WALLA WALLA –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (18-31, 8-14 second half), fought back from a 4-1 deficit to win 6-4 Tuesday night at the Walla Walla Sweets (26-23, 11-11), in an important game for the Sweets’ 2016 playoff hopes. 

Wenatchee utilized a five-run sixth inning to complete a stellar comeback, and also dialed up a game-winning 6-3 double play to put an end to the Sweets’ comeback hopes in the ninth inning.

The AppleSox scored first Tuesday, on a two-out double for Jordan Rathbone in the second inning. It was all that Sweet starter Bobby Ay (1-3) would give up until a disastrous sixth. 

The Sweets responded with two runs of their own in the second on a suicide squeeze, executed to perfection to score two runs. Walla Walla tried another suicide squeeze in the inning that was failed and resulted in a frame-ending double play. 

The Sweets added two more runs against Mac Lardner (2-2), in the third and fourth inning on Nick Nyquist’s second double of the game and a solo home run for Nick Vigo. 

Lardner’s offense got him the runs back in the sixth inning, bringing 11 batters to the plate, while loading the bases on two singles and a walk against Ay. Michael Toglia doubled home two runs on a single, and re-tied himself for the WCL RBI lead at 37. 

Another single allowed by Ay reloaded the bases, before he proceeded to walk home a run and hit a batter by a pitch to tie the game at 4-4. 

The Sweets called on their bullpen, but AJ Carkner also walked and hit a batter to force home two more earned runs against Ay, and give Wenatchee a 6-4 lead. Ay allowed a season-high six earned runs, and Wenatchee is the only team to score three or more runs off him this season. 

Lardner pitched a 1-2-3 sixth, before Adam Paulson took over in relief for the third time this summer, and retired an additional six in a row in the seventh and eighth innings. 

in the ninth, Walla Walla threatened against Paulson with a single, a balk, and another single, around a groundout to third base. With runners at the corners and one out, Paulson induced a game-winning 6-3 double play to Ryan Kreidler at shortstop. Kreidler stepped on the bag for one, and threw to first to secure the series-opening win for Wenatchee and Paulson’s second save. It was Wenatchee’s seventh come-from-behind win of the season. 

Game two is Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m., and Grady Miller (3-3) will pitch for Wenatchee. 

SOX OPEN FINAL ROAD TRIP AT WALLA WALLA

Today the AppleSox hit the road to take on the Walla Walla Sweets in the final road trip of their 2016 season. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Walla Walla Sweets
Borleske Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
L- Mac Lardner (1-2) vs. R- Bobby Ay (1-2)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-31, 7-14, 7-11 North), fifth place in the North Division head to the Walla Walla Sweets (26-22, 11-10, 7-11) for the final road trip of the 2016 season...Wenatchee played Walla Walla earlier this season in a three-game set, winning two of the three games...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (47-63) (.427), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

SUNDAY NIGHT - APPLESOX 5, ALASKA 9
WENATCHEE –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-1, nonleague), committed five errors and faltered in the third and final game of a set with the Alaska Goldpanners, falling 9-5 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, Sunday night....a wild pitch scored one run in the second inning off of Luke Mattson, and later in the frame, a second error at shortstop netted two more runs...Wenatchee answered in the second inning with two runs on Goldpanner miscues...a passed ball and an error by the catcher brought home both runs...Zach Place made it just 2 1/3 innings for the Goldpanners, and reliever Mitch Hayes gave up a double to center field for Evan Douglas in the fourth inning that tied the game...Mattson’s fifth and final inning yielded a solo home run to Justin Harrer...again, Wenatchee answered in the home half, tying the game on an error at second base, on a two-out bases loaded hit...Harrer again came up in the clutch for Alaska, hitting an RBI single to score Dustin Woody, who was aboard earlier on a single...the run came off of Nick Hoefling, who has the longest active league consecutive scoreless inning streak for Wenatchee...again, the Goldpanners hit Hoefling for three more runs in the eighth on another error at second base...Wenatchee came back with one run in the eighth inning to make the score 8-5. Michael Toglia, who doubled with one out in the frame scored on an error at second base. Like the AppleSox, Alaska committed five errors...Alaska added some extra insurance in the ninth, with one more run scoring via an error, following a leadoff triple for Kevin Connolly in the inning. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
WHATS UP AT BORLESKE?
Games played between the AppleSox and the Walla Walla Sweets have been quite exciting lately...from July 14, 2014 to July 2, 2015, seven of the nine meetings in Walla Walla were decided by one run...none of the games were decided by more than three runs...Wenatchee was 1-6 in the one-run games and three of them went to extra innings (1-2)...in 3-of-6 games last season at Borleske Stadium, Wenatchee was walked off by the Sweets. 

LARDNER FINDING RHYTHM
Mac Lardner is finding his mojo in the AppleSox starting roTation...he is averaging 1.5 runs allowed per each of his average 5 1/3 inning starts.

BATS POPPING
The Wenatchee AppleSox have hit home runs in four of their last five league games, including two over that stretch for WCL home-run leader Michael Toglia. 

THE MATH
If Bellingham or Victoria wins one game during the next week, the AppleSox will officially be mathematically eliminated from the WCL playoff picture.

TOUGH STAFF TO FACE
Wenatchee will face three starting pitchers with below-3 ERAs this week in Ay, Lucas (WCL All Star), and Murphy.

APPLESOX FALL IN MESSY GAME THREE WITH ALASKA

The AppleSox committed five errors and gifted runs in a game-three loss to Alaska. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-1, nonleague), committed five errors and faltered in the third and final game of a set with the Alaska Goldpanners, falling 9-5 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, Sunday night. 

In the second inning, AppleSox starter Luke Mattson was in an early hole, after an error and a single put runners aboard. A wild pitch scored one run in the inning, and later in the frame, a second error at shortstop netted two more runs. 

Wenatchee answered in its half of the second inning with two runs on Goldpanner miscues. A passed ball and an error by the catcher brought home both runs. 

Zach Place made it just 2 1/3 innings for the Goldpanners, and reliever Mitch Hayes gave up a double to center field for Evan Douglas in the fourth inning that tied the score at 3-3. 

Luke Mattson’s fifth and final inning yielded a solo home run to Justin Harrer; a solo shot to left field to put Alaska up 4-3. 

Again, Wenatchee answered in the home half, tying the game on an error at second base, on a two-out bases loaded hit. 

With the night turned over to the bullpens, things stayed scoreless until the seventh inning. Harrer again came up in the clutch for Alaska, hitting an RBI single to score Dustin Woody, who was aboard earlier on a single. The run came off of Nick Hoefling, who has the longest active league consecutive scoreless inning streak for Wenatchee. 

Again, the Goldpanners hit Hoefling for three more runs in the eighth inning on another AppleSox error at second base, set up by a double to start the inning. 

Wenatchee came back with one run in the eighth inning to make the score 8-5. Michael Toglia, who doubled with one out in the frame scored on an error at second base. Like the AppleSox, Alaska committed five errors. 

Alaska added some extra insurance in the ninth, with one more run scoring via an error, following a leadoff triple for Kevin Connolly in the inning. 

The AppleSox have Monday off and are back in action Tuesday night at Walla Walla at 7:05 p.m.

SOX GO FOR PERFECT NON-LEAGUE RECORD

Luke Mattson and the AppleSox are looking to sweep the Alaska Goldpanners, Sunday.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs. Alaska Goldpanners
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium |       6:05 p.m.  
R- Luke Mattson vs. TBA
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-31, 7-14, 7-11 North), fifth place in the North Division welcome the Alaska Goldpanners to Wenatchee for the first time in the two teams’ playing history...the three-game series is the AppleSox final in non-league play this season...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (47-62) (.431), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 3, ALASKA 2
WENATCHEE –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-0, nonleague), were guided from seven strong innings from Matt Young in a 3-2 win against the Alaska Goldpanners at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, Saturday night...for Matt Young it was his fourth total win of the summer...the AppleSox scored first in the third inning, using small ball to plate a run...Evan Douglas led off the inning, hit by a pitch and a single and sacrfice set up a sacrifice fly for Taylor Borchers that brought home the game’s first run...in the fourth inning, Kevin Connolly drove home a run for the Alaska Goldpanners to tie the game 1-1...Justin Harrer scored unearned, and was aboard on an error at shortstop earlier in the inning...Young recovered with 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth, while retiring seven-straight batters...meanwhile Wenatchee got him the lead he needed with an RBI single from Borchers in the fifth, and an RBI bases-loaded walk for Sheldon Liikala in the sixth...he Goldpanners’ starter, Phil Trujillo worked two scoreless innings, and reliever Alex Torson was tabbed the losing decision, giving up all of the AppleSox runs...n the seventh, Alaska made things interesting with a fielder’s choice RBI with the bases loaded for Dustin Woody...Tony Contonio pitched the eighth and the ninth innings for the AppleSox, after pitching for the AppleSox all summer in 2015...Contonio gave up one leadoff single in the eighth, but came back with a flyout and inning-ending 1-6-3 double play...in the ninth, he retired the Goldpanners in order, and got some great defensive help from Sheldon Liikala on the game’s final out, with Liikala jumping on the track.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
YOUNG’S LONGEST START
Last night, Matt Young fired seven innings for the AppleSox, allowing only two runs, one of which was earned. Before last night’s game, Young’s inning high was five frames, which he tossed four separate times during the season. Young tossed four 1-2-3 innings over his seven innings of work, and retired seven batters in a row at one point. He also threw seven strikeouts without issuing a walk. 

CONTONIO BACK
Tony Contonio returned to the AppleSox last night after pitching in relief throughout the 2015 season. After giving up a leadoff single, Contonio retired the next two batters in the eight inning with a flyout and an inning-ending double play. Contonio retired the Goldpanners 1-2-3 in the ninth inning, for the Sox fifth 1-2-3 inning of the night. For Contonio, it was his first positive decision for the AppleSox in over a year, marking his first career Wenatchee save, after going 0-5 last season. Contonio became the 36th player to suit up for the AppleSox, and 16th pitcher. 

LOW NUMBER WINS
Last night, the AppleSox scored their fewest number of runs in a non-league game since June 9, 2013 in a 10-2 loss to the Everett Merchants...the last time the AppleSox scored three-or-fewer runs and won a non-league game was June 8, 2013, also against the Everett Merchants. 

WALK IT OUT
Ryan Kreidler has walked six times in the series against the Alaska Goldpanners. 

LIIKALA LOVING IT
Sheldon Liikala is enjoying a nice series for Wenatchee. The outfielder is 7-for-8 with four walks and two RBI. 

LEFT ON
Despite leaving an additional 12 batters on base, the AppleSox were able to pull out a victory last night. 

YOUNG STRONG, APPLESOX WIN CLOSE ONE

The Wenatchee AppleSox won 3-2, Saturday, behind seven innings from Matt Young and a stellar first outing back for 2015 relief pitcher, Tony Contonio. 

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (4-0, nonleague), were guided from seven strong innings from Matt Young in a 3-2 win against the Alaska Goldpanners at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, Saturday night. 

With his innings count taken off for the non-league contest, Young tossed his longest outing of 2016, after previously working five innings in five starts. For Young it was his fourth total win of the summer, but will not count towards his WCL total. 

The AppleSox scored first in the third inning, using small ball to plate a run. Evan Douglas led off the inning, hit by a pitch and then Sheldon Liikala delivered a bunt single to put runners at first and second. A successful sacrifice bunt by Dalton Harum set runners up at second and third with one out. 

A sacrifice fly for Taylor Borchers brought home the game’s first run. It was the first of two RBIs for Borchers on the night. 

In the fourth inning, Kevin Connolly drove home a run for the Alaska Goldpanners to tie the game 1-1. Justin Harrer scored unearned, and was aboard on an error at shortstop earlier in the inning. 

Matt Young recovered with 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth, while retiring seven-straight batters. Meanwhile Wenatchee got him the lead he needed with an RBI single from Borchers in the fifth, and an RBI bases-loaded walk for Sheldon Liikala in the sixth. 

The Goldpanners’ starter, Phil Trujillo worked two scoreless innings, and reliever Alex Torson was tabbed the losing decision, giving up all of the AppleSox runs. 

In the seventh, Alaska made things interesting with a fielder’s choice RBI with the bases loaded for Dustin Woody. The AppleSox nearly turned an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play for Young, but couldn’t complete the back end. 

Tony Contonio pitched the eighth and the ninth innings for the AppleSox, after pitching for the AppleSox all summer in 2015. In his first outing for Wenatchee since Aug. 2, 2015, Contonio gave up one leadoff single in the eighth, but came back with a flyout and inning-ending 1-6-3 double play. 

In the ninth, he retired the Goldpanners in order, and got some great defensive help from Sheldon Liikala on the game’s final out, when Liikala jumped for a line drive on the warning track and made the catch before hitting the wall back first. 

Game three of the series is Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Luke Mattson will pitch for the AppleSox in the series finale.

APPLESOX, GOLDPANNERS, PLAY SATURDAY

The AppleSox are looking to improve to 4-0 in non-league play this season. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs. Alaska Goldpanners
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
L- Matt Young vs. TBA
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-31, 7-14, 7-11 North), fifth place in the North Division welcome the Alaska Goldpanners to Wenatchee for the first time in the two teams’ playing history...the three-game series is the AppleSox final in non-league play this season...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (46-62) (.426), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 17, ALASKA 6
WENATCHEE –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-0, nonleague), used a seven-run second inning, and a six-run seventh inning to run away with game one versus the Alaska Goldpanners, 17-6 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium...Otis Statum and Sheldon Liikala were unstoppable forces at the plate for the AppleSox...Statum drove in five runs in the victory, while Liikala was a singles machine, converting on five hits...after falling behind on back-to-back two-out singles in the top of the first by Alaska, the AppleSox scored two times in the bottom of the first on Liikala’s first hit of the night, good for an RBI, and two wild pitches and passed balls to net a lead...Wenatchee would never look back, slamming five runs off of Damian Powers, who lasted only 1 1/3 innings...the AppleSox had good luck against the ‘Panners second pitcher Daniel Ferrell, striking for four more runs in the second inning, while he could only scratch one out...two more runs on a two-out single for Otis Statum in the third inning but Wenatchee up 11-1...Ross Clevenger pitched five innings, allowing just three runs in the winning effort...Jimmy Dobrash covered an additional three innings in his final outing of 2016, also allowing three more runs...Statum pushed the Sox lead out for good in the seventh inning, with a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded in Wenatchee’s final scoring frame...Liikala, Evan Douglas, Michael Toglia, Matt Reitano, and Taylor Borchers all each collected two runs batted in as well, Friday...Tyler Burch threw the final inning for Wenatchee, and allowed runners at the corners but no runs

TONIGHT'S NOTES
FIVE’S THE NUMBER
Otis Statum and Sheldon Liikala each posted big fives for the AppleSox a night ago...Statum drove in five runs in the victory, the most runs driven in during his collegiate career...Sheldon Liikala pumped out five singles as part of a 15-hit offensive attack for the AppleSox...the five hits for Liikala were the most in a single game in his two-year AppleSox career.  

THE TALE OF NON-LEAGUE GAMES
The AppleSox hold a 110-40 record all-time ver non-league opponents...Wenatchee won two non-league games against the San Francisco Seals earlier this year...originally scheduled as a three-game series, the middle game was rained out due to field conditions....after the win last night, the AppleSox  are 36-15 all-time in first meetings against non-league opponents. 

STRIKEOUT SOX
Wenatchee retired 15-of-27 batters on strikeouts last night, the AppleSox best strikeout total in 2016. 

ALASKA CONNECTION
Assistant Coach Kyle Hunt, played one summer collegiately in the Alaska Baseball League for the Peninsula Oilers...last year’s AppleSox infielder, Keaton Smith, is currently a member of the Goldpanners and started at first base last night. 

APPLESOX THROTTLE GOLDPANNERS, SCORE SEVENTEEN

Otis Statum and Sheldon Liikala led a strong offensive attack for the AppleSox, who won 17-6, Friday.

BOX SCORE

WENATCHEE –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (3-0, nonleague), used a seven-run second inning, and a six-run seventh inning to run away with game one versus the Alaska Goldpanners, 17-6 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Otis Statum and Sheldon Liikala were unstoppable forces at the plate for the AppleSox. Statum drove in five runs in the victory, while Liikala was a singles machine, converting on five hits. 

 After falling behind on back-to-back two-out singles in the top of the first by Alaska, the AppleSox scored two times in the bottom of the first on Liikala’s first hit of the night, good for an RBI, and two wild pitches and passed balls to net a lead. 

Wenatchee would never look back, slamming five runs off of Damian Powers, who lasted only 1 1/3 innings. The AppleSox had good luck against the ‘Panners second pitcher Daniel Ferrell, striking for four more runs in the second inning, while he could only scratch one out. 

Two more runs on a two-out single for Otis Statum in the third inning but Wenatchee up 11-1. 

Ross Clevenger pitched five innings, allowing just three runs in the winning effort. Jimmy Dobrash covered an additional three innings in his final outing of 2016, also allowing three more runs. 

Statum pushed the Sox lead out for good in the seventh inning, with a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded in Wenatchee’s final scoring frame. 

Liikala, Evan Douglas, Michael Toglia, Matt Reitano, and Taylor Borchers all each collected two runs batted in as well, Friday. Tyler Burch threw the final inning for Wenatchee, and allowed runners at the corners but no runs. 

With the win, Wenatchee improved to 3-0 in non-league play this season. 

The AppleSox play the second game of the set against Alaska, Saturday, at 7:05 p.m. Matt Young will be on the mound for the AppleSox. 

APPLESOX OPEN NON-LEAGUE SET WITH ALASKA

The AppleSox welcome the Alaska Goldpanners for the first time in team history, Friday night.

WENATCHEE APPLESOX vs. Alaska Goldpanners
Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium |       7:05 p.m.  
R- Ross Clevenger (1-3) vs. TBA
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-31, 7-14, 7-11 North), fifth place in the North Division welcome the Alaska Goldpanners to Wenatchee for the first time in the two teams’ playing history...the three-game series is the AppleSox final in non-league play this season...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (45-62) (.421), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 1, KELOWNA 3
KELOWNA –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-31, 7-14 Second Half), fell 3-1 in a well-pitched game against the Kelowna Falcons (23-22, 10-8), at Elks Stadium, Thursday...Mike Ciancio was seemingly the only Falcon that could get to Grady Miller (3-3) during Thursday night’s game...Ciancio drove in both runs off of Miller...the Kelowna scoring started in the second inning, with back-to-back singles for Kevin Morgan and Ciancio...both were lined through the center of the diamond, just past Miller on the mound...Ciancio also drove in Jesse Moore in the fourth, on a one-out RBI single...Miller was untouched the rest of the way through his six-inning start, scattering seven hits, while walking two and striking out three...Max Carter (3-0) was on point from the start for Kelowna...he tossed seven and a third one-run innings in his third start of the summer...the night started with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings for Carter, and Wenatchee didn’t mount a serious threat against him until his eighth and final inning...with one out, Carter allowed back-to-back singles to Ryan Kreidler and Evan Douglas...an error at third base on a ball hit down the line, originally ruled a hit during the game, resulted in the AppleSox scoring their only run of the game...Eli THornquist threw two innings of scoreless relief for the AppleSox, but Wenatchee couldn’t dig into a 3-1 deficit, after Kelowna tacked on a run in its half of the seventh on a Bowen Ogata groundout...Jared Morton picked up his 8th save, retiring the AppleSox in order in the ninth inning...he struck out the game’s final batter looking, and moved into second in the league in saves.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
YOUR PLAYER OF THE WEEK?
Michael Toglia has had an insane week for the Wenatchee AppleSox, clubbing another two hits in the team’s 3-1 loss, last night...on the week, Toglia is batting .481 with 27 at bats...5 runs...13 hits...3 doubles...1 3B...2 HR...10 RBI and 24 total bases...he has a .563 on-base percentage. 

ROAD TRIP INSIDE THE PARK HOMERS
The AppleSox had no inside-the-park home runs in the first sixteen years of franchise action, and then hit two in a three-day period while on the road in Bellingham and Kelowna...first Evan Douglas did it in Bellingham Sunday and then Michael Toglia in Kelowna on Tuesday...the only inside-the-park home run in the AppleSox history at Paul Thomas Sr. Baseball Stadium was hit by a visiting player, Nick Rulli, July 21, 2010...Rulli was here as a member of the Portland Toros for a couple of nonleague games July 20 and 21...his talent caught the eye of Wenatchee coach Ed Knaggs and on the 22nd he was in an AppleSox uniform playing for the Sox in Bellingham.

FORMER SOX WHO PLAYED FOR THE GOLDPANNERS
Several AppleSox alums have spent time on the Land of the Midnight Sun team (player, Alaska years (Sox years)...Derek Bruce 2003 (‘02)...D.J. Crumlich 2010 (‘09)...Garrett Dorn 2009 (‘07-08)...Brandon Harmon 2007-09 [pitcher and then coach] (‘04-05)...Eric Hutting 2014 (‘13)...and Eric Lane 2009 (‘10)...and of course there was Rob Hippi who was the pitching coach for the Goldpanners in 2002-03 and for the Sox from 2006-12...in total seven players/coaches have shared time between the AppleSox and the Goldpanners. 

WELCOME BACK
Tony Contonio joins the AppleSox as a pitcher this weekend...Contonio played for the AppleSox in 2015, posting a 9.44 ERA, in 12 relief appearances with 20 innings pitched...he struck out 21 batters and walked 19, but struggled with command to an eventual 0-5 record. 

THE TALE OF NON-LEAGUE GAMES
The AppleSox hold a 109-40 record all-time ver non-league opponents...Wenatchee won two non-league games against the San Francisco Seals earlier this year...originally scheduled as a three-game series, the middle game was rained out due to field conditions. 

FALCONS OUT-PITCH APPLESOX, WIN SERIES

The AppleSox fell in a great pitching game, Thursday, 3-1 at Elks Stadium in Kelowna, B.C. 

BOX SCORE

KELOWNA –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-31, 7-14 Second Half), fell 3-1 in a well-pitched game against the Kelowna Falcons (23-22, 10-8), at Elks Stadium, Thursday.

Mike Ciancio was seemingly the only Falcon that could get to Grady Miller (3-3) during Thursday night’s game. CIancio drove in both runs off of Miller. 

The Kelowna scoring started in the second inning, with back-to-back singles for Kevin Morgan and Ciancio. Both were lined through the center of the diamond, just past Miller on the mound. 

Ciancio also drove in Jesse Moore in the fourth, on a one-out RBI single.

Miller was untouched the rest of the way through his six-inning start, scattering seven hits, while walking two and striking out three. 

Max Carter (3-0) was on point from the start for Kelowna. He tossed seven and a third one-run innings in his third start of the summer. 

The night started with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings for Carter, and Wenatchee didn’t mount a serious threat against him until his eighth and final inning. With one out, Carter allowed back-to-back singles to Ryan Kreidler and Evan Douglas. An error at third base on a ball hit down the line, originally ruled a hit during the game, resulted in the AppleSox scoring their only run of the game. 

Eli THornquist threw two innings of scoreless relief for the AppleSox, but Wenatchee couldn’t dig into a 3-1 deficit, after Kelowna tacked on a run in its half of the seventh on a Bowen Ogata groundout. 

Jared Morton picked up his 8th save, retiring the AppleSox in order in the ninth inning. He struck out the game’s final batter looking, and moved into second in the league in saves.

Wenatchee returns home to Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, Friday, to start a three-game non-league series with the Alaska Goldpanners. The team from Fairbanks is playing outside of the Alaska Collegiate League for one summer, and aiming to win an NBC Championship in Wichita, Kansas. 

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. 

APPLESOX, FALCONS FIGHT FOR SERIES WIN

The AppleSox and the Falcons play for the series, Thursday night in British Columbia. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Kelowna Falcons
Elks Stadium |       6:35 p.m.  
L- Grady Miller (3-2) vs. R- Max Carter (2-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-30, 7-13, 7-10 North), fifth place in the North Division wrap up their six-game road trip at the Kelowna Falcons (22-22, 9-8, 8-9) after wining a series against Bellingham, 2-1...with last night’s win, tonight’s game decided the fate of the series...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (45-61) (.425), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 13, KELOWNA 3
KELOWNA –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-30, 7-13 Second Half), were lifted by a season-best offensive performance over the Kelowna Falcons (22-22, 9-8), in a 13-3 victory to even the three-game series at Elks Stadium, Wednesday...early on, Wenatchee let Okeefe Hall (1-1) dig his own hole...the Falcon starter walked six batters and left the game in the third inning with the bases loaded and one out...four runs came to score on an error and two hits, including an RBI single for Dalton Harum, and an RBI single for Haydan Hastings...Harum finished an outstanding 3-for-4 with two walks for Wenatchee...Kelowna got one run off of Mac Lardner (1-2) in the bottom of the third on a groundout, but Wednesday night was all about the AppleSox...Wenatchee crossed its next three runs in the fifth and sixth innings, courtesy of four Falcon errors...Kelowna committed an opponent-high six errors in the loss...in the seventh, with the AppleSox still facing marathon reliever Cody Ahlgrimm, Michael Toglia clubbed an inside-the-park grand slam off the wall in center field...the grand slam gave Wenatchee an 11-1 advantage...the AppleSox added two more runs in the eighth and ninth innings, to complete five-straight scoring frames, and ran away late against Kelowna’s second baseman turned pitcher, who was working in fireman’s relief...Kelowna did come back for two more runs in the ninth against Adam Paulson on a triple and a single, however, Paulson worked 3 1/3 innings behind Lardner to earn his first save of the season. 

TONIGHT'S NOTES
WALLS CAN’T CONTAIN
The AppleSox have generated some magic inside the confines of the parks they’ve visited on the road trip...Wenatchee has hit inside-the-park home runs in two of the last three games, including one of the grand slam variety last night for Michael Toglia.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY?
For the second time in two nights and the seventh time this season Michael Toglia hammered a home run...and this one wasn’t anywhere near the normal variety...one, it came with the bases loaded, and two, the thing never left the park...with seven he now leads the WCL in homers and is two ahead of three players tied for second...with the slam he took over the league lead in RBI with 35, two ahead of Tommy Lane of Bend...the big hit was the 14th grand slam in team history, the 11th in league play...he is the fourth Sox to hit at least seven home runs in league games in a season...the record is nine by Taylor Sparks in ‘12...four of the 14 grand slams have been against Kelowna...he also leads the league in triples 5, extra base hits 20, total bases 82 and slugging percentage .569.

HITTING IS CONTAGIOUS
Last night, everybody in the batting order collected at least one hit, and the Sox tallied a season-high 17 knocks...Wenatchee also came up with 13 runs...he most this season...the last time Wenatchee scored at least that many was a 17-7 win over the Falcons a year ago...only six other times this season have teams in the league tallied at least 13 runs - Bend 15, Corvallis, Bellingham and Yakima Valley 14, Bend and Victoria 13...by hitting volume, the AppleSox were led by local outfielder Dalton Harum, who went 3-for-4.

LARDNER’S FIRST WIN
Mac Lardner pitched 5 2/3 innings to pick up his first collegiate win last night...he was in and around the zone, only allowing one run to Kelowna, who tacked on two in the ninth.

FIRST WIN, EH?
With last night’s victory, the AppleSox won their first game in Canada in 2016...they have just one more game left to go in Canada...tonight’s contest.

IMPROVING AGAINST THE BEST
Wenatchee is now 5-13 against teams who were leading/sharing a lead of the WCL North and South Divisions at the start of a game...the AppleSox are 13-25 against teams with a better record.

GONNA BE TOUGH
Expect runs to be at a premium against Grady Miller tonight. He has only given up one earned run per game in each of his last three starts...he has averaged just over seven-innings per start during that three-game stretch. 

APPLESOX OFFENSE EXPLODES, DISMANTLES KELOWNA 13-3

Michael Toglia's inside-the-park grand slam highlighted Wenatchee's offensive outburst, as the AppleSox ran away from the Falcons 13-3, Wednesday in British Columbia. 

BOX SCORE

KELOWNA –  The Wenatchee AppleSox (17-30, 7-13 Second Half), were lifted by a season-best offensive performance over the Kelowna Falcons (22-22, 9-8), in a 13-3 victory to even the three-game series at Elks Stadium, Wednesday.

In the win, Wenatchee set a season-high in hits with 17, and in runs with 13. The AppleSox also won by their second-largest margin. 

Early on, Wenatchee let Okeefe Hall (1-1) dig his own hole. The Falcon starter walked six batter and left the game in the third inning with the bases loaded and one out. Four runs came to score on an error and two hits, including an RBI single for Dalton Harum, and an RBI single for Haydan Hastings. 

Harum finished an outstanding 3-for-4 with two walks for Wenatchee. Kelowna got one run off of Mac Lardner (1-2) in the bottom of the third on a groundout, but Wednesday night was all about the AppleSox. 

Wenatchee crossed its next three runs in the fifth and sixth innings, courtesy of four Falcon errors. Kelowna committed an opponent-high six errors in the loss. 

In the seventh, with the AppleSox still facing marathon reliever Cody Ahlgrimm, Michael Toglia clubbed an inside-the-park grand slam off the wall in center field. The Falcons’ center fielder crashed into the fence chasing the long fly ball and did not get up until after the play was over and Toglia was home safely. The grand slam gave Wenatchee an 11-1 advantage. 

It was Toglia’s WCL-best seventh home run, and the first grand slam for the AppleSox since Joe Gillette hit one on the road in Walla Walla, July 26, 2014. It was also Wenatchee’s second inside-the-park home run in the last three games. Evan Douglas hit a solo shot inside the fences Sunday in Bellingham. 

Wenatchee has hit a home run in four-consecutive games, and now has 16 home runs on the season. Toglia is two off of the team record in a year, set by Taylor Sparks in 2012. He also moved into first in the WCL in runs batted in with 35, passing Bend’s Tommy Lane. 

The AppleSox added two more runs in the eighth and ninth innings, to complete five-straight scoring frames, and ran away late against Kelowna’s second baseman turned pitcher, who was working in fireman’s relief. 

Kelowna did come back for two more runs in the ninth against Adam Paulson on a triple and a single, however, Paulson worked 3 1/3 innings behind Lardner to earn his first save of the season. 

Game three of the series, and a chance for a 4-2 road trip is Thursday night, when the AppleSox face the rubber match at 6:35.p.m. Grady Miller (3-2) will get the nod for Wenatchee. 

APPLESOX WORKING TO EVEN SERIES

Mac Lardner will make his second start of 2016, Wednesday, as Wenatchee looks to even up a three-game series with North-foe, Kelowna. 

WENATCHEE APPLESOX at Kelowna Falcons
Elks Stadium |       6:35 p.m.  
L- Mac Lardner (0-2) vs. R- OKeefe Hall (1-0)
GAME NOTES       |       APPLESOX STATS       |       LISTEN LIVE

The Wenatchee AppleSox (16-30, 6-13, 6-10 North), fifth place in the North Division continute their six-game road trip at the Kelowna Falcons (22-21, 9-7, 8-8) after wining a series against Bellingham, 2-1...with last night’s Falcon win, the season series between Wenatchee and Kelowna is now even 2-2...the AppleSox are playing their 17th franchise season (12th in the WCL) and are led by second-year skipper, AJ Proszek (44-61) (.419), who is in his 4th season with the Sox...Proszek is assisted by Kyle Hunt and Colton Loomis, both in their first seasons.

LAST NIGHT - APPLESOX 4, KELOWNA 6
KELOWNA –   The Wenatchee AppleSox (16-30, 6-13 Second Half), received big nights from Evan Douglas, and Michael Toglia, but gave up too many runs early, falling to the Kelowna Falcons (22-21, 9-7), 6-4 at Elks Stadium, Tuesday...Kelowna jumped out on Wenatchee starter Justin Blatner for a run in the second inning on back-to-back doubles for Jesse Moore and Brad Antchak...Wenatchee was able to answer for their starter in the top of the third, when Evan Douglas tripled with one out, to set up a scoring play on a Taylor Borchers groundout to shortstop...Kelowna scored three times in the third on two more doubles...in the fourth, they drove in another with a fourth double...trailing, 5-1, Otis Statum lead off the seventh inning with a double off of Blake Randazzo (3-5) with a double, followed by a Haydan Hastings single to put Statum in position to score...like Douglas in the third, Statum was brought home on a groundout to short by Shane Martinez...Kelowna expanded the lead off of AppleSox reliever Miceal Taylor in the seventh inning, thanks to an RBI groundout by Aj Sawyer, that scored Lane Lacrone who walked and reached third on a two-base wild pitch...Wenatchee answered in a big way in the eighth, with Douglas tying the team record for triples in the game, nearly hitting his third home run of the season, but having it redirected on the warning track, off of the glove of the right fielder...in the next at bat, Michael Toglia homered to bring in Douglas, and took the WCL lead with six homers....Wenatchee couldn’t strike for any more runs late though, and Riley Moore got the save.

TONIGHT'S NOTES
LEADING THE LEAGUE
Michael Toglia is in a stunning offensive rhythm this season for Wenatchee...last night he picked up a hit in his season-best sixth-straight game...the hit also happened to be his sixth home run of the season, and first of his six hit on the road...with six dingers he now leads the WCL in homers, ahead of Patrick Flynn and Tommy Lane of Bend, and Ben Polshuk of Victoria...Toglia also picked up two more RBI, extending his lead over the North Division, with 31...he also leads the league in triples (5), one off a share of the team single season record, extra-base hits (19), and is now just two RBI off the league lead....Wenatchee’s single season home run record is 9 in a season...Toglia needs three more in the final 8 league games to match that mark. 

TRIPLE DOUBLE
Evan Douglas belted two triples for the AppleSox last night in game one of the series...it was the second time Wenatchee had a player hit for two triples in the same game this season, tying the team’s single-game record...Michael Toglia also hit for two triples at home July 9, 2016 vs. Gresham...Brent Wyatt was the other AppleSox player to accomplish the feat, back in 2006. 

OH, CANADA
Wenatchee is looking for its first win in Canada...the AppleSox are 0-4 north of the border this season. 

MAC IS BACK
Mac Lardner will be back to the mound for his second start of 2016...in his last outing, he fell into an early hole, allowing three runs to the Kitsap BlueJackets, on five hits, but recovered to retire 11 of the final 12 batters to face him...including seven in a row...if he carries that momentum into Wednesday’s game, the AppleSox can expect a stellar start that stretches longer than five innings. 

LEADING THE CHARGE
Over the last five games, the AppleSox offense has seen improvement from a sub-.200 average, and now is hitting .252 over the last five contests...Michael Toglia is leading that charge with twice as many hits over that span than the next AppleSox player (10). 

SECOND TIME AGAINST HIM
Wenatchee has faced Kelowna starter OKeefe Hall once before this season...except Hall was a reliever for the Falcons, throwing 2/3 of an inning in their lone win of the previous three-game set in Washington...Hall faced six batters and gave up three runs, two of which came earned...he has given up at least two earned runs in six-of-seven outings...tonight is his third start, and he threw eight innings his last time out and averages 3.5 runs allowed per start.