Conant dominates Klamath Falls

The HarbourCats continued their Jekyll and Hyde routine over the last two nights, but their good side appears to be winning out over the evil one in Southern Oregon. On Sunday evening, Bryan Conant notched the best pitching performance in the team’s inaugural season, a 6-0 complete-game shutout over the Gems. Conant was in control from beginning to end, giving up only four hits and three walks in his nine innings. He also struck out eight befuddled Klamath Falls batters. The outing was even more impressive considering that the Gems are the best-hitting team in the entire West Coast League.

Conant The Barbarian’s shutout just might catapult him into a spot on the West Coast League All-Star team. Conant would be a worthy pick -- he is currently 9th in the league with a 2.64 ERA and he has a sparkling 1.08 WHIP. He has also held opponents to an anemic .207 batting average.

The HarbourCats also set a franchise record on Sunday for most hits in a game with 17 in spite of the fact that they were facing one of the best pitchers in the league, Nick Sabo. Dylan LaVelle went 4-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the attack, while Jordan Ellis and Alex Real had three hits apiece. It was the second consecutive multi-hit game for Ellis, who has raised his average to .326 on the season after plummeting to the .200 mark on July 3rd. Ellis has also put together a nifty seven-game hitting streak.

Jordan Ellis is on fire

The win clinched the series victory in Klamath Falls, since Victoria won the first game of the road trip on Saturday night by a score of 5-3. The ‘Cats go for the series sweep on Monday night when Ty Provencher (3-1, 2.84 ERA) takes to the hill against Skye Adams (2-1, 2.57 ERA) in what should be an interesting pitcher’s duel. The HarbourCats then travel to Medford to play three against the Rogues before returning to Royal Athletic Park on Friday night to face the Wenatchee AppleSox in a three-game series with playoff implications.

HarbourCatNip

• The WCL will announce its All-Star team on Monday. We’re expecting four HarbourCats to be named: MVP candidate Alex Real along with Alex DeGoti, Ty Provencher and Bryan Conant. The All-Star game will be played on July 23rd at Royal Athletic Park. Tickets are selling fast, so get yours soon if you haven't done so already.
• Alex Real’s three hits on Sunday night raised his average to a stellar .396 mark, good enough for second in the batting race. He trails only Kyle Knigge of the Cowlitz Black Bears, who is hitting an even .400.
• Friday’s bus ride from Victoria to Klamath Falls, including the ferry ride, was a whopping 18 ½ hours.