Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Tide are Golden in opening game at Zack Downey Memorial

Published

5 years ago

September 10, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Above: The Tide’s Tyler Burton (12 left) is congratulated by Bryce Carroll (14 right) after scoring the first run in Golden Tide history (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

September 9, 2021, Victoria, BC – Jordan Bond had a triple, single and two RBI in his only two at bats to help lead the Victoria Golden Tide to a 7-1 win over the Victoria Mariners Thursday afternoon in the opening game of the Zack Downey Memorial Tournament being held at Layritz Park in Victoria.

The Tide’s Jordan Bond would have an RBI-triple and RBI -single to lead the Golden Tide offence (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The win was the first in team history for the Golden Tide and Head Coach Curtis Pelletier, as Thursday’s game marked their first official game action in their inaugural fall season in the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC).

Tide third baseman Brandon Green made a couple of nice defensive plays early in Thursday’s game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide would get the jump early on the Mariners, as their very first batter, Tyler Burton, stroked the team’s very first hit, then stole their very first base and eventually scored their very first run, on their very first RBI on a ground out from catcher Parker Harris.

Tyler Burton slides safely into second ahead of the throw to the Mariners Sam Shaw, earning the first stolen base in Golden Tide history (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The game remained close after that and following Bond’s triple and then an RBI single from Alden Holzwarth, both in the fourth inning, the Tide held a slim 3-1 lead.

Parker Harris would have the first RBI in Golden Tide team history with this swing in the first inning Thursday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

That would not last long as the Tide would put things away in the fifth inning, scoring four runs, thanks to a two-RBI triple from Davis Jack that scored Burton (single) and Austin Wall (walk), Bond’s RBI single and another RBI single from Holzwarth.

Ethan Dean would be the first starter in Golden Tide history, pitching two scoreless innings against the Mariners on Thursday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Tide pitchers were effective on the day, with Ethan Dean – the first starting pitcher in Tide history – Nate Major and Jacob Popadynec all pitching two innings each (games in the tournament are just six innings in length) and holding the Mariners to just three hits in total, two of which, a single and triple, came from Mariners’ lead off hitter Jaydon Malinowski.

The Mariner’s Jaydon Malinowski would have two of the three Mariner hits against the Tide, including this triple (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Tide pitcher Nate Major delivers a pitch against the Mariners (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

They would also be helped out by some slick defence early from third baseman Brandon Green and solid middle defence later in the game from the Wall twins, Myles and Austin.

Alden Holzwarth would have a pair of RBI-singles in theTides’s 7-1 win over the Mariners (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide are next in action on Friday at 2:30 pm when they take on the Saskatchewan Prep Academy. They then face the Victoria Eagles on Saturday at 9:30 am.

Middle infielders and twins Austin Wall (left) and Myles Wall (right) looked good against the Mariners on Thursday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide’s Tristian Bolger would have a single and run scored in his Golden Tide debut (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

In other action at the Zack Downey Tournament on Thursday, the Victoria Eagles had clutch hits from Owen Luchies and Oliver Mabee and a brilliant pitching performance from Sam Jordan to defeat the Mid-Island Pirates 6-0.

The Tide’s Davis Jack heads to third with a triple in the fifth inning of Thursday’s game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Eagles will face the Parksville Royals in the first game of the day Friday, a 9:30 am start, while the Royals will hang around to play the Pirates at 12 Noon. The Tide and Saskatchewan game goes at 2:30 pm while the Mariners will then play Saskatchewan in the final game of the day at 5:00 pm.

Golden Tide pitcher Jacob Popadynec deliver’s a pitch late in Thursday’s game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

On Saturday, the Tide and Eagles kick things off at 9:00 am, followed by Saskatchewan against Parksville at 12 Noon. The Mariners will then play the Pirates at 2:30, with the consolation game (5th place vs 6th place) going at 5:00 pm.

Bryce Carroll scampers home with one of the Golden Tide runs, in front of a good number of fans that came out to watch the Tide’s debut game (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

On Sunday, the semi-finals will go at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm, with the Championship game scheduled for 3:00 pm.

All game are at Layritz Park in Saanich.

Tide player Alden Holzwarth (38) gives his cleats an airing out following the Tide’s 7-1 win over the Victoria Mariners on Thursday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

More images from the Golden Tide / Mariners game can eventually be found at https://christianjstewart.zenfolio.com/p321055318

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Bells bust the ‘Cats in game one of crucial series

Published

13 hours ago

August 1, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Playoff position still in play despite the loss

Story by Christian J. Stewart

July 31, 2026

Bellingham, WA – The Bellingham Bells broke out for 11 hits en route to a 7-2 victory over the Victoria HarbourCats in West Coast League action Friday night at Joe Martin Field in Bellingham.

FULL BOX SCORE

Holding a 2-0 lead on Victoria starter Shea Lake, thanks in part by a solo home run from Jaden Jackson, the Bells broke things open in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on the strength of RBI singles from Nate Johnson and Rominic Quiban and a throwing error by ‘Cats shortstop Riley Kwak.

The Bells would add two more runs in the fifth, both off reliever Leif Friedrich and that was all they would need as Bells pitching, including starter Robby Zimmerman (5IP, 1R, 3H), would hold the ‘Cats to just six hits on the night.

Two of those hits came from Bryan Bradshaw, who also scored one of the HarbourCats runs to lead the Victoria offence.

Another bright spot for the HarbourCats was reliever Tobi Salzmann, who made his WCL debut, pitching the seventh and eighth innings and keeping the Bells off the board in those frames, allowing just one hit.

PLAYOFF WATCH
With the Edmonton Riverhawks defeating Kelowna 8-1, Wenatchee beating Kamloops 6-5 and Port Angeles defeating Nanaimo 8-2, were the playoffs to start tomorrow, Bellingham would hold the second seed in the North, the Riverhawks would hold the third seed and Nanaimo and Victoria would be tied for the fourth seed. However, with their 6-3 record over Nanaimo this year, the HarbourCats would prevail on the tie-breaker and then have a first round match-up with the #1 seed Wenatchee.

There are still five games remaining in the season and anything can happen! Strap in and enjoy the ride!

BC DAY FIREWORKS & FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT APPROACHING CAPACITY CROWD!
Just a note that all reserved seating is effectively sold out for Monday’s fireworks and Fan Appreciation night, the final home game of the regular season. Select single reserved seats, general admission and some VIP area tickets are still available at harbourcats.com/tickets. If you are holding general admission tickets for this game, gates open at 5:00 pm and you are advised to arrive early to get your best choice of seating.

VOUCHER HOLDERS
With all reserved seating sold out, ALL voucher holders wishing to attend Monday’s game will be issued general admission tickets. Vouchers must be used Monday and can not be used for playoffs, or carried over into next season.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Send Lefties Packing with Series Sweep

Published

2 days ago

July 31, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

David Krahn (UBC) has hit a franchise record nine home runs this season on the way to a well-deserved Player of the Year Award. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart)

Victoria, B.C. – It was all HarbourCats in this Thursday night showdown between Victoria and Port Angeles, with the Cats putting on a pitching clinic for a 5-1 win and a series sweep.

Port Angeles drew first blood in this one, rallying with two outs and scoring on a bloop single to take an early lead in the top of the second. The Cats responded quickly, however, sparked by a leadoff double that Michael Rodda (Palomar) smashed over the head of the centre fielder. A walk and a bunt then loaded the bases, and a free pass taken by Aidan Rice (Portland) brought in the first run for Victoria. Riley Kwak (Bossier Parish) put enough distance on a fly ball to drive in another from third, turning the tables and giving the HarbourCats a 2-1 lead after two innings.

BOX SCORE

The Lefties loaded the bases in the top of the third in an attempt to regain control, but Taylor Franklin (George Fox) escaped the jam to end his third inning of work without allowing another run. Flynn Warren (Hawaii Pacific) took over for the fourth inning, keeping Port Angeles at bay with another scoreless frame.

Community Involvement Award winner Flynn Warren tossed four shutout innings in tonight’s win. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart)

Victoria made some noise once again in the bottom of the sixth! With two outs and two runners on, Riley Kwak hammered a base knock through the infield to bring home one run, followed by another RBI single from Bryan Bradshaw (UCSD) to widen the lead to 4-1.

Flynn Warren’s night was done after four stellar innings in which he allowed no runs and picked up six strikeouts. Taking his place was Carson Ackermann (Tacoma), who worked his way through a scoreless eighth inning. David Krahn ripped an RBI single into centre field for the cherry on top before Ackermann closed out a decisive 5-1 win to complete the series sweep.

Jeremiah Arnett holds a sparkling 1.74 ERA and 62 strikeouts and was crowned this year’s HarbourCats Pitcher of the Year. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart)

The Cats will now hit the road for a weekend series in Bellingham to continue the fight for a playoff spot.

WCL STANDINGS

There is only one home game left in the 2026 season! On August 3rd, we end the season with a bang with our final fireworks show and Fan Appreciation Night! Don’t miss your chance to catch a game in 2026! Get your tickets now at http://Harbourcats.com/tickets.

ATTENTION VOUCHER HOLDERS: Just a reminder that all ticket vouchers must be exchanged for one of our remaining regular season games! They are not eligible for playoffs, nor can they be carried over to 2027.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Clinch Series Win Against Lefties

Published

3 days ago

July 30, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Jacob Silva was all over the bases in this one, earning three walks and stealing three bases. (Photo by JPM Photography)

Victoria, B.C. – The HarbourCats and Lefties faced off for the second of three games this week, with Victoria nailing down a 3-2 win to clinch the series.

Spencer Kratt (San Jose State) got off to a good start in this one with a strikeout to begin the game. Unfortunately, that was all the action the right-hander would get, as a comebacker hit him up high which necessitated his removal from the game. Davis Lee (Calgary) was activated to step in for his fallen comrade and picked up where he left off, striking out two Lefties to finish the first inning.

BOX SCORE

The HarbourCats got it in gear in the bottom of the second beginning with a leadoff walk earned by Jacob Silva (UTSA). Michael Rodda (Palomar) singled with two outs and took an extra base to move up to second before Cameron Chee-Aloy (Illinois) blooped a ball into right field. Both infielders came around to score and the Cats took a 2-0 lead.

Davis Lee’s excursion came to an end after nearly four full frames of shutout baseball. Lee suffocated the Lefties with six strikeouts in 3.2 innings before bowing out for Tristin Thomas (West Texas A&M) in the top of the fifth. Thomas hit the ground running and picked up two K’s in a quick three-up three-down inning.

Victoria picked up their pitching staff by extending the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a run manufactured by Cameron Chee-Aloy. The speedy centre fielder walked, stole second, stole third base, and came all the way home when the throw went way over the head of the third baseman. Heads-up baserunning from Chee-Aloy, and a 3-0- lead for the home team.

Tristin Thomas struck out five batters in just two innings. (Photo by JPM Photography)

Port Angeles responded in the sixth with a pair of singles to begin the inning, and later drove in their first run on a laser out to left field. Nonetheless, Thomas was able to shrug it off and finish the inning off with three strikeouts. The New Mexico native came back for the seventh, but two walks in a row to start the inning spelled the end of his night. Nathan Mueller (Texas A&M Corpus Christi) took his place with no outs and a couple of runners on and deftly found his way out of the jam with a strikeout and two groundouts.

Mueller mounted another daring escape in the eighth. A plunked batter and a double put runners on second and third with no outs, but Mueller locked in and secured three consecutive strikeouts to put up another scoreless inning. The Lefties had another comeback attempt in the ninth, but Victoria buckled down and clinched the series with a 3-2 victory.

WCL STANDINGS

There are only two home games remaining in the 2026 regular season including the finale of our mid-week set against the Port Angeles Lefties on Thursday night! Then on August 3rd, we end the season with a bang! Our final fireworks show and Fan Appreciation Night! Don’t miss your chance to catch a game in 2026! Get your tickets now at http://Harbourcats.com/tickets.

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