The Kamloops NorthPaws lost 8-5 to the Wenatchee AppleSox on Thursday night. The loss ended the team’s five-game win streak, marking their first defeat of the second half. The AppleSox grabbed a 4-0 lead after the second inning and wouldn’t let go despite the NorthPaws’ best efforts. Shortstop Drew Schmidt had three RBIs, and right fielder Jared Hall blasted his first home run of the season. On the mound for Kamloops, lefty Tyler Straily went three and two-thirds in relief, not allowing an earned run.
The AppleSox got off to a hot start against Kamloops starter righty Sawyer Jensen. A pair of wild pitches followed by a triple scored the game’s first run, and a single later in the inning made it 2-0.
In the bottom of the second, an unfortunate set of circumstances led to a pair of AppleSox scoring. A fly ball to left field with two outs seemed like a routine out, but Joey Rico dropped it. The AppleSox baserunners never stopped, however, as two more came into score, making it 4-0.
The NorthPaws rallied in the top of the third with three runs of their own. Hall led off with a single, center fielder Connor Clark followed that up with a double of his own. Schmidt drove both of them in with a base hit, cutting the lead in half. After Rico walked, second baseman Tanner Hornback singled, loading the bases. Two batters later, first baseman Keegan Drinkle drew a two-out walk, allowing the third run to score.
Jensen battled and kept the AppleSox off the board in the third, stranding a pair of baserunners. Kamloops was unable to tie the game in the top of the fourth, and Wenatchee took advantage in the bottom half.
A walk, a hit by pitch and a single loaded the bases with no one out to begin the bottom of the fourth. A sacrifice groundout made it 5-3 and signalled the end of the night for Jensen. Straily was first out of the bullpen and limited the damage, allowing one run to score off a ground ball out.
The teams would go down scoreless until the top of the seventh when Hall hit a solo home run over the wall in right field. The NorthPaws leader in RBIs hadn’t hit one over the fence to that point, but has been showing everyone why he deserves to be in the All-Star Game.
The AppleSox delivered the fatal blow with two runs in the bottom of the seventh off another cheeky groundball sacrifice and a single to center field. In the top of the ninth, the NorthPaws were threatening as Schmidt collected his third RBI of the night. Ultimately, a pair of groundouts ended the game, putting an end to the AppleSox shocking eight-game losing streak.
The NorthPaws are 5-1 in the second half and 19-14 on the season, sitting second in the North Division. The team travels back to Kamloops, where they will play host to the Bellingham Bells for an action-packed weekend series. On Friday night, Kamloops native Logan Stankoven will be on hand to sign any memorabilia or merchandise before the game, along with delivering the ceremonial first pitch.
Saturday night will see the return of the Kamloops Sandpipers. Members from the former senior men’s team will be on hand, and the team will wear retro Sandpiper jerseys to honour their legacy. Both games will be at 6:35, but fans are encouraged to arrive early for the pre-game festivities.
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