Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Golden Tide Fall to Eagles, Will Play Saskatchewan in Downey Semi-Finals

Published

5 years ago

September 12, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

September 11, 2021, Victoria, BC – The Victoria Eagles used a four-run fifth inning and some solid pitching to defeat the Victoria Golden Tide 7-2 Saturday morning in the final round robin game for both teams at the Zack Downey Memorial Tournament at Layritz Park in Victoria.

The win gives the Eagles the number one seed for the playoffs and they will now take on the Parksville Royals at 12:30 pm Sunday in the semi-finals.

The Eagles Drew Abercrombie (right) puts the tag on the Tide’s Myles Wall during a rundown Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Royals, despite losing a heartbreaker to Saskatchewan Saturday, 6-2 in extra innings, snuck into the fourth seed spot by virtue of the Victoria Mariners and Nanaimo Pirates essentially playing to a 4-4 tie in the final round-robin game of the day Saturday.

Tide starter Haldon Craig looked good for the Eagles early Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Mariners could have advanced into the forth seed with a shut-out win over the Pirates, but Mid-Island scored two runs in the very first inning of that game, to put that mathematical possibility to rest.

The Eagles Derek Peterson was masterful over four innings, allowing the Golden Tide just two hits (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Golden Tide will now have a re-match with the Saskatchewan Grizzlies in the other semi-final Sunday, starting at 10:00 am. In their game with Parksville Saturday, the Grizzlies broke open a 1-1 tie by scoring five runs in the top of the eighth inning to secure the win.

The Championship game at the Zack Downey Tournament is scheduled for 3:00 pm Sunday.

For the Eagles, hard throwing Derek Peterson got the start and he was brilliant, limiting the Tide to just two hits and no runs in his four innings of work.

The Eagles Jack Swinton slides safely into third before the tag by Golden Tide third baseman Brandon Green (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Peterson got offensive support from the Eagles with a run in the third, thanks to an RBI single from Jai Berezowski that scored Jack Swinton and another in the fourth, thanks to an RBI single from Jacob Wayman that scored Owen Taylor.

The Eagles Drew Abercrombie heads to first with a single Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

In the Eagles four-run fifth inning, they took advantage of Tide pitcher Jackson Belanger who had a debut he would rather forget, giving up a single, two walks and two hit batters, before being replaced by Braden Perozny.

Golde Tide shortstop Myles Wall makes a nice play against the Eagles Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide would see a glimmer of hope when they scored a pair of two-out runs in the fifth inning off Eagles reliever Brandon Cain, but Cain would get out of the inning with no further damage.

The Eagles would then score another insurance run in the top of the sixth and then Josh Gladstone would shut the door, retiring the side in the bottom of the sixth to close out the 7-2 win.

Jack Swinton had a single, double and two runs scored against the Tide on Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For the Eagles offensively, Jack Swinton, brother of Golden Tide player Parker Swinton, would lead the way with a single, double and two runs scored. Josh Burrows, with a single and two walks, would also score twice.

The Tide’s Alex McLauclan bangs out one of the Tide’s 5 hits against the Eagles Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For the Tide, Brendan Morrison had a hit and an RBI, while Tyler Burton had a single, walk and run scored. Alex McLauclan, Colton O’Brien and Tristian Bolger had the other hits for the Tide in the losing effort.

Eagles catcher Jai Berezowski congratulates Josh Gladstone after the Eagles win over the Golden Tide Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Haldon Craig got the start for the Tide, allowing just a hit in his two innings of work, with relief from Wyatt Mohr-Royer, Belanger and Perozny.

The Golden Tide will have an interesting day on Sunday, as in addition to the semi-final and possible final at the Zack Downey Tournament, they are also scheduled to play a double-header in Nanaimo against Vancouver Island University. Head Coach Curtis Pelletier will split his large squad accordingly to accommodate all games.

Parksville second baseman Tyler Newby prepares to tag Saskatchewan’s Brady Bye during a rundown in their game Saturday. The Grizzlies would ultimately beat the Royals 6-2 and will now play the Golden Tide in Sunday’s semi-final (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

ZACK DOWNEY TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE, LAYRITZ PARK, SAANICH

Sunday September 12, 10:00 AM Golden Tide vs Saskatchewan Grizzlies – SEMI-FINAL
Sunday September 12, 12:30 AM Victoria Eagles vs Parksville Royals – SEMI-FINAL
Sunday September 13, 3:00 PM – FINAL

GOLDEN TIDE FALL HOME SCHEDULE

SEP. 17, 6PM – TRU WOLFPACK
SEP. 19, 1PM – VAN.ISLE UNIV. (DH*)
SEP. 25, 1PM – FRASER VALLEY (DH)
SEP. 26, 3PM – MID-ISLE PIRATES (DH)
OCT. 2, 6PM – VICTORIA MARINERS
OCT. 16, 1PM – VAN. ISLE PREP (DH)
OCT. 17, 1PM – UBC (DH)
OCT. 23, 1PM – TBA (DH)
OCT. 24, 1PM – PARKSVILLE ROYALS (DH)
OCT. 26-31 INTERSQUAD WORLD SERIES
*DH = Double Header

The Golden Tide begin their fall exhibition season on September 17, with 11 home games, plus inter-squad games at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. The fall home opener is on Friday, September 17th at 6:00 pm against Thompson Rivers University.

Tickets are $10 for Grandstand seating (Section 10) and $5 everywhere else (all rush seating) and are available at the gate or in advance at the HarbourCats office (101-1814 Vancouver Street) or by calling 778-265-0327.

BECOME A TIDE BOOSTER!
Fans who wish to enjoy priority seating in the Diamond Club or Campbell Club seating areas for all games may now join the Golden Tide Booster Club, where a $200 fee secures a spot, gets one a Golden Tide hat and t-shirt and access to other Booster Club perks and benefits. E-mail chris@harbourcats.com or call the office at 778-265-0327 for details.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Drop Third Game of Kelowna Series

Published

9 hours ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Kelowna, B.C. – The HarbourCats took on the Kelowna Falcons for the third game a row this afternoon, losing the final matchup by a score of 9-2.

The Falcons were the first side to find purchase on the offensive side in a long third inning. Cats starter Daniel Tovar (Northern Kentucky) allowed a couple of baserunners on a walk and an error, and was swapped out for right-hander Houston Tomlinson (Arkansas State). Kelowna strung together a few singles together on Tomlinson over the course of the inning, taking a 3-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

The home team followed that up with an uppercut in their next trip to the plate, smashing a three-run homer off of Tomlinson in the fourth to blow the game wide open.

Tate Collins (Arkansas State) took over for the fifth and pitched a clean inning, but was accosted for another scoring trio in the home half of the sixth. A single, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly gave the Falcons a daunting 9-0 lead.

The Cats at last found life in the seventh frame, kicked off by a solo bomb off the bat of Fresno State outfielder Marcus Nolen. Matthew Westley (George Mason) followed that homer up with a fine job of manufacturing a run. The Virginia product drew himself a walk, stole two bases, and advanced all the way home on a wild pitch to continue cutting a chunk out of that mountainous lead.

Carson Ackermann (Tacoma) took to the pitcher’s mound in the seventh and only allowed two baserunners across his two innings of work, but in the end the lead proved insurmountable and the Falcons secured a 9-2 win on home turf.

WCL STANDINGS

The HarbourCats will now travel back to Victoria and look to rebound on Tuesday night in the first matchup of a three-game mid-week series versus the Bend Elks.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought online or by stopping by the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

GET YOUR ALL-STAR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Tickets for the 2026 WCL All-Star Home Run Derby (featuring former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar) and the West Coast League All Star Game on July 14-15 are selling fast. Get yours today! Each event is now on sale separately, or grab the package deal for both and save a few bucks at http://harbourcats.com/tickets! Or call the office at 778-265-0327 to order by phone.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Two major events announced with Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game

Published

20 hours ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Legendary scout Marti Wolever to speak at luncheon

July 4, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Having the West Coast League all-star festival in Victoria brings tremendous extra opportunities — like hearing from some of the best in the game.

The organizers of the Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game, presented by Canadian Club, are proud to announce two signature pieces of the two-day festival, and they are sponsored by valued partners of the Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club — The Wilson’s Group of Companies, and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

“Sponsors like Wilson’s and The Chamber make events like this possible — and with the big names and details, will get people fired up to attend,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats.

Both events are also held at the Studio 919 thanks to partnership with the Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas Street).

HOT STOVE PANEL, presented by The Wilson’s Group of Companies
Tuesday, July 14 — 9pm-11:30pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Admission — $10
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

A soiree on baseball following the WCL All-Star Home Run Derby, fans are urged to keep the evening going with a social, relaxed, panel-style discussion of baseball and tons of stories — headlined by Kevin Pillar and legendary baseball scout Marti Wolever, and including HarbourCats head coach Todd Haney, himself a five-year MLB player, the dean of pitching coaches, Gorm Heimueller, who is celebrating his 50th year in the game, and legendary local baseball scout Walt Burrows.

Food and refreshments will be available for attendees to purchase.

OFFICIAL ALL-STAR LUNCHEON, presented by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, July 15, 11:30am-1pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Tickets — $25 (Limited quantities available to the public).
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

All of the all-stars and coaches will be there to hear a welcome from John Wilson, a member of the HarbourCats ownership group and also the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, from WCL commissioner Rob Neyer, and then keynote speaker Marti Wolever, who has been enshrined in the MLB Scouts Hall of Fame, and now is senior amateur scouting advisor for the Miami Marlins.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Narrowly Defeated by Falcons in Game Two

Published

22 hours ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Kelowna, B.C. – The HarbourCats took to the field against Kelowna again on Saturday night, dropping the second game of the series by an all-too-familiar score of 3-2.

The Falcons swooped in to take an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, punishing Landon Marchetti (San Jose State) for allowing two walks with a 2-RBI double.

BOX SCORE

That score stood until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Kelowna gained enough ground to add on. A few baserunners and a sacrifice fly ended the outing for Landon Marchetti, who went 3.2 innings with three runs, three hits, and seven strikeouts. The new job opening was filled by Concordia-Nebraska right-hander Trent Schlim, who successfully cleaned up the runners left behind by Marchetti.

Schlim exited the game after loading the bases with nobody out in the fifth, and in came Taylor Franklin (George Fox) for his season debut. Franklin worked quickly to get a popout and a double play, miraculously escaping the jam with no runs across.

Landon Marchetti allowed Kelowna’s only runs in his three-inning start. (Photo by JPM Photography)

Victoria found the beginnings of revenge in the top of the sixth, executing a double-steal perfectly for Marcus Nolen (Fresno State) to swipe home plate and score the Cats’ first run. David Krahn (UBC) came around to score on a single later in the frame, making it a one-run ballgame with three innings to go.

Franklin retired to the dugout after a couple of scoreless innings, replaced by Leif Friedrich (Concordia-Nebraska) for the eighth. Friedrich held strong for a quick one-two-three inning, swiftly getting the Cats back on offence. Victoria kept it close but were unable to break the threshold, taking their second 3-2 loss in a row.

WCL STANDINGS

The Cats will attempt to salvage a win in the final game of the series tomorrow night, and will return to Victoria for a three-game set with the Bend Elks starting on Tuesday.

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