The Victoria HarbourCats broke out their Canada-themed jerseys early. So perhaps it was only fitting they put on a fireworks scoring display to go with the red-and-white look Tuesday night with a 14-5 West Coast League victory over the Wenatchee AppleSox.
It was highlighted by a grand slam in the seventh inning as pinch-hitter Nick Adams unloaded the ball well over the left-field fence onto Pembroke Street.
The HarbourCats took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning before the AppleSox even had time to realize they had crossed the border. A key hit was delivered by Nate Pecota, whose single scored Chase Wehsener and Nick Plaia. The damage could have been even worse but Victoria left the bases loaded.
The AppleSox (7-9) looked to make a game of it before 1,771 fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park with three runs in the top of the fourth inning to pull within one. But that was short-lived as the HarbourCats (12-7) answered with a four-run bottom of the fourth inning to turn it back into a blowout. The big was hit provided by Griffen Paxton with a two-run triple that brought home Wehsener out of NCAA Baylor and hometown-Victoria product and Baltimore Orioles draft pick Jason Willow. Paxton was brought home by Nick Plaia out of NCAA Cal Baptist.
The partnership continued in a two-run fifth inning as Wehsener doubled and was driven in by a Plaia single. An RBI single by designated hitter Emilio Nogales from Fresno State made it 10-4 as Victoria rung up double figures for the third consecutive home game. The HarbourCats scored the equivalent of two converted touchdowns and a field goal in drubbing the Bend Elks 17-5 and 17-7 last week.
“We are clearly comfortable hitting in this ball park,” said Victoria GM Jim Swanson.
“We have some power hitting and it’s fun to watch. There’s not a soft spot in our lineup.”
First baseman Wehsener, out of the Big 12 Conference Baylor Bears and named WCL player of the week Monday for going 12-for-28 with two home runs, continued his torrid pace Tuesday with two hits and three runs scored. Plaia flashed with three hits, three RBIs. Paxton had two hits, two RBIs and Pecota two RBIs.
The HarbourCats and AppleSox continue their three-game set tonight and Thursday night at Royal Athletic Park.
