The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Wenatchee AppleSox 5-4 on Monday night, snapping their three-game losing streak. The AppleSox got off to a 3-0 lead, but the NorthPaws bullpen kept their bats at bay, allowing the bats to wake up in the fifth finally. In the bottom of the seventh, the bases were loaded for second baseman Tanner Hornback, and he sent a double down the right field line, clearing the bases and giving Kamloops the lead. Righty Julio Garcia came on for another six-out save, securing the victory.
Righty Joey Rico took the mound to begin the series and looked to improve upon his last start, where he gave up five earned runs in Walla Walla. Rico would get through the first two innings scoreless but ran into some trouble in the third: a walk and a single with two out brought
AppleSox third baseman Kyle Panganiban up to the plate. Panganiban sent a fly ball over the fence in left field, giving Wenatchee a 3-0 lead.
Kamloops once again struggled at the plate to begin the game, going hitless through the first four innings. In the fifth, the NorthPaws loaded the bases off two walks and a single from center fielder Connor Clark. With only one out, shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to score Rico, making it a two-run deficit.
NorthPaws lefty Tyler Straily replaced Rico on the mound and was great yet again. Straily went three innings, giving up just three hits while not allowing a run and not walking a batter. Strailys outing gave the NorthPaw bats more time to wake up. In the sixth with two outs, Clark singled yet again, this time loading the bases. Unfortunately for Kamloops, catcher Kalen Applefield was unable to deliver as they left the bases loaded following a fly out.
The seventh inning saw the NorthPaws rattle off four hits, but none were bigger than Tanner Hornback’s. Setticassi, left fielder Elijah Clayton, right fielder Jared Hall and third baseman Drew Schmidt all reached base, including Schmidt drawing a walk to make it 3-2. Hornback was at the plate and shot a ball down the right field line that just stayed fair. He cleared the bases with one swing of the bat, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the NorthPaws led 5-3.
Wenatchee stayed pesky in the top of the eighth, however. Back-to-back doubles made it a one-run game, forcing Kamloops to send in righty Julio Garcia earlier than expected. Garcia struggled with command early on, hitting two batters and loading the bases. With two outs, the AppleSox sent a ball to right field that Jared Hall made a nice sliding catch on to preserve the lead.
In the top of the ninth, Garcia found his command, pitching a quick inning, securing his second six-out save in as many days. The NorthPaws now have 15 wins, matching last year’s total in just half the time. The two teams will battle it out on Canada Day at Norbrock Stadium, with the first pitch set for 6:35.
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