Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats load up on top-school bats with latest signings, Crossland returns

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Above: Returning outfielder Michael Crossland highlights the latest six HarbourCats signings for 2024 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

March 7, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, B.C. — All Michael Crossland did last summer was hit, and hit a lot — including a league-best 19-game hitting streak. The outfielder from Seattle and UC-San Diego returns for a second season as a Victoria HarbourCat, and is off to a strong start for the Tritons in San Diego. He’ll be joined by versatile teammate Kerim Orucevic, recruited from the Chicago area.

Also added today are top TCU hitters Camdon Sos, who hails from the San Diego region but was lured to Texas, and infielder Ryder Robinson from TCU, a Utah native.

Others signed are Floridian Jake Haggard, a big bat at Louisiana-Monroe, along with Cal State-Fullerton speedster Ny’Zaiah Thompson, who is originally from Oakland.

“This is a deep group of bats who will be expected to develop fast in our pro environment at Wilson’s Group Stadium,” said Head Coach Todd Haney, who recruited these players. “We all know what Michael can do, and this group is going to be right there with him, I’m excited to coach them all and our fans are going to like this group.”

OF Michael Crossland, UC-San Diego, 6-0/210, Seattle, WA
IF/OF Kerim Orucevic, UC-San Diego, 6-1/205, Park Ridge, Illinois
IF Ryder Robinson, TCU, 6-2/185, Cedar Hills, Utah
IF Camdon Sos, TCU, 6-3/200, Alpine, CA
IF/OF Jake Haggard, Louisiana-Monroe, 6-3/230, West Palm Beach, Florida
OF Ny’Zaiah Thompson, Cal State-Fullerton, 5-11/170, Oakland, CA

TCU’s Ryder Robinson in action against Washington State earlier this spring (Photo: TCU Athletics)

Crossland had 40 hits in the summer of 2023 in as many games, a .290 average with two home runs, 30 driven in and 18 stolen bases. He scored 24 runs and drew more walks (19) than he struck out (18) and somehow didn’t make the WCL all-star team. Crossland is batting .386 through a dozen games with five doubles and a home run this spring.

Orucevic, whose family is Bosnian, is a lefty hitter known for his all out style of play and his versatility — shortstop, outfield, any corner, he can handle it.

Sos is a top end recruit for TCU after a stellar high school career at Granite Hills. Robinson is batting .355 through his first nine collegiate games, showing extra-base power.

Haggard is all power — he hit five home runs as a true freshman at ULM while making 46 starts and tied for the team lead in walks, too. He already has four home runs in 12 games this spring, batting .293.

Louisiana Monroe’s Jake Haggard (14) celebrates a home run hit earlier this spring against Grambling (Photo: Luke Richard)

Thompson, who is related to former Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch, stole 35 bases as a senior in high school to set an all-time record, part of three championships for Mountain House High School.

Single game tickets are now available for the HarbourCats 2024 season including the home opener on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6:35pm against the Kamloops NorthPaws. These can be purchased online at www.harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are also now on sale via the HarbourCats office or by calling 778-265-0327.

REMINDERS!

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Summer Collegiate

Star Vegas catcher, Hawaii Pacific players added to summer roster

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Unveiled today for Coach Andreychuk’s roster in 2025:

C Anthony Marnell IV, S/R, College of Southern Nevada (and Oregon State), 6-2/200, Las Vegas

RHP Zach Horwith, R/R, 6-1/200, Bellarmine University, Castle Rock, CO

RHP Brennan Kettle, R/R, 6-0/155, Hawaii Pacific, Houston, TX

SS Andrew Nykoluk, R/R, 5-10/165, Hawaii Pacific, Simi Valley, CA

RHP Jayden Gabrillo, L/R, Hawaii Pacific, 5-8/165, Ewa Beach, HI

OF Owen Wessel, R/R, 5-8/165, Hawaii Pacific, Huntington Beach, CA

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Peninsula Co-op partners to bring community events to HarbourCats games

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

For Immediate Release

March 6, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. –– There are few groups more community-minded on Vancouver Island than Peninsula Co-op — their involvement with the Victoria HarbourCats and specific events confirms that yet again.

Thanks to Peninsula Co-op, athletes from Special Olympics and Challenger Baseball will take to the field at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this summer, in what has become a pair of annual events that warm the hearts of fans and bring big smiles to the faces of all the competitors.

“This is something we have worked together with Peninsula Co-op on for more than a decade and these are special nights that have heart-warming moments you can’t manufacture,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats.

“I think the Special Olympics athletes look forward more to this game with our HarbourCats guys than they do to provincials or major tournaments they attend. And with Challenger Baseball, this game shows all the fans how fun it is to be on the field, getting around the bases or swinging at that pitch down the middle.”

“Peninsula Co-op is excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the HarbourCats and to bring these community-inclusive and engaging events to life,” said Lindsay Gaudette, Director of Member and Community Engagement with Peninsula Co-op.

“The dedication, joy, and spirit of these athletes remind us of the power of community, teamwork, and inclusion. We look forward to another summer of unforgettable moments on the field.”

The big dates:

*Challenger Baseball, Tuesday, July 15, 5:30pm (before the 6:35pm HarbourCats game)

*Special Olympics, Wednesday, July 23, 5:30pm (before the 6:35pm HarbourCats game)

Peninsula Co-op members also get $2.00 discounts for HarbourCats tickets (at the office in advance, or at box-office on game days), and Peninsula Co-op also makes it possible for kids to come free for an entire series, the July 25-26-27 three-game set with the Wenatchee AppleSox in Victoria to play the HarbourCats.

For more information, see the HarbourCats website at harbourcats.com — tickets, promotions, partners, merchandise, and more.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to host Eagles and Blaze PBL games, June 1

Published

1 week ago

March 4, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

March 4, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Two of the best high school baseball teams in B.C. will showcase their talents this summer at the home of the Victoria HarbourCats.

The Victoria Eagles and Langley Blaze, two of the powerhouse organizations of the B.C. Premier Baseball League (BCPBL) — the province’s top loop for high school-aged players — will meet up for a doubleheader on Sunday, June 1, with a noon start at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“We are excited to do this, and it will be a great way to whet the appetite of baseball fans with the HarbourCats opening at home on Friday, June 6,” said HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart.

“I’ve watched a lot of PBL baseball, people know me for my photos of the league over the years, and it’s very good baseball — those players all want to get to college and then earn the chance to play at the HarbourCats level. Our fans will really enjoy this, and the Eagles will be a more than worthy home team that day.”

The Eagles usually play out of the Lambrick Park complex, and do some of their winter training in the Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.

The BCPBL produces players who go on to collegiate baseball, and some are drafted by MLB teams. San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who also pitched for the HarbourCats, developed with the Eagles, while the Blaze have produced Tyler O’Neill, Brett Lawrie, Scott Mathieson and many others.

The Eagles are overseen by Martin Winstanley, Jeremy Campbell, and head coach Mitch Davidoff. The Blaze are run by the legendary Doug Mathieson, coached by Jamie Bodaly.

The Eagles will also play their cross-town rival Victoria Mariners in a single game at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP on Wednesday, June 4, a 6:35pm start.

Tickets are available now for these games and all 2025 home games via the HarbourCats ticketing website HERE and and all season ticket holders will have this event and the June 4th game included in their ticket packages as a bonus.

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