AppleSox squander late lead, fall to Riverhawks 6-4 after ninth-inning collapse

WENATCHEE — The Edmonton Riverhawks staged a late-inning comeback, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Wenatchee AppleSox 6-4 on Thursday night at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

Wenatchee entered the game with a perfect 17-0 record when leading after the seventh or eighth inning, but two costly errors in the ninth proved to be their undoing. The AppleSox (23-13, 5-4 second half) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a Max Hartman single, an error, an RBI double by Cannon Peery, and a two-out RBI single by Luca Boscarino.

Edmonton (21-12, 3-2 second half) responded with three runs in the fourth inning, as their first four hitters all singled, with the first three coming around to score. Wenatchee regained the lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Evan Cloyd, and held the advantage until the fateful ninth inning.

With one out and a runner on first, a potential game-ending double play was thwarted by a mishandled reception at second base, allowing the Riverhawks to capitalize on the extra opportunity and push across three runs to secure the victory.

Roberto Gonzalez continued his hot streak for the AppleSox, singling twice and scoring for the sixth consecutive game and the 13th time in that span.

The loss marks Wenatchee's first series defeat of the second half and only their second at home this summer. The AppleSox will have an off day on Friday before hosting the Cascade Collegiate League showcase team for two games over the weekend.