Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Baseball is Back! Golden Tide Split DH with VIU

Published

4 years ago

September 19, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

First baseball at Royal Athletic Park in over two years

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

September 19, 2021, Victoria BC – The smell of hot dogs was in the air and the crack of the bat was back, as baseball made it’s first appearance at Wilson’s Group Stadium in over two years, as the Victoria Golden Tide hosted the Vancouver Island University Mariners in Canadian College Baseball Conference exhibition play.

A pretty decent crowd was on hand Sunday to witness the first baseball back at Royal Athletic Park in over two years (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Over 300 fans came out to enjoy the return of baseball on what turned into a beautiful fall day and they got their money’s worth, watching an exciting 11-10 Mariners win in game one, with the home team rebounding for a 16-3 win in game two.

The Mariners, including Dillon Bowie were on base early and often against the Tide in game one (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

In game one, the Mariners came in with their bats hot, vaulting themselves to a 10-2 lead after three innings of play, thanks in part to a second inning grand slam from Keegan Chard-Hill, but then watched as the Tide chipped their way back into the game.

VIUs Keegan Chard-Hill (right) is congratulated after his second inning grand slam in game one (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

A big part of the Tide rally was their own grand slam homerun in the sixth inning by Alex McLauclan that made the score 10-7 at the time.

The Mariners would score what turned out to be the winning run in the seventh, and then hung on as the Tide scored two in the bottom of the eighth and another in the bottom of the ninth, leaving the tying run on base, as the Mariners escaped with the 11-10 win.

Victoria’s Alex McLauclan launches his sixth inning grand slam in game one Sunday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For the Mariners, Chard Hill led the way with his slam and an RBI single. Trevor Nicoll also had a single, triple, home run, four RBI and three runs scored, while Ty Farwell and Max Kolopeniuk added a single and double each.

For the Tide, in addition to his big blast, McLauclan added a single and pair of runs scored. Brady Alexandre, Brendan Morrison and Brandon Green also had a pair of hits each, while Tyler Burton had a double and run scored in the losing effort.

The Golden Tide’s Brandon Craven head’s to third base during the Tide’s 16-3 game two win (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Jaden Patrick got the start for the Mariners and was effective through six innings of work, his only real mistake being the grand slam to McLauclan. Carter Chard-Hill, saw action in relief.

For the Tide, Triston Seitz got the start and was roughed up early. Nick Lee, Cameron Dunn and Haldon Craig all saw action in relief.

In game two, the Tide kept their offence rolling, jumping into a 4-1 lead after three innings of play and then cruising to an easy 16-3 win.

The Tide’s Nate Horricks delivers a pitch in game two Sunday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Nine of those runs came in the eighth inning, as a short staffed Mariners squad surrendered six walks in the innning, forcing the game to be called as a result of a mercy rule.

Leading the way for the Tide was Andrew Baxter with a single, double and pair of runs scored, while Austin Wall had a pair of hits and an RBI. Jaxson Cordle also had a pair of singles and a run scored.

The Tide’s Austin Wall had a pair of hits and an RBI in the game two win (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

On the mound, Wyatt Mohr-Royer got the start, giving up one run in his three innings of work. Nate Horricks and Ethan Lynn saw work in relief.

The Golden Tide are back in action next Saturday, September 25th as they host University of the Fraser Valley for a doubleheader at Wilson’s Group Stadium. First game time is 1:00 pm. Tickets are just 5.00 and 10.00 and are available at the gate or in advance at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, or by calling 778-265-0327.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Shupe returns to HarbourCats

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

For Immediate Release

June 16, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. — A prime-time collegiate player and fan favourite is returning to the Victoria HarbourCats, and will be in uniform on Tuesday.

Infielder Hudson Shupe of Gonzaga, a junior who can play short, second or third, will be making his third season appearance with the HarbourCats. A 21-year-old from Richland, WA, was with the HarbourCats in 2022 (.270 AVG, 13 stolen bases) and 2023 (.353 AVG, 10 stolen bases) before spending last summer with Orleans of the Cape Cod League (.310 AVG over 38 games). He has played in 83 total games for the Cats between the regular season and playoffs.

Shupe, always a team leader and an energy guy who brings fans to their feet, is a career .320 hitter over three seasons of Division 1 baseball, with Seattle U and Gonzaga. He is a highly regarded prospect for the upcoming MLB draft, and will be using the next month to be ready for pro baseball, if selected and signed.

“Hudson loves Victoria, and loves the HarbourCats, and this will cement his place as one of the best players in our team’s history — we could not be more excited,” said GM Christian Stewart. “Fans will want to get out to our home games to see this future pro, who has a legitimate shot at becoming an MLB player and joining the eight other former HarbourCats who have progressed all the way to the top level of the game, something we are very proud of.”

Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

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Summer Collegiate

The Bats Come Alive For The NightOwls As They Take The Series With An 8-2 Win

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

KELOWNA, B.C. — The bats came alive for the Nanaimo NightOwls in the tune of eight runs on nine hits with two home runs. The complete opposite of last night, where Nanaimo just couldn’t get things going at the plate. Tonight they had 4 extra base hits, and that combined with some great pitching led to the series win.

Starting pitcher Aiden Boice, from Holladay, Utah, had a great night on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out four. Catcher Brock Wirthgen and Caden Petrey both went yard in the game for the NightOwls. Andrew Ivy continues to impress, going two for four with a walk and a stolen base. If feels like every game I have to mention him swiping a bag.

The Nanaimo NightOwls jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to some smart base running from Eli Watson. He stole second and was able to score on an error trying to steal third. After the Falcons tied it up with a run in the second, the NightOwls went off with a huge sixth inning, putting a four-spot on the board. After a walk to Andrew Ivy, and an Easton Mould single. Eli Watson would cash one after a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third.

Then walked up Brock Wirthgen, who cracked one out of the park to give the NightOwls the 5-1 lead. The 7th innings saw Easton Mould and Eli Watson driving in back-to-back RBI singles. Not to be outdone, Caden Petrey also got into the party with a home run in the top of the 8th inning to make it 8-1. The Falcons would claw one run back in the 9th, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Besides starting pitcher Aiden Boice, Dawson Shultz and Dalton Hanson also had great games on the mound. They combined for four innings of 2 hit ball, giving up just 1 run and preserving the win for Boice.

The Starting pitching gave the Nanaimo NightOwls a chance to find their bats. I asked head coach Cody Andreychuk about the performance of Aiden Boice after the game, “Ya, he competed and did a wonderful job for us tonight. Commanded all his pitches for strikes. Got behind some of the hitters but would always get back and get the hitters out. [The] best way to say it is he competed well tonight in a getaway game to win the series on the road.”

Some big innings for the NightOwls and some great pitching saw them take the series against the Kelowna Falcons two games to one on Sunday night. Nanaimo finished the night with eight runs on nine hits and an error. Kelowna had two runs on eight hits and three errors in the loss. The NightOwls move back above .500% with the win at 8-7.

The Nanaimo NightOwls head back to the Island but not home as they will take on the Victoria HarbourCats for a three-game series, June 17th, 18th, and 19th. The team returns home on June 20th for a weekend series against the Port Angeles Lefties. That goes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20th, 21st, and 22nd at Serauxmen Stadium.

The team is on a 10-game homestand starting on the 20th of June. We have some great promotional days coming up, including Indigenous Peoples Day and Halloween in June. Make sure to get your tickets and follow the team on our website and social media when they are on the road for the latest information and updates!

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Bells take series with 8-2 rout

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Jack Johnson has reached base in every game he’s played this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

June 15, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – More than 2000 fans were packed into Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park on this Father’s Day matinee, where the Bellingham Bells won the rubber match, defeating the Victoria HarbourCats 8-2.

For the seventh game in a row, the Cats scored in the first inning. Today, it was through a Cayden Munster (Fresno State) sacrifice fly, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

Julian Orozco (Cal Baptist) started his second game of the season after an impressive outing last week against Port Angeles, where he threw four shutout innings. This afternoon, he looked just as good through two innings but ran into trouble in the third. A softly hit Brock Sell single tied the game at one before Nico Azpilcueta crushed a double to the gap, scoring two more, giving the visitors a 3-1 lead.

Orozco’s day finished after three innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out six.

Julian Orozco leads the HarbourCats with 15 strikeouts this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

WCL STANDINGS

Andrew Carter (TCU) was first out of the bullpen for Victoria but could not find the strike zone and the Bells took advantage. Two bases loaded walks surrendered by Carter increased Bellingham’s advantage to 5-1. Carter struck out two in his inning of work and both runs against him were unearned due to an error to start the frame.

Curtis McKay (Niagara) put another run on the board for the Cats with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, cutting the lead to 5-2. Victoria was threatening in the inning by loading the bases, but Tanner Beltowski (Westmont College) grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.

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After another bases-loaded walk scored a run for the Bells in the seventh, Andrew Lamb hit his third home run of the series with a solo shot in the eighth, increasing his team’s lead to 7-2.

Alex Fernandes drove in an eighth Bells run in the ninth with a single to right field.

Logan Shepherd increased his hitting streak to nine games with a single in the first inning (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Cade Rusch (IUS) pitched 2-1/3 innings, giving up one run on one hit, walking two and striking out one batter. Dillon Dibrell (Central Oklahoma) gave up one run on one hit over 1-2/3 innings of work. Austin Lindsey (Hill College) finished the game, pitching the ninth inning, giving up a run on a pair of hits.

WATCH GAMES HERE

The Cats have a day off on Monday, then open a series against the Nanaimo NightOwls on Tuesday, June 17th at 6:35 PM. Game one is $12 Tuesday, where all premium reserved and general admission tickets are on sale for $12. Wednesday, June 18th at 6:35 PM is Winning Wednesday, where all Red Arrow Products are discounted. Thursday, June 19th is the second School Spirit Game of the season with a special start time of 11:00 AM. Don’t miss all the action as the two island rivals face off once again. Buy tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

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