Wenatchee AppleSox start season strong with series wins

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox have begun their 2024 season with an impressive start, securing series victories against the Port Angeles Lefties and Victoria HarbourCats.

The AppleSox opened the season at home, sweeping the Lefties in a three-game set. Wenatchee's offense was firing on all cylinders, setting a new franchise record by scoring 35 runs over the first three home games of a league season. Antonio Gianni's clutch RBI single in the season opener and Aiden Dougherty's historic five-hit performance in game two were among the early highlights.

After a non-league win over the Redmond Dudes, the AppleSox traveled to Port Angeles for a rematch with the Lefties. Wenatchee staged a remarkable ninth-inning comeback in the series opener, scoring three runs without the benefit of a hit to secure a 6-5 victory. Despite suffering their first loss of the season in game two, the AppleSox bounced back in the rubber match, drawing 13 walks en route to a 6-3 win and another series triumph.

The team then headed north of the border to face the Victoria HarbourCats. In a thrilling series opener, Wenatchee outlasted Victoria in a 12-inning pitching duel, with the AppleSox staff matching a franchise record with 17 strikeouts. Although the HarbourCats surged past Wenatchee in game two, the AppleSox claimed the series with a 5-2 victory in the finale, thanks to Kade Benavidez's clutch hitting and strong relief pitching.

Through the first 10 games of the season, the AppleSox sit at 8-2 overall and 7-2 in league play, with their only losses coming in the middle games of the Port Angeles and Victoria road series. Wenatchee's potent offense, led by the likes of Benavidez, Gianni, and Dougherty, has been complemented by solid pitching performances from starters Evan Canfield and Matthew DelVecchio, as well as reliever Stephen Hammergren.

The AppleSox return home on Tuesday to face the Bellingham Bells, aiming to continue their strong start to the 2024 campaign.