Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats walk-off Riverhawks to sweep series

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Tyrus Hall’s 12 game hit streak is the longest a HarbourCat has produced this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

August 1, 2024

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – It wasn’t pretty, with ten combined errors between the two teams, but the Victoria HarbourCats walked off the Edmonton Riverhawks in the 11th inning to complete the sweep, winning 6-5.

The Cats and Hawks traded runs through the first few innings with Victoria on the board first with Cam Schneider (Fresno State) scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning.

The Riverhawks tied it up on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second before the Cats retook the lead in the bottom half when Gunner Antillon (Bowling Green) stole second drawing a throw, allowing Jake Vrlak (Miami-Ohio) to run home from third and score, making it 2-1 HarbourCats.

BOX SCORE

After Edmonton tied it up in the top of the third, Tyrus Hall (Bossier Parish) scored on a wild pitch to restore the lead. The shortstop extended his hit streak to 12 games with two hits.

Jake Finkelstein (Montana State) shut it down from there, pitching a season-high four innings and giving up one earned run on two hits while striking out three batters.

Jake Finkelstein has 28 strikeouts in 24 innings this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Victoria extended their lead to 5-2 in the fifth inning through an error which allowed two runs to score, one of six Riverhawks errors on the night.

WCL STANDINGS

Jacob Thompson (Minot State) was excellent in relief throwing three shutout innings striking out five while giving up just one hit.

Jalen Sami (Golden Tide) pitched a scoreless eighth inning but the Hawks did not go away quietly in the ninth. Royce Hale hit a solo home run to make it 5-3 then Kaden Zarowny hit an RBI double to cut the deficit to one. Flynn Ridley (Ottawa University) was one strike away from ending the game but Rex Watson found a hole up the middle driving home the tying run to force extra innings.

Ridley gave his team a chance to win pitching a strong 10th and 11th inning giving up zero runs while striking out three.

Debutant Ryan Deagle (Golden Tide), who pinch hit in the seventh inning, came to the plate in the 11th with the bases loaded and the chance to be a hero for his new team. He pulled through in an unconventional fashion, getting hit by a pitch to bring across the winning run.

Jake Vrlak reached base six times tonight (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

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It is now nine straight wins for the HarbourCats as they move closer to the North Division second-half leading Wenatchee AppleSox, sitting one game back. Tonight’s win could prove to be key for playoff implications as the Cats own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Riverhawks, having won five of nine games this season.

The HarbourCats head to Bellingham Friday for their last road series of the regular season. You can watch the games against the Bells at https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

The HarbourCats return home on Monday for the last three games of the season, opening a series against the defending WCL champion Corvallis Knights. Monday is the final fireworks night! All games are at 6:35 PM and you can get tickets at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Tuesday is Jersey off Our Backs Night and Wednesday is Fan Appreciation Night! You do not want to miss it!

REMINDER: If you have HarbourCats ticket vouchers of any kind, 10-game flex packs, or season ticket equivalent vouchers, all vouchers must be used for any of our remaining three home games. Should we make playoffs, vouchers are not eligible for any games no matter where they are played. You can exchange your vouchers in advance for game tickets at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

New partnership brings classic Vancouver Island craft beer to Wilson’s Group Stadium Royal Athletic Park, celebrating the ultimate Islander summer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Vancouver Island Brewing (VIB) and the Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club today announced a new long-term partnership that will bring Vancouver Island Brewing to Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park starting at the Home Opener on June 2, 2026. As part of the agreement, Vancouver Island Brewing is now the Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats.

At the heart of the partnership is Islander Lager, VIB’s crisp, easy-drinking lager made for laid-back summer adventures, now set to become a game-day staple at Royal Athletic Park. Fans will also find selections from Vancouver Island Brewing’s core lineup on offer throughout the season, along with the new Islander Fan Zone space, creating even more ways to enjoy the best of the Island at the ballpark.

“Vancouver Island summers are all about community, sunshine, and something cold in your hand,” said Ana Wagner-Chazalon, Marketing Manager at Vancouver Island Brewing. “The HarbourCats are one of those classic summer experiences in Victoria, and we’re proud to partner with them to make local craft beer part of the game-day ritual.”

“We’re always looking for partners who share our love for this community and everything that makes Victoria summers so special,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats. “Vancouver Island Brewing is as Island as it gets, and having a local craft beer in the hands of our fans on a warm evening at the ballpark just feels right. We can’t wait for Opening Night.”

The Vancouver Island Brewing and HarbourCats partnership is designed to feel local in the best way: familiar, fun, and undeniably Island. The partnership will extend beyond the ballpark, with collaborative programming and storytelling planned throughout the 2026 season. Additional details, including about the new in-park Islander FanZone experience, will be shared closer to the Home Opener on June 2.

About Vancouver Island Brewing
Vancouver Island Brewing has been crafting beer on the Island since 1984, rooted in the community and landscapes that inspire every pour. Vancouver Island Brewing makes award-winning beers, from classic lagers to innovative ales, using quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods inspired by the island it calls home. Learn more at vibrewing.com.

About the Victoria HarbourCats
The Victoria HarbourCats are a member of the West Coast League, a summer collegiate baseball league featuring top NCAA talent from across North America. The HarbourCats play their home games at historic Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. Learn more at www.harbourcats.com

Media Contacts:
Ana Wagner-Chazalon, Marketing Manager Vancouver Island Brewing ana@vibrewingcom | 250-216-0701
Jim Swanson, Managing Partner Victoria HarbourCats jim@harbourcats.com | 250-889-5204

Tickets for all 2026 HarbourCats games, as well as the 2026 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby July 14-15, Season Tickets and Flex-Packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street just around the corner from the stadium.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

March 17, 2026

VICTORIA, BC — The best caps, and the best gear, from the best baseball brands.

The organizing committee of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game is proud to announce the involvement of strategic baseball-brand partners in producing a memorable event, with the WCL All-Star Game Festival slated for July 14-15 in Victoria.

The game itself will be played on Wednesday, July 15, at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, home of the Victoria HarbourCats.

New Era Canada will be providing a special selection of WCL All-Star Game caps, and fan wear, while Rawlings will produce the official player/coach gear along with fan garments. Adidas is providing backpacks for all the coaches and the players who are selected to participate in this spectacular event, that will include community activations, kids camps, off-site socials, and a home run derby (on Tuesday, July 14).

“Everyone involved will love the items that will showcase the branding for this event, and we thank these partners for coming on board,” said Adrian Somers, VP of Business and Operations for the HarbourCats, and a member of the event steering committee. “These brands are synonymous with baseball, and the look and feel of these items will be at that all-star level.”

The All-Star Festival begins the morning of July 14, 2026 with a kids camp and wiffle ball scrub game on the lawn of the BC Legislature, followed by a Home Run Derby at Wilson’s Group Stadium that evening. The actual All-Star game takes place on Wednesday evening July 15th at 7:00 pm.

Ticket packages are now on sale for the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game and are available on-line HERE, or by stopping in at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street to order in person.

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Summer Collegiate

Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!

Published

1 week ago

March 12, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

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.

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