COWLITZ 4VICTORIA 3
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The Victoria HarbourCats were in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, which loomed just 40 kilometres away, on Saturday in southern Washington state.
But they were unable to come up with an explosion of their own.
The HarbourCats (10-5) dropped a 4-3 West Coast League baseball decision to the Cowlitz Black Bears (8-8) in Kelso/Longview, Wash.
The twin communities are located in Cowlitz County, which was not a place you wanted to be on May 18, 1980. But the 750 fans announced for Saturday night鈥檚 game, on a lilting summer evening, couldn鈥檛 have been happier to be at Story Field. Especially with the home team coming out victorious on a Paul Martinez sacrifice fly that scored Devyn Bolansky for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Atlanta Braves draft pick Alex Real and Washington Nationals pick Brandon Smith had two hits each for Victoria. But overall, H-Cats manager Dennis Rogers labelled his team鈥檚 batting on the night as 鈥渟loppy,鈥� despite the fact that the HarbourCats out-hit Cowlitz 9-8.
The fielding seemed that way, too, for a Victoria team that committed four errors to none for Cowlitz.
鈥淒efensively, we made some key mistakes, especially in the first inning,鈥� said Rogers.
It was in that opening inning that a dropped third strike by Victoria鈥檚 David Schuknecht allowed Black Bears batter Kyle Knigge to advance to first base to help key an early two-run Cowlitz lead.
A passed ball in the eighth inning 鈥� with catcher Greg Fettes from the University of Kentucky Wildcats behind the plate for Victoria at that point 鈥� also proved crucial in allowing Cowlitz to score the winning run.
鈥淭hey [Black Bears] scored one legitimate run in the game,鈥� Rogers said.
But the Victoria field boss refused to blame rustiness 鈥� the HarbourCats were coming off an unusual five-day break 鈥� or the long travel day that began with catching the 7 a.m. ferry.
鈥淣ot issues,鈥� said Rogers.
Victoria starting pitcher Rob Nesovic went seven innings and allowed three runs, two earned. The intriguing and multi-skilled player also had a hit and an RBI in one trip to the plate.
鈥淚 thought Rob [Nesovic] bounced back from what happened in the first inning and had a solid game on the mound,鈥� said Rogers.
Will Ballowe, out of the University of Washington Huskies, came on in relief and was tagged with the loss by allowing the winning run.
Victoria remains in Kelso/Longview for games against the Black Bears today and Monday before opening a three-game set Tuesday in Wenatchee against the AppleSox.
The HarbourCats return Friday to begin a six-game homestand.
