AppleSox open 24th season tonight, look to build on 2023 success against Port Angeles Lefties

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox are set to open their 24th season as they host the Port Angeles Lefties at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium tonight. The AppleSox, coming off a successful 2023 campaign, look to continue their winning ways under third-year head coach Mitch Darlington.

Last season, the AppleSox recorded their best regular-season record in a decade, tying the 2012 team for the second-most wins in franchise history. Seven members of the team earned All-WCL honors, helping lead the team to its 15th playoff berth in 23 seasons. Under Darlington's guidance, the AppleSox set single-season franchise records for walks drawn (300), home league victories (21), home winning streak in league play (12), sweeps (8), and home runs hit in a single game (4).

The AppleSox have a strong history in season openers, boasting a 15-8 record all-time. However, this marks only the third time in their history that they have begun a season in May. The team is also 13-10 in home openers, with their last home opener against a WCL opponent coming in 2016.

Eleven players from last season's roster are set to return at some point this summer, including Braiden Boyd, Evan Canfield, Hunter Gibson, and Quincy Vassar, who will all be in their third season with the AppleSox. Once Jack DeDonato appears in his first game, he will become only the second player in team history to appear in four different seasons with the club.

The AppleSox split their series with the Port Angeles Lefties last season, 3-3, with five of the six meetings ending with one team winning by two runs or less. The Lefties' wins on July 5-6 gave them their first series victory in 11 attempts against the AppleSox.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Tickets are available at applesox.com/schedule, and fans can watch the game on wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv or ncwlife.com, or listen on kcsyfm.com.