KELOWNA, BC—The Victoria HarbourCats (18-13/4-0 in second half) extended their winning streak to eight games with a 12-2 win over the Kelowna Falcons (17-13/0-3) Thursday night at Elks Stadium.

With the win, the HarbourCats complete their second straight series sweep and outscore Kelowna 36-8 in the series, reaching double figures in all three games.

The HarbourCats sent left-hander Jack Owen (Auburn), the reigning West Coast League Pitcher of the Week, to the mound for his fourth start of the season.

Owen went pitch-for-pitch early in the game with Kelowna righty Jared Gray (Everett CC) who was making his first start.

After second baseman Tucker Johnson (Baylor) singled to lead off the top of the third inning, the HarbourCats drew first blood on a home run by shortstop Cole Weiss (UNC Wilmington), his second of the season, giving Victoria a 2-0 lead.

The Falcons got a run back in the bottom of the third inning, but Victoria’s came alive in the second half of the game to erase any doubt.

The HarbourCats would score at least two runs in every inning from the fifth inning through the eighth, mounting a 12-1 lead.

Riley Zayicek (UNC Wilmington) collected an RBI double in the fifth inning and was driven in by third baseman Noah Prewett (San Diego) before catcher Shane McGuire (San Diego) picked up a pair of RBIs on a sixth inning double.

The bottom third of the order was productive for the HarbourCats in this one as their seven through nine hitters combined for eight hits with five runs scored and seven RBIs.

A four-run seventh inning saw right-fielder Hunter Vansau (Mississippi State) hit his third home run of the season as well as an RBI single by Johnson, giving him a team-high three hits in the game.

Right-handed relievers Radd Thomas and Liam Steigerwald (UC Santa Barbara) pitched an inning each in relief as Kelowna’s only response was one run in the bottom of the eighth.

Owen earned the win (3-0) for the HarbourCats, working seven strong innings, allowing one run on six hits with five strikeouts.

Jared Gray takes the loss (0-1) for Kelowna, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.

The HarbourCats have scored double figures four times during their eight-game win streak.

The HarbourCats eighth straight victory completes their second straight series sweep and is now their third longest win streak in franchise history.

The HarbourCats return home to Victoria for a weekend series against the Bend Elks at Royal Athletic Park.

The series begins with Freedom 55 Financial Game Night and Forces Friday with Galaxy Motors, followed by Yoga Day in Victoria on Saturday. Harvey’s birthday wraps up the series on Sunday.

Start times on Friday and Saturday are 6:35pm, with a 1:05pm first pitch on Sunday.

Tickets are available online via Ticket Rocket: http://www.ticketrocket.co/search/events?searchText=HarbourCats

Complete ticket information is available at www.harbourcats.com/tickets

2018 SEASON TICKETS 

2018 season tickets will go on sale in July including the highly popular Campbell Real Estate Club. Tentative plans are in the works to expand the new home plate seating section from two to four rows of padded seating.

Waiting lists will be taken for season tickets in the Diamond Club seats.

Visit the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or call (778)-265-0327 to purchase season tickets or for more information. You can also email brittany@harbourcats.com for further details, or go to the team website at harbourcats.com.

OFFICE HOURS

The HarbourCats office (1814 Vancouver Street, 778-265-0327) is open 12:00pm – 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 5 and Thursday, July 6.

The office is open daily the weekend of July 7-9 at 9:00am until the stadium box office and gates open one hour prior to first pitch.