Nail Biter Ends HarbourCats Streak at Nine
July 17, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release
VICTORIA, B.C. -- Walk off this way? Almost.
On a night where Aerosmith packed the arena two blocks away, a crowd of 2,211 watched the Victoria HarbourCats fall 8-7 to the Bellingham Bells on Thursday at Sports Traders Diamond at RAP. The result dropped the HarbourCats' record to 17-17 and ended a nine-game winning streak -- a club record.
On Black Press Baseball Card Giveaway Night, the crowd was buzzing to the end with strong corporate groups from Victoria Chamber of Commerce, Freedom 55 and BC Games Society.
The HarbourCats had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth, trailing by a run, when AJ Alcantara struck out and Nick Meyer's tough chopper to second base ended the game.
Chase Scott had two home runs and Walker Olis had another long ball for the Bells.
Justin Calomeni was the winning pitcher, with Alex Rogers taking the loss, lasting only 2.1 innings and giving up six hits and four runs, failing to strike out a batter.
The HarbourCats fell behind 6-2 but rallied for three runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth, the latter on a two-run double by Austin Guibor, who finished the night at 2-4 with a run and the two RBIs. Scott Jarvis was 3-4 and Meyer was 2-4. Griffin Andreychuk scored three of the Victoria runs, and Michael Gretler knocked in two runs.
Bellingham outhit the HarbourCats 14-11 and both teams made two errors.
The back-to-back homers by Olis and Scott, solo jobs, in the ninth inning off Tei Vanderford marked the difference.
The two teams go at it again on Friday, 5:30pm gates open for a 6:35pm game. Bellingham is back to five games ahead in the chase for the West Division crown, and the HarbourCats slipped to two games back of the wildcard playoff berth.
Friday is not just Forces Friday with Galaxy Motors, with $5 tickets for all military members and families, but it's Superheroes Night with Superbath Mobile Car Wash, as one lucky fan's car is getting a major cleaning, inside and out. Also, Curious Comics is giving away 250 comic books to kids, and it's Island Savings Simply Free Fridays giveaway night, featuring prize packages and Island Savings thundersticks.
Saturday's game, a 1pm start, features a giveaway of refillable water bottles from Wilson's Transportation and YYJ Shuttle, and team posters from Metropol.
On Sunday, the HarbourCats are in Nanaimo to play a neutral site exhibition game against a beefed up Nanaimo Pirates team at Serauxmen Stadium.
West Coast League Stories from July 17, 2015
- Nail Biter Ends HarbourCats Streak at Nine - Victoria HabourCats
- Match-Up Between All-Star Pitchers Goes to Bend - Walla Walla Sweets
- McGuff Nearly Goes Distance in Elks Win - Bend Elks
- Rogues Fly by BlueJackets - Medford Rogues
- Falcons Lose Third Straight - Kelowna Falcons
- Bernstein Shines, But Pippins Fall to Corvallis - 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.
Other Recent Victoria HabourCats Stories
- Cats Sweep Owls with Huge Win
- Cats Complete Comeback with Walk-Off Win
- Cats Shut out Owls in Series Opener
- Shupe Returns to HarbourCats
- Bells Take Series with 8-2 Rout
