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Summer Collegiate

First NightOwls players signed for 2022

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“This is a quality group for us to build around, with more announcements to come,” said Jim Swanson, GM of the NightOwls, who were slated to start in the summer of 2021, pre-pandemic restrictions. “The networks of our coaches and staff led us to these players, including our first Canadian player signing for 2022 in Josh Marchese. Coach Frady and the staff will be excited to run these guys out and help them develop into future pro players, which we all hope.”

 

The group is highlighted by 6-8 lefty Johnny Beck from Western Illinois, and power righty Bransen Kuehl of Utah, both high-velocity arms. Kuehl is an athletic pitcher, a freshman at Utah from Rapid City, South Dakota, who has been gunned as high as 95, while Beck, a junior from Rochelle, Illinois, boasts a no hitter in high school in which he fanned 15 batters, part of a season where he struck out 100 in 58 innings. Beck is coming off an injury early in fall — a knee issue suffered playing basketball because, when you’re 6-8, you likely play a little bit of hoops on the side.

 

Josh Marchese brings West Coast League experience, as he hit four home runs and drove in 27 in 43 games for the Cowlitz Black Bears in 2019. From Burnaby, Marchese is 6-2/230 and his lefty power swing should fit quite nicely at Serauxmen Stadium with its signature short porch in right field. He was a dominant player in the BCPBL for high school players before signing with the D1 Niagara Purple Eagles, including a .374 average in his final season with the Langley Blaze. Marchese started 34 games as a freshman.

 

Garrett Ostrander of Cal Baptist is a sophomore known for getting on base and giving pitchers and catchers grief with his speed and aggressive style. From Rancho Bernardo, California, in the northern hills of San Diego, and 5-10/175, he led all of California high school baseball in walks one season and has extra-base pop in his bat. CBU coach Gary Adcock uses Ostrander at multiple positions, which will be helpful for Frady throughout the summer.

 

Landon Frei, teammates with Kuehl at Utah, is from Santa Clara, UT, and a pure hitter who can play middle infield or third base. Frei is a freshman who also pitched and caught in high school, showing his arm strength and athleticism.

 

The NightOwls, who now have merchandise and season memberships available through nanaimonightowls.com, will be announcing more players as the recruiting process plays out. “Getting paperwork, having passports in place, and ensuring vaccinations are done is part of this, since this is a 16-team international league and border crossings are part of the equation,” said Swanson.

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Summer Collegiate

Walks turned into runs: NorthPaws drop game two in Bellingham

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The Kamloops NorthPaws lost game two in Bellingham on Wednesday night 8-2 as the Bells have won back-to-back series to start their season. The NorthPaws scored the first run of the game, but the Bells hitters stayed patient as the NorthPaw pitchers walked 11 batters en route to the loss.

Kamloops would get back to their aggressive ways following a flyout and a strikeout. The NorthPaws had runners on the corners when catcher Kalen Applefield took off for second base and reached safely. While Applefield was on his way to second, his UC Berkley teammate second baseman Elijah Clayton made a mad dash for home and beat the throw, scoring the team’s first run of the game.

In the bottom half, the NorthPaws turned to JM Harduval, a righty from UC Berkley, to make his first start in almost two years. Harduval red-shirted during his freshman season at CAL and was rehabbing an injury in the spring, making Wednesdays start a night that had been many days in the making. Unfortunately for the righty, he struggled with command. Three walks in his first four batters faced loaded the bases for the Bells. A pair of flyouts gave Harduval some hope, but he couldn’t find the strike zone, throwing 12 straight balls and walking in three runs.

Lefty Kaden Douglas-Pluff came in and walked the first batter he faced, adding a fourth run on the board for the Bells. In the second inning back to back-to-back walks and a single loaded the bases when a wild pitch made it 5-1 Bells. Bellingham scored all five of the runs without recording an RBI.

In the fifth, Bellingham would pad their lead with a hit by pitch and two singles to score run number six, while a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat made it 7-1. Kamloops would respond in the top of the sixth when left fielder Cade Palkowski hit the only extra-base hit for the NorthPaws. Centerfielder Ethan Kodama drove him in with a base hit to left field.

That would be all the NorthPaws could muster offensively as the Bells added one more run in the bottom of the eighth. A bright spot at the plate for Kamloops was Cade Palkowski, who had a pair of singles and a double after starting the season with just one hit in his first ten at-bats.

The rest of the offence will look to find themselves again in game three when the Bells and NorthPaws conclude their series in Bellingham at 6:35 on Thursday night. You can find the game on West Coast League TV or listen on the NorthPaws Mixlr.

 

 

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Tons on tap for HarbourCats opening weekend

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OPENING WEEKEND — So much action planned! HarbourCats open at home Friday, Saturday, and a matinee Sunday vs Port Angeles.

June 4, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Music, including a renowned international rock star and a local country music artist.
Skydivers.
Food trucks.
Fireworks.
A Sunday matinee to end it off.

There couldn’t be more going on with the Victoria HarbourCats home opening weekend if we tried.

The HarbourCats, known for their creative family sports entertainment package since the first season in 2013, have a LOT on the go this weekend — and it deserves a full listing.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6 — 6:35pm (gates at 5:30pm)
– It’s the Home Opener presented by Wilson’s Group of Companies. Save On Foods is doing the 50-50 draw with proceeds going to BC Children’s Hospital on their behalf.
– It’s a GALAXY MOTORS FORCES FRIDAY game with special pricing for military and first responders.
– Before the game, Luke Lampard will be singing on the field as people enter the park.
– Skydivers will drop in right before game time, so don’t arrive late!
– The anthems will be performed by MEN WITHOUT HATS vocalist and co-founder Ivan Doroschuk, with flag presentation by the Sooke Cadets.
– The UPPER DECK EXPERIENCE double-decker bus will have The Wilson’s Group, while the STRATHCONA/ROOFTOP PARTY DECK will have Thrive Agency folk enjoying that front row view.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7 — 6:35pm (gates at 5:00pm)
– It’s the first FIREWORKS game! Brought to you by Wilson’s Group of Companies, who will also be on the UPPER DECK EXPERIENCE, joined by the Malahat Skywalk. EA Sports will be on the STRATHCONA/ROOFTOP PARTY DECK.
– Don’t leave early! The best fireworks show in town starts approximately 15 minutes after the game ends! It’s an absolute fan favourite, the first of FOUR fireworks nights (others are June 30, July 12, and August 4).
– On the concourse, there will be many activations, including Victoria Wheelchair Sports for all fans to participate in!
– Stacy Ross from CHEK will be singing the anthem!
– 50/50 is for Layritz Little League

SUNDAY, JUNE 8 — 1:00pm (gates at noon)
– Matinee baseball! The Strathcona Hotel people will have the party going in the sunshine on the STRATHCONA/ROOFTOP PARTY DECK
– It’s an ICE CREAM SUNDAY with Sub-Zero Ice Cream, special offers!
– Anthems performed by our good friend Al Ferraby from CFAX!
– Meet the HarbourCats players after the game, and kids can run the bases.

You will not want to miss any of it! Buy your tickets now by clicking HERE.

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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Victoria HarbourCats – Riverhawks cruise to 9-1 win

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June 4, 2025

For immediate release

EDMONTON, A.B. – The Edmonton Riverhawks improved to 2-0, handing the visiting Victoria HarbourCats their second straight loss.

It was an early start with an 11:05 AM first pitch local time for the Riverhawks School Spirit Day, which saw thousands of school kids in the crowd. For the second straight game, the Hawks jumped out to an early lead, scoring one in the first and four in the second. North Sannich’s Jacob Thompson (Minot State) started the game and pitched 1-2/3 innings, giving up five runs on four hits while walking five.

BOX SCORE

The hosts handed James Brock the ball, and the Cats hitters could not solve him. The UBC right-hander threw five shutout innings, giving up four hits and striking out three.

Edmonton added three more runs in the fourth and one more in the sixth to make it 9-0. Hawks designated hitter Max Stagg, who had two hits in the series opener, continued to hurt the Cats this afternoon, going four for five.

WCL STANDINGS

Nolan Bushko (ETBU), Cade Rusch (IUS), Marcus Janovsky (UBC), and Tristin Thomas all pitched out of the bullpen for Victoria.

The Cats’ sole run of the day came from a Cutis McKay (Niagara) groundout in the eighth inning. Jack Johnson (Baylor) increased his hitting streak to five games with a single in the opening frame.

The HarbourCats look to avoid the sweep tomorrow at 6:05 PM PST. Julian Orozco (Cal Baptist) is your projected starter.

BUY TICKETS HERE

We are TWO DAYS AWAY from the HarbourCats home opener Friday, June 6th at 6:35 PM against the Port Angeles Lefties. Saturday, June 7th, is our first of four FIREWORKS nights of the season! Don’t miss out! Grab tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

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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