Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – ‘Cats bounce back against Bells
Sky Collins had a three-hit night and an RBI to lead the ‘Cats to a 10-3 win over the Bells Saturday night (File Photo)
August 3, 2024
Bellingham, WA – Payton Hawkinson went five strong innings and the Victoria HarbourCats offense pounded out 10 hits and took advantage of some sloppy Bellingham defence, to emerge with a 10-3 win over the Bells in West Coast League action Saturday night at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham.
The win moves the HarbourCats second-half record to 14-9 and keeps them in the hunt for first place, just one game behind the Wenatchee AppleSox who lost to Nanaimo 10-1. They are also 28-22 overall and hold a three game lead over Nanaimo for the final Wild Card spot.
The Bells would open the scoring off Hawkinson in the bottom of the fourth, on a balk with a runner on third, essentially the only mistake Hawkinson would make in his five innings of work, giving up three hits and one walk while striking out three.
Victoria would finally respond in the top of the sixth, as their small ball strategy would force the Bells into a throwing error on a bunt attempt, allowing two runs to cross the plate. Another run scored on a double steal and the Cats suddenly had a 3-1 lead.
They would not look back after that, scoring three more in the seventh, two in the eighth and three more in the ninth to put the game away.
Outfielder Sky Collins led the offence with three hits, including an RBI double, while Michael Crossland had a ninth inning home run and two RBI on the night. Crossland, Cam Schneider and Kamana Nahaku also scored two runs each.
Hawkinson was followed in relief by Logan MacNiel who was solid through two innings of work, but then got into bases loaded trouble in the eighth, giving up a pair of runs. Brett Harvey then came in to shut down that rally and then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the game.
The Bells and HarbourCats will now play the crucial rubber match in this series Sunday afternoon at 1:35 pm with Trey Langan getting the probable start for Victoria. With a win, the HarbourCats will win the season series with the Bells, which could prove important in deciding a possible playoff position when all is said and done.
The HarbourCats then head home to close out the season in perhaps the highlight series of the year as the seven-time defending Corvallis Knights come to town for games Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The HarbourCats will not only be looking to lock down a playoff spot in that series, but they will also be looking for some retribution against the Knights following Victoria’s loss in the 2023 Championship game.
BC Day Monday is the final Fireworks game of the year, while Tuesday is Jersey Off Our Backs night and Wednesday is Fan Appreciation Night. Tickets for the biggest and best series of the year and the final games at Wilson’s Group Stadium this season can be bought on-line at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.
NOTE: All 10-game flex pack vouchers must be exchanged for any of our remaining three games. Vouchers can be exchanged at the HarbourCats office, which will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 4:30 pm or at the Box Office at the park starting at 5:00 Monday and 5:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Middle infield combo, power corner infielders added by HarbourCats
Above: Infielder Jake Butler from George Mason University should be a key cog in the middle infield for the HarbourCats in 2025.
March 24, 2025
For Immediate Release
VICTORIA — It’s always a bonus to find a double-play combo from the same school, especially one as strong as George Mason University (GMU).
The Victoria HarbourCats are excited to add middle infielders Owen Clyne, who starts at short, and Jake Butler, his usual counterpart at second but also able to play third, from GMU — the school that provided star catcher Connor Dykstra, who signed in July with the Seattle Mariners.
“This group we are announcing today, we will be counting on them to lead key parts of our team this summer,” said HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart.
“Butler and Clyne are impressing everyone this spring, and JC Allen from UC San Diego is off to a strong start as well. Our offense just got even stronger with these four signings, and you know (head coach) Todd Haney will get the most out of them.”
Announced as signed today, by Coach Haney:
IF Owen Clyne, George Mason, L/R, 6-2/185, Wichita, KS
IF Jake Butler, George Mason, R/R, 5-11/185. Towson, MD
IF JC Allen, UC San Diego, R/R, 6-4/210, Irvine, CA
IF/OF Curtis McKay, Niagara, R/R, 6-3/205, Dorchester, ON
Clyne, batting .363, has 28 RBIs in 24 games so far this season, with three home runs, nine extra-base hits and more walks than strikeouts. Butler has 35 runs driven in and is batting .326 with a .457 on-base clip in 20 games.
UC SanDiego’s JC Allen is another player who should see plenty of playing time in the HarbourCats infield in 2025.
Allen is off to a huge start at the D1 level, after two years at Saddleback College, with six home runs and 24 RBIs in his first 22 games for UC SAN Diego. He hit 13 bombs in his second season at Saddleback. He can play either corner infield spot, or get his bat active in the DH role.
McKay, from Ontario, can play corner infield or outfield, is batting .303 with four home runs and an RBI per game (22 total) over 18 starts at Niagara.
The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and three “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.
ATTENTION 2024 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS – FINAL NOTICE! If you have not already done so, please renew your seats for 2025 so that they can be locked into the new ticketing system. Season Tickets will be sent to all members electronically this season on April 1, 2025, perhaps sooner. Any seats not renewed by MONDAY, March 31 will be released and placed back into the system. Contact Christian at the office at 778-265-0327 to renew.
Summer Collegiate
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