PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 25, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Just days before the opening of the 2017 West Coast League season, the Victoria HarbourCats and head coach Brian McRae have re-signed a pair of veterans to help lead the club into Victoria’s fifth season.

Returning is outfielder Kevin Collard, who starred for the team in 2015, and right-handed pitcher Indigo Diaz, who returns from 2016.

The team has rounded out their pitching staff by signing lefty Jett Wodiuk and right-hander Taylor Prokopis from NCAA DII World Series-bound Colorado Mesa University.

OF Kevin Collard, University of San Diego, Sophomore, Vista, CA, 6/205

RHP Indigo Diaz, Iowa Western Community College, Freshman, Vancouver, BC, 6-4/

LHP Jett Wodiuk, Colorado Mesa University, Junior, Queen Creek, AZ, 6/175

RHP Taylor Prokopis, Colorado Mesa University, Junior, Sandy, UT, 6-3/200

Collard was a fixture in HarbourCats lineup in 2015 as a high school senior, prior to beginning his career at the University of San Diego (NCAA Div. 1; WCC). Batting in the middle of the order, Collard hit .311 and led the team with 13 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 35 RBIs. He added eight stolen bases and was named to the post-season All-WCL second team.

Collard hit .288 as a sophomore with the Toreros in 2017, swatting nine doubles and two home runs and driving in 24 runs.

“When you get a chance to bring back a player the calibre of Kevin Collard, you do it – a great player, better person, and exactly the kind of student-athlete we want to have as an ambassador for our program,” said Jim Swanson, managing partner of the HarbourCats. “Kevin can hit, Kevin is focused, and he works very hard. Kevin is here to get better, and his presence in the lineup will make everyone around him better.”

Indigo Diaz joined the HarbourCats late in the 2016 season, making four appearances including one start. The big right-hander was 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA, allowing seven hits and seven walks with eight strikeouts in 11 innings pitched in his first taste of collegiate-level competition prior to beginning his college career at Iowa Western CC.

Diaz has appeared in 16 games as a freshman for the Reivers, starting two, and posting a 3-1 record with a 5.93 ERA. In 30.1 innings, he has allowed 27 hits and recorded 39 strikeouts.

Jett Wodiuk (WID-ick) is a heavily relied-upon lefty in the bullpen for Colorado Mesa. Working in 17 games, Wodiuk has recorded a 2-0 record and a 2.45 ERA while allowing just 14 hits and striking out 11 batters in 18.1 innings.

Taylor Prokopis has made seven appearances this spring including two starts, working to a 6.89 ERA and recording seven strikeouts in 15.2 innings pitched.

Wodiuk and Prokopis join CMU catcher Tanner Rempel on the HarbourCats roster. Rempel was named to the RMAC All-Tournament Team on the way to CMU qualifying for the NCAA DII World Series. The trio will be the first players from Colorado Mesa to play for the HarbourCats.

“Coach Hanks runs what is probably the best Division-2 program in baseball, and we’re excited to begin a relationship with Colorado-Mesa,” said Swanson.

View the HarbourCats roster– http://harbourcats.com/team_categories/2017/

The HarbourCats open the 2017 WCL season on June 1 on the road against the WCL’s newest team, the Port Angeles Lefties. Their home opener at Royal Athletic Park is June 5 when the Wenatchee AppleSox visit Victoria.

Single game tickets are available at the HarbourCats office and online: https://t.co/8fTF63alFb

12-INNING GAME AT RAP

 After such a long winter, the HarbourCats can’t wait to step onto the grass at Royal Athletic Park. With this in mind, head coach Brian McRae has scheduled a 12-inning game on Tuesday, May 30. First pitch will be thrown at 6:35pm at RAP.

The game will be an exhibition contest against the top men’s baseball players in the Victoria area. The opposition squad will feature players who will compete in the Baseball Canada Men’s Championship presented by Yates Street Taphouse, in Victoria this August. A collection of former HarbourCats players will also suit up.

 2017 SEASON TICKETS

More than 60,000 fans attended HarbourCats games in 2016 for an average of 2,239 fans per game, which led the West Coast League and ranked ninth in all of North America among summer-collegiate clubs.  Secure your favorite seat today for the 2017 season.

Seating location and pricing (Fees and taxes included) options are as follows—

CAMPBELL REAL ESTATE CLUB SEATS (Padded & served. First two rows of Grandstand.) SOLD OUT

$589.50

DIAMOND CLUB SEATS (Added in 2016)

$589.50 (SOLD OUT)

MAIN GRANDSTAND (Section 10, covered)

$426.75

PREMIUM SEATING (Sections 6-7-8-9-11-12, blue bucket seats)

$405.75

GENERAL ADMISSION (Silver bleachers, picnic areas, wheelchair seating, soccer grandstand)

$300.75

*All prices listed are base price, and do not include fees or GST.

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.

HOMEWARD BOUND PET FOOD DELIVERY – OFFER EXTENDED

Any purchase of a HarbourCats season ticket or 10-pack during the month of May will include a free bag of dog or cat food from Homeward Bound Pet Food Delivery.

10-packs include 10 un-dated vouchers to be redeemed for game tickets (pending availability) in any combination.

Visit http://www.homewardboundpetfood.com and Homeward Bound Pet Food Delivery Victoria on Facebook.

OFFICE HOURS

The HarbourCats office is located at 1814 Vancouver Street, 778-265-0327.

May office hours:

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 9:00am – 5:30pm

SATURDAY-SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)