The season scenario couldn’t have been scripted better for Victoria HarbourCats pitcher Noah Takacs. He’s the hometown kid out of Oak Bay Secondary who seems to have it all at six-foot-three, 200 pounds and a right-handed delivery that landed him in the Canadian junior national team program and now in NCAA Div. 1 at Sacramento State.
Takacs, the HarbourCats starter Wednesday night in Kamloops against the NorthPaws, said it was a no-brainer when looking for a team in summer collegiate ball. The Victoria Eagles youth baseball product grew up at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park watching the HarbourCats play in the West Coast League.
“I’ve watched the HarbourCats since I was a kid and all their NCAA players and dreamed about taking that route,” said Takacs recently, as he prepared to join the HarbourCats following his freshman season with Sacramento State in the WAC.
“I am confident with three pitches — my fastball, splitter and knuckle curve,” added Takacs, who pitched 18.2 innings over nine games with 17 strikeouts and a 4.82 ERA as a freshman.
He came out of the sa国际传媒 Premier League with the Eagles and noted what a factory it has been: “The MLB alumni from that league are unreal, from Michael Saunders (Victoria Mariners) to Nick Pivetta (Eagles), and I was super fortunate to follow in those kinds of footsteps in that league.”
He could have also mentioned James Paxton, Tyler O’Neill, Rich Harden, Larry Walker, Ryan Dempster, Jeff Francis, Brett Lawrie, Adam Loewen and Justin Morneau.
As for his own pro dreams, Takacs said: “Whatever happens in the draft happens. You just have to go out and play the best you can.”
HarbourCats head coach and former MLB player Todd Haney sees potential: “Noah has a great arm and a bright future.”
Takacs joins a steady HarbourCats pipeline from over the years out of Sacramento State, which this season includes himself, fellow-Islander Josh Walker and Atlanta Braves draft-pick Josh Rolling.
“We’re really close and it’s great to have the three of us here together this summer,” said Takacs.
Wednesday was Takacs’ third appearance of the season and he had a 0-1 record and 1.80 ERA in five innings pitched going into the game.
ON THE DIAMOND: Takacs went four innings Wednesday, giving up eight hits and four earned runs and left with his team leading 8-4, but the NorthPaws clawed back and the two teams were tied 8-8 after eight innings as the slow moving game went late into the night. Colton Moore led the Victoria attack, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Joseph Redfield and Russell Young were both 2-for-3. The HarbourCats finish off their three-game set in Kamloops today, and then begin a three-game non-league set against the Coquitlam Angels on Friday night at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. Then, after an off-day Monday, the HarbourCats host the Wenatchee AppleSox for three games beginning June 21.
