Calvin Turchin began the HarbourCats road trip on a winning note in a quality start in Victoria’s 8-2 defeat of the Ridgefield Raptors on July 10. Turchin didn’t allow a walk, and just a single earned run over six quality innings on the hill. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart) 

Story by Josh Kozelj 

Photo by Christian J. Stewart

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Following a 14-inning marathon loss to the Ridgefield Raptors that capped off a 12-game home stand last week, the Victoria HarbourCats (5-3/23-12) rebounded by winning four of the first five games on a season high seven-game road trip to nab a top spot in the Second Half division standings.

In game one, Calvin Turchin began the trip with six dominant innings on the hill to knock off the Ridgefield Raptors 8-2 in Southern Washington State. The righty from the University of Hawaii pitched a season high six innings on the night, allowing only a single earned run and collecting two strikeouts in the process.

The ‘Cats then made the nearly 300 kilometre trip to duel the West Coast League’s most southern team, the Bend Elks. After sweeping the Elks in Victoria last month, and combining for 39 runs in a three-game series at Wilson’s Group Stadium, the HarbourCats once again flexed their muscles against Bend.

Nick Plaia and Matt Turner both had two RBI in the series opening 12-3 victory, while Chase Wehesener exploded for three RBI in a 13-4 romp in game two—three separate HarbourCat batters also collected two RBI of their own in the Victoria victory. Going for the sweep in the finale, Victoria fell behind by three runs after six innings, but scored four times in an eighth inning rally to win 7-5 and earn a season sweep over Bend.

It wasn’t just the bats that proved too much for the Elks, however, as all three HarbourCat starters in the series (Reagan MacDonald, Jack Hyde, and Dakota Hawkins) combined to allow just four earned runs.

After the sweep, the ‘Cats hopped back on the bus to venture back into Washington Stat for a date with the Walla Walla Sweets.

However, in tonight’s action, the HarbourCats couldn’t overcome an early deficit to keep their perfect record on the trip intact in a 6-3 loss.

Playing for the 11th consecutive day, and in their four separate city, the ‘Cats spotted the Sweets three runs in the home half of the first. Kyle Harper tried to muster some offence with his fourth home run of the season to cut the Walla Walla lead to two, but the Sweets responded with three more runs in the fourth to jump ahead by a 6-1 margin.

Tyson Hays’ two-run long ball in the eighth made things interesting, and the HarbourCats started the top half of the ninth with back to back singles to bring the tying man to the plate, but Sweets closer Reid Sebby quickly got a strikeout to record the first out of the frame and one batter later induced a game-ending double player to shut the door on any HarbourCats comeback bid.

Victoria will look bounce back in the win column in the middle game of the series tomorrow evening, first pitch is scheduled for 6:35p.m in Walla Walla.

You can catch the HarbourCats in Walla Walla by following the Sweets’ live stream and broadcast on their webpage. 

UPCOMING EVENTS!

 Public Batting Practice – Thursday, July 18th, 5:30-8:30 PM

Come take batting practice at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, thanks to Peninsula Co-op, a major sponsor of your Victoria HarbourCats. FAN BATTING PRACTICE, open to sponsors and fans, will take place from 5:30pm to 8pm, with a hot dog stand serving HarbourDogs. Merchandise will also be available for purchase

Next HOME GAMES! Friday 6:35, Saturday 6:35 – FIREWORKS!, Sunday 1:00 PM

The Yakima Valley Pippins roll into town for our summer fireworks weekend.  FIREWORKS on Saturday!  Get your tickets now. Some sections already sold out, but plenty of seating remaining! Call 778-265-0327 to book seats or drop into the office at 1814 Vancouver Street (9:30-5:30).  tickets also available on-line at https://www.ticketrocket.co/event/season/1

$10 ZIP LINE TICKETS ALL WEEKEND!
Tickets for the Wild Play ZIPLINE will be $10 ALL WEEKEND for the games Friday, Saturday and Sunday against Yakima!  Pre-buy your tickets at the office, via the game links on-line, or get them at the box office on game day, or at the ZIPLINE concession during the game!  Come try the newest and coolest feature at the park!