Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Tide Sweep Away Thunderbirds in Sunday Doubleheader

Published

3 years ago

October 18, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Above: Victoria’s Brandon Green is safe at second as the throw escapes UBC second baseman Brett Zazuluk.

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

October 17, 2021, Victoria, BC – The Victoria Golden Tide were not daunted at all by facing the top college baseball program in the country, as they defeated the UBC Thunderbirds in both games of a doubleheader Sunday at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria by identical 9-1 scores.

Tide game one starting pitcher Owen Luchies delivers a pitch during the game with UBC Sunday.

The weatherman cooperated on the day, keeping the rain at bay, and it was Golden Tide pitchers in game one who kept the UBC hitters at bay with Victoria Eagle product Owen Luchies getting the start and giving up a run to UBC in the first, but then settling down to keep them off the board in the second and third.

Victoria’s Brandon Green slides safely into third base ahead of the tag by UBC third baseman Jordan Gamble on this play in game two Sunday.

Cameron Dunn would then take over in relief and shine, giving up just a pair of singles in his four innings of work, with Jacob Popydynec pitching the final two innings, with just a walk, to close out the 9-1 win.

Golden Tide pitchers would get all the offensive support they would need when the Tide put up a four-run third inning, the highlight of which was a Zeke Holt two-run home run over the right field fence.

Zeke Holt had a two-run home run to key a four run third inning in the Tide’s 9-1 win over UBC in game one Sunday.

Also contributing in the 12-hit attack were Dom Biello with a walk, double and run scored, Brendan Morrison with a pair of singles and a run scored and Alex McLauchlan with a pair of runs scored.

Golden Tide third baseman Alex McLauchlan makes a nice play on a ground ball in game two against UBC on Sunday.

In game two, the Thunder would jump into a 1-0 lead thanks to a second inning lead-off home run from Tyler Sharples, but that would be their only run to cross the plate, as once again Golden Tide pitching ruled the day.

UBC’s Tyler Sharples is all smiles after his second inning home run in game two Sunday.

Starter Brady Wilson would follow-up his outstanding three-hit performance last week against Calgary at the CCBC Fall Championship by giving up just one more hit to the Thunderbirds and keeping them off the board the rest of the way in his four full innings of work.

UBC shortstop Daniel Gonzoloz awaits the throw as Tide baserunner Alex McLauchlan slides in safely to second.

Relievers Jackson Belanger (two innings), Haldon Craig (two innings) and Triston Seitz (one inning) would shut the door the rest of the way, with a single against Belanger and one against Seitz in the ninth being the only other UBC hits of the game.

Tide second baseman Myles Wall puts the tag on UBC baserunner Trevor Tong on this play at second during game two Sunday.

Offensively, the Tide once again blew things open in the third inning, this time scoring five runs, with the big blows being a two-RBI triple from Brody Alexandre and an RBI single from Parker Harris.

The Tide would score two more on a two-RBI single from Alex McLauchlan in the fourth and add another two in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Jordan Bond arrives safely at first as the ball skips away from UBC first baseman Sean Coventry.

Other offensive notables in the game included Zeke Holt, with another strong game, notching a pair of double and two walks, and Jaxson Cordle, with a single and a double.

Victoria’s Jaxson Cordle starts on his way to first during action with UBC on Sunday. Cordle would have a base hit in game two.

The Tide now get ready for another pair of double headers next weekend as on Saturday the VI College Prep Mariners come to town and on Sunday, the BCPBL Parksville Royals pay a visit. Both days have first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and $10.00 and will be available at the gates.

Victoria’s Ryan Deagle beats out the throw to UBC first baseman Sean Coventry on this play in game one Sunday.

TIDAL WAVES: The two wins Sunday mark the first time this fall season that the Tide have swept a doubleheader; The Tide lineup Sunday was supplemented by five members of the Victoria Eagles BCPBL squad that finished second in this year’s provincials, including game one starter Owen Luchies, Ryder Green, Jai Berezowski, Kai Gray, and Dom Biello. Parksville Royals product Ryan Deagle also played in both games today.

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Summer Collegiate

Arm injuries in pro and college baseball — NightOwls make organizational statement

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Heimueller has served as a minor league pitching coach and coordinator for many MLB organizations, most recently with the Padres. He has World Series rings for his work with the Twins and Phillies.

With the NightOwls, Gorm has enjoyed working with them all — but especially strong-command pitchers such as Nathan Buchan, Garrett Goodall, Jake Fleury and Josh Laukkanen.

“Gorm loves to say he’s never seen a ground ball leave the park,” said Swanson.

“We see athletes on our team and others using max effort rather than prioritizing strikes — that makes for longer games, too, another focus in baseball. If someone can throw 97, with healthy actions and commanding the baseball, that’s great — but few can and let’s stop turning our backs on pitchers who can get people out with pitch location as the priority.

“There is too much focus on radar gun ratings, on spin rate readouts, and Gorm and our coaching staff will be developing and rewarding pitchers who locate pitches and get batters out.”

The NightOwls are excited about the player roster for the coming season, and the mix of pitchers on the roster — different styles, to create different looks and get the 27 outs required to win games.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – 2024 Season Ticket Pick-up Event

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

WE ARE BACK! 2024 Season Tickets Available for Pick-Up

May 17, 2024

We are inviting all season ticket holders, host families, and fans to join us for our annual “MAX MIXER” Season Ticket Holder Pick Up Event on Tuesday, May 28th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at MAX FURNITURE at 3460 Quadra St. in Victoria.

WHAT: Season Ticket Pick-Up and Pre-Season Mixer
WHERE: MAX FURNITURE – 3460 Quadra St.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 28th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Come meet your fellow fans, grab your season tickets, and mingle with HarbourCats staff and Harvey the HarbourCat as we kickoff the 2024 season.

There will be ticket and merchandise deals offered exclusively at the event.

NO RSVP required but if you have any questions, please contact the HarbourCats office at 778-265-0327.

If you can’t make the event, you can pick up your tickets at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Open M-F 9AM to 5PM, and Saturdays 10AM to 4PM.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats unveil new home uniform for the 2024 season

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Jai Berezowski and Jalen Sami show off new Expos-inspired uniform for the 2024 season

May 16, 2024

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Familiar colours for a familiar Coach, as the HarbourCats unveil new uniforms

Our tribute to Head Coach Todd Haney, the 2023 WCL Coach of the Year, and his dedication to our organization and the City of Victoria, will be on full display — the former Montreal Expos infielder, and our Pitching Coach Scott Anderson, who was in the Expos organization as a minor league pitcher, are the inspiration behind our new HOME WHITE uniforms, which we think our fans will love, made possible by our incredible partners at Save-On-Foods!

Save-On-Foods

“We’re not sure that even Head Coach Haney realizes how much of the very fabric of our team he has come to represent, and we hope this small gesture comes close to giving back what he’s given to our fans, players and staff over the years” – Managing Partner Jim Swanson

Fans will have their first chance to view the new uniforms at the HarbourCats home opener this season, as we play the Wenatchee Applesox on June 7th.

Tickets are already going fast, so get yours today at HarbourCats.com/Tickets

The HarbourCats open on the road May 31 in Kamloops, the start of back-to-back series in Kamloops and Kelowna, before returning for the June 7 home opener against Wenatchee. The HarbourCats will be on the road this summer in Kamloops, Kelowna, Edmonton, Wenatchee, Ridgefield, Port Angeles, Bellingham, and six games in Nanaimo against the Island-rival NightOwls at Serauxmen Stadium. Teams visiting Victoria this year are Wenatchee, Nanaimo, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Kelowna, Edmonton (two series), Kamloops and Corvallis, along with non-league games against the Redmond Dudes, Dub Sea Fish Sticks, the SIBL All-Stars, and Victoria Mavericks All-Stars.

The regular season runs until August 7, with WCL playoffs running from August 10 to August 16.

Single game tickets are now available for the HarbourCats 2024 season including the home opener on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6:35pm against the Kamloops NorthPaws. These can be purchased online through our one and only ticketing partner, Select Your Tickets, at www.harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are also now on sale via the HarbourCats office or by calling 778-265-0327.

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