Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – ‘Cats clip Riverhawks feathers for second night in a row
Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart
June 21, 2023
Victoria, BC – Michael Crossland had a four-hit night with a triple and four RBI to help lead the Victoria HarbourCats to a 11-4 win over the Edmonton Riverhawks in West Coast League action Wednesday night at Wilsons Group Stadium in Victoria.
The win improves the HarbourCats record to 13-4 overall (10-1 at home) and keeps them in the hunt for the first-half North Division title, with Bellingham (11-3) and Wenatchee (12-4), who were also victorious Wednesday. The 13 wins is also the most by any team in the league to date.
It was National Indigenous Peoples Day on Wednesday and Residential School Survivor Eddy Charlie (left) was on hand with Kristin Spray of the Victoria Orange Shirt Day organization to participate in the pre-game festivities (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
The game was knotted in a 2-2 tie until the bottom of the fifth inning when the ‘Cats pushed three across the plate thanks in part to Crossland’s two-RBI triple. Victoria added four more in the bottom of the sixth and two more in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away.
Also adding to the ‘Cats 15-hit attack was Tyler Davis with three, Hudson Shupe, Jack Johnson and Dallas Macias with a pair each and Marco Pirruccello and Lane Brewster with one each.
On the mound, Dawson Hurford (now 3-0) gets the win in relief of starter Levi Abbott, throwing 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Jake Finkelstein, David Dressendorfer and Carson Latimer also made appearances on the hill.
For Edmonton, Tom Poole had a four-hit night with a walk, while Jonny McGill contributed three hits and two RBI to the losing cause. Reliever Tylor Hans took the loss, in relief of starter Riley Barrett.
Nick Dumesnil, wearing special orange socks in honor of National Indigenous Peoples Day, was held hitless against Edmonton Wednesday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
The HarbourCats and Riverhawks close out their three game series on Thursday night with another 6:35 pm start. They then head to Bellingham for a huge first place showdown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, games that could be pivotal in deciding which of those two teams has a shot at the first half North Division title.
Tickets for the finale of the Edmonton series and all HarbourCats home games are available on-line at https://harbourcats.com/tickets. They can also be bought in advance at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street, or at the stadium box office starting one hour before game time.
April 21, 2026
VICTORIA, B.C. — Practical power, provided — thanks to Emery Electric.
The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to recognize local company Emery Electric, a proud local business founded in 1930 by Ernie Emery and now overseen by Derek Emery.
What is this recognition all about? Well, working with the HarbourCats and the City of Victoria, Emery Electric has provided a major power upgrade to what is known during the baseball season as Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park — one that brings significant environmental improvements.
Emery Electric will be a key part of the HarbourCats season, helping to highlight “Emery Electric electric plays” by the home team, and the WCL All-Star Game Festival’s home run derby, featuring former Blue Jays star outfielder Kevin Pillar, will be referred to as “Powered by Emery Electric.”
“What was completed by Emery Electric earlier this year is a significant piece of quality work and infrastructure improvement we are proud to have put in place — and it will bring enhanced service capacity to all who use the City-owned facility,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “There should be no more brown-outs in that area. Derek and his staff are so community-minded, it’s hard to describe.
“We can’t yell ‘THANK YOU’ loud enough. It’s a big addition for the City, no cost to taxpayers, and we are proud to help contribute.”
In short, the work will provide power for the equivalent of four food trucks along Caledonia Avenue — a cabinet housing 4x30amp, 120/208 volt, and 4x15amp, 120 volt was installed in the off-season. That means generators and various fuels, and the associated hum of the engines, can be removed from the park (gas and diesel prices these days, anyone?).
Cup-A-Roni is one of many food trucks operating during HarbourCats games that will benefit from the power upgrades installed during the off season.
Emery Electric is nearing 100 years of serving Victoria and indeed all of Vancouver Island in commercial, industrial and marine electrical contracting.
The HarbourCats have been the main user of Royal Athletic Park since 2013, the longest continuous single user group in the history of the facility, which opened in May of 1908. The HarbourCats have contributed many improvements including dressing room upgrades, the movable fence, and enhanced seating areas, all with no taxpayer burden.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Tickets for the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14th are currently available in a package that also include tickets for the WCL All Star Game that will be held on Wednesday, July 15th and feature the top players in the league. Prices for the package start at $40 for General Admission seats to $85 for field level Diamond Club Seats, and can be purchased ON-LINE, or by visiting the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, just around the corner from the stadium.
Summer Collegiate
Nanaimo NightOwls unveil VIDEOBOARD, elevating game-day experience at Serauxmen Stadium
The Nanaimo NightOwls are raising the bar for fan engagement with the introduction of a brand-new videoboard ahead of the club’s highly anticipated fifth West Coast League season.
This major addition to historic Serauxmen Stadium will transform the in-game experience, delivering dynamic replays, interactive features, contests, live broadcast integration, and enhanced entertainment that brings fans closer to the action than ever before.
The videoboard is being delivered in partnership with Chris Jaycox Productions, led by Chris Jaycox — the creative force behind the NightOwls’ live streaming broadcast seen on www.NightOwls.TV
His team will oversee both production and execution, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience from first pitch to final out.
“I’m excited to be part of such a great team and to help bring another level to the in-game experience for fans,” said Jaycox. “The videoboard will create new energy in the ballpark, featuring interactive promos, replays, contests, and the live broadcast, and really accentuate every moment of the NightOwls experience.”
The installation has been made possible thanks to the unwavering support of anchor sponsor Chinook Scaffolding, a stellar Island company whose contribution has been instrumental in bringing the project to life.
The NightOwls also extend sincere thanks to the City of Nanaimo for its collaboration and commitment to helping turn this vision into reality.
“This is a defining step forward for our organization and our fans,” said Tina Baker-Cornett, General Manager of the Nanaimo NightOwls. “We’re always looking for ways to elevate the experience at the ballpark, and this videoboard allows us to create something more immersive, more engaging, and more memorable for everyone who walks through our gates.”
Serauxmen Stadium, which opened 50 years ago, has never had a videoboard in its proud history.
The videoboard will make its debut on Opening Day of the NightOwls’ fifth WCL season on June 2, setting the stage for an exciting new era of baseball in Nanaimo.
Don’t miss out on the excitement as we raise the bar even higher!
Secure your Single Game, 10 Game Flex Passes, and limited Season Tickets now at
www.NanaimoNightOwls.com/ticketinfo
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Victoria HarbourCats – Emery Electric powers HarbourCats, food trucks, and RAP
Nanaimo NightOwls unveil VIDEOBOARD, elevating game-day experience at Serauxmen Stadium
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Summer Collegiate2 weeks agoNanaimo NightOwls unveil VIDEOBOARD, elevating game-day experience at Serauxmen Stadium
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