AppleSox rally with six-run fifth inning to defeat Redmond Dudes 9-4

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee AppleSox staged a remarkable comeback, scoring six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to defeat the Redmond Dudes 9-4 on Monday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

The AppleSox's victory was largely due to the outstanding performance of relief pitcher Drew Welk, who threw five shutout innings, striking out five and allowing only one hit. Welk entered the game in the third inning with the AppleSox trailing 4-0 and promptly induced inning-ending double plays in the fifth and seventh innings to keep the Dudes at bay.

Wenatchee's offense came alive in the fifth inning, with Antonio Gianni and Damon Gaither hitting consecutive RBI singles after a wild pitch with the bases loaded scored the first run. A double steal and a throwing error by the Dudes' shortstop on Fred Buckson's ground ball allowed two more runs to score, and Harrison Clark capped off the inning with a two-run single, giving the AppleSox a lead they would not relinquish.

Joe Scheffler contributed to the AppleSox's late-inning surge, scoring their final three runs. He singled and stole a base in the sixth inning before being driven in by Gianni's triple. Scheffler drew a leadoff walk in the eighth, stole second and third, and scored on a throwing error.

The AppleSox, who swept the Port Angeles Lefties over the weekend by a combined score of 35-16, will now embark on a six-game road trip, starting with a three-game series against the Lefties on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. each night, and fans can listen to the game on 93.9 FM in Wenatchee or online at kcsym.com. The game will also be streamed on westcoastleague.com/streaming.