VICTORIA 11
WENATCHEE 10
You just know this one felt good.
After finding unique and creative ways to lose some West Coast League baseball games, the Victoria HarbourCats had one go the other way Sunday afternoon before 1,141 fans at Royal Athletic Park.
After blowing an 8-1 lead, the HarbourCats had enough left in reserve to squeeze out an 11-10 victory over the Wenatchee AppleSox on a bases-loaded walk to Chris Fougner in the 11th inning.
Reliever Josh Mitchell out of Pitt took the win. Jackson Thoreson was the breakout offensive star of the game for Victoria by going four-for-five with three RBIs.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been on the short end of a lot of those games, and the baseball gods have a way of evening those out,鈥� said Victoria GM Jim Swanson.
鈥淥ffensively, especially, it has not worked for us, yet. Our on-base-percentage is not where it needs to be. We have way too many good hitters in the lineup to be 8-13.鈥�
And too many good coaches to be hovering below the .500 level for too long.
鈥淲hen two major-league scouts talk, you listen,鈥� said Swanson.
He was referring to HarbourCats head coach Graig Merritt, a pro scout with the Tampa Bay Rays, and Victoria assistant coach Alec Adame, who has a World Series ring as pro pitching scout with the St. Louis Cardinals.
A total of 59 players who have played in the WCL were selected this month in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. Swanson made the point to his players, that scouts turn out to watch winning teams near the top of the standings, not teams near the lower end of the tables.
鈥淚n terms of scouts coming out watch, and draft picks, being on a winning team helps careers,鈥� added Swanson.
That should be motivation enough.
The HarbourCats now have a break from league play and will fill it with sa国际传媒 Series exhibitions against the Langley Blaze today on Fireworks Night at 6:35 p.m. and Wednesday with sa国际传媒 Day matinee promotions at 1 p.m.
New players will make their Victoria debuts during the Langley set, including versatile infielder Chase Lambert from the NCAA Pepperdine Wave and pitcher Tei Vanderford from the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
The Harbourcats begin a three-game WCL set against the Knights on Friday night in Corvallis, Oregon.
