WCL Victoria HabourCats

HarbourCats Edge Bend in Second-Half Opener

July 9, 2016 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release


July 9, 2016, Victoria, BC (ISN) - The Victoria HarbourCats started the second half of their season in fine form Saturday night, earning a tight 3-1 win over the 2015 West Coast League (WCL) Champion Bend Elks in front of 1,903 fans at Royal Athletic Park (RAP) in Victoria.

The win moves the HarbourCats record to 24-4 overall after they closed out the first-half of the season with a sweep of Cowlitz on the road this past week and keeps them a perfect 16-0 for home games played at RAP.

The game was a great match-up between last year's defending WCL champions - the Elks feature 12 returning players from that team - and the up-and-coming HarbourCats, who scorched through the first half of the schedule, setting a new WCL consecutive win record of 19 games in the process.

The majority of runs in this game were scored early on, as Joe Prior would get things going for the Victoria offence in the bottom of the first, launching the first pitch he saw from Bend starter Riley Newman over the left field fence, scoring Griffin Andreychuk (single) and giving Victoria a quick 2-0 lead.

Victoria starter Will McAffer, who gave up a pair of harmless singles in the first, would get himself into some trouble in the second, giving up a single and three walks, including a bases loaded walk to George Mendoza that scored Jared Gonzales, cutting the lead to 2-1.

McAffer would bear down however to strike out three in the inning to get out of the jam, but that would be the end of his night and the 'Cats turned to Blake Hannah to start the third.

Hannah and Newman would then settle in for their own little pitcher's duel, keeping their respective opponents scoreless, through to the eighth inning, with Newman being the beneficiary of three double-plays by his defence, as well as a couple of HarbourCats base-running gaffs that cost Victoria a couple of outs at second base. Hannah was also helped by a great diving catch by HarbourCats right fielder Cody Snider in the top of the fifth.

Victoria sent Greg Casper to the hill for the eighth and after he would retire the side in order, the 'Cats would grab some insurance off Newman in the bottom half when PJ Floyd was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game, stole second and came in to score on an RBI-single by Jarron Silva, giving Victoria a 3-1 lead heading to the ninth.

In the top of the ninth, After a one-out walk to Gonzales and a passed ball that moved him to second, Casper would strike out Jack Strunc and then pinch-hitter Elliot Willy to end the game and keep the HarbourCats undefeated at home.

Blake Hannah, with five innings of one-hit, scoreless relief, gets the win, while Casper earns the save. Bend's Newman takes the loss, going eight full innings and giving up the three runs on eight hits, one walk, while striking out six.

In addition to Prior's big blast, the 'Cats were led offensively by Andreychuk with three hits, while Stone added a pair. Snider also added a double. For Bend, Tommy Lane led the way with two hits.

The HarbourCats and Bend continue their series with a 1:00 PM matinee affair on Sunday, followed by a 6:35 pm game Monday night to round out the three-game set.

PLAYOFF TICKETS

HarbourCats season ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase playoff tickets until July 11. Tickets are being sold as a two-game package, and on July 12 those two-game packages will go on sale to all others and season tickets will be released for purchase as well.

Single-game tickets for the games, expected to be August 10 and 11 (the second game, if needed), will go on sale around July 26, but that will depend on sales volumes with the two-game packages.

Note that regular season flex pack passes will not be able to be used in the playoffs.

For more information, visit this link -- http://sponsorimpact.com/files/HC_playoff_packages_2016.pdf

UPCOMING HOMESTAND

Details on the entire homestand are as follows-- Sunday, July 10: 1:00pm first pitch, gates open at 12:00pm. Harvey, the team's beloved mascot will celebrate his birthday with a bobblehead giveaway thanks to Synergy Health.

Postgame will be the Diamond Dig with Barclay's Fine Custom Jewelers and it is also RBC Friends and Family Game Day.

Monday, July 11: 6:35pm first pitch, gates open at 5:30pm. Columbia Fuels is staging a special 'Feel the Heat' surprise promotion at this game.

10-PACK TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

A 10-Pack is the perfect way to enjoy HarbourCats baseball when you want and with whom you want. There are still 12 regular season home games remaining this season, so get yours today!

Call the office (778-265-0327 ) to buy 10-Packs or stop in at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.



West Coast League Stories from July 9, 2016


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.

OurSports Central