Friday the fans were treated to another exciting game that came right down to the wire when the Falcons beat the visiting Wenatchee Applesox 7-5 behind a five run eighth inning.

The hometown Falcons opened the scoring in their first at bats when they put up a single run after Logan Groh scored Brady Kern on a groundout. This lead, however, didn’t last long when the Sox came right back with a run in the top of the second and third to take the lead off starter Quincy Winker.

In the home half of the fifth inning, the Falcons tied the game. Devin Porch nailed a one-triple to right field, then scored two pitches later on an RBI sacrifice-fly off the bat of Max Bushyhead.

The Sox once again came right back and took the lead in their next at bats, loading the bases and scoring three unearned runs off reliever Arlo Pendleton.

In the eighth inning the Applesox made a call to the bullpen, and it proved costly as the Falcons scored five runs on five hits in the frame. Braxton Thomas doubled to score both Kern and Bushyhead who reached earlier in the inning, then Zachary Wieder scored on a Groh sac-fly. Blake Martinez was the next batter, and he brought home Thomas with a single, then two batters later Jimmy Dionne doubled to scored Uriah Walters who reached on a defensive error.

The ninth inning didn’t go to plan for lefty Troy Shepard and the Falcons when the Sox loaded the bases with only one-out. However, Shepard battled and induced a ground ball that the defence turned into a double play to end the game and keep the Sox runners where they were. It’s Shepard’s second win of the summer after throwing the final three innings of shutout baseball, allowing four hits and striking out one.

The Falcons open the second half of the season with a quality victory over a very good opponent. They will host the Applesox again on Saturday night at Elks Stadium at 6:35pm. The gates open an hour before and tickets will be available then, or purchase tickets anytime in advance –Kelowna Falcons 2025 Season | The Box Office

Photo courtesy of Tami Quan Photography