Conant, DeGoti and Lombana returning to H-Cats

Bryan Conant. Photo by Bubba.

The HarbourCats announced earlier today that three players from last year’s roster will be returning to Victoria this summer. Bryan Conant, Alex DeGoti and Logan Lombana will all be paying a return visit to the Garden City in 2014.

As far as improving the team goes, “Conant the Barbarian” is the most important signing of the three. The big lefty was the ace of Victoria’s pitching staff last year, compiling a record of 4-1 with an outstanding 1.81 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. While the 2014 roster has been loaded with offensive talent for some time, Conant’s return will go a long way towards shoring up the team’s starting rotation. He is eligible for this June’s MLB draft, so there is a chance that he could turn pro instead of returning to the HarbourCats.

DeGoti hit .286 with three homers and 21 RBI last summer and he played a key offensive role at the top of the batting order. His on-base percentage of .370 ranked fourth on the team, behind only Ty Russell (.485), Alex Real (.402) and Austin Russell (.376). DeGoti has struggled with the Long Beach State Dirtbags this spring, hitting only .200 with no homers and four RBI in 45 at-bats.

Lombana, a teammate of DeGoti's at Long Beach State, went 2-2 last summer with a 6.00 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. He has a 4.72 ERA and 1.28 WHIP pitching out of the Dirtbags bullpen this spring.

HarbourCatNip

Charlie Strandlund. Photo by Gus.

• Chris Lindmark and Victoria’s Charlie Strandlund were named assistant coaches on Friday and they’ll join Ben Jackson on Bob Miller’s staff. 
• Local baseball fans will remember Strandlund from his 2010 season with the Victoria Seals, especially the day he played all nine positions in a GBL game. Strandlund is also a former collegiate player and he has also been hugely successful in senior men’s baseball at the national level. He’s currently scheduled to suit up for all home games. 
• Lindmark used to play for Bob Miller at Cuesta College before transferring to Grand Canyon University. In an unlikely coincidence, he is a former teammate of current HarbourCat Kelly Norris-Jones. Lindmark will be coaching both home and away games.
• Both Conant and DeGoti were named All-WCL Second Team last summer (Alex Real earned All-WCL First Team and Ty Provencher received All-WCL Honourable Mention).