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Victoria HarbourCats – Shwing Batter Group welcomes Somers to management team, promotes Cornett in Nanaimo

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July 18, 2024 

For immediate release

VICTORIA and NANAIMO, B.C. — The company that oversees the two Vancouver Island teams in the West Coast League is excited to announce a key addition and some organizational changes — intended to strengthen the growth of baseball in the Nanaimo and Victoria markets.

Jim Swanson, the Managing Partner of Shwing Batter Investment Group, which owns the Nanaimo NightOwls and Victoria HarbourCats, is pleased to welcome ADRIAN SOMERS as Vice-President, Operations and Business, to support continued efforts and growth of the brands on the island.

At the same time, TINA CORNETT is being promoted to General Manager of the third-season Nanaimo NightOwls, a position Swanson has held since the team’s unveiling in March of 2020, and debut season of 2022. Cornett, a well-known baseball executive on the Island with leadership positions for more than a decade with provincial bodies, has more than proven her value in leading operations at historic Serauxmen Stadium and in the Nanaimo market.

Christian Stewart, a WCL veteran, remains as General Manager of the Victoria HarbourCats, overseeing the flagship operation that continues to set standards for family entertainment in BC’s capital city.

Chris Beveridge has seen his area grow — Creative Director, Online and Social Media for the company, and now also General Manager of the Edwards Family Training Centre.

Experienced media executive John Pollard continues as Marketing Director for the HarbourCats and NightOwls, while Kent Malpass continues as Concessions Director for the NightOwls, working closely with Tina Cornett.

“This is an exciting time, to grow our group and be set up for a busy off-season for both teams and ensure 2025 brings our best seasons yet,” said Swanson, who has led the HarbourCats since 2013. “We have strong people leading operations in both markets, with potential for growth, and adding Adrian provides further leadership and support.

“Tina has done a tremendous job of leading so much of the foundational start of the NightOwls in Nanaimo and is committed to growing that program in the community. I’m not sure where we would be without her efforts getting the NightOwls in the air since before the first pitch in 2022.”

Somers started in a corporate marketing role with the HarbourCats and NightOwls in March, also supporting the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) and behind-the-scenes work with the Victoria Golden Tide (CCBC). The former president of the Victoria Mariners organization in the BC Premier Baseball League is a serial entrepreneur from the cutting-edge medical technology space. Adrian brings a deep customer focus, with the ability to quantify “what’s next” to the organization’s marketing and sponsorship campaigns, choosing to innovate rather than replicate.

“The foundation in both Victoria and Nanaimo is outstanding, but the potential for the future is endless with the core HarbourCats and NightOwls, the indoor facility, the Golden Tide, and our growing digital platforms,” said Somers, known to his friends as an ardent Red Sox and Packers fan. “The product on and off the field has been strong for years, that allows us to focus on growth opportunities for each of the four business units. That is why I am excited to join the management team.”

Somers can be reached at adrian@harbourcats.com or adrian@nanaimonightowls.com

For any media enquiries, contact Jim Swanson at 250-889-5204

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Summer Collegiate

Road warrior NightOwls battle hard in loss in Alberta

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EDMONTON, Alta. — The Nanaimo NightOwls have been anything but a pushover this season, refusing to make things easy on the opposition.

Five late runs by the host Edmonton Riverhawks turned a 1-0 lead by the NightOwls, that lasted for six innings, into a 5-1 victory by the Albertans on Tuesday night at Remax Field, a game played in front of a legitimate crowd count of 7,108. Edmonton is the unquestioned attendance leader in the WCL.

Outfielder Spencer Sullivan’s sacrifice fly in the first inning, scoring Trevor Goldenetz, actually looked like it might hold up as all the scoring needed — until the bottom of the sixth inning.

Dawson Schultz was masterful in his starting pitching role for the NightOwls (20-26 overall, 8-11 in second half), throwing four innings with just one hit allowed — he walked none, and used his defence with no strikeouts recorded.

Reliever Cole Carmichael was effective in two innings, surrendering one run, but had the NightOwls in position to still find a way to win. The Riverhawks scored once each in the sixth and seventh innings, and broke open a 2-1 game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Third baseman Ryder Florence was 2-4, and Goldenetz stole his fifth base of the season for Nanaimo.

The NightOwls stay in Edmonton for two more games in the Alberta capital, evening games on Wednesday and Thursday before heading home on Friday morning.

There are just three more regular season home games for the NightOwls in 2025, a weekend series against Kamloops that starts Friday (August 1-2-3), with the Friday and Saturday games at 6:35pm and the Sunday capper at 1pm. The NightOwls complete their fourth WCL regular season with a road series in Bellingham, August 4-5-6.

Those home games are the only chance to use remaining vouchers purchased at Save On Foods, or as part of 10packs.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Long ball leads the way in Cats win

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Kamana Nahaku finished a double shy of the cycle (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

July 30, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats players gave their head coach the best birthday present he could ask for, beating the Kamloops NorthPaws in resounding fashion 10-3.

For the second game in a row the Cats scored three runs in the opening frame. After a pair of singles to lead off the game from Tanner Beltowski (Westmont College) and Jack Johnson (Tulane U), Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii) crushed a triple to the gap to plate both, making it 2-0. He then scored on a Connor Ross groundout to give the hosts an early 3-0 advantage.

BOX SCORE

Beltowski continued his hot series with a two-out RBI single in the second inning to push the lead to 4-0. The shortstop recorded three hits for the second straight game.

Solo home runs from Jake Butler (George Mason) and Nahaku in the middle innings extended the lead to 6-0. Nahaku has hits in every game he’s played in this season which is good for a .387 batting average.

Head Coach Todd Haney celebrated his 60th birthday today (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Dominic Archila (Texas Tech) drove in his first run as a HarbourCat with an RBI single in the fifth to make it 7-0.

WCL STANDINGS

Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) started his fifth game of the season for Victoria and picked a good time to produce his most impressive outing yet. The freshman threw a season high six innings giving up no runs on just three while striking out a pair.

Butler went yard again in the seventh inning for his second home run of the game and season. The second baseman recorded a season high three hits tonight.

Connor Ross (Cal Baptist) was the fourth HarbourCat to hit a homer tonight when he crushed a two-run shot over the left field fence to make it 10-0. Four home runs as a team is a season high for Victoria.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Jake Finkelstein (Georgia Gwinnett) replaced Patrick and was solid through the seventh and eighth innings, but the NorthPaws batters got to him in the ninth, scoring three runs against the lefty. Marcus Janovsky (UBC) came in to replace him and recorded the final two outs on four pitches.

Del Manak threw out the first pitch on his celebration night (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Elsewhere in the WCL, the Edmonton Riverhawks beat the Nanaimo NightOwls 7-0 which keeps them a game behind the HarbourCats for first in the North Division second half standings.

The Cats go for the sweep tomorrow night against the NorthPaws. Austin Lindsey (Hill College) is projected to start for Victoria.

VOUCHER REMINDER: The Victoria HarbourCats only have 5 home games remaining this season, so don’t forget to redeem your vouchers. You can do so at harbourcats.com/tickets, and if you have any questions or need help exchanging your vouchers, call the HarbourCats office at (778) 265 0327.

10 Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ 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.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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Victoria HarbourCats – Shepherd steers Cats to victory

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With two hits tonight, Logan Shepherd increased his batting average to .356, which is third best in the WCL (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

July 29, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – With Logan Shepherd leading the charge, the Victoria HarbourCats cruised to a 9-3 win over the Kamloops NorthPaws to open the series.

For the third game in a row, the Cats gave up a run in the top of the first inning. A walk and single to start the game was followed up by a Kason Siguenza RBI single to give the NorthPaws the early lead.

The hosts wasted no time answering back in the bottom half when Shepherd (Mercer U) crushed a breaking ball off the scoreboard beyond the left field fence for a three-run home run to make it 3-1. It was his third straight game going yard and his eighth home run of the season. That ties him for the HarbourCats single-season home run record with Gabe Clark, Hunter Vansau, and Colton Moore, who all hit eight long balls in 2014, 2017, and 2022, respectively.

BOX SCORE

Tanner Beltowski had three hits and scored three runs (Photo: Justin P. Morash) 

Kamloops starter Mason Chien struggled facing the lineup the second time through the order in the third inning, giving up a pair of hits, walking three, and a wild pitch. Victoria took advantage of his lack of control, scoring runs on a bases-loaded walk, RBI groundout, and wild pitch to give starter Ryne Palmer (Cal Baptist) a solid cushion to work with. Another bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, this time drawn by Garrett Brooks (St. Mary’s), gave the Cats a 7-1 lead.

Palmer made his fourth appearance of the campaign and first start. He pitched five innings, giving up one earned run on two hits, striking out six and walking two. In 2024, the right-hander from Peoria, Arizona, led the Cats with seven starts and 27-1/3 innings pitched.

WCL STANDINGS

The NorthPaws added a pair of runs in the middle innings, but the HarbourCats cancelled out those runs in the eighth through back-to-back RBI singles from Jack Johnson (Tulane U) and Shepherd to restore their six-run lead, making it 9-3.

Ryne Palmer has 12 strikeouts in 9-2/3 innings pitched this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Ben Hewitt replaced Palmer and threw a season-high four innings to close out the game for the hosts. The big right-hander struck out four while surrendering just one run on one hit.

WATCH GAMES HERE

With tonight’s win, the HarbourCats maintain their one-game lead at the top of the North Division’s second-half standings. The Edmonton Riverhawks, who sit in second, beat the Nanaimo NightOwls 5-1 Tuesday night.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) is your projected starter for Victoria.

VOUCHER REMINDER: The Victoria HarbourCats only have 5 home games remaining this season, so don’t forget to redeem your vouchers. You can do so at harbourcats.com/tickets, and if you have any questions or need help exchanging your vouchers, call the HarbourCats office at (778) 265 0327.

10 Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ 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.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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