Michael Crossland celebrates with Lane Brewster after his second inning home run Thursday. He would finish with two hits and three-RBI (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

June 22, 2023

Victoria, BC – There may be a handful of cleaning companies calling the HarbourCats office looking for help this weekend,  as the HarbourCats have proved themselves very good at sweeping.

Victoria earned it’s fourth sweep of the year Thursday night, defeating the Edmonton Riverhawks 9-7 at Wilson’s Group Stadium, moving their record to 14-4 overall (11-1 at home) and keeping them in the hunt for first in the North Division with Bellingham (12-3) and Wenatchee (13-4) who both won Thursday night.

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The HarbourCats will now travel to Bellingham Friday for a key first place showdown against the Bells, with Friday’s game at 4:35pm, Saturday at 6:35 and Sunday at 1:05.

Tripp Clark was solid behind the plate and scored three times in Thursday’s win over Edmonton (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Like all three games in this series, the game was tight through the first half, tied 3-3 after four innings, but a five-run explosion by Victoria vaulted them into a lead they wold never relinquish.  The Riverhawks did make it close however, scoring one in the eighth and three more in the ninth to keep it interesting.

For Victoria, Michael Crossland stayed hot, adding two more hits, including a home run and three RBI to the four hits and four RBI he had Wednesday, while newcomer Tripp Clark, had a hit, two walks an RBI and three runs scored, while also catching a good game behind the plate.

Davis Franklin got the win in relief for Victoria, pitching two innings of scoreless relief, while Edmonton starter Dallin Harrison takes the loss.

Offensively for the Riverhawks, Tom Poole had a pair of hits, including a late home run, and three RBI, while Jonny McGill had three hits, including a double in the losing effort.

Tyler Davis was sound at first base Thursday evening (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Following the key series in Bellingham, Victoria will head to Kelowna for a three-game series with the Falcons on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and then return home on Friday June 30th for another big three-game set with Bellingham.  That game on the 30th marks the start of an epic Canada Day weekend, with Fireworks on Friday night, a Canada Day matinee at 1:05pm on Saturday and another matinee Sunday at 1:05pm.

Tickets for all three of those games are going fast, especially for fireworks night , so get them while you still can at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

Hudson Shupe bids for a base hit Thursday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

GAME NOTES: The HarbourCats are currently leading the West Coast League in wins (14), runs (145), hits (188), home runs (14), RBI (115), triples (6), total bases (267), stolen bases (67), team batting average (.301), team slugging (.428) and on-base percentage (.410).