The Victoria HarbourCats (3-3) are back at the even mark in the standings after a gem pitching performance from Mikey Wright led them to a 3-0 win over the Cowlitz Black Bears, in a game played in front of 1,198 at Sports Traders Diamond on Thursday night.
Wright, who just finished his freshman season at San Jose State, only struck out three batters while working into the eighth inning, but gave up only four hits as he kept Cowlitz batters off-balance all night. He didn't issue a free pass, and his defence was spotless behind him, the first time this season the HarbourCats have not recorded a defensive miscue.
The game took just two hours 16 minutes to complete, and the result means the HarbourCats won the series 2-1. The HarbourCats took the opener 6-5 in 11 innings, with Cowlitz taking the second game 11-4. The HarbourCats opened the season winning one of three on the road in Kelowna.
On Thursday, Cowlitz lefty Jake Corn was the losing pitcher as he gave up a run in the bottom of the first when Alex DeGoti (Long Beach State) scored on a passed ball. In the third inning, the HarbourCats chewed up Corn for another run thanks to LMU product Ted Boeke's double, swipe of third base, and cashing on an infield single by outfielder Danny Collier (New Mexico).
The final run of the game was courtesy a home run from first baseman Bryce Greager, his first blast of the season.
Alex Garcia (UC-Santa Barbara in fall) will start for Victoria on Friday in Bend, Oregon, home of the Elks, making his HarbourCats debut. Alex Rogers (Trinidad JC) is slated to make his second start, on Saturday, and the Sunday starter is yet to be determined.
The HarbourCats return to Victoria for a series that starts Monday at Sports Traders Diamond, with divisional-rival Bellingham in town.