(Wenatchee, WA)-The Wenatchee AppleSox are once again the champions of the West Coast League. The AppleSox defeated the Bend Elks 6-5 in game three of the WCL Championship Series to win their second straight WCL Title. The AppleSox won the WCL’s East Division during the regular season and finished with an overall league record of 33-20. In the six year history of the WCL, the AppleSox have won four league championships
Down 5-2 in the heading in the fourth inning, University of San Diego outfielder Kalei Hanawahine hit a three-run home run to tie the game at 5-5. It was the first home run of the season for the soon-to-be sophomore. The AppleSox scored one more run in the 5th inning to give them the 6-5 lead, which was all the team needed. Closer Jeff Ames notched a two inning save, his third of the playoffs. The right-hander from Lower Columbia College hit 97 mph on the radar gun during the top of the 9th inning. Starting pitcher Zack Gallagher earned the victory for his seven innings of work. The University of Hawaii junior was the only returning player from the 2009 Championship team.
The AppleSox included Michael McIver from Saint Martin’s. The 6’10” lefty was one of the top pitchers in the West Coast League. Including the playoffs, McIver had a 7-2 record over the summer for the AppleSox. He started and won game one of the WCL Championship Series in front of over 3,000 fans on the road against the Bend Elks.
It was the first time since 2005 that the AppleSox clinched the WCL Championship at home in front of the Wenatchee fans. The title is the fifth in team’s eleven year history under the guidance of head coach Ed Knaggs. This year’s team featured players from college programs such as UCLA, UC Irvine, Oregon State, Gonzaga, San Diego, Hawaii, and Washington.
About the Wenatchee AppleSox:
The Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball Club is part of the West Coast League, one of the premier wood-bat summer collegiate leagues in the country. The AppleSox provide affordable family entertainment for baseball fans throughout North Central Washington, and an excellent environment for college players from around the country to develop their skills.
The AppleSox were founded in 2000 and have won the West Coast League Championship four out of the last six seasons (2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010). The team plays a 54 game schedule and in 2010 averaged over 1,300 fans per game. Three AppleSox alumni have reached the major leagues, Jason Hammel (Colorado Rockies), Clay Mortensen (Oakland Athletics), and Cole Gillespie (Arizona Diamondbacks). For more information, visit www.applesox.com.