AppleSox falter late, drop 8-5 decision to Sweets

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee AppleSox squandered an early four-run lead, falling to the Walla Walla Sweets 8-5 Friday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee (13-6) jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the first inning but couldn't maintain the momentum, suffering only their second home loss in West Coast League play this season.

AppleSox starter Evan Canfield, the reigning WCL Pitcher of the Week, allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings while striking out four. Canfield now sits five strikeouts shy of 100 in his AppleSox career.

Kade Benavidez and Luca Boscarino delivered RBI singles in the first-inning outburst. A fielder's choice and a double steal accounted for the other two runs.

Walla Walla (6-12) chipped away with two runs in the fourth before seizing control with a three-run sixth inning. The Sweets strung together three walks and three hits with two outs to take a 5-4 lead.

Wenatchee briefly tied the game in the bottom of the sixth on Elijah Pelayo's two-out RBI single, his second run-driven-in of the night. However, Walla Walla reclaimed the lead in the seventh on a wild pitch and added two insurance runs in the ninth.

The series continues Saturday night with Brewster native Quincy Vassar on the mound for Wenatchee. Vassar needs one strikeout to reach 100 in his AppleSox career.

The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Tickets are available at applesox.com/schedule.