KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops NorthPaws battled the elements and the Victoria HarbourCats, dropping the opening series of the West Coast League season 2 games to 1.
GAME 1 –
The season began with a low-scoring affair at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium, with the ‘Paws claiming a 2-1 opening night victory.
TRU WolfPack pitcher Kolby Luckinchuk would be credited with the win after pitching four innings of one-run ball, striking out six HarbourCats batters along the way.
The big swing of the game came from Kamloops’ own Manny Recchi who battled back from a 0-2 count to work it full 3-2 before hammering a pitch over the right field wall for a two-run homer. The big fly brought home fellow local product Nolan Austin for the only two NorthPaw runs of the ballgame.
“Down 0-2, I worked it back up to walk, took some good pitches and then got the same fastball I saw first pitch and just happened to get it that time,” said Recchi. “During the TRU season I hit a couple like that and some of them died at the wall so you never know and that’s why I was hustling out of the box. But, I’m glad it went out.”
Michael Weber earned the save, pitching a scoreless 9th.
GAME 2 –
The HarbourCats came to play in the middle game of the three game set, thumping the Paws in a 11-2 final.
Victoria would explode for six runs in the second and never look back, with NyZaiah Thompson keeping a two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole to put an exclamation mark on the big inning.
Victoria would add three more in the sixth inning before Kamloops finally responded courtesy of RBI’s from Chris Catalano, and Jacob Schlesselman.
Along with Thompson, Tyrus Hall and Jake Haggard also had two RBI for Victoria in the big win.
Josh Berenbaum took the loss, giving up 9-run, 3 earned, over 5.1 innings.
GAME 3 –
The rubber match of the three game set was all up for the taking entering the 9th inning on Sunday 5-5.
In the final inning the HarbourCats offense would find their swing, stringing together a number of key hits to push across five runs and take a 10-5 victory.
Kyle Magdic was the man of the game for Victoria with 3 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Camden Sos added 2 RBI and 1 stolen base as well.
Dominic Giustino got the start for Kamloops and pitched well, going 4 innings, with 2 hits, 2 ER.
All five runs for the ‘Paws came in the fifth inning, when Kamloops sent nine men to the plate. Anthony Manuel, Matthew Olivares and Jerry Nix drove in the runs.
Cade Webber was credited with the loss after giving up four of the five runs in the ninth to Victoria.
Reinforcements on their way
Speaking after the series Head Coach Jose Bautista noted that several players are expected to arrive in Kamloops ahead of, and during the next series versus Bellingham.
“What we got right now is not all our regular players. We are still waiting for more to come,” said Bautista. “We only got 10 pitchers, who can pitch one inning here, one inning there. As soon as we get everybody coming in we are going to be fine. Coming on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth, a couple guys are going to be here. There are going to be a couple changes.”
Included in the new players on their way are a couple extra outfielders.
Looking ahead to the Bellingham series, Bautista feels length out of his starters will be key as he continues to learn his roster and put his players in the best position to succeed.
“Get the starters going deep and have the reliever coming up and doing their job,” said Bautista. “Picking up the right guys at the right time to put them up there and right now we don’t have that much roster to put up.”
Upcoming Schedule –
Monday, June 3 – Off-day
Tuesday, June 4 vs Bellingham – 6:35 (Country Night)
Wednesday, June 5 vs Bellingham – 6:35
Thursday, June 6 vs Bellingham – 11:30 (School Spirit Day)
TGI Friday Pack – reserved seat to all Friday regular season home games and a NorthPaws branded New Era 940SS Hat – $149.99 Weekday Warrior Pack – reserved seat to all Wednesday and Thursday home games – $139.99 Family Pack – $99 – four tickets, four non-alcoholic drinks, four hot dogs Birthday Bundle- $299 x10 Tickets! x10 Hotdogs OR Burgers! x10 Pops! Also Includes: – Visit and photo with Homer! – Signed picture! – PA announcement during the game!
Returning HarbourCat Shea Lake highlights six pitchers signed by the ‘Cats in preparation for the 2025 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
For immediate release
May 6, 2025
VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s a second season in Victoria for right-hander Shea Lake — he liked it so much in 2024, he had to say yes to a return engagement.
The former Hawaii Pacific University pitcher, now at West Texas A&M where he was a redshirt this spring, returns to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP for the 2025 season to work with pitching coach Scott Anderson.
“I am thrilled Shea, along with 10 returning pitchers will lead our pitching staff this summer,” said Anderson, in his third season under Head Coach Todd Haney. “The pitchers announced today are a great mix of proven college pitchers. They are excited to continue developing with our tremendous staff of pitching coaches and fired up to bring a championship to Victoria,” added Head Coach Todd Haney.
Lake had a 4.40 ERA last summer in five appearances, allowing just 10 hits in 16.1 innings pitched.
Announced to the roster today by Haney:
RHP John Ondus, Niagara, 6-2/215, R/R, Gowanda, NY
RHP Ethan McNish-Heider, Niagara, 6-4/215, R/R, El Cajon, CA
RHP Logan Salomon, Nevada-Reno, 6-5/230, R/R, Chandler, AZ
RHP Tyler Patrick, Fresno State, 6-1/215, R/R, Fresno, CA
RHP Shea Lake, West Texas A&M, 6-3/190, R/R, Temecula, CA
LHP/OF Tristin Thomas, West Texas A&M, 5-8/140, L/L, Carlsbad, NM
Lake is at West Texas A&M with Tristin Thomas, a redshirt freshman who is hitting .429 this season with one home run, while also throwing 12 innings off the mound.
In Ondrus and McNish-Heider, the HarbourCats get a pair of big right-handers who project as power pitchers at the college level — both are roughly a strikeout per inning, and are expected to provide proven experience in the bullpen.
Salomon is a large specimen at 6-5/230, and has had an impressive season — 31 innings pitched, and one five-inning relief outing in which he fanned nine batters, and another relief stint with seven strikeouts. He is 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA and one save.
Patrick, a high school star catcher and pitcher, is finishing his freshman season and is focusing on mound work. He’s thrown 25.1 innings with just eight walks, and has a 3.55 ERA.
The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. 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.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com. Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided. More details HERE
HarbourCats welcome dogs on Sunday, July 13 at Wilson’s Group Stadium
For immediate release
May 1, 2025
VICTORIA — The ‘Cats are going to the dogs again this summer, thanks to Woofability.
On Sunday, July 13, the gates will open at noon for a 1pm Victoria HarbourCats game and all the pooches are welcome.
The game is presented by Woofability, a tremendous local business that specializes in service dog training, also offering enrichment, boarding and training services, and even online training for pets and their humans.
“This is exciting for us, to work with Woofability and showcase what they do,” said avid animal lover and HarbourCats Director of Online Services Chris Beveridge. “This is my favourite day of the season, getting to plan all the events with Woofability for Bark in the Park.”
Treats, water dishes, a place for dogs to run a bit — all will be provided on Woofability’s “Bark in the Park“ day.
And, Woofability Service Dog Training will put on a pre-game demonstration, on the field, for fans to see. More special surprises will be planned.
“We are very excited to partner with the HarbourCats for this unique day in the HarbourCats calendar, and to be able to tell people about Woofability, Woofability Service Dog Training and also about our society, Pawsibilities Service Dogs Society, which advocates, educates and supports members of the public who need a service dog but don’t have the resources to have one,” said CEO Tim Land, who co-owns the businesses along with his wife April Sauve, the Head Trainer, highly skilled in training service dogs, dog tricks and K9 body conditioning. “This is an ideal event for our great staff to be able to show the community how much we love what we do.”
The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. 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.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com. Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided. More details HERE
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