Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats | HarbourCats send six to pro ranks via 2021 MLB Entry Draft

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

2017 Player of the Year Shane McGuire (above) heads up 2021 MLB Draft class

For Immediate Release

July 13, 2021

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are very proud to announce today that six former Victoria HarbourCats have been selected in the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) entry draft.

Today’s draft result is a direct testimony to the quality of player development that the HarbourCats have emphasized over the years and along with the other players drafted from the West Coast League (40 overall), is a testament to the quality of baseball that the league provides for its fans.

Leading the way in the 2021 draft was 2017 Player of the Year Shane McGuire (San Diego), who was selected in the 9th round of the MLB Draft (278th overall) by the Oakland Athletics. McGuire came to the HarbourCats as an incoming freshman and simply dominated, hitting .451 with four home runs and 32 RBI in 26 games. He was perhaps the best catcher and one of the most well-rounded players in HarbourCats team history.

Rowdey Jordan

Other HarbourCats drafted this year include:

2018 HarbourCat Rowdey Jordan, OF (Mississippi State) who was drafted by the New York Mets in the 11th round (322nd overall);
2019 HarbourCat Jack Neely, RHP (Ohio State) who was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 11th round (333rd overall);
2018 HarbourCat Owen Sharts, RHP (Nevada) selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 13th round (373rd overall);
Former HarbourCat Wyatt Young, IF (Pepperdine) who was selected by the New York Mets in the 15th round (442nd overall); and
2017 HarbourCat Luke Boyd, RHP (Baylor) who was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 17th round (520th overall).

Jack Neely

Also selected in the draft were three players who were signed to play for the HarbourCats, but for various reasons, COVID included, did not make their way to Victoria. These include:

Aaron Davenport, RHP (Hawaii), 6th round (186th overall) by Cleveland Indians;
Marcos Castanon, IF (UCSB), 12th round (370th overall) by San Diego Padres; and
Damiano Palmegiani, OF (Southern Nevada), 14th round (422nd overall) by Toronto Blue Jays.

“With only 20 rounds in this draft, down from 40 in 2019, this is a tremendous draft for so many in our organization,” said HarbourCats Managing Partner Jim Swanson. “These young men are tremendous ambassadors for their schools, their families, and our organization, and they have worked very hard to earn a pro opportunity like this. The HarbourCats program is second to none on Vancouver Island for development of top athletes and people.”

Owen Sharts

The Victoria HarbourCats will continue their quest to develop more MLB draft picks in 2022 when they resume play in the West Coast League following two years off due to the COVID pandemic. Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are now on sale. The 2022 schedule is anticipated to be released in October at which time single-game tickets will go on sale.

Full details on all West Coast League players drafted in 2021 can be found at https://westcoastleague.com/

Wyatt Young

Luke Boyd

SUPPORT YOUR HARBOURCATS! WE NEED YOUR HELP MORE THAN EVER!

Two summers in a row without baseball has been simply devastating for us, but we are confident that there will be a celebratory return to the diamond and the ballpark in 2022. To help us get there, we need your support. If you have been doing well throughout this pandemic, please consider supporting us in any of the following ways:

2022 Season tickets — “We’re Brand New in 2022!” Or as the saying goes, “What’s old is new again!” New players, some new coaches, some new seating changes, new promotions! Come and jump on the HarbourCats bandwagon and see the “new” team in town! Purchasing season tickets is the best way to help, one that guarantees you seats to all our games (usually 35 per year or so) plus other season ticket holder perks. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

10-Game Flex Packs / Vouchers — Don’t want to commit, or can’t commit to season tickets? Consider 10-game flex packs – anytime vouchers that can be used in any combination…10 tickets at one game, 1 ticket at 10 games or anything in between. For you, for your friends, for your staff. Season ticket voucher equivalents are also available. Flex Packs can be purchased at the office and are also available on-line at THE CAT SHOP.

Corporate Partnerships – Want to put your company name or brand in front of our 80,000-100,000 fans we anticipate in 2022? Or know someone who does? Consider joining us as a partner. From a simple program ad, to the most complex of game day sponsorship, complete with signage and tickets, we will customize any campaign to suit your needs and budget. And with our new HCATS.TV platform and our ownership group’s expansion of a new team in Nanaimo in 2022, the opportunities are now Island wide! Contact john@harbourcats.com for details.

Fundraising / 50-50 – Have an organization that needs to raise funds now? A $1000 investment buys you 100 anytime 2022 game vouchers for our Premium Reserved seats that you can then turn around and sell NOW for $20 each, earning you your investment back, plus another $1000 in return. We will then hold a 50-50 date for you in 2022 and you can bring your group to the park to sell that game, taking home 50% of the proceeds. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

Merchandise – Consider a HarbourCats merchandise purchase from our store at 1814 Vancouver Street, or from our on-line store, THE CAT SHOP. We have lots of stock that needs to go!

OFFICE HOURS

We are officially open Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, but may be away at meetings, or dealing with other issues. Best to call 778-265-0327 before venturing over to make sure. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Sox hang on to complete sweep of Cats

Published

5 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

June 29, 2025

For immediate release

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee AppleSox completed the sweep of the Victoria HarbourCats with a narrow 6-5 victory Sunday night.

Logan Shepherd (Mercer U) scored on an Isaiah Afework (Tacoma CC) groundout in the top of the second to give the Cats an early 1-0 lead.

The AppleSox tied things up at one with a groundout of their own, when Camden Bates came home on a 4-6-3 double play.

BOX SCORE

The Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-1 lead, including a Bates two-run single. Logan Rumberg (George Mason) made his third start of the season for the Cats and went 2-2/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out one.

Dustin Davidson (Brookhaven) was first out of the bullpen and hit the first batter he faced, and followed that up with a bases-loaded walk. The lefty faced nine hitters over 1-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits.

WCL STANDINGS

Afework drove in his second and third runs of the game in the top of the fourth, powering a ball to the wall in centre for a two-run double.

The Sox restored their three-run lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Ethan Thomas hit a two-run home run off Davidson, making it 6-3 Wenatchee.

WATCH HOME GAMES HERE

JC Allen (UC San Diego) brought the visitors within one run of the hosts with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh, making it 6-5 Sox.

Cade Rusch (Bellarmine) threw three shutout innings, giving up one hit, walking three, and striking out three, including a big strikeout with the bases loaded to end the threat in the bottom of the seventh.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Afework led off the eighth with his second double of the night, but was stranded there as Joe Thornton retired the next three Cats in order, keeping hold of their slim lead.

Austin Lindsey (Hill College) pitched a scoreless eighth inning, striking out one batter.

Thornton was back out for the ninth and recorded three straight outs to clinch the 6-5 win and the sweep.

Hudson Shupe (Gonzaga) went two for five Sunday night with his first hit being his 100th career regular season hit as a HarbourCat.

Tomorrow is Fireworks night! Doors open at 5:00 PM, and first pitch is at 6:35 PM, as the Cats take on the Redmond Dudes. General admission tickets are still available and can be purchased at harbourcats.com/tickets.

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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Summer Collegiate

Despite out hitting the Bells the NorthPaws could only manufacture one run

Published

18 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops NorthPaws have lost their first series at home this season following a 9-1 defeat against the Bellingham Bells. Despite out-hitting Bellingham, the NorthPaws couldn’t come up with a big inning.

The Bells got off to another quick start, scoring two in the top of the first. Bellingham’s first run came from two walks, a past ball, and a sacrifice ground ball. A base hit would score the second run.

The NorthPaws got off to another slow start at the plate, registering their first hit in the third inning. The Bells took advantage in the top of the fourth when they had two runners on with two outs. A double that turned into a triple via an error put two more runs on the board. The next Bells hitter sent a two-run home run over the wall in left field, making it 6-0.

In the bottom half, Drew Schmidt and Tanner Hornback hit back-to-back singles and would later advance 90 feet on a balk call. Left fielder Joey Rico sent a ball to center field that was deep enough to score Schmidt. Fans felt optimistic, given last night’s comeback effort, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

That would be the first and only run scored for the NorthPaws as they left five runners on base through the following five innings. Kamloops couldn’t get a rally going despite having runners on and getting hits.

“We had hits pretty much every inning and had guys on, but just no follow-up,” said first baseman Jared Hall.

The NorthPaws couldn’t string together a big inning on Saturday night. The Bells staff walked just three batters, while the NorthPaws issued seven walks. The Bells hitters took advantage and gave Kamloops no hope of a comeback effort.

“We just have to flush tonight and put together a full team effort tomorrow and save the series,” said Hall.

The NorthPaws will conclude the series on Sunday afternoon for a matinée game beginning at 12:05.

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Summer Collegiate

NightOwls Command The Skies Against The RiverHawks In Game Two

Published

18 hours ago

June 29, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

NANAIMO, B.C. — The Nanaimo NightOwls took the second game of the series against the Edmonton RiverHawks 2-0 in game two and moved closer to an even record on the season at 11-12. The pitching was stellar on the day as the NightOwls combined for a six-hit shutout on Saturday at Serauxemen Stadium.

The bats weren’t there all the time for Nanaimo, but they were there at the right time in the Bottom of the sixth inning. A two-run double was all the scoring the NightOwls needed as their pitchers were all throwing fire. Nanaimo finished with two runs on seven hits and one error, while the Edmonton Riverhawks had no runs on six hits and no errors. That brings the winning streak to three games for the NightOwls as they seem to be getting in mid-season form.

https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=621647

The four pitchers for the NightOwls combined for a seven-hit shutout, walking only 3 and striking out 7. The bulk of those stats go to starting pitcher Aidan Boice. Aidan, from Holladay, Utah, went five innings, giving up just 3 hits and one walk while striking out five of the twenty batters he faced on the night. He left with a no decision, but I spoke to him after the game about his start.

I asked what he thought of his performance on the mound tonight for the NightOwls, “You know I thought it was good, I came back from some behind counts and got some big outs with runners, I’m pretty happy with it.” He would also speak about the play of the team behind him and how it makes it easier to pitch knowing they have his back defensively, “Yeah the defense has been amazing these past few weeks, especially the outfield and they’ve been giving me a lot of help so it’s been awesome.”

http://Nanaimonightowls.com/tickets

Other pitchers for the NightOwls on the night were Cody “Cowboy” Carmichael, who pitched one inning, giving up zero hits and one walk. Cody got the win for Nanaimo and moves to 1-1 on the season in six appearances. Brady Morse also pitched a great inning before Brennan Kettle came on for the six-out save. The Junior from Hawaii Pacific University went two innings and gave up just one hit and walked one.

The NightOwls didn’t generate much offence on Saturday night, but they got it at the perfect time. Spencer Sullivan was once again at the forefront of things and hit a two RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning. On the night, Spencer went one for three with two RBI and a walk. first baseman Jacob Hayes went two for four on the night with two singles and a run scored. It looks like he wants to start another hit streak as that is back to back games for Hayes.

https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

We have one more game in the series against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Sunday June 29th. It’s Family Fun Day at the ball park so we have a 1:05 pm first pitch. It’s also our mascot, Ney-Te The NightOwls Birthday so come out and help celebrate his big day as the Nanaimo Bars look to bring the brooms out of the janitors closet and sweep the series.

Monday the NightOwls have an exhibition game on June 30th against the Nanaimo Selects before our big Canada Day festivities against Island rivals, the Victoria HarbourCats. Make sure to get out early for that one as we are going to be packed. We have fireworks presented by the Kwumut Lelum Foundation.

General manager of the NightOwls said this about the night, “This fireworks game is becoming a must-see tradition in Nanaimo, with more than 3,100 at last year’s game,” said GM Tina Cornett. “The Kwumut Lelum Foundation is all about community and doing great things in the Nanaimo region.” For more information check out this link here and we hope to see you out at the ballpark on Tuesday! #IlluminateTheDark

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