Hoiland powers AppleSox to North Division Championship Game

WENATCHEE — Cam Hoiland's strong arm and powerful bat propelled the Wenatchee AppleSox to a decisive 7-2 victory over the Victoria HarbourCats in Game 3 of the North Division Series on Monday night. The win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium advanced the AppleSox to the North Division Championship Game.

Hoiland put in a complete performance, allowing just one run over 5.1 innings while striking out key batters at crucial moments. He set the tone early, inducing inning-ending double plays in both the first and second innings to keep Victoria's offense in check.

The game shifted dramatically in the fifth inning when Hoiland, already impressing on the mound, stepped up to the plate with the score tied. He blasted a 410-foot home run to center field, the longest by an AppleSox player this season, sparking a five-run rally that would prove decisive.

Wenatchee's offense built on Hoiland's momentum, with Cooper Whitton, James Castagnola, and Jonathan Fitz all contributing run-scoring hits. A defensive error by Victoria's second baseman Kerim Orusevic further extended the AppleSox lead.

Andrew Monson sealed the victory with 3.2 solid innings of relief work, earning the save despite giving up a late run in the ninth.

The win is a significant milestone for AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington, who has now guided the team to the North Division Championship Game for the second time in three seasons. Wenatchee showed resilience by bouncing back from a Game 1 loss to win the series convincingly.

The AppleSox will face the Bellingham Bells in the North Division Championship Game on Wednesday at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. The winner will advance to face either the Corvallis Knights or the Portland Pickles in the West Coast League championship series.

As Wenatchee prepares for their crucial upcoming game, the team's ability to perform under pressure and the versatility of players like Hoiland will be key factors in their pursuit of the league title.