First-Half Race Update and Weekly Award Winners Unveiled
July 3, 2023 - West Coast League (WCL) News Release
This week, and perhaps as soon as Tuesday night, the West Coast League's first two postseason berths will be clinched by the first-half winners in each division.
Given the nature of West Coast League scheduling, it's practically impossible for every WCL team to finish their "first half" on the same date.
As a result, each team's first half officially ends on the date, or occasionally one day after, when they were originally scheduled to play their 27th game. In the event of halted, suspended, or postponed games that will not be completed or played by that date, those games will ultimately count in the second-half (and of course full-season) standings.
Sunday, the Victoria HarbourCats locked in their first-half record: 19-8.
Meanwhile, the Wenatchee AppleSox (18-6) and Bellingham Bells (17-7) both remain very much in contention with Victoria for the North Division's first-half playoff slot (and home-field edge in the first round of the WCL playoffs next month). Beginning tomorrow night, the Bells host the Kamloops NorthPaws, while the AppleSox visit the Port Angeles Lefties.
Wenatchee controls their own destiny, as a sweep would clinch the first-half title. But there are multitude of possibilities, from any one of those three teams finishing with the best record to a three-way tie. In the event of a two- or three-team tie, there are various tiebreakers, beginning with head-to-head records among the tied teams. All playoff procedures are outlined on this page.
In the South Division, the Ridgefield Raptors have also reached their halfway point, with an 18-8 (.692) record (they've got a makeup game scheduled that will, when played later this summer, count in the second-half standings).
The Corvallis Knights are on track to play 27 games in their first half, but the Portland Pickles, due to halted and postponed games, will likely finish with only 24.
To beat out Ridgefield, both Portland and Corvallis have to sweep their series this week; Portland heads north to Ridgefield, and Corvallis heads way north to Kelowna. If both teams manage road sweeps, the Pickles will finish with the slightest of edges over Corvallis in winning percentage (.708-.704), and snag that first-half playoff spot.
With eight teams heading to the playoffs - the first- and second-half winners in each division, plus two wild cards - teams not finishing atop first-half standings are top contenders for wild-card spots, while every WCL team can legitimately entertain second-half hopes.
To follow this week's action, plus the rest of the season and playoffs, fans can catch all the action via WCL Live, the league's user-friendly video streaming platform.
McCollum and Heppner Earn WCL's Moss Adams Weekly Honors
The West Coast League's Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by Commissioner Rob Neyer, are Cowlitz Black Bears outfielder LeTrey McCollum (UC Santa Barbara) and Victoria HarbourCats right-hander Sean Heppner (University of British Columbia).
Last week, McCollum went 11 for 19 in five games while scoring nine runs and stealing seven bases. Only 12 WCL players have stolen more bases in the entire season compared to McCollum's total over last week's five-game stretch. The rising junior has made an instant impact since joining Cowlitz, producing a .447 batting average in 10 games. In 52 starts for UC Santa Barbara this spring, he batted .300 with a team-high .336 average in Big West games.
Sunday against the Bellingham Bells, Victoria's Heppner was overpowering, earning the win to complete the HarbourCats' sweep. In just five innings, Heppner K'd a dozen Bells while allowing only two hits. In his five outings this summer, Heppner ranks second in the League with 35 strikeouts in only 20 innings. As a sophomore this spring, he was named Cascade Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year after going 7-5 with a 3.23 ERA for the UBC Thunderbirds.
West Coast League Stories from July 3, 2023
- First-Half Race Update and Weekly Award Winners Unveiled - WCL
- Pickles Erupt for 17 Runs in Big Win over Pippins - Yakima Valley Pippins
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
