There are several cross-strait rivalries involving Greater Victoria teams, from the Royals and Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League, Pacific FC and Vancouver FC in the Canadian Premier League of soccer, UVic Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds in sa国际传媒 West hoops and the Shamrocks against their myriad Lower Mainland rivals in the Western Lacrosse Association.
The cross-strait rivalry on the other side, the one that straddles the U.S./sa国际传媒 border, is somewhat rarer and doesn’t get quite the same attention. It is represented by the Port Angeles Lefties and Victoria HarbourCats. The West Coast League baseball clubs renew acquaintances tonight, Wednesday and Thursday in a three-game set at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
The HarbourCats are on a two-game winning streak, and are off to a 4-3 start in the second half of the season after the Bellingham Bells captured the North Division first-half championship and playoff berth that goes with it. The second-half champion will also earn a divisional playoff berth, as will two wildcard teams based on overall season standings.
Victoria, with Kevin Shea batting .440 and Hudson Shupe .429, is a North Division second-leading 22-11 overall as it tracks down its post-season aspirations. The Lefties are 10-20 overall and 2-2 in the second half.
Victoria is on a six-game homestand and hosts the Wenatchee AppleSox in a three-game set beginning Friday night at RAP before the Island derby July 18-20 in Nanaimo.
Things are shaking in the Harbour City, meanwhile, with the NightOwls blasting into the second half at 4-0 (17-13 overall). The Owls open a key three-game set against the AppleSox (3-1 and 22-8) beginning tonight at Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo.
AROUND THE BASES: Seventeen former WCL players were selected Sunday and Monday over the first 10 rounds of the Major League Baseball draft, including former HarbourCats slugging outfielder Joe Redfield in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Angels.
The highest selection among former WCL players was Alonzo Tredwell of the UCLA Bruins, who played for the Portland Pickles, and went in the second round to the Houston Astros.
The 2023 MLB draft concludes with the 11th to 20th rounds today in Seattle.
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