U-Hawaii sends two more to HarbourCats, Mariners and Jays draft picks sign

December 12, 2017, VICTORIA B.C. – A fan favourite from 2017, a drafted Canadian pitcher now at  the University of Hawaii, and a Seattle Mariners draft choice highlight the latest three players added to the 2018 roster of Head Coach Brian McRae’s Victoria HarbourCats.

Kekai (KAY-kye) Rios, a versatile right-handed hitting catcher/infielder, will be back in Victoria in late May to get ready for the 2018 West Coast League season. Rios – his full first name is Kamaliiokekia – hails from the island of Oahu and is a product of the prestigious Kamehameha School system. He hit .308 in 12 games last year before having to return to school for additional academic credits.

Kekai Rios, here playing first base against the AppleSox in 2017, will return to the HarbourCats in 2018 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Hawaii teammate Carter Loewen is a large signing – literally, at 6-4 and 240 pounds. The 2016 draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays and member of the 2016 Canadian National Junior Team is coming off a season claimed by an injury, and looking to get innings to regain his form this coming summer. He can also hit, contributing four home runs in his last year for the Abbotsford Cardinals in the BC Premier Baseball League (PBL). Of the 17 players signed to date, seven of them are Canadian.

Infielder Jack Smith is now at Washington State after turning down draft money from his hometown MLB team, the Seattle Mariners, who selected him in the 29^th round this past June. Smith hit .359 with one home run and eight extra-base hits as a high school senior.

“These are big signings from us, returning Kekai and adding two drafted players,” said Brad Norris-Jones, General Manager of the HarbourCats. “There is experience, there is size, and a tonne of skill in these three, adding to the depth you need to have a chance to compete at this level. Our league is good, and these players know they’ll be challenged, and that our goals are to bring our fans a winner.”

C/3B KEKAI RIOS, 5-11/195, Junior, University of Hawaii – From Kahalu’u, HI, started 48 games as a freshman and is used as a C, 3B and DH to keep him fresh and his bat in the lineup. An exceptional defensive catcher who has been on the NCAA Johnny Bench Award list.

RHP/DH CARTER LOEWEN, 6-4/240, Redshirt Freshman, University of Hawaii – From Abbotsford, B.C., sat out freshman season due to injury. Product of Head Coach Corey Eckstein’s fine Abbotsford Cardinals PBL program, winning the 2016 provincial title. Drafted in 40^th round by Blue Jays in 2016, member of Canadian National Junior Team in 2016, used as a starting pitcher against the Braves, Nationals and Blue Jays. From Yale Secondary School, honour roll student. Threw a no-hitter in PBL in 2015.

IF JACK SMITH, 6-3/185, Freshman, Washington State – From Mercer Island, WA, and Mercer Island HS, where he was the team’s star shortstop, can play any infield position but the arm plays for being on the left side. The right-handed hitter was selected in the 39^th round by the Seattle Mariners in 2017 but chose the college route. Father David Smith grew up in Victoria, adding a great family mix.

Roster to date – 17 players – C Tanner Rempel; C/3B Kekai Rios; IF/OF Jaxxon Fagg; IF/P Jedd Fagg; IF Jack Smith; IF/OF Jason Willow; OF Hunter Vansau; OF Ethan Lopez; OF/P Trevin Reynolds; RHP/DH Carter Loewen; LHPs Ethan Fox, Claire Eccles; RHPs Wyatt Boone, Garrett Goodall, Garrett Ritter, Luke Manuel, Lawson Humphries.

**BLUE JAYS/MARINERS WEEKEND IN SEATTLE — August long weekend

The HarbourCats are also pleased to be teamed once again with Wilson’s Transportation and Flight Centre to offer a three-game, three-day trip to Seattle to see the Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays (Aug 3-4-5). The cost, based on double-occupancy, is $899 per person, or $825 per person for our season ticket holders. It includes bus travel, ferry, two nights of hotel at the Embassy Suites in Lynwood, shopping trips, opportunities for golf, and lower-level tickets to three games at Safeco Field.

This is a trip that has sold fast in the past two years. To sign up, contact Carey Shelby of Flight Centre at carey.shelby@flightcentre.ca.

**NEW MERCHANDISE IN

The HarbourCats are starting to stock the shelves for Christmas with some new hat, t-shirt and knick-knacks arriving recently. Decorative Christmas balls, team mugs, lanyards and other items have now arrived. The new Island Proud t-shirts, along with some ladies styles, are in the shop now and for sale.

**GREAT TEACHERS CONTEST

The HarbourCats continue to take nominations for the Great Teachers Contest, sponsored by Mayfair Optometric Clinic. The winner for November was Mr. Hurst, who at Campus View Elementary, and his whole class will be our guests at the annual SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME on June7, a special 11am start time.

Each month until May, the HarbourCats will select a teacher, whose class will be guests of Mayfair Optometric Clinic at the team’s annual School Spirit Game – a day-game on Thursday, June 7, slated for an 11am start.

To nominate a great teacher, email a submission to greatteachers@harbourcats.com

SEASON TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

The HarbourCats have seen an uptick in season ticket purchases, and as corporate partnerships are completed, the selection of season ticket locations and single-game walk-up options is getting less and less. Seats in the Diamond Club, the two-year-old on-field section are sold out, but there remain available seats in the padded/served Campbell Real Estate Club Section, and in the Main Grandstand.

To buy season tickets, or to see the new merchandise coming in this fall, call the office (778-265-0327) or stop in at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

OFFICE HOURS

With the off-season now upon us, the team’s office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street will see expanded hours through to December 23..

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 10am-6pm; SATURDAY, 10am-4pm

SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)

Brad Norris-Jones (General Manager, Victoria HarbourCats) 250-888-2003

Jim Swanson (Managing Partner, Victoria HarbourCats) 778-265-0327