Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Defeat Bells 7-6 in North Division Final; Face Corvallis for West Coast League Title

Published

1 year ago

August 13, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

August 13, 2023

VICTORIA, B.C. — For the third time in the last five seasons of play, the Victoria HarbourCats will play a one-game, winner-take-all contest for the West Coast League title.

And for the third time, that game will be played in Corvallis, OR.

The HarbourCats, looking to become the first Canadian-based team to claim the WCL crown, advanced to Monday’s game — which will start at 8pm at Goss Stadium, the time set due to extreme heat conditions— with a heart-attack of a 7-6 victory over the Bellingham Bells in Saturday’s game at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

The HarbourCats captured their third North Division playoff title (also doing so in 2017 and 2019, with no play in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic), but escaping the clutches of the Bells in the playoffs for the first time. Bellingham prevailed in previous meetings in 2016 and 2022.

The Bells started off strong on Saturday as the first two batters singled, followed by a three-run blast by Andrew Valdez — 3-0 before an out was recorded by HarbourCats starter Logan MacNiel. It didn’t get easier in the second as MacNiel put two runners on and both those runners scored to make it a 5-0 Bellingham lead after one and a half innings, quieting the crowd of more than 3,600.

That silence didn’t last long.

John Wilson, owner of The Wilson’s Group of Companies, alongside his grandkids after a couple ceremonial first pitches caught by local pitchers Mason Chamberlain (left) and Darius Opdam Bak (right).

Victoria scored two in the bottom of two off Isaac Yeager, the Bells starter, thanks to an error and a sacrifice fly, and the game was back in reach.

The big inning was the bottom of the fourth. The HarbourCats plated five to take a 7-5 lead, the last dagger a two-run, two-out single by Hudson Shupe off Trevor Moore, the third Bellingham pitcher of the inning.

Jake Finkelstein shut the Bells down in relief of MacNiel, with a dominant five and a third innings with two hits allowed, no runs, and three strikeouts. Josh Berenbaum then entered in the seventh and quashed a bases loaded jam, and pitched into the ninth.

Bellingham would make it exciting in the ninth, getting to within a run and having the tying run on second when Dustin Davidson induced a fly ball, and Brett Harvey closed it out with a fly to right and a pop up to first base to end it, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Jack Johnson had three RBIs and a stellar defensive play at third base in the third inning, and Dallas Macias made a game-changing catch in left field in the sixth inning.

The West Coast League Championship game will be held in Corvallis, Monday night at 8pm. The winner of this game will be crowned 2023 West Coast League Champions.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – VISL, HarbourCats, NightOwls enter strategic partnership

Published

42 mins ago

November 22, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2024

VICTORIA, B.C. — Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL), have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The VISL provides programming and championships on the Island and leads leagues which give the best soccer players an avenue to play the sport for life. Championships such as the Jackson Cup, with many finals played at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, serve as the crown jewel of the VISL.

More than 6,000 participants are involved with the VISL — sports fans, who will keep track of the Island’s top baseball programs, the HarbourCats and NightOwls, who combined to draw more than 100,000 spectators in 2024.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“The atmosphere at HarbourCats and NightOwls games showcase the top fan engagement on the Island, a true gathering point in our communities,” said VISL Executive Director Vince Greco.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Watch for VISL events to recognize the work of the HarbourCats and NightOwls, and feature baseball games to celebrate the success of the VISL.

For more information on the VISL and their programs and offerings, please visit their website HERE.

—

The HarbourCats 2025 schedule has now been announced! DETAILS HERE

Single-game tickets and 10-game flex pack voucher renewals are NOT YET AVAILABLE, but will be once the ticketing system is set up for the 2025 season. We will announce this when ready!

Season tickets and 10- game flex packs ARE available for sale by dropping in to the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or calling 778-265-0327.

Existing Season Ticket holders are encouraged, if they have not already done so, to renew their seats as soon as possible so as to lock in their seats for what is going to be another great season of HarbourCats Baseball.

Source

Summer Collegiate

VISL, and HarbourCats/NightOwls, enter strategic partnership

Published

10 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League, have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – You’re Invited! Christmas Open House, November 28-29

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Please join us as we usher in the Holiday Season with our annual Christmas Open House!

When: Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29
Time: 12 Noon to 7 PM each day
Where: HarbourCats office 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Come by to say hello and enjoy some hot cider and other beverages and snacks and talk about our upcoming 2025 season!

Plenty of merchandise on hand for the HarbourCats fan on your Christmas list – all at 20% off for the month of November! Plus plenty of HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide items available on our special $10.00 clearance rack!

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs will also be available for sale and as a special BLACK FRIDAY bonus, we will throw in a free-gift with the purchase of any 10-pack or season ticket package.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Source