NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 24, 2017

The Victoria HarbourCats (24-19, 10-6 second half) used a five-run fifth inning to put a punctuation mark at the end of their six-game road trip by taking the trip finale and rubber match against the Gresham GreyWolves (18-26, 8-9) by a final of 9-6 on Monday night at Oslund Field.

The HarbourCats built an early lead, scoring twice in each of the first two innings. Catcher Shane McGuire (San Diego) drove in a run on a single in the first inning, his first of two RBIs in the game, giving him six in his past two games. A second inning single by shortstop Harry Shipley (Purdue) made it 4-0.

Gresham cut into the lead in half scoring two runs in the bottom of the third on a double by left fielder Jackson Overlund (Utah Valley).

The HarbourCats struck for five in the top of the fifth inning, getting a leadoff home run from right-fielder Hunter Vansau (Mississippi State), his team-leading sixth home run of the season. Four hitters collected an RBI in the inning, including an RBI double from Kevin Collard (San Diego) as Victoria opened up a 9-2 lead.

GreyWolves right-handed starter Alex Roth (Western Oregon) lasted 4.1 innings, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits and five walks with four strikeouts.

HarbourCats starting right-hander Matt Kent (Xavier) allowed a two-run home run to shortstop Alec de Watteville (Sacramento State) in the bottom of the inning, his fourth home run of the season, trimming the HarbourCats advantage to five.

Kent worked five innings in his second start of the season, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

Right-fielder Jake Palmer led Gresham with three hits including his seventh inning solo home run to bring the score to 9-5, and de Watteville added an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to cut the lead to 9-6, but that is as close as they would come.

Victoria received four strong innings from the bullpen including two innings from right-hander Connor Whitney (Park University) and one each from Indigo Diaz (Iowa Western) and Travis Kuhn (San Diego).

The win moves the HarbourCats momentarily two games ahead of the Wenatchee AppleSox for first place in the West Coast League north division. Wenatchee was trailing in their game against the Bellingham Bells at press time.

The HarbourCats return home to Victoria to host the Kelowna Falcons on Tuesday, July 25 through Thursday, July 27 at Royal Athletic Park.

July 25 and 26 are 6:35pm starts. The HarbourCats will be wearing special throwback uniforms on July 26, honouring the Victoria Mussels. That night is also Winning Wednesday with Spinnakers; all Spinnakers products at the park will be on sale for $5.

Thursday, July 27 is a businessperson’s special with a 1:05pm first pitch. It is also Grumpy Bum Pants Day with Bed Buddies Gifts.

The HarbourCats then head to Cowlitz to face the Black Bears before returning to Victoria for their final home series of the regular season, July 31 – August 2 vs. Bellingham.

Tickets for all games are available in person at the team office or online through Ticket Rocket: http://www.ticketrocket.co/search/events?searchText=HarbourCats

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 9:00 – 5:00pm daily on non-home game days. On home game days, the office is open at 9:00am until one hour prior to game time, when the ballpark gates and box office open.