NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 21, 2017

The Victoria HarbourCats (22-18, 8-5 second half) and the Bellingham Bells (21-18, 5-7) engaged in another slugfest on Friday night, and this time it was Bellingham coming out on top to avoid the series sweep with a 10-7 win.

The HarbourCats sent all-star right-hander Adam McKillican (UBC) and his 4-0 record to the mound looking for the series sweep. The Courtenay, BC native had allowed more than one run in an outing just twice this season, but the Bells seemed to have his number on this night.

Bellingham reversed the script from Thursday’s game when the HarbourCats jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, scoring four times in the bottom of the first in Friday, seizing a quick 4-0 advantage. Catcher Chase Illig (West Virginia) started the scoring with a three-run home run, his eighth of the season.

The Bells added a run in the second with a solo home run from center fielder Austin Pinorini (Bellevue CC), his second of the season.

McKillican was able to deliver a pair of scoreless innings, but Illig connected again again in the fifth inning on his second home run of the game, a two-run shot, giving him a game-high five RBIs and extending Bellingham’s lead to seven.

McKillican would go five innings, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

Meanwhile, Bells starting right-hander Patrick Siler (Everett CC) made quick work of Victoria’s bats through four perfect and five no-hit innings in his first start of the season.

The HarbourCats were able to solve Siler in the sixth inning, striking for four runs, capped by a three-run home run from first baseman Po-Hao Huang (Taiwan), his first of the season to cut Bellingham’s lead to 7-4.

The respective bullpens had difficulty in the sixth and seventh innings, with Bellingham coming back with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth, and the HarbourCats countering with three in the seventh inning to bring the score to 10-7 for Bellingham.

Scoring in the top of the seventh was highlighted by consecutive RBI singles from center fielder Sam Cachola (Cal Berkeley) and shortstop Cole Weiss (UNC Wilmington).

The HarbourCats had the bases loaded with none out, down three in the inning, but Bells left-hander Arman Sabouri (Cal Berkeley) retired three straight with two strikeouts to keep Bellingham in front.

Bellingham held the HarbourCats scoreless in the final two frames, sealing the win. Right-hander Luke Manuel (New Mexico JC) worked a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts for his fifth save of the season.

Siler earns the win (1-0) for Bellingham, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts.

McKillican takes his first loss (4-1) for the HarbourCats.

The loss decreases the HarbourCats lead on the West Coast League North Division second half standings to one game momentarily over the Wenatchee AppleSox, who were still playing at press time.

The HarbourCats now head to Oregon to begin a three-game series with the Gresham GreyWolves beginning on Saturday night beginning at 6:35pm.

The next home series for the HarbourCats takes place Tuesday, July 25 through Thursday, July 27 against the Kelowna Falcons at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.

Only six regular season home games remain on the 2017 schedule. 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.