Pippins Drop Game One in Extras to Wenatchee

Wenatchee, Wa. — The Pippins fell to the Wenatchee AppleSox in the first game of a three-game series tonight by a final score of 4-3. The loss comes in extra innings for the Pippins as they fall to 8-12 in the second half of the season.

The AppleSox kicked off the scoring early in this one with a run in the bottom of the first inning on a wild pitch by starter Jack Gonzales that brought home AppleSox’s right fielder Trent Sellers all the way from second base with Pippins’ catcher James Bell struggling to locate the ball near the backstop.

The Pippins responded with a run in the top of the fourth off a one-out RBI single from Christian Padilla that brought home Kyle Dean from second after his double in the previous at-bat. Then, in the top of the fifth the Pippins continued the offensive output. Aidan Welch reached base on an error by AppleSox’s third baseman Connor Kiffer, and Tanner Parker reached on a single. Later in the inning a bases loaded walk to Luke Schwartz by AppleSox’s starting pitcher Jake Saum made it 2-1 Pippins and in the next at-bat Kyle Dean smoked a single to the outfield grass, advancing all baserunners and scoring Parker, making it 3-1 Pippins.

The AppleSox cut the lead in half in the bottom of the sixth when Johnny Sage took home for free from third base on a two-out balk by Pippins’ starter Gonzales. Then, the AppleSox tied it up at 3-3 in the next inning off a sacrifice fly from the bat of leadoff-batter Kodie Kolden.

The scoring ceased until the bottom of the tenth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Pippins’ pitcher Tanner Parker walked AppleSox catcher Hunter Montgomery, ending the game in a walk-off win for the Wenatchee squad.

Game two against the AppleSox is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. tomorrow night. Pregame will begin at 6:20 p.m.

By Yakima Valley Pippins

August 3, 2019