The Kamloops NorthPaws are 2-0 on the season following an 11-5 victory over the Port Angeles Lefties in game two of the weekend series. The Lefites scored the first four runs of the ballgame, but Kamloops responded with eight unanswered and never looked back as they cruised to a five-fun victory on Saturday night.

The game started with Lefties starting pitcher Ian Hoffstettetter walking the bases loaded but got out of it by striking out the side. Port Angeles would build on their pitcher’s heroics and got to work in the bottom of the second. A single and two walks loaded the bases with one out.  Two singles and two wild pitches plate four runs for the Lefties.

In the top of the third, two singles and a walk loaded the bases for the NorthPaws with no one out—NorthPaw first baseman Keegan Drinkle dove in the first run with a sacrifice groundout. Ethan Kodama would then send a routine ground ball to second base, but a throwing error allowed a second run to score, cutting the lead in half.

In the top of the fourth, Kamloops tied the game by once again loading the bases with none out. Shortstop Elijah Clayton singled up the middle, bringing one home. Then left fielder Cade Palkowski scored from third after another Leftie error.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the NorthPaws found their stride at the plate. Elijah Clayton doubled and would later be driven in by Kalen Applefield. Drinkle doubled, and Kodama walked, setting up pinch hitter Austin Coyle, who delivered with a single, scoring two more to make it an 8-4 game.

The lefties would get one back, but that would be all from them. Drinkle would drive in a run in the seventh, and a throwing error by the lefties would allow two more runs to score. The NorthPaws would put it on cruise control from there and take game two.

“It was cool to see the guys battle back and not feel like they were out of the game,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.

The comeback wouldn’t be possible without a pair of Kamloops natives on the mound who stopped the bleeding. Right-handers Manny Recchi and
Nolan Austin pitched a combined six innings, giving up four hits, surrendering just one run, and working their way out of jams in the process.

“It was cool to see those guys get in there and be steady and being in the moment and not letting it get too big,” said Jepson.

At the plate, the leadoff man, Elijah Clayton, was all over the score sheet with three hits, three stolen bases and two runs. Clayton reached base in five of his six at-bats on Saturday night.

“Getting on base and getting myself into scoring position is something I feel like I can bring to this team,” said Clayton.

To go along with his great night at the plate, he also made a could of nice defensive plays, including an unassisted double play. Assistant Trey Newman is on the coaching staff at CAL, where Clayton plays, and is very familiar with his game.

“I think he’s set up to have a great summer. He worked hard at Berkley, and I think as good as it’s been so far, he can be even better,” said Newman.

The NorthPaws will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon, with the first pitch set for 1:35. You can watch all the action on West Coast League TV or listen on the NorthPaws Mixlr.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

May 31, 2025

Victoria, BC – It wasn’t too long ago that players like Mike Piechnik and Reg Underwood and teams like Bate Construction, Payless and Travellers Inn were roaming the field at Royal Athletic Park and playing national championship caliber fastpitch in front of packed audiences.

Some of that history came alive again on Saturday afternoon as the Sooke Loggers and Lacey A’s put on a great exhibition of men’s fastpitch in front of a healthy crowd of 1,361 fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium.

The double header, put on by the HarbourCats Foundation and main sponsor Emery Electric, was an entertaining affair that saw the host Loggers thump the A’s 12-2 in game one and then eked out a tight 5-4 win in game two.

However the game was perhaps less important than some of the past legends of the game getting together and re-living old times. PA announcer extraordinaire Cliff Lequesne was on hand to handle some of the pre-game ceremonies,  Piechnik took the mound for first pitch duties along with his son Lucas, and Doug Roberts brought an amazing collection of classic jerseys that were on display on the third base concourse.

Saturday’s fastpitch games were a warm-up for the Victoria HarbourCats home opener that will take place next Friday June 6th against the Port Angeles Lefties.  Prior to that however, the local Victoria Eagles will invade Wilson’s Group Stadium as they will play a double header against the Langley Blaze at 12 Noon on Sunday and then follow that with a game Tuesday night at 6:35 pm against the cross town rival Victoria Mariners.

Tickets for all those games are available through the HarbourCats one and only ticketing partner Showpass at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

Here are some more photos from today’s Fastpitch Showcase, courtesy of Christian J. Stewart.

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May 31, 2025

For immediate release

KELOWNA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats piled on nine runs as they won their second straight game against the Kelowna Falcons on Saturday night.

The Cats took advantage of some Falcon mistakes early, scoring two runs on an error and a wild pitch in the first inning. The two teams exchanged runs in the first two frames, with the HarbourCats taking a 3-2 lead into the third inning.

Andrew Carter (TCU) started for the visitors, going 1-2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out one. Lefty Carson Burks (Hill College) settled things down, pitching 2-1/3 shutout innings in relief, allowing one hit.

BOX SCORE

Victoria added to their lead in the fifth inning when Jordan Bond (Doane University) grounded out with bases loaded, scoring a run. In the sixth inning, returning HarbourCat Kyle Hepburn (SIUE) drove in two runs with a hard hit single to left field, extending the lead to 6-2. The catcher from Richmond, BC, had three RBIs on the evening.

From there, the Cats didn’t look back, adding two more runs in the eighth inning and a ninth run in the final frame.

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It was a team effort with seven different batters recording a hit. Tanner Beltowski (Westmont College) reached base four times tonight and has a team-leading five walks to go with his pair of hits and RBIs on the young season.

Austin Lindsey (Hill College), John Ondus (Niagara), Nolan Buskho (ETBU), and Jalen Sami (Golden Tide) all pitched out of the bullpen, keeping hold of the lead for the rest of the game.

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Don’t miss exciting BCPBL action at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this week. On SUNDAY, JUNE 1 at noon, the Victoria Eagles take on the Langley Blaze in a Doubleheader. The Eagles are back on TUESDAY, JUNE 3 at 6:35 PM to take on the Victoria Mariners in BCPBL Regular Season action.

Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

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