NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 9, 2017

The Victoria HarbourCats had a chance to clinch a berth in the West Coast League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history on Wednesday night in Kelowna. Led by another offensive outburst, and a strong start on the mound, the HarbourCats left little doubt in an 11-5 win, claiming the two-game series sweep over the Kelowna Falcons.

The HarbourCats entered the night leading the best-of-three North Division Final one game to none, following Tuesday’s convincing 11-5 victory in Victoria at Royal Athletic Park, and it was more of the same on Wednesday at Kelowna’s Elks Stadium.

Victoria wasted no time scoring three in the top of the second inning, giving right-handed starter Blake Hannah (UC Davis) an early lead in his first start of the playoffs.

Kelowna got two back in the bottom of the inning, but the HarbourCats re-extended their lead with a pair in the third on a two-run single by third baseman Po-Hao Huang (Taiwan) to lead 5-2.

Huang struck again in the fifth inning, blasting a three-run home run, on his way to a team-leading three hits and five RBIs as Victoria mounted a 9-2 lead.

Hannah delivered a strong start, earning the win (1-0), working six innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits with one walk and one strikeout.

The loss was charged to Falcons starting left-hander Andrew Alvarez (Cal Poly, 0-1) who allowed eight earned runs on eight hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.

Catcher Shane McGuire (San Diego) capped the scoring for the HarbourCats with a two-run double to expand the lead to 11-2.

Four relievers combined to work the final three innings of the 11-5 victory.

With the win, the HarbourCats advance to the franchise’s first West Coast League Championship Series. They will play the winner of the South Final, which is tied one game apiece between the Yakima Valley Pippins and Corvallis Knights.

Game one will be played on Saturday, August 12 with games two and three taking place on Monday and Tuesday, August 14 and 15.

If Corvallis advances, game one would be played in Victoria, and if Yakima Valley advances, the HarbourCats would host games two and three.

Ticket info for the WCL Championship Series will be announced in the very near future.

2018 SEASON TICKETS 

2018 season ticket renewals and sales are now available including the highly popular Campbell Real Estate Club. Tentative plans are in the works to expand the new home plate seating section from two to four rows of padded seating.

Waiting lists will be taken for season tickets in the Diamond Club seats.

Visit the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or call (778)-265-0327 to purchase season tickets or for more information. You can also email brittany@harbourcats.com for further details, or go to the team website at harbourcats.com.

OFFICE HOURS

The HarbourCats office (1814 Vancouver Street, 778-265-0327) is open 9:00am – 5:00pm on non-game days, and 9:00am until stadium box office opens on game days, unless otherwise stated.