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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Silence NightOwls 9-5; Inch Closer To Home Field Advantage

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2 years ago

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Photos by: Christian J. Stewart

Story by: Micah Collins

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats defeated the Nanaimo NightOwls 9-5 in front of a packed house Wednesday night at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

With the victory, the ‘Cats now sit half a game behind the Wenatchee AppleSox for the second seed in the North Division, inching closer to home field advantage in the first round of the 2023 West Coast League playoffs.

Victoria also improves their home record to 24-2, claiming the most regular season home wins in West Coast League history.

The HarbourCats were in familiar territory early on as Nanaimo got off to a hot start in the top of the second as Bryce Johnson hit an RBI double, sending outfielder Brandon Hupe to home plate.  The NightOwls would then add two more runs in the top of the third, including a sac-fly from Hupe.

The ‘Cats, as like the previous game, would start their comeback in the middle of the game, including a three run bottom of the fourth inning, thanks to some timely at bats from outfielder Lane Brewster and infielder Marco Pirruccello.

Victoria would then pack on three more runs within the next two innings, including a two run shot to left-centre field from Angelo State University prospect, Tripp Clark.  The NightOwls could not begin a comeback and ultimately being eliminated from playoff contention.

HarbourCats infielder Marco Pirruccello had an impressive outing Wednesday night, hitting 3 for 5, including a triple in the bottom of the fourth inning.

UC Santa Barbara prospect Jed Decooman was on the mound for Victoria; pitching two innings, striking out four batters.  Relief pitchers Logan MacNiel, Jack Finn, Cody Howard, Jake Finkelstein, and Davis Franklin shut down Nanaimo’s bats, allowing only two runs in the next seven innings.

Despite the loss, Nanaimo’s designated hitter Wylie Waters continues to swing that bat well, going 2 for 4 and bumping his batting average up to .302, top 25 in the West Coast League.

The NightOwls will try to avoid the series sweep Thursday night, a 6:35PM start at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.  The HarbourCats will be hosting their annual Fan Appreciation Night presented by Passion Sports, with lots of contests and giveaways to celebrate their last home game of the regular season.

The ‘Cats will then hit the road Friday to face the Edmonton RiverHawks for a three-game series before preparing for the 2023 West Coast League playoffs either hosting a game Tuesday August 8th, or Wednesday August 9th.

Playoff tickets are now available and tickets for all remaining HarbourCats games can be bought as always at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

VOUCHERS:  Reminder that all ticket vouchers must be exchanged for Thursday night’s game only. They are NOT eligible for playoffs and may not be carried over to 2024.

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Summer Collegiate

Pitching staff beefed up with locals, big bats in Hayes and Dion added to infield

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7 hours ago

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May 5, 2025

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Announced today by Coach Andreychuk:

OF Jaisen Abner, Seattle U, 5-8/180, R/R, Seattle, WA

IF Louis Dion, Reinhardt U, 5-11/185, L/R, Henderson, NV

RHP Jack Schroeder, Colby CC, 6-1/200, R/R, Cody, WY

IF Jacob Hayes, Azusa Pacific, 6-5/230, R/R, Anacortes, WA

RHP Jaedeyn Edwards, East LA College, 6-3/210, R/R, Gardena, CA

RHP Ricardo ‘Kiki’ Villegas, East LA College, 6-5/210, R/R, Covina, CA

RHP Jakin Rohne, Victoria Golden Tide, 5-10/195, R/R, Courtenay, BC

RHP Carter Chard-Hill, Vancouver Island University, 6-2/215, R/R, Powell River, BC

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Woof, Woof… Woofability presents Bark In The Park Day

Published

5 days ago

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May 1, 2025

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HarbourCats welcome dogs on Sunday, July 13 at Wilson’s Group Stadium 

For immediate release

May 1, 2025

VICTORIA — The ‘Cats are going to the dogs again this summer, thanks to Woofability.

On Sunday, July 13, the gates will open at noon for a 1pm Victoria HarbourCats game and all the pooches are welcome.

The game is presented by Woofability, a tremendous local business that specializes in service dog training, also offering enrichment, boarding and training services, and even online training for pets and their humans.

“This is exciting for us, to work with Woofability and showcase what they do,” said avid animal lover and HarbourCats Director of Online Services Chris Beveridge. “This is my favourite day of the season, getting to plan all the events with Woofability for Bark in the Park.”

Treats, water dishes, a place for dogs to run a bit — all will be provided on Woofability’s “Bark in the Park“ day.

And, Woofability Service Dog Training will put on a pre-game demonstration, on the field, for fans to see. More special surprises will be planned.

“We are very excited to partner with the HarbourCats for this unique day in the HarbourCats calendar, and to be able to tell people about Woofability, Woofability Service Dog Training and also about our society, Pawsibilities Service Dogs Society, which advocates, educates and supports members of the public who need a service dog but don’t have the resources to have one,” said CEO Tim Land, who co-owns the businesses along with his wife April Sauve, the Head Trainer, highly skilled in training service dogs, dog tricks and K9 body conditioning. “This is an ideal event for our great staff to be able to show the community how much we love what we do.”

Tickets for the game are available now through our one and only ticketing partner SHOWPASS and will be available right up to gametime on that Sunday.

For more information on Woofability, Woofability Service Dog Training and Pawsibilities Service Dog Society, follow the links Woofability, Woofability Service Dog Training and Pawsabilities Service Dog Society.

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The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. 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.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to honour outgoing VicPD Chief Del Manak on July 30

Published

6 days ago

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April 30, 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. — He’s been our police chief for nearly 10 years, and at the end of August he’ll ride off into well-deserved retirement.

Before that, on July 30, the Victoria HarbourCats will give people a chance to say thank you with Salute to Del Manak & VicPDNight, with the Kamloops NorthPaws in town for a game at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“Chief Manak — who doesn’t simply call him Del? — has become a friend to so many through his leadership, and he deserves a rousing thank you from us all,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats.

“We have had a strong partnership borne of a similar view of how to build this great community and make it better. Del has done a tremendous job.”

Manak was born and raised in Victoria and is in his 35th year of policing. He trained at the FBI National Academy Program and graduated from the Dalhousie University Police Leadership Program, and has a Master of Arts from Simon Fraser University in terrorism, risk and security studies.

He’s been appointed Member of the Order of Merit of police forces and had that advanced to Officer of the Order of Merit in 2024. He has also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal, the Police Exemplary Service medal, and this year the King Charles III Coronation medal.

“About the only thing we can fault him on — the New York Islanders, really, he cheers for them?” questioned Swanson.

Chief Manak will throw out the first pitch after having an opportunity to speak to fans and thank them for the support that has been so key in his success in leading VicPD.

Members of VicPD officers and staff will be on hand to show appreciation to their retiring boss and share their expertise with the crowd, including GVERT, Integrated Canine Service (ICS) and more.

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. 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.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

 

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