AppleSox earn 12th series win of 2024

WENATCHEE - The Wenatchee AppleSox continued their dominant 2024 campaign, securing their 12th series win of the season with a 6-3 victory over the Nanaimo NightOwls on Sunday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Right-hander Quincy Vassar (4-3) delivered a stellar performance, tossing six shutout innings and matching his season-high with six strikeouts. Vassar's outing marked his third consecutive impressive start, having allowed just one run over his last 17 innings of work.

The AppleSox offense was ignited by Evan Cloyd's third home run of the summer, a two-run shot in the first inning following a NightOwls error. Wenatchee never relinquished the lead, adding crucial insurance runs in the later innings.

Andrew Monson earned his second save of the season, navigating through a tense ninth inning to preserve the win. The victory improved Wenatchee's record to 34-17 overall and 16-8 in the second half of the season.

With this win, the AppleSox have secured home-field advantage for the North Division Championship Game, should they advance. Their .690 winning percentage in divisional play gives them the edge over their closest competitor, the Bellingham Bells.

The AppleSox will begin their postseason journey on Saturday, traveling to face the fourth seed. They will return home for Game 2 on Sunday, with a potential Game 3 scheduled for August 12 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

As the regular season draws to a close, the AppleSox appear poised for a deep playoff run, buoyed by strong pitching performances and timely hitting. The team's consistent success throughout the 2024 season has positioned them as formidable contenders for the championship title.