Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats erase a five-run deficit to beat the Bells 6-5
The HarbourCats snap the Bells six-game win streak with a come from behind victory in the series opener (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
June 21, 2024
For immediate release
VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats are making a habit of comeback victories against the Bellingham Bells. In their first meeting since the dramatic victory over the Bells in last year’s Championship Semi-Final, the Cats once again erased a five-run deficit to win by one run, winning tonight’s game by a score of 6-5.
The Bells got to Victoria starter Elijah Higginbottom (Tacoma CC) in the second inning scoring two runs, including a Jacob Mejia home run off the Pagliacci’s sign in left-centre field. The Bells lead was extended to three in the third inning courtesy of a Conner Smith RBI single.
Higginbottom’s night was done after three innings giving up three runs on six hits, striking out three.
Cade Rusch (IUS) made his second HarbourCats appearance out of the bullpen pitching two innings while giving up two runs in the fifth inning.
Victoria native and current Savannah Banana Ethan Skuija threw out the ceremonial first pitch (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
HarbourCats hitters struggled to time up Bells starter Tyler Van Dyke who pitched four scoreless innings of three-hit ball while striking out five.
The new faces continued to make an impact offensively as Gunner Antillon (Cal Baptist) and Tate Shimao (Hawaii) each drove a run in to make it a 5-2 ballgame in the fifth inning.
Jake Finkelstein (Montana State) threw two scoreless innings, striking out two while giving up one hit. That set the stage for the offence to go to work in the bottom of the seventh.
After Ny’Zaiah Thompson (Cal State Fullerton) scored on a wild pitch, Kerim Orucevic (UCSD) drove in Shimao with a two-out RBI single to make it 5-4. Jake Haggard (ULM) reached on an error which allowed Kyle Micklus (West Texas A&M) to hit with two runners in scoring position. After fouling off four pitches, Micklus legged out an infield single which tied the game at five. Haggard scored on a wild pitch during the next at-bat making it 6-5, giving the HarbourCats their first lead.
WATCH GAMES HERE
Kyle Micklus threw out a Bells runner attempting to steal while picking up a stolen base of his own in tonight’s game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Connor Sims (IUS) came into pitch in the eighth inning after Logan MacNiel (Campbellsville) gave up a walk and a double to the first two batters he faced. Sims struck out two with a fastball touching 92 MPH and induced a ground ball for the third out to get out of the jam.
Sims was back out for the ninth where he set down the Bells hitters in order, striking out a third en route to recording his first win as a HarbourCat.
The series continues tomorrow at 6:35 PM, with the finale going Sunday at 1:05 PM. Next week if you attend any game between June 25-28 you will be entered into a draw for a pair of tickets to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Vancouver! The winner will be announced at the game on June 28. Get tickets at http://harbourcats.com/tickets, by coming to the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street in advance, or by calling 778-265-0327.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
Alan Choo has seen a lot of home runs in his life — hundreds from his father, and now a healthy number off his own bat in college.
The son of former MLB all-star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, a Korean product who hit 218 long balls in his 16-season career, Alan himself has now established himself as a power hitter in the college ranks.
Choo, currently at Orange Coast College, is tied for third in home runs in the CCCAA with nine, including two in a game on Tuesday. He is a legitimate draft prospect for this coming July!!
“I’m so pumped to play for the NightOwls,” said Alan Choo, who turns 21 at the end of this week. “I’ve only heard great things about the organization and coaching staff and the players’ futures that go through the NightOwls. I’m super excited for the summer!”
Choo, a lefty hitter who plays first base and DH, is close friends with returning catcher Clark Springs, who is in D1 baseball at UT-Arlington. Choo, who was born in Phoenix Arizona, is a sophomore and checks in at 6’1” and 225 lbs.
“This is a big signing for us, adding a feared lefty power bat to hit in the middle of the order with returning all-stars Jacob Hayes and Talan Zenk,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk. “We will have big bats and depth on our roster, and we think Alan will be a leader for us so we can bring a championship to Nanaimo.”
Choo the senior was an outstanding Major League hitter, starting his big league time as a Seattle Mariner in 2005, then moving on to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Texas, where he played his final season in 2020. He received MVP votes in 2010 and 2013 and went to the all-star game in 2018, representing the Rangers. In seven of his seasons, he hit 20 or more home runs. He also stole 157 bases in his career, with three 20-20 seasons.
Shin-Soo Choo is still involved in the game after retirement, now as a scout.
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!
-
Summer Collegiate1 week agoChoo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!
-
Summer Collegiate2 days ago
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
-
Summer Collegiate3 days ago
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
You must be logged in to post a comment Login