NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 5, 2017

KELOWNA, BC—The Victoria HarbourCats (17-13/3-0 in second half) extended their winning streak to seven games with a 10-5 win over the Kelowna Falcons (17-12/0-2) in 12 innings on Wednesday night at Elks Stadium.

Kelowna took the lead in the first inning, on an RBI single from second baseman Matt Bottcher, scoring shortstop Taylor Wright who reached on a leadoff walk issued by HarbourCats right-hander starter Luke Boyd (Baylor).

After the Falcons increased their lead to two in the second inning, second baseman Nick Moroney (UC Santa Barbara) led off the top of the third with his second home run of the season to get the HarbourCats on the board, down 2-1.

Victoria seized a 4-2 lead, scoring three runs in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by back-to-back RBI triples from catcher Shane McGuire (San Diego) and third baseman Bryce Bonner (Purdue).

That spelled the end of the day for Falcons starting left-hander Sam Menegat who pitched four innings, allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout.

The HarbourCats took their two-run lead into the bottom of the fifth when Kelowna put up three of their own on the strength of a three-run home run by Wright, his seventh home run of the season, tying him for the league lead, and giving Kelowna a 5-4 lead.

That ended the day for Boyd who allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

The back and forth affair continued in the sixth when the HarbourCats drew even on a Bonner RBI double, scoring McGuire.

Right-handed relievers Blake Hannah (UC Davis), Indigo Diaz (Iowa Western CC) and Travis Kuhn (San Diego) each worked two scoreless innings, as the deadlock remained into the eleventh inning.

The HarbourCats bats erupted for five runs in the eleventh inning on the strength of a pair of two-run triples from Hunter Vansau (Mississippi State) and Riley Zayicek (UNC Wilmington) to claim a 10-5 lead, which they would not relinquish.

Victoria finished with 13 hits, led by Bonner and centerfielder Andrew Shaps (Chico State) who collected three apiece.

Kuhn earns the win (1-1) for the HarbourCats with his two scoreless innings in relief with four strikeouts against one walk, while Shea Barry takes the loss (1-2) for Kelowna. Barry allowed all five runs in the eleventh inning, four earned, on four hits.

Jack Tagget (Kalamazoo College) pitched a scoreless eleventh inning for the HarbourCats.

Victoria will go for the sweep in the series finale on Thursday at 6:35pm at Elks Stadium in Kelowna.

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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.