Redemption Time
- Updated: June 28, 2016
The Falcons will look to play spoiler on the road in a high-profile series starting Thursday in Victoria against the hosting HarbourCats.
The West Coast League’s only two Canadian teams will be going head-to-head for a four-game set on Canada Day weekend, a series that has stakes much larger than just W’s and L’s. After being swept in their first three games of the season, the HarbourCats have stormed out with relentless determination, winning 16 straight to set a new WCL record for most consecutive wins.
The ‘cats historic streak has vaulted them to the top of the North division, 5.5 games ahead of the birds. The job of spoiler is up for grabs as the ‘cats are on the road Wednesday, but regardless of the outcome for the league’s top team, the Harbourcats are a significant test for the recently hot Falcons.
If the ‘cats record-breaking winning streak, and their position atop standings isn’t enough motivation, the Falcons also have a sort of personal vendetta against their Canadian counterparts. Early June saw the Falcons host the HarbourCats in a series that was anything but ordinary.
A pair of rain delays over the weekend forced an afternoon double header between the two clubs, resulting in two ‘cats victories. The rain kept the two clubs from playing the third game of their set at Elks stadium. As a result, the series in Victoria will feature four games, including a Canada Day double header to make up for the missed game.
The story of the series earlier in the month wasn’t the rain or the score however, but the fireworks that came with the first game of the series.
A high-speed collision at second between a HarbourCats base runner and a Falcons infielder resulted in a bench-clearing brawl. The ‘cats runner slid into the infielder at second base, up-ending the Falcon covering the bag, who was trying to turn two on the play. The home side took exception to the play, and pushing and shoving turned to blows before the umpires took control of the situation. Blood was boiling on both sides of the diamond, and after a lengthy delay, both teams had players ejected.
Falcons’ bench boss Bryan Donohue tells his players to have a short memory, and not let the outside noise get to them, but he knows that the birds are travelling to the Island with something to prove. “Obviously, I think we have a good amount of motivation to go out there and knock those guys down.”
Between the bad blood, the Falcons’ desire for redemption, and the precious positions in the standings on the line, there will be no shortage of storylines to watch this weekend.
Here’s how the two clubs stack up head-to-head:
Record: Falcons –11-9, HarbourCats – 16-3
Last 10: Falcons –5-5, HarbourCats – 10-0
Team Batting Average: Falcons – .238, HarbourCats – .280
Runs: Falcons –77, HarbourCats – 120
Hits: Falcons – 153, HarbourCats – 174
Homeruns: Falcons – 1, HarbourCats – 13
Stolen Bases: Falcons – 7, HarbourCats – 40
Team ERA: Falcons – 4.07, HarbourCats – 2.86
Strikeouts: Falcons – 94, HarbourCats – 172
Batting Leaders: Falcons – Vaughn Shapen .409, HarbourCats – Jarron Silva .391
Hits Leaders: Falcons – Lane Lacrone – 21, HarbourCats – Jarron Silva 18
RBI Leaders: Falcons –Daniel Nist – 10, HarbourCats – Joe Prior 11
Thursday’s game will go at 6:35 PM, Friday will feature a double header, with games at 1:00 and 4:00 PM. The series finale is set for Saturday at 6:35. As always, Anthony Fusco will have the live call at KelownaFalcons.com.
Story courtesy of Matt Inglis – Falcons Media
Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography
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