Harrison Spohn’s three RBI’s and two hits helped lead the way for the HarbourCats in a 12-1 blowout victory over the Kelowna Falcons. (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

Story by Josh Kozelj 

BOXSCORE

KELOWNA — One night after plating 15 runs in a blowout series opening victory, the Victoria HarbourCats (6-4) followed up their offensive explosion by totalling 18 hits and 12 runs in a 12-1 victory over the Kelowna Falcons (1-7) at Elks Stadium.

The win ensured the HarbourCats maintained pace with the division-leading Bellingham Bells, who won earlier in the night against Yakima Valley. Victoria now sits in a three way tie for second in the division, just a half game behind the Bells.

Nate Pecota had three hits and an RBI in the win tonight in Kelowna. (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

As for tonight, the ‘Cats brought the firepower immediately in the top half of the second. After bringing six men to the plate in the first, but failing to place a run on the board, Harrison Spohn’s solo shot in the second gave the HarbourCats an early lead.

Kelowna would respond in the home half of the frame, but it would turn out to be the only run the Falcons would score on the evening.

Spohn collected his second RBI of the night one inning later on a fielder’s choice to retake the lead, and the HarbourCats blew the game wide open to start the fourth. With the help of two singles, a pair of walks, and shaky pitching from Kelowna starter Ian Turner, the ‘Cats plated five runs in the inning to jump ahead by six. Turner was replaced halfway through the fourth, after going 3 1/3 with eight hits and five earned runs given up.

Parker Bramlett helped set the table atop the HarbourCats lineup with three hits and an RBI tonight. (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Meanwhile on the HarbourCats bump, Jack Hyde made his season debut and didn’t disappoint. Hyde would go six innings, allowing only four hits and a single run—good enough for a quality start in his first ever start for Victoria.

After failing to score in the fifth, the HarbourCats poured it on again in the sixth with three more runs, before scoring one more in both the seventh and eighth innings to grab some insurance and place the game well out of reach. All but two HarbourCats starters collected a hit on the evening, and both Spohn and the hot-hitting Tyson Hays had team-leading three RBI nights.

The blowout win tonight brought the HarbourCats record on their current five game road trip to 3-1, with the lone blemish coming after in the first game of the trip in Yakima against the Pippins. Victoria will attempt to make it four out of five on the road, and earn a series sweep of the Falcons, tomorrow evening in Kelowna. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm.