AppleSox rally late to beat Bells

WENATCHEE -- The Wenatchee AppleSox staged a late-game comeback to defeat the Bellingham Bells 11-8 on Sunday, positioning themselves to potentially clinch the West Coast League's North Division first-half title.

Trailing 5-0 after seven innings, Wenatchee (18-9) scored five runs in the eighth and six more in the ninth to overcome their deficit and eliminate Bellingham (17-10) from first-half title contention.

The AppleSox, who had been held scoreless for 27 consecutive innings prior to their eighth-inning rally, now await the outcome of Monday's game between Port Angeles and Edmonton to determine their fate. A Port Angeles loss would secure Wenatchee's first-half title and home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

Roberto Gonzalez contributed to the comeback, driving in two runs with a double in the eighth and laying down a bunt in the ninth that gave Wenatchee its first lead of the weekend series.

Bellingham's 5-0 lead disappeared as Wenatchee's offense found its rhythm. The AppleSox capitalized on a combination of timely hitting, Bellingham errors, and patient at-bats to change the game's momentum.

Carson Boesel earned his first save of the summer, entering in the bottom of the ninth. Despite allowing the tying run to reach the plate twice, Boesel secured the victory with back-to-back strikeouts.

The win puts the AppleSox in position for a potential franchise milestone. Wenatchee will return to action on Tuesday, hosting the Victoria HarbourCats, with the possibility of celebrating a first-half title victory.