Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Tide Battle but fall short in semi-finals at Zack Downey Tournament
Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart
September 12, 2021, Victoria, BC – The Victoria Golden Tide scored eight runs in the final two innings, but it would not be enough to overcome a 10-1 deficit and the Tide fell to the Saskatchewan Grizzlies in the semi-final of the Zack Downey Memorial Tournament Sunday morning at Layritz Park in Victoria.
Despite the best efforts of Tide catcher Ryan Whelan (left), the Grizzlies Noah Newman would score one of their 10 runs Sunday on this play at the plate (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
The Grizzlies would go on to meet the Victoria Eagles in the finals, with the Eagles prevailing 7-0 to take the Premier Division title. The Eagles defeated Parksville in Sunday’s second semi-final 7-3.
Graeme Glynn got the start for the Tide and he was roughed up early, surrendering three runs to the Gizzlies in the very first inning, on three hits, two walks and an error.
The Grizzly’s Ethan Merk rounds second en route to scoring one of his two runs against the Tide (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
While the Tide would respond with a run in the bottom of the first, the Grizzlies would continue to stay hot offensively, scoring a run in the second and three more runs in each of the third and fourth innings to run their lead to 10-1.
The Tide would finally shake off the cobwebs in the fifth, taking advantage of three Grizzly walks and two errors to score four and cut the lead to 10-5. They had a chance to score more, with one out and the bases loaded, but a pop out and strikeout ended the inning.
The Tide’s Tyler Burton would reach safely on this play as the throw eludes Grizzly first baseman Jonah Kuntz (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
In the bottom of the sixth, the Tide struck again, with a big blow being a two-out, two-run double off the bat of Brendan Morrison. Morrison would then score when Austin Wall would reach on an error and the Tide had cut the lead to 10-9.
A two-out, two-RBI double from Brendan Morrison gave the Tide some hope in the final inning Sunday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
That would be it though, as a fly out to left field ended the game and eliminated the Tide from the tournament.
The Grizzlies were led offensively by Nathan Houston who had a double, two singles, an RBI and a run scored. Brady Bye also added a two-RBI double and scored, while Noah Newman had two hits, a walk and scored twice.
The Golden Tide’s Tristian Bolger would make a great catch of this sinking line drive against the Grizzlies on Sunday morning (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
On the mound, Joe Stawarz got the start for the Grizzlies and he limited the Tide to just one run on one hit in his four innings of work. Cooper Ostlund and Adam Newton saw work in relief.
The Grizzlies Joe Stawarz would hold the Tide to one run and one hit through four innings of work (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
For the Tide, in addition to Morrisons two-RBI double, Chase Thomson had a hit, walk and run scored and Ryan Whelan singled, reached on error, had an RBI and a run scored. Tyler Burton and Ben Natingor would also score twice in the losing effort.
On the hill, Jayden Puri, Jackson Leatherman and Brett Patterson all saw work in relief, with Patterson tossing two scoreless innings over the final two frames.
Brett Patterson pitched two scoreless innings of relief against the Grizzlies on Sunday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
In split-squad action on Sunday, the Golden Tide were also on the road to Nanaimo where they played a pair of games with Vancouver Island University. Details were not available at the time of writing this, but it sounds like it was a split with a Tide win in game one and a Mariner win in game two.
The Eagles Nick Lee would be safe on this play as Grizzly second baseman Thomas Stawarz could not hang on to the ball (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Next action for the Tide is the fall home opener on Friday September 17th at 6:00 pm against Thompson Rivers University. Tickets are just 5.00 or 10.00 for Grandstand (covered) seating Available at the gates or in advance at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, 778-265-0327.
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Victoria HarbourCats – Fall 2026 Indoor Training Clinics Now Open for Registration
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Zach Swanson Returning as Pitching Coach for HarbourCats in 2027
September 2, 2026
For immediate release
VICTORIA, B.C. – After a successful debut season in the West Coast League, Zach Swanson will be back as Pitching Coach for the Victoria HarbourCats.
Head Coach Todd Haney is pleased to be putting together the key pieces of his staff already for the 2027 season, and that includes Swanson, the Victoria product and former college pitcher, after setting notable records in 2026. Swanson is a Lambrick Park graduate who played for the Victoria Eagles and Mariners, and pitched collegiately at San Diego Christian and Park University-Gilbert, earning an MBA in the process.
The records and notables of the 2026 HarbourCats:
- Most team strikeouts (536) in team history in a season, two short of a WCL record (and notably, the HarbourCats would have played two more games, but they were cancelled due to smoky conditions in Washington State)
- Highest K/9 rate in WCL history (10.48)
- Second in batting average against (.235)
- Fourth in league ERA (4.48)
- Right-handers Jeremiah Arnett (66) and Erik Rico (64) now sit first and second in HarbourCats history in strikeouts in a season, and both were named all-stars – on top of it, Arnett was named the WCL Pitcher of the Year
- HarbourCats reliever Nathan Mueller was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers and pitcher Will Zielinski was a 20th round pick of the Detroit Tigers
Swanson is the Pitching Coach at Hawaii Pacific University (NCAA Division 2) in Honolulu, entering his second year – in his first season, Swanson had three all-conference pitchers and the team ERA improved by more than a run per game.
“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Zach back as our pitching coach for the 2027 season. He built tremendous trust with our pitchers and has a great understanding of what it takes to develop players,” said Haney, who earlier this week added former MLB infielder Jeff Frye to the coaching staff for 2027.
“Our pitching staff responded to Zach’s leadership every single day, and we saw real growth both on and off the mound. Zach brings an exceptional work ethic, passion and competitive edge to our staff. Our pitchers are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him now, as it’s only a matter of time before Zach is an MLB pitching coach.”
Swanson is excited to return to a team he knows well, holding many roles – batboy, to player, to play-by-play voice in 2022. Swanson was Victoria’s starting pitcher for Game 1 of the WCL final in 2019 against the Corvallis Knights in a game played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP.
“It’s a joy and a privilege to be returning to Victoria in 2027,” said Swanson, son of Managing Partner Jim Swanson.
“After a 2026 season full of development, my wife Madeline and I are looking forward to coming back to this great city. I can’t wait to help write another chapter – both in the lives of these athletes and in the history books of this organization.”
The HarbourCats have started the recruiting process for 2027 already, and Season Ticket Memberships are now available for purchase or renewal. New members may order their seats on-line if desired at harbourcats.com/tickets (click the Membership tab), or by calling the office at 778-265-0327.
Renew or purchase your seats by September 30th to be eligible to win a round trip airfare on Harbour Air to Vancouver.
The HarbourCats 2027 schedule is expected to be announced in late October 2026, with single-game tickets expected to be available by December 1, 2026.
Plenty of weekend action in 2027 NightOwls schedule
Victoria HarbourCats – Fall 2026 Indoor Training Clinics Now Open for Registration
Victoria HarbourCats – Zach Swanson Returning as Pitching Coach for HarbourCats in 2027
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