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Victoria HarbourCats – Team Black prevails in Game 1 of Golden Tide Intersquad World Series

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5 years ago

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Above: Team Black’s Zeke Holt celebrates scoring one of six runs in the second inning against Team Gold Wednesday.

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

October 28, 2021, Victoria, BC – Team Black jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but then had to hang on for an exciting 14-13 win over Team Gold in Game 1 of the Victoria Golden Tide Inter-squad Wold Series on Wednesday afternoon at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria.

Team Black shortstop Brandon Green puts the tag on Team Gold baserunner Tyler Burton during this first inning rundown on Wednesday.

The World Series, the first for the inaugural year of Golden Tide baseball, pits Team Gold (coached by Ethan Fox) against Team Black (coached by Kyle Orr) in a best of three series. The winning team not only gets bragging rights, but will be awarded with a night in the Wilson’s Transportation Group suite at a Victoria Royals game.

Team Gold’s Brody Alexandre had two hits, a walk and two runs scored in the loss to Team Black Wednesday.

The Series is being played under some unique rules, designed to speed up game play and keep the games exciting, as due to other events scheduled in the evenings at the stadium, games have to be completed by 6:30pm.

As such, pitchers are required to pitch within 10 seconds and teams have to hustle on and off the field between innings. Any delays or infractions will warrant a warning from Head Coach Curtis Pelletier and if a team is notified a second time, a run is granted to their opponents.

Team Black left-handed slugger Ryan Deagle had two singles, a double a walk and two RBI to lead the Team Black offence Wednesday.

Batters are also not allowed to call time outs, or a strike will be called, catchers have pinch runners at all times and in all the even numbered innings, teams begin the inning with a runner on second base.

While there were a few warnings in Wednesday’s game, there were no penalty runs awarded under the rules, however the runner at second in the even innings had a dramatic impact on the game, with seven of those eight runners ultimately scoring.

Team Gold’s Daniel Sawchyn, here celebrating a score, would have three hits and two RBI to pace the Team Gold offence.

This aspect came into effect immediately Wednesday, as Team Black would jump on Gold starter Brady Wilson for six runs in the top of the second inning, thanks to five five consecutive base hits, one of which, by high schooler Ryan Deagle, scored Alex Mclauchlan, the special runner, with the first run of the game.

Team Black’s Brett Paterson would be credited with the win in relief on Wednesday.

Team Gold would get one of those runs back in the second, when special runner Brody Alexandre scored despite a 1-2-3 inning and then they would jump into a brief 7-6 lead in the third, when they finally got to Black starter Ethan Dean for six runs on the strength of six hits.

A three-run fourth inning, keyed by an RBI single from Jaxson Cordle, would put Team Black back in front 9-6 and they would extend that lead to 14-9 heading to the bottom of the eighth (the agreed upon final inning due to curfew).

Team Black’s Jaxson Cordle slides safely into second base ahead of the throw to Team Gold second baseman Myles Wall.

Team Gold would not go down without a fight however and after a pair of walks and singles from Parker Harris, Daniel Sawchyn and Alexandre, they had closed the gap to 14-13 with the tying run sitting on second base. Reliever Haldon Craig would not be fazed however and struck out Jordan Bond to end the game and preserve the crucial game one win.

Team Gold’s Will Podmoroff hustles to third base during action Wednesday against Team Black.

For Team Black at the plate, Parksville Royal product Deagle had a great night, slashing two singles, a double, two RBI and scoring twice. Zeke Holt also had a three hit night with two runs scored, while Cordle, Ryan Whelan and Witt Nevins all had RBI base hits.

On the hill, Dean was picked up with some solid middle-inning relief by Brett Paterson, who gets credit for the win, going three innings and surrendering two runs on one hit and two walks. Nate Major pitched the seventh and part of the eighth innings and Craig would get the save.

Team Gold’s Jayden Puri would provide four innings of solid relief in Wednesday’s game.

For Team Gold, Sawchyn would lead the offence with three hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Alexandre would chip in with two hits a walk and two runs scored. Tyler Burton was his usual instigator in the leadoff spot, with a single, walking three times and scoring twice, while Victoria Eagle product Ryder Green would single, walk and score three times in the losing effort.

Team Black’s Zeke Holt would make a valiant effort to catch this foul pop-up in Wednesday’s game.

On the mound, Wilson would pitch through the fourth, taking the loss. Jayden Puri would take over in relief, finishing the game and giving up five runs on five hits and three walks in his four innings of work.

Game two in the series was scheduled for 4:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, but has now been cancelled because of extreme rain and weather. It will now be played Friday at 4:00 pm. Game three then (if needed), would likely then be held Sunday afternoon, with a time to be determined.

Tam Gold’s Jordan Bond slides safely into second, ahead of the throw to Team Black second baseman Austin Gurney.

The Golden Tide will also be in action on Saturday for their last formal game of the fall season, when they take on the Ontario Giants at 3:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium in a single nine-inning game. Tickets are available at the gate. That game will be preceded by a game at 12 noon between the HarbourCats Players Development Club and the Giants U16 club. That game is included with the ticket for the Tide game at 3:00pm.

Team Black catcher Andrew Baxter puts the tag on Team Gold’s Jordan Bond on this play at the plate Wednesday.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Zach Swanson Returning as Pitching Coach for HarbourCats in 2027

Published

2 days ago

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September 2, 2026

By

September 2, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – After a successful debut season in the West Coast League, Zach Swanson will be back as Pitching Coach for the Victoria HarbourCats.

Head Coach Todd Haney is pleased to be putting together the key pieces of his staff already for the 2027 season, and that includes Swanson, the Victoria product and former college pitcher, after setting notable records in 2026.  Swanson is a Lambrick Park graduate who played for the Victoria Eagles and Mariners, and pitched collegiately at San Diego Christian and Park University-Gilbert, earning an MBA in the process.

The records and notables of the 2026 HarbourCats:

  • Most team strikeouts (536) in team history in a season, two short of a WCL record (and notably, the HarbourCats would have played two more games, but they were cancelled due to smoky conditions in Washington State)
  • Highest K/9 rate in WCL history (10.48)
  • Second in batting average against (.235)
  • Fourth in league ERA (4.48)
  • Right-handers Jeremiah Arnett (66) and Erik Rico (64) now sit first and second in HarbourCats history in strikeouts in a season, and both were named all-stars – on top of it, Arnett was named the WCL Pitcher of the Year
  • HarbourCats reliever Nathan Mueller was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers and pitcher Will Zielinski was a 20th round pick of the Detroit Tigers

Swanson is the Pitching Coach at Hawaii Pacific University (NCAA Division 2) in Honolulu, entering his second year – in his first season, Swanson had three all-conference pitchers and the team ERA improved by more than a run per game.

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Zach back as our pitching coach for the 2027 season.  He built tremendous trust with our pitchers and has a great understanding of what it takes to develop players,” said Haney, who earlier this week added former MLB infielder Jeff Frye to the coaching staff for 2027.

“Our pitching staff responded to Zach’s leadership every single day, and we saw real growth both on and off the mound.  Zach brings an exceptional work ethic, passion and competitive edge to our staff.  Our pitchers are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him now, as it’s only a matter of time before Zach is an MLB pitching coach.”

Swanson is excited to return to a team he knows well, holding many roles – batboy, to player, to play-by-play voice in 2022.  Swanson was Victoria’s starting pitcher for Game 1 of the WCL final in 2019 against the Corvallis Knights in a game played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP.

“It’s a joy and a privilege to be returning to Victoria in 2027,” said Swanson, son of Managing Partner Jim Swanson.

“After a 2026 season full of development, my wife Madeline and I are looking forward to coming back to this great city.  I can’t wait to help write another chapter – both in the lives of these athletes and in the history books of this organization.”

 

The HarbourCats have started the recruiting process for 2027 already, and Season Ticket Memberships are now available for purchase or renewal.  New members may order their seats on-line if desired at harbourcats.com/tickets (click the Membership tab), or by calling the office at 778-265-0327.

Renew or purchase your seats by September 30th to be eligible to win a round trip airfare on Harbour Air to Vancouver.

The HarbourCats 2027 schedule is expected to be announced in late October 2026, with single-game tickets expected to be available by December 1, 2026.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Former MLB infielder Frye joins HarbourCats coaching staff

Published

4 days ago

on

August 31, 2026

By

August 31, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Add another former Major League player to the coaching staff of the Victoria HarbourCats of the West Coast League — and one who definitely has opinions on how the game should be played.

Jeff Frye, who registered nine years and 15 days of MLB service and 667 big-league games overall, joins the staff led by Head Coach Todd Haney, another former MLB infielder who himself played parts of five seasons with the Expos, Cubs and Mets. Haney enters his seventh season as Victoria’s Head Coach in 2027 and has been with the HarbourCats since 2018.

The versatile Frye, who now lives in Maryland, played mostly second base for Texas, Boston, Colorado and the Toronto Blue Jays, and hit for the cycle as a member of the Blue Jays. Frye had a career .290 batting average and slugged 16 home runs — he had 626 hits in the big leagues, 162 of them for extra bases. He also stole 56 bases and only struck out 279 times in 2,451 plate appearances.

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Jeff to our coaching staff. Jeff knows exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level,” said Haney.

“He brings a winning mindset, tremendous baseball knowledge and a passion for helping players succeed. His incredible experience and expertise will elevate our player development as we continue our focus of bringing a championship home to our fans.”

Frye is also very well known in baseball social media circles (follow @shegone03 on X) for unabashedly standing up for the game’s fundamentals and traditional values — which are also important to Haney and the HarbourCats organization.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach with my buddy Todd Haney in the beautiful city of Victoria B.C.,” said Frye, who was born in California but played high school and college baseball in Oklahoma before being drafted by the Rangers in 1988 (30th round). (Haney, a native Texan, was a 38th round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1987, the same draft the Mariners chose Ken Griffey Jr. first overall.)

“I’ve always had the desire to get back on the field teaching the game I love and it’s finally here. Let’s get to work!”

Frye, who celebrates his 60th birthday today, played college baseball at Carl Albert State College and Southeastern Oklahoma State, where he set program records with a .455 batting average in 1988 and a .420 career batting average. Despite being an undersized guy — a playing profile very much like Haney had in college and pro — Frye was all-conference twice, an all-American, conference player of the year, and was inducted into the Southeastern athletics hall of fame.

Frye also used two summers with the Fort Smith Red Sox in the Jayhawk League (1986-87) as valuable development, so he understands the value of baseball players playing baseball for a quality organization.

The HarbourCats franchise has a legacy of attracting former MLB players to be part of the coaching staff, including Greg Swindell, Mark Petkovsek, Brian McRae, and current local assistant coach Steve Sinclair, who played parts of two seasons with the Blue Jays and Mariners. The team also had Manny Ramirez as a guest coach in 2024 when his two sons, Manny Jr. and Lucas, played for the team.

The HarbourCats have started the recruiting process for 2027 already, and Season Ticket Memberships are now available for purchase or renewal. New members may order their seats on-line if desired at http://harbourcats.com/tickets (click the Memberships tab), or by calling the office at 778-265-0327.

Existing members who have accounts in good standing on SHOWPASS can simply log into their account to renew, or can also call the office or pop in to pay for their 2027 seats.

Renew or purchase your seats by September 30th to be eligible to win a round trip airfare on Harbour Air to Vancouver.

The HarbourCats 2027 schedule is expected to be announced in late October 2026, with single-game tickets expected be to available by December 1, 2026.

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Victoria HarbourCats – 2026 HarbourCats Reliever Lands Pro Contract

Published

1 week ago

on

August 27, 2026

By

For Immediate Release

August 27, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Hard-throwing right-hander Nathan Mueller has used a summer with the Victoria HarbourCats to land an MLB contract.

The six-foot-five, 215-pound Fort Worth product, who was at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, has inked a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, after spending the summer in the West Coast League in Victoria.

Mueller, 22, joined the team for the second half and made five appearances, including a start. He had 14 strikeouts and just three walks in 9.2 innings, including six strikeouts in three innings of work on July 29 against Port Angeles. He topped 97mph as a HarbourCat.

“From day one, Nate arrived in Victoria to take full advantage of his summer baseball opportunity, and signing with the Brewers is a testament to his work ethic, professional mindset and competitive drive,” said Todd Haney, Head Coach of the Victoria HarbourCats.

The HarbourCats have had eight former players advance to play at the MLB level, including current stars Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox), who all play prominent roles on their teams.

This past summer, six other former HarbourCats were drafted or signed after the MLB selection process in July – Cody Howard, Carson Cormier, Owen Clyne, Ryne Palmer, Cade Rusch, and Will Zielinski.

Season Ticket Memberships for the 2027 HarbourCats Season are now available for purchase or renewal. New members may order their seats on-line if desired at http://harbourcats.com/tickets (click the Memberships tab), or by calling the office at 778-265-0327.

Existing members who have accounts in good standing on SHOWPASS can simply log into their account to renew, or can also call the office or pop in to pay for their 2027 seats.

Renew or purchase your seats by September 30th to be eligible to win a round trip airfare on Harbour Air to Vancouver.

The HarbourCats 2027 schedule is expected to be announced in late October 2027, with single-game tickets expected be to available by December 1, 2027.

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