Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – ‘Cats SWEEP Riverhawks to win second-half North Division title!

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Playoffs to begin in Wenatchee Tuesday, with Games 2 and 3 (if needed) at home Wednesday and Thursday

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

August 6, 2023

Edmonton, AB – HarbourCats Player of the Year Tyler Davis had a clutch two-out RBI in the top of the eighth, and Jack Johnson had an RBI double in the top of the ninth, to give the HarbourCats all they runs they needed, in an eventual 3-0 win over the Edmonton Riverhawks Sunday afternoon in the final game of the West Coast League regular season at Re-Max Field in Edmonton.

The win gave the HarbourCats the sweep over the Riverhawks, but more importantly, secured first place in the second-half North Division standings and the second seed in the playoffs, with the home field advantage that comes along with that.

What this means then is that the HarbourCats will open the North Divisional Playoffs Tuesday, August 8th IN Wenatchee against the AppleSox and then come home for Game 2 of the series on Wednesday and Game 3 (if needed) on Thursday.

North Divisional Playoffs
IN WENATCHEE
GAME 1 – Tuesday August 8th, HarbourCats @ Wenatchee, 6:35pm

AT WILSON’S GROUP STADIUM at ROYAL ATHLETIC PARK
GAME 2 – Wednesday, August 9th, Wenatchee @ HarbourCats, 6:35pm

GAME 3 (if needed) – Thursday, August 10th, Wenatchee @ HarbourCats, 6:35pm

Tickets for Wednesday’s playoff game can be ordered on-line at https://harbourcats.com/tickets. Fans should be sure to order PLAYOFF GAME #1 for the Wednesday game and fan’s already holding tickets for Playoff Game #1 should be sure to use this ticket on Wednesday evening.

Fans can also come into the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver street to get their tickets. The office WILL BE OPEN on BC DAY Monday from 10 am to 5pm for this purpose, as well as all day Tuesday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and Wednesday pre-game from 9:30 am to 5pm. Tickets will also be available at the gate at Wilson’s Group Stadium on Wednesday beginning at 5:30 pm.

Fans already holding tickets for Playoff Game #2, will use this ticket EITHER Thursday night (if the series goes three games), or else for the North Division final which we would host on Saturday, August 12th, should we win the Wenatchee series in two games.

Should the HarbourCats advance to the WCL Championship final, this potentially could be played at Wilson’s Group Stadium on Monday, August 14th, if anyone BUT the Corvallis Knights advance from the South. By virtue of their 3-0 win over Ridgefield Sunday, the Knights secured the best record overall in the league (by one win over Victoria) and would host the final should they advance.

On Sunday in Edmonton, it was a classic pitcher’s duel, as the ‘Cats could not figure out Edmonton starter Halen Knoll until the eighth inning when Davis laced his RBI single, just the ‘Cats fourth hit of the game, to give the ‘Cats the 1-0 lead.

Meanwhile HarbourCats starter Sam Jordan, and relievers Jake Finkelstein and Ryan Magdic were also doing their best, limiting the ‘Hawks to just three hits through seven innings of work to keep the game scoreless.

After the Cats broke the tie in the eighth, they then added some insurance in the ninth, as Russell Young singled and was driven home on Johnson’s double, with Johnson then coming home on a Michael Crossland RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.

Reliever Brett Harvey would shut the ‘Hawks down on just a single hit through the eighth and ninth innings to preserve the lead and get the save.

NOTES: The win gives the HarbourCats an overall record of 38-15 (25-2 at home) on the year with one game cancelled as a result of a rainout in Kamloops. Hudson Shupe, who came into the game just .001 percentage point behind in the batting race, was o for 5 on the day Sunday and will lose the title to either Walla Walla’s Ben Parker (who is no longer on the Sweet’s roster) or Wenatchee’s Frankie Carney who will play later tonight.

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Summer Collegiate

Opportunistic Knights take first game

Published

15 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

NANAIMO, B.C. — The Corvallis Knights got hits when it counted, the Nanaimo NightOwls did not.

In the first ever visit by the Knights to historic Serauxmen Stadium, Corvallis narrowly outhit the NightOwls 10-8 in a 10-3 victory on Tuesday night with the Island Savings Christmas in July promotion keeping fans entertained. Game 2 in the series hockey jersey night goes Wednesday night, with the final game billet appreciation night set for Thursday, both 6:35pm starts.

Ryder Florence was 2-4 and was robbed of extra bases with a spectacular diving catch with the bases loaded and two outs, or this game could’ve turned back to the home club.

Jacob Hayes gave Nanaimo a 2-1 lead in the first inning with a two-run blast to left, the all-star’s eighth homer of the year, giving him 30 runs batted in on the season.

https://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=34070

Moosa Nonomiya was the notable pitching outing of the night, with 3.1 scoreless innings and just one hit allowed. Starter Blake Hager walked six and avoided bigger damage, while reliever Dylan Thompson came in and let the lead grow to the point it was tough to mount a comeback.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Fish Sticks pile on the runs, win 12-4

Published

15 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

July 22, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats welcomed the Dub Sea Fish Sticks to town for non-league action, and it was the visitors who came out on top, winning 12-4.

The Fish Sticks jumped out to an early lead, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning, including a Matt Churchill RBI double.

Jai Berezowski (Golden Tide) hit his fourth home run of the campaign in the bottom of the second, a two-run shot, to tie up the ballgame.

BOX SCORE

Declan Brown (Wenatchee Valley) made his first HarbourCats appearance of the season and drove in a pair with a double to cap off the big second inning, making it 4-2.

Churchill continued his strong night with a solo home run in the top of the third to cut the deficit in half.

Jake Butler showed his versatility tonight starting the game at first base (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Clayton Broeder (Angelo State) started the game for the Cats and went three innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out three and walking four.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Jake Finkelstein (Georgia Gwinnett) replaced Broeder to start the fourth inning and found himself in a jam, walking the bases loaded. A pair of hits, including another Churchill double, mixed in with some poor defence allowed the Fish Sticks to plate four runs in the frame, giving the visitors a 7-4 lead.

Finkelstein pitched a scoreless fifth inning but surrendered five runs in the sixth, which gave Dub Sea a resounding 12-4 lead.

The Fish Sticks bullpen shut things down from there, shutting out the Cats for the final seven innings.

Marcus Janovsky (UBC) pitched the final three innings for Victoria, giving up no runs on one hit while striking out a pair.

WCL STANDINGS

The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Fun promotions are happening all week at the ballpark. Tomorrow is Winning Wednesday, where select Red Arrow products are just $6. Thursday, July 24, is Country Night! Get yourself gussied up in your country outfits and come on down to the ballpark for a night of all things country. Rob Curtis will be performing on the field when the gates open at 5:30 PM. Friday is the start of Peninsula Co-op’s Kids Free Weekend! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s games are free for kids 12 and under.

Due to popular demand, we are expanding our $12 Tuesday seats. All remaining Premium Reserved seats (normally $22 per seat) for the July 29 game against Kamloops are now just $12. PLUS, WE NOW HAVE $12 THURSDAYS! All remaining Premium Reserved seats for our Thursday games on July 24 and July 31 are now just $12. Come watch the best baseball in town for the best price anywhere!

BUY TICKETS HERE

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

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Tonight: Parent Information Session on U.S. College Baseball Pathways

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Monday, July 21, 2025 – 7:00 PM at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to host an important evening for parents of young ballplayers looking to better understand the journey to playing college baseball in the United States.

Tonight’s session will begin at 7:00 PM, hosted in the Wilson’s Lounge at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, with a live Zoom option available for those unable to attend in person. This interactive discussion is open to all parents interested in helping their child navigate the next steps in their baseball development.

The session will be chaired by HarbourCats Managing Partner Jim Swanson, and will feature a panel of experienced parents from programs such as the Victoria Eagles and Mariners. These panelists will share firsthand insight on what families can expect—from recruiting timelines to the realities of college baseball life.

Key topics will include:

Understanding the U.S. College Baseball System:
An overview of the different levels—NCAA, NAIA, Junior College (JuCo)—as well as Canadian alternatives like UBC and the Golden Tide.
Recruitment and Exposure:
How players get noticed, including tips on recruiting windows, highlight videos, email outreach, tournaments, and showcase events.
Financing College Baseball:
A look at athletic scholarships, academic awards, NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) opportunities, and other financial options.
What Life Is Really Like in a U.S. Baseball Program:
Honest discussion on the expectations, time commitments, and lifestyle student-athletes experience once they’re enrolled.

There will also be an open Q&A period, giving attendees a chance to ask specific questions and get practical advice directly from those who’ve been through it.

Event Details:

Wilson’s Lounge, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Monday, July 21 – 7:00 PM
Zoom Link: Click here to join the session

Whether your child is just starting high school ball or already drawing interest from scouts, this is a valuable opportunity to learn how to support their goals and plan ahead.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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