Above Photo: Trevin Hope was fantastic on the mound for the Bells on Thursday night (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Victoria, BC ~ The Bellingham Bells used two six plus-run innings to defeat Victoria 16-6 in the rubber match of a three game West Coast League series on Thursday night at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.

Boxscore

After a stunning come from behind victory Wednesday night, the HarbourCats were unable to hold back a Bellingham offense that exploded for two in the first, six in the fourth and seven in the seventh inning. They would end up with sixteen runs across the board, which proved more than enough to defeat the Cats.

Hudson Shupe makes a throw to first base during Thursday night’s action (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Jace Walker got the start on the mound for Victoria, but gave up eight runs over four innings of play while surrendering seven hits and five walks. Trevin Hope was the man sent to the bump for the Bells and put forth a very solid effort, going seven innings while giving up four runs on eight hits and striking out five.

Jace Walker on the mound for Victoria (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Victoria was able to hit two homeruns on Thursday night however, as first, Colton Moore tied the HarbourCats franchise single season record for homeruns in a season (8) before Jesse Brown launched a solo shot to left in the bottom of the ninth inning. 

Colten Moore connects for a blast to left field, tying the franchise record for long balls in a year (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

Andrew Gillion was also a bright spot for Victoria, as one of the newest Cats was called upon to make his WCL debut on the mound. He more than answered the bell by stopping the bleeding in the seventh inning before closing out the eighth and ninth inning. He failed to give up a run while allowing three hits. 

Standings Watch

Victoria’s loss on Thursday night, while combined with another Wenatchee win, pushed the Cats to two games back of the AppleSox for the second half title. Kelowna and Bellingham’s wins tonight also mean that they are two games back of Wenatchee. It should be a dog fight to the finish line with four, possibly five, teams all within striking distance of the second half North Division crown.

Cats teammates congratulate Colton Moore (#6) on his homerun (Photo: Christian J Stewart)

What’s Next?

Victoria will fly out to Edmonton for their first ever flying road trip, to face the Riverhawks for a three game weekend set. Victoria will return home to play at Wilson’s Group Stadium on Tuesday the 26th to begin a three game exhibition series against the Northwest Honkers. Get your tickets now and don’t miss a moment of the action down the stretch by visiting harbourcats.com/tickets.