Homers Not Enough For Hawks To Prevail Over HarbourCats

2024-07-12

Kane and Hale both put it over the wall, but Hawks lose 6-5

By Larry Read

The long ball was the difference maker as the Victoria HarbourCats edged out the visiting Edmonton Riverhawks 6-5 in West Coast League action Friday. The game was played before over 1800 fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria.

There were three homers in the contest, two came off the bats of Riverhawks. Edmonton falls to 3-4 in the second half of the WCL season and 23-13 overall. Victoria is also 3-4 this half and stands at 17-17 overall.

The HarbourCats broke open a scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Two of those runs coming on a homer by #12 Sky Collins. He was 1-4 on the night.

Edmonton got a run in the fourth as # 3 Michael Soper singled to start the inning and was brought home on an RBI single off the bat of fellow WCL all-star #36 Jakob Poturnak. Poturnak was 2-5 with an RBI in the ballgame. Soper was 3-5 with two runs scored. Victoria scored their other three runs in the fourth inning. Edmonton’s #54 Sam Kane blasted a two-run homer in the fifth inning, he was 1-3 on the night. The Riverhawks scored their other two runs in the sixth inning as #51 Royce Hale pushed a two-run shot over the left field wall. He was 1-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

#23 Brady Kobitowich was the first of five Riverhawk pitchers. He started and went 3.1 innings, giving up five runs, six hits, three Ks and walking two as his record fell to 0-2. #26 Jacob Thompson of Victoria was the winner (3-1). He pitched two innings of relief giving up four hits, four runs and striking out one. #52 Brandon Bertch picked up his first save as he hurled the last three innings. He gave up a run and struck out one. These teams continue their series at the BC provincial capital Saturday with an opening pitch of 7:35 PM MDT. It will wrap up Sunday with a 2:00 PM MDT start time. The entire West Coast League will take a pause for the All-Star break. Next home action for the Riverhawks is Friday July 19th at RE/MAX Field when they entertain the Springfield Drifters.