 After graduating from Michigan in June 1926, Appleton turned down several offers to play Major League Baseball and opted to play during the 1926 season near his Connecticut home for the Waterbury Brasscos in the Eastern League.In a game against Bridgeport in August 1926, he allowed three hits in a 1–0 victory.One week later, on August 17, 1926, Jablonowski threw a no-hitter against Bridgeport.