PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 27, 2016

The Victoria HarbourCats defeated the Wenatchee AppleSox, 7-4 at Paul Thomas Sr. Field in Wenatchee, WA on Monday evening and made history, establishing a new West Coast League record for consecutive victories with 15.

Right-hander James Kannenberg (San Francisco/0-1, 1.68 ERA) made his fourth start of the season for the HarbourCats, opposed by AppleSox righty Jimmy Dobrash (South Mountain CC/1-2, 4.65 ERA) in his fifth start.

Both pitchers faced the minium through the first two innings before the AppleSox opened the scoring in the bottom of the third with two runs on three hits.

Wenatchee’s lead did not last long as the HarbourCats responded immediately in the top of the fourth. A sacrifice fly by left fielder Ben Polshuk (Cal Poly) scored center fielder Matt Lautz (UC Santa Barbara) to make it 2-1 Wenatchee. One batter later, catcher Joe Prior (Fresno State) smacked a two-run home run that scored Dakota Dean (New Orleans) to put the HarbourCats ahead 3-2.

Kannenberg maintained his team’s 3-2 lead before exiting due to an apparent injury after pitching 4.2 innings allowing two earned runs on four hits and a walk with six strikeouts.

Right-hander Colin Ashworth (Orange Coast College) recorded the final out of the fifth inning, and in the top of the sixth, Polshuk would launch his team-leading third home run of the season to expand the HarbourCats lead to 4-2.

After working a scoreless sixth, Ashworth was relieved by Austin Dondanville (Cal Poly) with two on and one out in the bottom of the seventh. Dondanville struck out his first batter but then surrendered a double to Wenatchee third baseman Shane Martinez (Arizona) that scored a pair to tie the game at four.

Once again the HarbourCats had an immediate answer, this time a three-run top of the eighth. Second baseman Griffin Andreychuk (Seattle) gave the HarbourCats their lead back, with an RBI double scoring Matt Lautz. Dakota Dean was hit by a pitch and Polshuk walked to load the bases before Prior walked, scoring Andreychuk to put the HarbourCats ahead by two before a wild pitch scored Dean to finish the scoring at 7-4 HarbourCats.

After Dondanville pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief on one hit with three strikeouts, Right-hander Holden Lyons (Oklahoma City) took the mound in the ninth and was dominant, working a perfect inning with two strikeouts, securing the HarbourCats their West Coast League record 15^th straight win.

Dondanville earns the win (2-0) and Lyons picks up his fourth save.

Game two of the series goes at 7:05pm on Tuesday in Wenatchee. Left-hander Jack Wolger (UC Berkeley/0-0, 7.36 ERA) will make his second start for the HarbourCats against Luke Mattson (Nevada/0-3, 7.71 ERA) for the AppleSox.

The series concludes on Wednesday, a 7:05pm start in Wenatchee featuring the season debut of HarbourCats right-hander Kyle Mora (UCLA) and Wenatchee lefty Justin Blatner (Gonzaga/2-0, 0.77 ERA).

CANADA DAY HOMESTAND

The HarbourCats return home on Thursday for a four-game series against the Kelowna Falcons at Royal Athletic Park.

Thursday’s series opener goes at 6:35pm (gates open at 5:30) with the Canada Day Eve fireworks display presented by Castle Home Builders following the game. Tickets are selling fast and fans are encouraged to secure their seats early. Tickets are available online at www.harbourcats.com/tickets or the team office (1814 Vancouver Street/778-265-0327)

The same two teams play a doubleheader on Canada Day, July 1 at RAP with first pitch at 1:00pm. The HarbourCats will bat first as the road team in the second game of this single-admission doubleheader, which is a makeup game for a rainout earlier in the season in Kelowna. An after-event is being hosted at Yates Street Taphouse.

The all-Canadian series wraps up on Saturday, July 2 at 6:35pm and fans are encouraged to bring socks to throw during the sock toss for Anawim House after the HarbourCats score their first run of the 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 15 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.

OFFICE HOURS

Assistant GM Brittany French is in the office and ready to assist fans with all ticket purchasing and can take care of any other requests and questions fans may have.

The team office at 1814 Vancouver Street (across from RAP) is operating under in-season hours:

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 9:00am-5:00pm

SATURDAY – 10:00am-2:00pm

SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)