As Falcons soar in, ’Cats search for consistency

GAME DAY: BELLINGHAM AT VICTORIA, 6:35 P.M.

Instead of the HC on their ballcaps for Harbout Cats, maybe the players need a big I denoting inconsistency.

The Victoria Harbour Cats (10-11) go into their all-B.C. home Canada Day derby against the Kelowna Falcons still searching for answers.

“We thought we had turned a corner, but then went on to not play well over the last six games,” said head coach Brian McRae.

Victoria has lost its last two West Coast League three-game sets 2-1 to each of the Bellingham Bells and Walla Walla Sweets.

“We look good in spurts over four-five innings but we’ve not played a consistent game over the last six,” added McRae.

“There was been a frustrating lack of focus and attention to detail and we can’t have that. The low energy really bothers me because I’m not a low-energy guy.”

Another I word also popped up: Identity. Or more to the point, the lack of it.

“We don’t have an identity yet,” said McRae.

“After 21 games, we still don’t know what we are or who we are. That [identity] is what we need to get over the next few games. These are some of the things we’ve addressed with the players. We’ve challenged the guys to turn it around and have a good weekend and good run-in to the second half of the season. We need to play better. It’s imperative we have a good weekend against Kelowna.”

A part of the issue has been the Harbour Cats’ relative youth.

“We’re probably the youngest team in the league,” noted McRae.

“We started four high school guys [incoming NCAA fall freshman] in the last game in Walla Walla. I’m not going to experiment as much now that I know some things.”

Long-term season help is on the way as four Harbour Cats-signed players who were competing in the 2018 College World Series in Omaha, two from Oregon State and two from Mississippi State, will be in town next week and ready to go.

“That will make a big difference for the second half of the season,” said McRae.

The series against streaking Kelowna (12-9) won’t be easy as the Falcons are on a roll and comes to the Island on a six-game winning streak in a stretch in which they have won nine of their last 11 games.

The series begins tonight at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. More than 5,000 fans are expected for Fireworks Night on Saturday, which will be followed by the annual Canada Day matinée on Sunday.