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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Announce 2022 West Coast League Schedule

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For Immediate Release

November 9, 2021

VICTORIA, B.C. — The ‘Cats came back, shiny and new for 2022.

The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to announce the 2022 West Coast League schedule that will see baseball return to Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, headlined by the home opener on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 against the cross-strait rival Port Angeles Lefties.

The HarbourCats, who have been patiently staying active as the world deals with a health crisis, have weathered the storm and are excited to reveal the 34 home dates (not counting playoffs) that will welcome fans to Wilson’s Group Stadium.

Included in that mix is the first-ever series against the fledgling Nanaimo NightOwls, who will visit Victoria June 7-8-9. The NightOwls were set to debut in 2021, but the pandemic put that on pause.

‘We get to work on things we’ve wanted to work on for two years,” said Christian Stewart, Assistant GM, who handles ticketing aspects for the WCL club. “People have told us how much they have missed our games, the fun we bring to the community. They want to see Harvey, meet our new players, see Head Coach Todd Haney and the coaching staff. They want a hot dog and a beverage and to sing Sweet Caroline with thousands of others.

“We want that, too. We have a lot of ideas and energy to unleash.”

The HarbourCats are planning major promotional nights that will include the VICA (Vancouver Island Construction Association) bobble head giveaway, along with the ever popular fireworks games — dates to be announced soon.

Some final details are yet to be completed, but teams visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium for league play this year include Port Angeles, Nanaimo, the Kelowna Falcons, Wenatchee AppleSox, Cowlitz Black Bears, expansion Kamloops NorthPaws, Yakima Valley Pippins, Bellingham Bells, and another Canadian expansion team in the Edmonton Riverhawks. Non-League exhibition games are also planned against the Coquitlam Angels and Redmond Dudes, with one other series nearly finalized, and to be announced soon.

In 2022, the HarbourCats will visit Kelowna, Kamloops, Ridgefield, Portland, the expansion Springfield Drifters, Nanaimo (July 12-13-14), Edmonton, Port Angeles and Bellingham.

“The biggest thing this schedule reminds us of is how appreciative we are of our season members and corporate partners who have stayed with us through this — each and every one,” said Stewart. “We all knew the situation, and the work to keep the faith and be ready for a return to play. There hasn’t been much activity at our park since August of 2019, aside from our new CCBC college team Victoria Golden Tide, so we’re anxious to animate the facility again, with our loyal supporters and put on the full show that is HarbourCats baseball!”

Playoffs would start August 9, and the HarbourCats — two-time league finalists, 2017 and 2019 — are eager to make that next step under Coach Haney, who recently inked a five-year contract.

Season tickets are currently on-sale under the “Brand New for 2022” season ticket campaign with details at https://harbourcats.com/season-tickets/. Ten game flex-packs are also available for the Grandstand, Premium Reserved, General Admission and (new for 2022) Right Field Reserved seating areas.

Single-game tickets are NOT YET on sale, but will be announced once our ticketing system is updated and in place and after ticket holders from the cancelled 2020 and 2021 seasons have a priority opportunity to exchange seats for the 2022 season. Stay tuned to our website and social media for announcements on this soon!

Please visit our website at www.harbourcats.com or e-mail chris@harbourcats.com for more information.  You may also call the office at 778-265-0327.

Victoria HarbourCats 2022 schedule (bold, home)

Game Times: Mon-Sat, 6:35pm/Sun, 1pm first pitch for home games, except where noted

May 31-June 2, HOME TO PORT ANGELES LEFTIES
June 3-5, at Kelowna Falcons
June 7-9, HOME TO NANAIMO NIGHTOWLS
June 10-12, HOME TO KELOWNA FALCONS
June 14-16, at Kamloops NorthPaws
June 17-18-19, HOME TO Coquitlam Angels (Non-League)
June 21-23, HOME TO WENATCHEE APPLESOX
June 24-26, at Ridgefield Raptors
June 28-30, HOME TO COWLITZ BLACK BEARS
July 1-3, at Portland Pickles
July 4-6, at Springfield Drifters
July 8-10, HOME TO KAMLOOPS NORTHPAWS
July 12-14, at Nanaimo NightOwls
July 15-17, HOME TO YAKIMA VALLEY PIPPINS
July 19-21, HOME TO BELLINGHAM BELLS
July 22-24, at Edmonton Riverhawks
July 26-27-28, HOME TO TBD (Non-League)
July 29-31, at Port Angeles Lefties
Aug. 1, HOME TO Redmond Dudes (Non-League)
Aug. 2-4, at Bellingham Bells
Aug. 5-7, HOME TO EDMONTON RIVERHAWKS
 Playoffs begin August 9

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Down 5-1 NorthPaws rally to steal game one against the Riverhawks

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The Kamloops NorthPaws won a thriller at home against the Edmonton Riverhawks 8-6 in game one of the weekend series. The Riverhawks led five one and hit back-to-back home runs, but the NorthPaws were able to claw their way back into the game mainly because of five brilliant innings from Nolan Austin on the mound. Kamloops scored three in the eighth and shut the door, winning the series opener.

“If we lose that game, we’re 1-3 on the week, and morale isn’t going to be the highest, but I think our group is at a point where we never feel like we’re never out of games,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.

Edmonton would get off to a quick start by scoring three runs off four singles and a wild pitch. Kamloops responded in the bottom of the second as shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent an RBI double to right center field. The Riverhawks wasted no time in the top of the third, hitting back-to-back solo home runs to left and right field, taking a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the NorthPaws scored a pair of runs on a past ball and a wild pitch while only recording one hit in the inning. Righty Nolan Austin took over in the fourth inning and recorded three straight scoreless innings while not allowing a hit, slowing down the Riverhawk’s offence.

“Nolan was going after hitters tonight; that was as good as anyone’s pitched all year,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.

The bottom of the sixth saw Jared Hall lead off with a walk and move to second after a wild pitch. Left fielder Joey Rico sent a double to the gap in left-center, scoring Hall. Rico then advanced to third after a Matt MacDonald ground ball. First baseman Keegan Drinkle hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Rico tying the game.

Edmonton responded in the seventh, with catcher Kyle Yip hitting a triple with two outs. Austin uncorked a wild pitch that brought the go-ahead run home for the Riverhawks. That was the lone run Austin gave up over his five innings in relief.

The NorthPaws rallied in the bottom of the eighth with Jared Hall reaching base, and Rico hit his second double of the night. Drinkle was at the plate and sent a grounder to second base. Hall broke for home and dove in safely. Pinch hitter Kalen Applefield had runners at second and third. The lefty hit a grounder through the right side, scoring Rico and giving the NorthPaws their first lead of the game. Drew Abercrombie and Elijah Clayton both walked, loading the bases for Connor Clark. The right fielder stayed tough in the batter’s box and worked a walk, extending the lead.

Julio Garcia was on in the top of the ninth for his second save opportunity in as many days. Garcia was excellent, going three up and three down, sending the fans home happy with a NorthPaw win. Despite a rigid back-to-back, having travelled from Wenatchee the night before, the team showed grit, scoring eight runs on only five hits.

“It’s cool to see, these guys the whole night said in the dugout that they would be coming back in that game, and they did,” said Jepson.

The second game of the series will go at the same time from the same place, 6:35 pm at Norbrock stadium, as the NorthPaws look to take the first two games against the Riverhawks. You can find the game on West Coast League TV.

 

 

 

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Great Pitching From The NightOwls As They Hold Off Kelowna And The Weather For A 4-3 Win

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KELOWNA, B.C. — The Nanaimo NightOwls headed out to the Okanagan to take on the Kelowna Falcons June 13th, for the start of a three-game series. Despite the weather not being cooperative, and a delay in the 9th inning. The NightOwls were able to battle the elements and the Falcons to hold on for a 4-3 win. That makes it two in a row for Nanaimo and puts them at 7-6 on the season.

It was a masterclass on the night from starting pitcher Ricardo Villegas. He went five innings, allowing just two runs on four hits, walking two but striking out 7 Kelowna batters on the night. The Nanaimo Night Owls would finish the day with a combined 13 strikeouts. Villegas received the win on the night, while Carter Chard-Hill picked up the save.

A couple of big innings were all the Nanaimo NightOwls needed to take the opening game of the series against the Kelowna Falcons. Two runs in the second inning thanks to RBIs from Hunter Stencil and Andrew Ivy. Andrew went two for five on the night with an RBI and a stolen base. Hunter finished with one RBI, a hit, and a base on balls.

The fourth inning saw the NightOwls extend their lead thanks to a bomb to left field from Caden Petrey. He had a great night at the plate, going two for three with a home run, two RBI, and a walk.

For back-to-back nights, Jacob Hayes has been impressing at the plate. He hit a grand slam on Thursday night in Victoria and continued with the hot bat in Kelowna against the Falcons. The Anacortes, WA, native had another two hits and improved his hit streak to nine games.

Reliever Brennan Kettle gave up one run but got out of an 8th inning jam with a strikeout to strand a runner at second and third to keep the score 4-3 for the NightOwls heading into the 9th. There was a brief weather delay before the 9th inning started. Things got a bit nervous for Nanaimo with runners on first and third with 2 outs, but Carter Chard-Hill finished things off, getting the final batter to fly out for the save.

Nanaimo finished the night with four runs on nine hits and one error, while the Kelowna Falcons had three runs on nine hits with one error. The rain delay lasted approximately an hour before they were able to finish the 9th inning.

The Nanaimo NightOwls continue their road trip in Kelowna against the Falcons on Saturday and Sunday, June 14th and 15th. Nanaimo heads back to Victoria for a three-game stint before returning home on June 20th against the Port Angeles Lefties for a weekend series. Make sure to get your tickets and follow the team on our website and social media when they are out on the road for the latest information and updates!

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cats blow away Bells in series opener

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Jacob Silva has four hits in his first four HarbourCats games (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

June 13, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats bounce back in a big way, snapping the division-leading Bellingham Bells’ five-game winning streak, winning 12-1 to open the weekend series.

The Cats got on the board in the first inning for the fifth straight game when Jacob Silva (TCU) hit a deep fly ball to right field with the bases loaded that went in and out of Gavin Long’s glove. The error allowed two runs to score. Cayden Munster (Fresno State) followed that up with a sacrifice fly, giving the home team a 3-0 lead after the opening frame.

BOX SCORE

No more runs were scored until the fourth inning, when the Bells’ pitching lost control and the Cats took advantage. Three walks and one hit by pitch gave the Cats plenty of opportunity to drive in runs, and they did just that, scoring five in the inning, giving them a resounding 8-0 lead.

Thomas Bridges has walked just one batter in 11 innings of work this season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

Jake Butler (George Mason) debuted and had his first hit in that big inning, an RBI single.

WCL STANDINGS

Thomas Bridges (TCU) made his third start of the season and picked up where he left off. The right-hander threw four shutout innings, giving up three hits and one walk, while striking out a season high five batters. Bridges has yet to give up a run this season in 11 innings pitched.

Carson Burks (Hill College) took over in the fifth and threw three innings, giving up one run on three hits, walking one, and striking out three.

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Victoria added to their lead in the fifth inning through an Owen Clyne bases-loaded walk, his second RBI of the evening, and Xander McAfee scoring on a wild pitch, making it 10-0.

The Bells broke the shutout with a Brock Sell sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.

Xander “Boogie” McAfee (Texas Arlington) hit an RBI single in the eighth, which was followed by a Jacob Doyle (Nevada) sacrifice fly to make it 12-1, Victoria.

Cayden Munster has six hits in his first three games as a HarbourCat (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

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Dustin Davidson (Brookhaven) closed out the game, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out three batters.

The HarbourCats had nine hits and drew eight walks Friday night. Victoria is now 7-6 on the season, gaining ground on Bellingham, who fall to 9-4.

Game two of the series is tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Logan Rumberg (George Mason) is projected to make his HarbourCats debut as the starting pitcher. Buy tickets at HERE

Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

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

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