Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Golden Tide battle hard, but run out of gas against Coyotes in CCBC semi-finals

Published

5 years ago

October 11, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

October 10, 2021, Kelowna, BC – The new kids on the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) block, the Victoria Golden Tide, battled hard, but eventually dropped an 11-5 decision to the Okanagan College (OC) Coyotes in semi-final action Sunday night at the CCBC Fall Championship Tournament at Elks Field in Kelowna.

Tide starting pitcher Triston Seitz would have a tough first inning, but then settle down to hold the Coyotes scoreless in the rest of his five inning outing Sunday.

The scrappy Tide, who earlier in the day ousted Thompson Rivers from the tournament with a 13-4 win, actually took a 5-4 lead into the bottom half of the seventh inning against the Coyotes, but then ran out of gas, and watched as the host squad would score two in the bottom of the seventh and another five in the bottom of the eighth to cruise to what appeared to be an easy win.

Victoria second baseman Alex MacLauchlan looks for the call but doesn’t get it as the OC’s Ryan Doucette slides in safely on this play.

That was anything but the case, as the tide battled back from an early 3-0 deficit with two runs in the third and another in the fourth to tie the game and then after Okanagan plated a run in the bottom of the sixth to re-take the lead, the Tide scored another two in the top of the seventh to vault into a 5-4 lead.

Coyote third baseman Nolan Rivard prepares to throw over the head of pitcher Adam Sarafinchin on a ground ball from the Tide’s Will Podmoroff.

The Tide would also outhit the Coyotes 8-5 on the day, but seven Victoria errors, combined with 12 passed balls and five wild pitches, would be the ultimate undoing for Victoria, as the Coyotes scored five of their final seven runs, including the tying and go-ahead runs in the seventh, courtesy of passed balls and wild pitches.

Victoria’s Tyler Burton (12) is congratulated by Jordan Bond (33) after scoring a run for the Tide.

McCoy Pearce, who had an RBI single as part of a Coyotes three-run first inning, would be the offensive catalyst for OC, finishing with three hits, including a triple, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Nolan King would also have a hit, two walks and a pair of runs scored.

The Tides’ Brendan Morrison would get around the tag of Coyotes catcher Caleb Lumbard to score one of Victoria’s runs Sunday evening.

For Victoria, leadoff hitter Tyler Burton led the way with a pair of singles, a walk and two runs scored, while Brendan Morrison continued his hot streak with a hit and pair of RBI. Will Podmoroff also had a single, walk and run scored in the losing effort.

Victoria’s Zeke Holt slides into third safely under the tag of Coyotes third baseman Nolan Rivard.

On the mound OC’s Aiden Mordecai gets the win in relief of starter Adam Sarafinchin. Jesse Poniewozik pitched the ninth inning to close out the win.

For the Tide, starter Triston Seitz would settle down after a tough first inning and not allow another run after that in his five innings of work, walking five and striking out six. Nick Lee, who pitched 1.2 innings in relief gets tagged with the loss, while Wyatt Mohr-Royer and Ben Havelock also saw work on the hill.

The Tide’s Will Podmoroff gets high fives after scoring against Okanagan College Sunday evening.

The Coyotes will now move on to the finals at 12 Noon on Monday where they will play the winner of the game between the Prairie Baseball Academy and the University of the Fraser Valley. That game was in progress at press time with PBA leading UFV 1-0 in the fourth inning.

Victoria shortstop Brandon Green makes a throw to first during Sunday’s game.

The Tide will now head home to Victoria and continue their fall season this Saturday, October 16th, with a Black vs Gold intersquad doubleheader and then Sunday, the top college baseball program in Canada, the UBC Thunderbirds come to town for a pair.

Victoria’s Chase Thompson celebrates after scoring the tying run in the seventh inning of Sunday’s game.

All games Saturday and Sunday will be at Wilson’s Group Stadium with both doubleheaders scheduled to start at 1:00 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and $10.00 and will be available at the gate. Children 12 and under get in free!

Victoria’s Tyler Burton slides home safely with what would be the go-ahead run in the seventh inning Sunday.

The Coyotes celebrate their 11-4 semi-final win over Victoria.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Peninsula Co-op Makes Special Events Happen This Summer with HarbourCats

Published

3 days ago

May 8, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

VICTORIA, B.C. — The most heart-warming happenings each summer are the work of Peninsula Co-op, an outstanding community leader on the island.

There is nothing “community” in the Victoria area that does not involve Peninsula Co-op, it seems — and that includes the HarbourCats’ entire summer schedule.

Thanks to the partnership of Peninsula Co-op, kids will attend for free on the June 12-13-14 weekend when the Springfield Drifters make their first-ever appearance at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Then, before the Wednesday, June 17 game with the Redmond Dudes, the HarbourCats will take the field with the Special Olympics All-Stars, in an inspirational event that brings smiles to everyone, presented by Peninsula Co-op.

On Wednesday, July 8, the Challengers All-Stars will take over the field prior to a game with the HarbourCats and Bend Elks.

A major bonus for all Peninsula Co-op members is a $2 discount on HarbourCats game tickets (excluding WCL All-Star Game events), including playoffs.

Peninsula Co-op signage and messages will be front and centre for the whole league as well when the WCL All-Star Festival takes over the city, July 14-15.

“Peninsula Co-op keeps showing that caring about the community is good for everyone,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats. “They participate with heart, which is why these events with Challenger and Special Olympics mean so much to so many.”

Single game tickets, season tickets, and 12 and 32-game flex packs, along with All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Arms Race Speeds Up for Cats, Seven Pitchers Signed

Published

6 days ago

May 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Pitcher Jack Marek (San Jacinto College)(above) is another strong arm joining the HarbourCats for 2026 (Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College)

VICTORIA, B.C. — Pitching quality and depth are the key to grinding out wins in a very tough competition environment like the West Coast League.

The Victoria HarbourCats are putting in the work to be ready with the arms they’ll need on the mound, working with first-year pitching coach Zach Swanson.

Veteran head coach Todd Haney and Swanson, the former HarbourCats hurler who is now a pitching coach at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, are excited for the six new signees announced today.

“Todd definitely has a plan and philosophy on being successful with the pitching staff, and I’m excited to work with him and follow that plan,” said Swanson, a Lambrick Park grad who played five years of college baseball after going through both the Eagles and Mariners programs. “Our job as coaches will be to be ready and prepare the pitchers for this level of competition. I’m also excited to work with (assistant coaches) Darius Opdam Bak, Troy Birtwistle, Steve Sinclair and Carson Myers on the staff.”

Announced today for the 2026 roster:

RHP Bryson Toner, Hawaii, 6-3/190, Honolulu
RHP Pierce Stone, Regis, 5-9/180, Round Rock, TX
RHP Anson Stuckly, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 6-1/200, Katy, TX
RHP Jack Marek, San Jacinto College, 6-2/190, Liverpool, TX
RHP Easton Reimers, North Dakota State, 6-2/215, Missoula, MT
LHP Jack Clark, Cal State San Marcos, 6-0/185, San Diego
RHP Davis Lee, University of Calgary, 6-5/210, Richmond

Clark, a lefty, is a key recruit from San Marcos — he didn’t allow a run in his first 14 college appearances, and now in his sophomore season has made nine starts this spring. He is 6-1/4.74 with a save, and strikes out a batter per inning.

Lee is a big-arm project with a fastball that has touched 95mph. Playing in the CCBC for the Calgary Dinos, the business student from Richmond and product of the PBL Delta Blue Jays has 16 strikeouts in 10.1 innings, and will work closely with Swanson and Opdam Bak to cut down on his walks.

Toner is a big right-hander who should have no challenge adjusting to life on a beautiful island — he’s from Honolulu. The Hawaii freshman was a dominant, highly-ranked pitcher in high school who will get valuable game experience as a HarbourCat this summer.

Stone is a sophomore who struck out more than a batter per inning as a freshman, while Reimers is a freshman who was state tournament MVP as a high school senior and a dominant innings-eater. Of note, his dad Cameron was a 35th round pick of the Blue Jays in 1988 and reached AAA.

Stuckly is a graduating high school senior who is committed to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, while Marek was an early commit to Southern Illinois now at San Jacinto College, with a fastball in the 90-92 range.

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 and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats announce 2026 A&W Summer Kids Camps

Published

1 week ago

May 2, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

May 2, 2026

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that their 2026 Summer Kids Camps offerings, sponsored by A&W, are now available for registration, including a FREE, one-day, MLB sponsored camp on MLB PlayBall Weekend, Saturday June 6th!

All camps will be run by Victoria HarbourCats and Victoria Collegiate Cats players and coaches and take place either at Wilson’s Group Stadium or at our indoor Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.

THE OFFERINGS

MLB PLAY BALL WEEKEND CAMP
Saturday, June 6th, 12 noon to 3pm, Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park
FREE ADMISSION, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, Limited to 100 Registrants
Boys and girls ages 5 to 12 are invited to participate in the FREE three-hour camp at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 pm. The camp is designed to give boys and girls the opportunity to develop their skills, regardless of experience or ability.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, AGES 8-17
Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park
$225-$350 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $2000. Limited to 30 registrants per week.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 8-11
Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 12 Noon
Edwards Family Training Centre
$200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 12-17
Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Edwards Family Training Centre
$200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

Our camps usually fill up fast, so please be sure to register today to secure your spot.

If you have any questions, please contact HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart at chris@harbourcats.com.

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