Jake Butler started at shortstop tonight and had one hit (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

July 11, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats could not carry the momentum from the road trip across the border as they lost to the Kelowna Falcons 6-3 Friday night.

It was a pitcher’s duel early with Shea Lake (West Texas A&M) making his sixth appearance of the season, and it was his best yet. The right-hander threw five shutout innings, giving up three hits, no walks, and striking out three batters. He retired 11 Falcons in a row to finish his outing.

BOX SCORE

It was scoreless until the fourth inning when Cayden Munster (Fresno State) led off the frame with a double and later scored on a Dillon Lopez (St. Mary’s) sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 HarbourCats.

Many friends around the community showed up to celebrate Harvey the HarbourCat’s Birthday (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Logan Shepherd (Mercer U) came up in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and hit a grounder to short to score the runner from third, but a throwing error by the shortstop allowed a second runner to come home, and it was 3-0 for the home team.

WCL STANDINGS

Ryne Palmer (Cal Baptist) made his first appearance of 2025 after leading Victoria with 27-1/3 innings pitched last summer. It was a season debut to forget as he gave up five runs on three hits while walking two and striking out a pair. When the score was 3-1, Palmer was one strike away from escaping the jam relatively unscathed, but a wild pitch and a bad hop over Munster’s glove at first allowed the inning to continue. A Tyler Garritano RBI double then made it 5-3 Falcons.

Braxton Thomas hit a solo home run in the eighth inning off Oliver Mabee (Nebraska Omaha) to extend the lead to 6-3. Mabee completed 2-1/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits, while striking out four.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Ethan McNish-Heider (Niagara) made his sixth appearance of the campaign and threw a one-two-three ninth inning.

The Cats brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Ethan Coronel shut the door, striking out Isaiah Afework (TAMU-CC) to end the game.

Cayden Munster went one for five with a double (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 6:35 PM, and it is Island Savings’ Fireworks night! Sunday’s matinee is the always popular Bark in the Park game, presented by Woofability, where all dogs are welcome! Get tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).