HarbourCats lose to Bells, but lock up WCL playoff berth
August 4, 2024
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Victoria HarbourCats are headed to the playoffs, with a twist on how that will play out.
Despite a 3-2 loss in Bellingham on Sunday afternoon, the HarbourCats made it four straight years in the WCL playoffs — and six of seven seasons — when results around the league cleared up some of the North Division playoff picture, with final placements still to be determined.
With Edmonton winning Sunday and Nanaimo dropping a 6-3 score in Wenatchee, the four North Division teams will be Victoria, Bellingham, Edmonton and Wenatchee.
Because of the City of Victoria committing to the CFL game later this month, and the timeline required for preparations, the HarbourCats will play all post season games away from Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, and it’s likely the team’s first “home” game will be played at historic Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo. Details will be announced as soon as playoff pairings are confirmed and dates locked in.
On Sunday, the HarbourCats closed a series in Bellingham with a 3-2 loss.
Trey Langan started and gave up two runs in the first inning, an error playing a big role in that — but it left the HarbourCats chasing the game for awhile. Nick Frers, Mason Chamberlain and Ben Brewster followed in relief.
A Ryan Deagle single and Noah Couch sacrifice fly got the HarbourCats even at 2-2 in the fifth inning, but a pair of hits in the sixth helped Bellingham score the eventual winning run.
The HarbourCats worked more walks (four) than they had hits (three).
WATCH ALL REMAINING HOME GAMES AT HCATS.TV
Now is when it gets fun, as the HarbourCats welcome the Corvallis Knights for the first meeting between the two teams since they met in the WCL final last August. And it’s a major promotional series as well.
Monday’s game is the annual BC Day fireworks sponsored by Joan Wallace Driving School, and Tuesday’s game is the annual Jersey Off Our Backs game-worn giveaway sponsored by Odlum Brown, a definite fan favourite evening.
The Wednesday game, the last game of the season at Wilson’s Group Stadium thanks to the team having to make way for football, is Fan Appreciation Night with Passion Sports, featuring fun giveaways.
If anyone wants to further comment about the City decision, please email your views to playoffs2024@harbourcats.com
Tickets for the last three games are available at the gate, online at the team’s official website – http://harbourcats.com/tickets – or general admission vouchers can be purchased at all Save On Foods in the South Island.
