Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Low Tide, Mid-Tide, Victoria suffers loss, gains tie, in doubleheader against Cascades

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Story and Photo by Christian J. Stewart

September 25, 2021, Victoria, BC – It must have been a weird phase of the moon Saturday, as the Tide was low all day, dropping the first game to the visiting University of Fraser Valley Cascades and then rallying late to salvage a tie in the second, in Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) fall baseball action at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria.

Golden Tide catcher Ryan Whelan tracks down a loose ball while keeping an eye on a Cascade baserunner in Game one Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Cascades came out swinging in game one Saturday, jumping all over Victoria starter Cameron Dunn for three runs in the first and another two in the second, eventually building up an 11-1 lead after six innings of play.

Tide second baseman Brandon Green throws from his knees on this play in game one Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide would score one in the eighth and then get a three-run home run from Zeke Holt in the ninth inning to make the score a little more respectable, but that would be as close as they would get as the Cascades closed out a 11-5 victory.

Chase Thomson had a good day Saturday with hits and RBIs n both games against the Cascades (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Josh Berenbaum was an offensive catalyst in the leadoff spot for Fraser Valley, with three singles, two runs scored and a pair of RBI. Dylan Merritt also had a pair of hits and pair of runs scored, while Charlie Towers had a triple, walk and pair of RBI to contribute to the winning effort.

For the Tide, in addition to Holt’s blast, Chase Thomson had a pair of hits and an RBI, while Austin Gurney had a pair of walks and a run scored in his Golden Tide debut.

Tide second baseman Myles Wall makes a nice play in game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Game two was a little more entertaining affair as the Cascades and Tide exchanged three-run innings in the top of the second and bottom of the third innings respectively, with the Cascades then scoring one in each of the top of the fifth and sixth innings to take a 5-3 lead into the eighth.

The Tide’s Ethan Keats would have a double and run scored in game two against the Cascades on Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide would tie things with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth, but that would be all the scoring in the game, as relievers Ethan Dean (Tide) and Evan Petersen (Cascades) shut things down through the 10th inning when the game was called in a 5-5 draw, as the Cascades had to leave and catch the last ferry off the Island.

Tide third baseman Jordon Bond puts the tag on Cascade baserunner Dylan Merritt during this play in game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For the Tide, Chase Thomson led the way with a double and two RBI, while Ethan Keats had a walk, double and a run scored. Autin Wall also singled and scored.

Tide shortstop Austin Wall makes a nice play late in game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For Fraser Valley, Dylan Meritt had a single and a double, while Blake Badger had a single, walk and pair of runs scored to lead the Cascade offence. Petersen, who started the game as DH, also had a double and run scored.

Tide pitcher Ethan Dean would be solid in relief in the late innings of game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Saturday’s results drop the Golden Tide’s fall record to 4-5-1.

The Golden Tide are right back in action on Sunday as they host the Mid-Island Pirates in a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium. Gates open at 2:00 pm and tickets are just $5.00 and $10.00 at the gate. Kids under 12 get in free.

The Tide’s Chase Thompson rounds third while looking for a sign from the coach during a Victoria rally in game two (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – West Coast League meetings to be held in Victoria

Published

1 day ago

October 6, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

October 6, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — The capital city of British Columbia will become the centre of the West Coast League (WCL) for two days in October.

The 2025 WCL Fall Meetings, featuring a gathering of team owners/directors, will be held in Victoria, October 20-21. This marks the first time the meetings, often staged near a major U.S. airport (Seattle or Portland) for travel and logistics reasons, have been held in Canada since the formation of the collegiate elite baseball league that evolved from a gathering in Kelowna in 2003, with the Kelowna Falcons as one of the founding members — and the lone Canadian entry until the HarbourCats were founded.

Five of the league’s 17 teams now are located in Canada — in Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops and Edmonton. Kamloops, Nanaimo and Edmonton all started play in 2022.

The HarbourCats, who joined the WCL for the 2013 season and have watched as eight former players have advanced to the MLB level, will also welcome the league to Victoria in July of 2026 and 2027 when the organization plays host to the WCL All-Star Game festival for consecutive seasons, showcasing Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The all-star game was held in Bellingham the last two summers.

“The inner harbour in fall will be a fantastic setting for these meetings, just as it will be for events around the WCL All-Star Game next July,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that operates both the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls.

Topics expected to be discussed are the finalization of the league’s 2026 schedule, WCL marketing initiatives, and ways to improve best practices around player, coach and umpire development — the keystone goal of the WCL.

“I’m incredibly excited to visit Victoria for our fall meetings,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer. “The city’s rich baseball history and beautiful scenery will provide the perfect backdrop for our teams to discuss the future of the League in one of my favorite WCL markets.”

Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Lock in your season tickets today to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria.

Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.

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Summer Collegiate

All-Stars Hayes and Zenk returning to Owls in 2026

Published

6 days ago

October 2, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

NANAIMO, B.C. — They put on a show for fans at historic Serauxmen Stadium, and they got better as the summer went on.

Talan Zenk (Everett CC) and Jacob Hayes (Azusa Pacific), two West Coast League all-stars in 2025, are returning to the Nanaimo NightOwls next summer — the priority first signings by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk and GM Tina Cornett.

“These two players really enjoyed performing in front of WCL fans, and especially our great fans in Nanaimo,” said Andreychuk, the local product who will enter his second season as the NightOwls’ head coach. “They developed, and they got a chance to be leaders. We are proud of how they represented us at the all-star game and we are very happy they are eager to be in Nanaimo again. These are great young men who represent their schools and families so well.”

Zenk, who was the ultimate utility player by serving in both the infield and outfield, was a spark plug at the top of the order — he hit .289 with 10 stolen bases, four home runs, seven doubles and two triples. The 19-year-old from Brier, WA, had a .853 OPS.

Hayes is without a question the best power hitter the NightOwls have ever had in blue and gold, following up a 19-bomb spring at college by hitting 10 home runs (team record) in 49 WCL games, batting .250 with 44 hits, 30 walks and 39 runs driven in, all while playing nearly every game at first base. The 20-year-old from Anacortes, WA is entering his sophomore season at Azusa Pacific. He was the NightOwls player of the year in 2025.

SEASON TICKETS — The best seats can be secured now! Email tina@nanaimonightowls.com to lock in your 2026 NightOwls season tickets, with versatile fan-friendly flex options to see the best baseball on Vancouver Island. The NightOwls enter their fifth season in the WCL and have had a player selected in the MLB draft each of the last three seasons.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Fall Indoor Youth Training Sessions Now Available!

Published

2 weeks ago

September 25, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Sessions begin September 30th (softball) and October 4th (baseball). Register NOW!

The Victoria HarbourCats and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are now taking individual bookings for our Fall 2025 indoor training sessions for both baseball and softball.

The “Offseason Academy“, presented by The EFTC, is designed to keep athletes sharp, confident, and improving long after the final game of summer. Built for youth players who want to stay ahead of the competition, our Academy focuses not only on technical skill development but also on the physical conditioning that keeps athletes strong and game-ready.

With a lineup of specialized camps in areas such as hitting, analytics, and fastball skills, athletes can train with experienced coaches, benefit from professional-level technology like HitTrax, and build the habits that matter most during the offseason.

All sessions take place in the same professional training facility used by the HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide, giving players access to a proven environment for growth and performance.

2025 Fall Sessions Include:

Baseball, Advance Hitting Analytics, $159, Saturdays, 1:15-3:15, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 12-17
The Advanced HitTrax Analytics Hitting Camp is built for serious baseball athletes aged 12–17 who want to take a deeper dive into the analytics behind their swing. Led by Dexter Stoiber from the Victoria Golden Tide collegiate roster, this camp goes beyond basic mechanics to show players how to interpret advanced hitting data, identify areas for improvement, and make the small tweaks that translate into real results on the field. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, Foundations and Futures, $299, Saturdays, 9:00am- 1:00pm, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 8-11
Foundations & Futures” is a high-energy baseball camp for players aged 8–11. This camp delivers professional-grade instruction in a dynamic, fun environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and carry your skills into next season. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, High Performance Prep, $225, Saturdays, 3:30-6:30pm, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 12-15.
High Performance Prep” is designed for players aged 12–15 who are ready to refine their skills and maintain peak form after summer. This camp delivers advanced instruction in a focused, competitive environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and prepare for the season ahead. REGISTER HERE

Fastball / Softball, Offseason Advantage, $199, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5-7pm, September 30 thru October 29. Ages 12-17
The Softball / Fastball Skills Camp is built for athletes aged 12–17 who want to strengthen every part of their game during the offseason. With trusted instruction from Maddie Kumala, one of the most respected coaches and players in the fastball community, this camp provides parents with the peace of mind that their athlete is learning in a structured, professional, and supportive environment. REGISTER HERE

There are limited spaces in each camp so don’t delay. Register NOW!

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