The list of five Victoria HarbourCats in tonight鈥檚 2013 West Coast League all-star game at Royal Athletic Park is technically four.
Provencher was selected but essentially gave up his all-star game pitching slot by going 81脷3 innings for Victoria (17-18) on Sunday afternoon at Royal Athletic in recording the win as the HarbourCats defeated the Wenatchee AppleSox (22-17) by a 6-5 count.
Because of his pitch load Sunday, it is impossible for Provencher to throw tonight. But it was worth it as he moved to 4-2.
鈥淭y will get his recognition,鈥� predicted Victoria manager Dennis Rogers, who will coach the North Division all-star squad tonight.
It was a sacrifice worth making, said Provencher, a breakout performer from Long Beach State.
鈥淪couts and coaches are evaluating you all the time, not only in all-star games,鈥� noted the closer-turned-starter.
Not that he defines that as pressure.
鈥淓valuation is everywhere in this game at this level. If you鈥檙e afraid of that, this game is not right for you.鈥�
It鈥檚 certainly turning out right by him.
鈥淚 expected to be an all-star. That was my goal. It鈥檚 a stepping stone, one of many, in the process,鈥� said Provencher.
Playing tonight for the North Division from the HarbourCats will be Alex Real, Alex DeGoti, Austin Russell and pitcher Scott Kuzminsky.
鈥淭he excitement and atmosphere in the park are going to be electric, for sure,鈥� said the Braves-drafted Real, who is tied for second in WCL batting at .392 with fellow all-star and major league prospect Alex Calbick of the Bellingham Bells.
鈥淭here will be [MLB scouts] in attendance and it鈥檚 a very important occasion. You set goals and work towards them, but I don鈥檛 take being here for granted.鈥�
Tonight is uniquely special for home-Island all-stars Russell and Duncan鈥檚 quicksilver basepath-tearing Darren Kolk of the Kelowna Falcons, both tied for 12th in WCL batting at .320.
鈥淚t鈥檚 unreal to be here. Perhaps I surprised other people, who maybe think I overachieved, but I didn鈥檛 surprise myself,鈥� said the Victoria Mariners junior graduate Russell.
There will be more than 20 MLB scouts at today鈥檚 combine and tonight鈥檚 game.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always added pressure at these kinds of occasions but you approach it like any other game,鈥� said Russell.
