Long “Magic” home run and a clutch single push HarbourCats to 2-0
Jack Johnson (above) had two hits including the game winning hit in Saturday’s game (Photo: Christian Stewart)
June 3, 2023, VICTORIA, B.C. — Jack Johnson’s one-out two-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning proved the difference as the Victoria HarbourCats defeated the visiting Kamloops NorthPaws 6-4 in front of 3,014 fans on Saturday night.
The win, which featured a long two-run home run to straight away centre field by first baseman Ryan “Magic” Magdic, a rarely reached part of the Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP park, moves Victoria to 2-0 on the season with a chance to sweep the NorthPaws (0-2) in a Sunday afternoon game in Victoria (1pm).
Ryan Magdic, here being introduced Friday, had a big home run in Saturday’s win over Kamloops.
Johnson had two of the five hits by the HarbourCats. Jake Finkelstein got the win in relief, following starter Cam Caley and bullpen arms Levi Abbott and Josh Berenbaum. Caley’s start, giving up just one hit in five innings while striking out nine and walking three, was historic in that his catcher was fellow Baylor player Harrison Caley, believed to be the first brother pitcher-catcher combo to start a game in West Coast League history.
David Jeon took the loss. Kamloops mustered just three hits, and the teams made two errors each.
Following Sunday’s series finale, the HarbourCats stay home to face the Walla Walla Sweets in games Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Tickets for all games are available on-line at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the gate.
