AppleSox crush Lefties 15-2, complete opening weekend sweep

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox dominated the Port Angeles Lefties in a 15-2 victory on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, completing a perfect opening weekend sweep.

The AppleSox offense exploded early, scoring 10 runs in the first two innings. Damon Gaither was the standout performer, driving in five runs as Wenatchee improved to 3-0 on the season. The team scored three runs in the first inning, seven in the second, and five more in the sixth.

Wenatchee's 35 runs over the weekend set a new franchise record for the most runs scored in the first three home games of a league season. This marks the second consecutive year and the sixth time in franchise history that the AppleSox have swept their first league three-game series of the season.

Port Angeles (0-3) briefly took the lead in the top of the first inning, but it was short-lived. With two outs and the bases loaded, Gaither hit a clutch double down the left-field line on the 11th pitch of his at-bat, giving Wenatchee a lead they would not relinquish.

The AppleSox sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the second, scoring seven runs to put the game out of reach. The first six hitters all reached base and scored, with key hits coming from Masayuki Kawashima, Max Hartman, Kade Benavidez, and Luca Boscarino.

In relief, Evan Canfield and Joey Pearson both made impressive 2024 debuts, each tossing two scoreless innings. Canfield struck out five batters and stranded two runners in the sixth, while Pearson allowed only one baserunner in the eighth.

The AppleSox will travel to Port Angeles on Tuesday for their first road series of the season, but first, they will host the Redmond Dudes on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.