By Norm LeBus

Victoria, BC – He works fast and he likes a crowd. That makes third-year pitcher Shea Lake a hit with his teammates – and even former coaches.

In the relative pressure cooker of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, there’s an electricity on good summer nights that’s not coming from the overhead lights.

“It’s kind of like that white line fever,” former pitching coach Scott Anderson tells me from Portland. Scott spent three seasons mentoring the ‘Cats mound prospects. “Some of those guys when they come out across the foul lines and they get 3,000 people in the stands it’s a little bit different story.”

But at 6-3, Shea Lake stands tall on the mound.

“First off, when we’re in Victoria it’s a much better crowd than anywhere else,” he says.

“I just think the way that RAP kind of fits – all those people packed in close together, the energy just fills the room, especially playing night games, firework nights, all the stuff like that.”

Lake is one of the rare three-year players with Victoria. And like many of the ‘Cats, he’s had a nomadic path to BC’s capital.

In his case, ‘Cats fans can thank the U.S. Department of State.

After his freshman year at Hawaii Pacific the coaching staff placed Lake with the Swift Current 57s of the Westen Canadian Baseball League. But Lake’s passport did not arrive in time to play summer baseball. Instead, he’s in town for a trifecta: ’24, 25 and now 2026.

And the 2025 campaign was a busy one: Lake appeared in nine games and pitched 34 innings, compiling a 2-2 record and 3.20 ERA. And both fans and teammates appreciated his efficient pace on the hill. Lake works quickly.

“It’s one of the more underlying things in baseball that people don’t really see,” Lake says. “When your D is out there for a while, it kind of wears them out throughout the game. Getting them off the field and staying on their hitting side, it’s always good for the offense and the fans kind of like it — especially when you have an offense like us.”

And how would he describe himself on the hill?

“I’ve never been a big velocity guy,” he says.  “It’s kind of just playing with the hitter and keeping them off balance, control the count and generating ground balls. The longer I’m out there the more it becomes like work, so keeping the pitch count low and trying to get the guys off the field as fast as I can.”

“He’s a pitcher that can pitch,” Anderson says. “Shea’s a solid guy that works with a good tempo and he changes speeds really well. He’ll be a good leader to the team. He’s a smart kid.

Lake is a mechanical engineering student at West Texas A &M near Amarillo.  When it comes to his baseball future he thinks like an engineer – sound, fundamental concepts built on proven principles. About 10% of NCAA baseball players are drafted, but a much, much smaller percentage make it all the way to Major League Baseball.

“Of course there’s that chance,” he says. “If a big jump happens, that’s great; I think I have the ability, the capabilities to do it, you never know.

“I just keep my head down and work hard and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t say nothing’s really changed: I think just being the best version of myself every day and working as hard as I can is all I can really do.

“As long as I do that, I’m happy with myself.”

It’s a winning attitude.

Before he even crosses those white lines.

The HarbourCats season begins May 29th on the road versus the Portland Pickles, before returning to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.

Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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VICTORIA, B.C. — The most heart-warming happenings each summer are the work of Peninsula Co-op, an outstanding community leader on the island.

There is nothing “community” in the Victoria area that does not involve Peninsula Co-op, it seems — and that includes the HarbourCats’ entire summer schedule.

Thanks to the partnership of Peninsula Co-op, kids will attend for free on the June 12-13-14 weekend when the Springfield Drifters make their first-ever appearance at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Then, before the Wednesday, June 17 game with the Redmond Dudes, the HarbourCats will take the field with the Special Olympics All-Stars, in an inspirational event that brings smiles to everyone, presented by Peninsula Co-op.

On Wednesday, July 8, the Challengers All-Stars will take over the field prior to a game with the HarbourCats and Bend Elks.

A major bonus for all Peninsula Co-op members is a $2 discount on HarbourCats game tickets (excluding WCL All-Star Game events), including playoffs.

Peninsula Co-op signage and messages will be front and centre for the whole league as well when the WCL All-Star Festival takes over the city, July 14-15.

“Peninsula Co-op keeps showing that caring about the community is good for everyone,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats. “They participate with heart, which is why these events with Challenger and Special Olympics mean so much to so many.”

Single game tickets, season tickets, and 12 and 32-game flex packs, along with All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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Pitcher Jack Marek (San Jacinto College)(above) is another strong arm joining the HarbourCats for 2026 (Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College)

VICTORIA, B.C. — Pitching quality and depth are the key to grinding out wins in a very tough competition environment like the West Coast League.

The Victoria HarbourCats are putting in the work to be ready with the arms they’ll need on the mound, working with first-year pitching coach Zach Swanson.

Veteran head coach Todd Haney and Swanson, the former HarbourCats hurler who is now a pitching coach at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, are excited for the six new signees announced today.

“Todd definitely has a plan and philosophy on being successful with the pitching staff, and I’m excited to work with him and follow that plan,” said Swanson, a Lambrick Park grad who played five years of college baseball after going through both the Eagles and Mariners programs. “Our job as coaches will be to be ready and prepare the pitchers for this level of competition. I’m also excited to work with (assistant coaches) Darius Opdam Bak, Troy Birtwistle, Steve Sinclair and Carson Myers on the staff.”

Announced today for the 2026 roster:

RHP Bryson Toner, Hawaii, 6-3/190, Honolulu
RHP Pierce Stone, Regis, 5-9/180, Round Rock, TX
RHP Anson Stuckly, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 6-1/200, Katy, TX
RHP Jack Marek, San Jacinto College, 6-2/190, Liverpool, TX
RHP Easton Reimers, North Dakota State, 6-2/215, Missoula, MT
LHP Jack Clark, Cal State San Marcos, 6-0/185, San Diego
RHP Davis Lee, University of Calgary, 6-5/210, Richmond

Clark, a lefty, is a key recruit from San Marcos — he didn’t allow a run in his first 14 college appearances, and now in his sophomore season has made nine starts this spring. He is 6-1/4.74 with a save, and strikes out a batter per inning.

Lee is a big-arm project with a fastball that has touched 95mph. Playing in the CCBC for the Calgary Dinos, the business student from Richmond and product of the PBL Delta Blue Jays has 16 strikeouts in 10.1 innings, and will work closely with Swanson and Opdam Bak to cut down on his walks.

Toner is a big right-hander who should have no challenge adjusting to life on a beautiful island — he’s from Honolulu. The Hawaii freshman was a dominant, highly-ranked pitcher in high school who will get valuable game experience as a HarbourCat this summer.

Stone is a sophomore who struck out more than a batter per inning as a freshman, while Reimers is a freshman who was state tournament MVP as a high school senior and a dominant innings-eater. Of note, his dad Cameron was a 35th round pick of the Blue Jays in 1988 and reached AAA.

Stuckly is a graduating high school senior who is committed to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, while Marek was an early commit to Southern Illinois now at San Jacinto College, with a fastball in the 90-92 range.

The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.

Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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