AppleSox edge NorthPaws 2-1 behind Canfield's dominant outing

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Evan Canfield pitched eight dominant innings, leading the Wenatchee AppleSox to a 2-1 victory over the Kamloops NorthPaws in a pitcher's duel at Norbrock Stadium on Friday night.

Canfield allowed just one unearned run in the fifth inning and struck out eight batters. With his performance, he moved into third place in AppleSox history with 93 strikeouts, just one behind teammate and Saturday's probable pitcher, Quincy Vassar).

The AppleSox took the lead in the sixth inning when Hunter Friedberg drove in the game-winning run with a two-out RBI single. Friedberg had reached base on an error and scored on another miscue an inning earlier.

Kamloops threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs, a single up the middle sent the runner from second base toward home plate. However, center fielder Max Hartman delivered a perfect one-hop throw to catcher Luca Boscarino, who applied the tag to end the game and secure the victory for Wenatchee.

The NorthPaws' lone run came in the fifth inning, following a throwing error to lead off the frame. An RBI single later in the inning scored the unearned run. Canfield quickly regained his composure and shut down Kamloops over the final three innings, throwing less than 10 pitches in three separate innings.

With the win, the AppleSox (10-3) look to capture their fifth consecutive series victory to open the season as they face the NorthPaws (3-7) again on Saturday at 6:35 p.m.