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Down 5-1 NorthPaws rally to steal game one against the Riverhawks

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The Kamloops NorthPaws won a thriller at home against the Edmonton Riverhawks 8-6 in game one of the weekend series. The Riverhawks led five one and hit back-to-back home runs, but the NorthPaws were able to claw their way back into the game mainly because of five brilliant innings from Nolan Austin on the mound. Kamloops scored three in the eighth and shut the door, winning the series opener.

“If we lose that game, we’re 1-3 on the week, and morale isn’t going to be the highest, but I think our group is at a point where we never feel like we’re never out of games,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.

Edmonton would get off to a quick start by scoring three runs off four singles and a wild pitch. Kamloops responded in the bottom of the second as shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent an RBI double to right center field. The Riverhawks wasted no time in the top of the third, hitting back-to-back solo home runs to left and right field, taking a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the NorthPaws scored a pair of runs on a past ball and a wild pitch while only recording one hit in the inning. Righty Nolan Austin took over in the fourth inning and recorded three straight scoreless innings while not allowing a hit, slowing down the Riverhawk’s offence.

“Nolan was going after hitters tonight; that was as good as anyone’s pitched all year,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.

The bottom of the sixth saw Jared Hall lead off with a walk and move to second after a wild pitch. Left fielder Joey Rico sent a double to the gap in left-center, scoring Hall. Rico then advanced to third after a Matt MacDonald ground ball. First baseman Keegan Drinkle hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Rico tying the game.

Edmonton responded in the seventh, with catcher Kyle Yip hitting a triple with two outs. Austin uncorked a wild pitch that brought the go-ahead run home for the Riverhawks. That was the lone run Austin gave up over his five innings in relief.

The NorthPaws rallied in the bottom of the eighth with Jared Hall reaching base, and Rico hit his second double of the night. Drinkle was at the plate and sent a grounder to second base. Hall broke for home and dove in safely. Pinch hitter Kalen Applefield had runners at second and third. The lefty hit a grounder through the right side, scoring Rico and giving the NorthPaws their first lead of the game. Drew Abercrombie and Elijah Clayton both walked, loading the bases for Connor Clark. The right fielder stayed tough in the batter’s box and worked a walk, extending the lead.

Julio Garcia was on in the top of the ninth for his second save opportunity in as many days. Garcia was excellent, going three up and three down, sending the fans home happy with a NorthPaw win. Despite a rigid back-to-back, having travelled from Wenatchee the night before, the team showed grit, scoring eight runs on only five hits.

“It’s cool to see, these guys the whole night said in the dugout that they would be coming back in that game, and they did,” said Jepson.

The second game of the series will go at the same time from the same place, 6:35 pm at Norbrock stadium, as the NorthPaws look to take the first two games against the Riverhawks. You can find the game on West Coast League TV.

 

 

 

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – West Coast League meetings to be held in Victoria

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October 6, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — The capital city of British Columbia will become the centre of the West Coast League (WCL) for two days in October.

The 2025 WCL Fall Meetings, featuring a gathering of team owners/directors, will be held in Victoria, October 20-21. This marks the first time the meetings, often staged near a major U.S. airport (Seattle or Portland) for travel and logistics reasons, have been held in Canada since the formation of the collegiate elite baseball league that evolved from a gathering in Kelowna in 2003, with the Kelowna Falcons as one of the founding members — and the lone Canadian entry until the HarbourCats were founded.

Five of the league’s 17 teams now are located in Canada — in Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops and Edmonton. Kamloops, Nanaimo and Edmonton all started play in 2022.

The HarbourCats, who joined the WCL for the 2013 season and have watched as eight former players have advanced to the MLB level, will also welcome the league to Victoria in July of 2026 and 2027 when the organization plays host to the WCL All-Star Game festival for consecutive seasons, showcasing Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The all-star game was held in Bellingham the last two summers.

“The inner harbour in fall will be a fantastic setting for these meetings, just as it will be for events around the WCL All-Star Game next July,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that operates both the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls.

Topics expected to be discussed are the finalization of the league’s 2026 schedule, WCL marketing initiatives, and ways to improve best practices around player, coach and umpire development — the keystone goal of the WCL.

“I’m incredibly excited to visit Victoria for our fall meetings,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer. “The city’s rich baseball history and beautiful scenery will provide the perfect backdrop for our teams to discuss the future of the League in one of my favorite WCL markets.”

Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Lock in your season tickets today to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria.

Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.

 

 

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All-Stars Hayes and Zenk returning to Owls in 2026

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NANAIMO, B.C. — They put on a show for fans at historic Serauxmen Stadium, and they got better as the summer went on.

Talan Zenk (Everett CC) and Jacob Hayes (Azusa Pacific), two West Coast League all-stars in 2025, are returning to the Nanaimo NightOwls next summer — the priority first signings by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk and GM Tina Cornett.

“These two players really enjoyed performing in front of WCL fans, and especially our great fans in Nanaimo,” said Andreychuk, the local product who will enter his second season as the NightOwls’ head coach. “They developed, and they got a chance to be leaders. We are proud of how they represented us at the all-star game and we are very happy they are eager to be in Nanaimo again. These are great young men who represent their schools and families so well.”

Zenk, who was the ultimate utility player by serving in both the infield and outfield, was a spark plug at the top of the order — he hit .289 with 10 stolen bases, four home runs, seven doubles and two triples. The 19-year-old from Brier, WA, had a .853 OPS.

Hayes is without a question the best power hitter the NightOwls have ever had in blue and gold, following up a 19-bomb spring at college by hitting 10 home runs (team record) in 49 WCL games, batting .250 with 44 hits, 30 walks and 39 runs driven in, all while playing nearly every game at first base. The 20-year-old from Anacortes, WA is entering his sophomore season at Azusa Pacific. He was the NightOwls player of the year in 2025.

SEASON TICKETS — The best seats can be secured now! Email tina@nanaimonightowls.com to lock in your 2026 NightOwls season tickets, with versatile fan-friendly flex options to see the best baseball on Vancouver Island. The NightOwls enter their fifth season in the WCL and have had a player selected in the MLB draft each of the last three seasons.

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Fall Indoor Youth Training Sessions Now Available!

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Sessions begin September 30th (softball) and October 4th (baseball). Register NOW!

The Victoria HarbourCats and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are now taking individual bookings for our Fall 2025 indoor training sessions for both baseball and softball.

The “Offseason Academy“, presented by The EFTC, is designed to keep athletes sharp, confident, and improving long after the final game of summer. Built for youth players who want to stay ahead of the competition, our Academy focuses not only on technical skill development but also on the physical conditioning that keeps athletes strong and game-ready.

With a lineup of specialized camps in areas such as hitting, analytics, and fastball skills, athletes can train with experienced coaches, benefit from professional-level technology like HitTrax, and build the habits that matter most during the offseason.

All sessions take place in the same professional training facility used by the HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide, giving players access to a proven environment for growth and performance.

2025 Fall Sessions Include:

Baseball, Advance Hitting Analytics, $159, Saturdays, 1:15-3:15, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 12-17
The Advanced HitTrax Analytics Hitting Camp is built for serious baseball athletes aged 12–17 who want to take a deeper dive into the analytics behind their swing. Led by Dexter Stoiber from the Victoria Golden Tide collegiate roster, this camp goes beyond basic mechanics to show players how to interpret advanced hitting data, identify areas for improvement, and make the small tweaks that translate into real results on the field. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, Foundations and Futures, $299, Saturdays, 9:00am- 1:00pm, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 8-11
Foundations & Futures” is a high-energy baseball camp for players aged 8–11. This camp delivers professional-grade instruction in a dynamic, fun environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and carry your skills into next season. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, High Performance Prep, $225, Saturdays, 3:30-6:30pm, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 12-15.
High Performance Prep” is designed for players aged 12–15 who are ready to refine their skills and maintain peak form after summer. This camp delivers advanced instruction in a focused, competitive environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and prepare for the season ahead. REGISTER HERE

Fastball / Softball, Offseason Advantage, $199, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5-7pm, September 30 thru October 29. Ages 12-17
The Softball / Fastball Skills Camp is built for athletes aged 12–17 who want to strengthen every part of their game during the offseason. With trusted instruction from Maddie Kumala, one of the most respected coaches and players in the fastball community, this camp provides parents with the peace of mind that their athlete is learning in a structured, professional, and supportive environment. REGISTER HERE

There are limited spaces in each camp so don’t delay. Register NOW!

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