Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats bid for first WCL Championship denied by Corvallis
With bonus photo coverage by Christian J. Stewart
CORVALLIS, Oregon — The 10th Anniversary season fell one agonizing game short.
For the third time since 2017 the Victoria HarbourCats lost the final playoff game of the season at the home of the Corvallis Knights, Monday’s result a 5-0 final in the WCL championship game.
Kieper Pate, Russell Young and Jack Johnson in dugout re-game
Tyler Davis works the line in re-game intros.
The HarbourCats, who set a long list of records in 2023, including an overall 27-2 record at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, had chances to score in bunches early in Monday’s game, but couldn’t find that key hit at the right time.
Stater Davis Franklin in the dugout before Monday’s game.
Jack Johnson, steady at third all year, makes a nice play Monday,
Starting pitcher Davis Franklin, was outstanding, giving up one unearned run in four innings striking out three. Josh Berenbaum, Ryan Magdic and Brett Harvey all had strong performances in relief of Franklin, an error and a couple of tough calls added to the Corvallis lead with two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings.
Davis Franklin was great on the mound, allowing no earned runs through four innings of work.
Hudson Shupe would get the HarbourCats started with a first inning single.
The single game final was played in Corvallis because the Knights finished a half game ahead of the HarbourCats for first overall. Monday’s game start time was also an unusual 8pm due to extreme heat conditions in Oregon.
Dallas Macias would stroke a triple playing on his home school field
Corvallis starter Merit Jones struck out eight of the first nine HarbourCats hitters he faced and pitched into the sixth inning.
Tyler Davis throws to first after fielding a bunt.
Marco Pirruccello laps over the Corvallis baserunner to make t.he catch during a stolen base attempt.
In the regular season, the HarbourCats set a league record with 150 stolen bases and lead the league in hits and batting average, but were limited to five hits on Monday. Michael Crossland also shattered the HarbourCats franchise record for longest hit streak with a 19 game streak earlier this season. The teams 25-2 home record in the regular season in 2023 is a record that likely won’t be broken, just like the 19 straight wins by the 2016 Victoria team.
Shortstop Hudson Shupe and the Corvallis baserunner look for the call.
Lefty Ryan Magdic saw some work in relief Monday.
The HarbourCats front office and ownership group would like to thank its partners and fans for so much support, and work has already begun on 2024. Season ticket renewals and new opportunities will begin on Wednesday.
TheCorvallis Knights dogpile after winning their seventh straight WCL title.
Pitching Coach Scott Anderson sums up what a crazy ride the 2023 season has been.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Four returnees signed by HarbourCats, including all-star Shepherd
2025 All-Star and home-run leader Logan Shepherd (28) will return to the HarbourCats for the 2026 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
October 15, 2025
For immediate release
VICTORIA, BC — It’s the norm for players to want to run it back for another summer, and four such returning players have started the foundation for the 2026 Victoria HarbourCats — headlined by a slugging DH/first baseman.
Logan Shepherd, a powerful right-handed hitter from Olympia, WA, will be back with the HarbourCats next summer. A product of Tacoma Community College and now at Mercer, he tied the franchise record for home runs in a season with eight last year, batting .345 and driving in 41 runs while being named to the West Coast League all-star game.
“Logan put up some serious numbers for us and wants to get even more out of the Victoria experience,” said WCL veteran head coach Todd Haney, who will be in his sixth season leading the HarbourCats when May rolls around. “He was a leader, and these players announced today will help us continue with the culture we have established with this program.”
Also signed:
- C Dillon Lopez, St. Mary’s, 5-10/200, San Antonio, TX
- RHP Austin Lindsey, Hill JC, 6-1/180, Lufkin, TX
- RHP Marcus Janovsky, UBC, 6-0/195, Surrey, BC
- 1B/DH Logan Shepherd, Mercer, 6-2/215, Olympia, WA
Lopez also put up all-star worthy numbers, if he’d been able to join the team earlier in the season — .350 with 18 RBIs in 21 games, hitting three home runs and providing premium defence behind the plate.
Catcher Dillon Lopez (18), here celebrating after a walk-off hit in 2025, will return behind the dish for the 2026 season (Photo: Justin Morash).
Lindsey pitched in 13 games with 27 strikeouts in 24 innings of work, mostly out of the bullpen — a high-leverage, dependable arm for Haney and the coaching staff. Janovsky, playing near his hometown of Surrey at UBC, was 2-1 while giving up 19 hits in 21.1 innings of work, with 19 strikeouts.
Right-hand pitcher Marcus Janovsky (centre), here celebrating after a clutch relief appearance in 2025, will return to the mound for the HarbourCats in 2026 (Photo: Justin Morash)
“We’re proud of the development of these players and can’t wait to welcome them back, with another year of experience under their belt,” said Haney.
Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. BE SURE TO LOCK IN YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria. These will be going on sale SOON!
Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.
Victoria HarbourCats – Four returnees signed by HarbourCats, including all-star Shepherd
Victoria HarbourCats – West Coast League meetings to be held in Victoria
All-Stars Hayes and Zenk returning to Owls in 2026
You must be logged in to post a comment Login