Above Photo: Tyler Pettit (left) tags out Malcom Moore (#10) attempting to head home in the top of the first (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Victoria, BC ~ The Bellingham Bells used a three-run top of the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie and defeat the Victoria HarbourCats by an eventual score of 8-2 in West Coast League playoff action Tuesday night at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. 

Boxscore

Bellingham got the ball rolling on the offensive front early, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning off of Victoria starter Loreto Siniscalchi. Loreto would leave the game after four innings and surrender two runs on six hits while striking out four, making for a great start. 

Loreto Siniscalchi on the mound for the HarbourCats on Tuesday night (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Victoria was able to push two runs across in the bottom of the fifth inning, which at the time would tie the game at two. Brandt Pancer was given the task of holding the Victoria offense in check to start the game, and he lived up to those expectations. Pancer was brilliant for the Bells, going five innings with just two earned runs on five hits while striking out four. 

Brandt Pancer throws a pitch during the early innings of Tuesday nights affair (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

The Bells would answer right back with three of their own in the top of the sixth to jump out to a 5-2 lead. That inning was highlighted by a throwing error to Victorian shortstop Hudson Shupe that brought two runs around to score.

Bellingham celebrates a run in the second inning on Tuesday (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Bellingham would tack three more runs to their lead in the eighth inning after a bases loaded double into the right center field gap by Cameron Dayton which cleared the bases. That was more than enough for the Bells as they cruised to a 8-2 victory and took a 1-0 lead in this North Divisional best of three series. 

Malcom Moore has a very interesting celebration to a leadoff double in the first (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Tyler Pettit was sensational for the Cats on Tuesday night as he picked up 3 hits while scoring a run. He also made a brilliant play at the plate in the top of the first to tag out a Bellingham runner attempting to head home. 

Tyler Pettit before the game with the umpire (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Wesley Moore was lights out for the Bells, as he came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth inning, and failed to allow a run for the rest of the game. He finished with four innings of two hit and no run baseball. 

What’s Next?

Victoria will head to Bellingham for one, possibly two playoff games depending on the outcome of tomorrow night. Victoria will not play another home game this summer meaning that the baseball season in Victoria has come to an end. It has been a great year of summer baseball and the HarbourCats would like to thank every single fan who came out and supported this year. After a two year hiatus, it was sure nice to have HarbourCats baseball back at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Season Tickets for the 2023 season will soon be on sale. Watch for details early next week, or pop into the HarbourCats office to learn more.  Off-season office hours are now in effect and the office will be open Tuesdays to Fridays, 10AM t0 4PM.