Brandon Green launches a third inning home run to get the HarbourCats offence started, en route to a 12-2 win over Yakima, Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story by Micah Collins

June 16, 2023, Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats extended their unbeaten home record to seven wins with a 12-2 victory over the visiting Yakima Valley Pippins on Friday night at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

FULL BOX SCORE

It was a scoreless game up until the bottom of the third, when second baseman Brandon Green hit a solo home run, his first with the ‘Cats.  The floodgates started to open in the bottom of the sixth inning as the ‘Cats extended their lead to 4-0, including an RBI single from Kyle Hepburn and a sac-fly from Green.  The HarbourCats then put the game out of reach in the seventh inning, scoring seven runs, extending their lead to double digits.  The Yakima Valley Pippins scored two runs late in the top of ninth, but ultimately was too late to start a comeback.

Former Canuck Goaltender Kirk McLean (centre) was on hand Friday to throw out the first pitch to Kevin Shea (left) and Harvey the HarburCat (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

Baylor University prospect Cam Caley was on the mound for Victoria, shutting down the Pippins with eight strikeouts, allowing only one hit in just over four innings of work.  Relief pitchers Dawson Hurford, the “magic man” Ryan Magdic, and new arrival Dylan Osborne took care of the second half of the game striking out five Pippin batters collectively.

Victoria shortstop Hudson Shupe throws to first against Yakima on Friday (Photo: Justin Morash)

Tommy Eisenstat continued to have a hot bat for Yakima, with a pair of hits and two RBI. Starting Yakima pitcher Dylan Bishop takes the loss.

The HarbourCats now sit only a half game behind the Bellingham Bells for the top spot in the West Coast League and look to make it five wins in a row, eight at home,  tomorrow night at 6:35PM.  The ‘Cats will then end the series Sunday afternoon at 1:05PM for a special Father’s Day game.

Tickets for all games available at the gate or at harbourcats.com/tickets

Hudson Shupe made a successful return to the HarbourCats with two hits and two RBI in the Cats 12-2 win (Photo: Justin Morash)

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