-Victoria, BC

The 2023 season had many story lines for the Victoria Golden Tiide, not only did they have a solid run at the Championship, but also had a new Head Coach take over the program in Ethan Fox.  Let's look briefly back at the 2023 Canadian College World Series first.

The Golden Tide completed the 2023 regular season and headed in the CCWS as the 6th seed which had them matchup with the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks the #3 seed in their opening game.  The Golden Tide jumped out of the gate with an 8-1 win upset and from there the momentum continued.  They edged the # 2 seed Okanagan College 9-7, and then headed into the semi final against University of Calgary where they lost a tight 7-6 game.  However the Golden Tide rebounded the next day, took down # 1 seed Prairie Baseball Academy in another close game winning 11-10.  That set up the rematch for the CCWS Championship with the University of Calgary Dinos.  The Championship game didn't disappoint at the Dinos jumped out to an early  7-1 lead after 4 innings, but the Goldentide can rolling back putting up 3 in the 6th, 2 in the 8th and had the timing run on second in the top of the 9th.  Ultimately the Dinos won 8-7 and claimed their first title, but for the "Garden City" sophomore program it was a very impressive run.   

Fast forward to the 2024 season.  There is lots of expectations at Royal Athletic Park, home of the Golden Tide.  A new coach has taken over in Ethan Fox, former assistant coach.  Fox has been a part of the program since inception as an assistant and also on the coaching staff of the Victoria Harbourcats of the summer collegiate program of the West Coast League.

Fox is looking forward to his first CCBC season as bench boss and when asked about the fall season, he liked what he saw.  "Ryan Deagle had a tremendous fall," he says of the returning Sophomore first baseman, "he has shown the ability to drive the ball all over the field, and developed defensively."   The Golden Tide will look to lean on the experience of  catcher Jai Berezowski, two way player Jalen Sami, and right handed pitcher Kevin Morgan as the main stay returning players.  

With the new crop of players, Fox likes the looks of Jeff Pacholko, Jakin Rohne and Mason Bondoc.  

The 2024 Canadian College Baseball Conference season kicks off March 30th with the Edmonton Collegiate Hawks coming to Victoria.