Above Photo: Jesse Brown dives back safely to first on a pick off attempt

Victoria, BC ~ The Wenatchee AppleSox used a six-run first inning to propel their way to a 9-4 victory and a 2-1 series win over the Victoria HarbourCats on Thursday night at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria. Nick Lee only lasted two-thirds of an inning, surrendering four hits and four walks for six runs before Jace Walker came in to clean things up.

Jace Walker came on in relief for Nick Lee to clean up the first (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

FULL BOX SCORE

It was a rough day at the park for Victoria, as the weather finally came around but that was about the only positive for the South Island squad. The six runs in the top of the first set the tone for the AppleSox who didn’t look back from there. 

Wenatchee players celebrate scoring a run in the first inning (Christian J Stewart)

The HarbourCats multiple times were able to get leadoff runners on throughout the game, but twice had players picked off. Once at first and once at second. They also had leadoff runners thrown out trying to steal on multiple occasions, leading to the stifling of any chance to cut into the large Wenatchee lead. 

Jesse Brown gets thrown out trying to steal second (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

The HarbourCats were able to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI sac fly courtesy of Josh Rolling who brought Tyler Pettit home after he had singled to leadoff and Luke Cheng had moved him to third on a double into the left center gap.

Hudson Shupe then came on in relief with the Cats trailing 7-1 and would give up an RBI single to make the Sox lead 8-1. Wenatchee would add one more before the inning was over putting them up 9-1. 

Hudson Shupe throws a pitch during his inning of relief (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Jesse Brown came up for Victoria in the bottom of the eighth and hit a solo home run. That was a little bit of salvage for the squad and brought the crowd to its feet for a rare chance to cheer on Thursday night.  Victoria would also score two in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to a respectable 9-4.

What’s Next?

Victoria will travel out to play Ridgefield for a three game set starting tomorrow. They will have Monday off for a rest day before starting a three game series against Cowlitz starting June 28 and will be capped off by the June 30th Canada Day Fireworks show in center field. Get your tickets now for that series (especially fireworks night) as they are flying off the shelf. Purchase tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Shane Jamison steals second in the bottom of the second (Photo: Christian J Stewart)