KAMLOOPS — After claiming an exhibition game victory on Thursday versus rival Kelowna, the Kamloops NorthPaws dropped three straight to the visiting Nanaimo NightOwls over a hot and smokey weekend in the Tournament Capital.
The trio of losses moves the Paws to 5-8 in the second half of the WCL Season, 3GB of the North Division leading Wenatchee AppleSox, who the NorthPaws are set to see for three games starting on Tuesday south of the border.
GAME 1
A low-scoring pitchers duel took place on Friday night as the Nanaimo NightOwls squeaked out a 2-1 victory.
TRU’s Kolby Lukinchuk toed the rubber for Kamloops, taking a hard luck loss after tossing 7.0IP 5H 2ER. Lucas Smith followed with 2.0IP 2H 0R.
Kamloops did strike first in the third inning on an Anthony Setticasi double that scored Anthony Manuel from second.
The NightOwls responded with a single run in both the fifth and sixth innings to take the lead. Joshua Torres, RBI double, and Mitchell Middlemiss RBI single.
Jacob Fleury got the win for the NightOwls after silencing the bats of Kamloops over 6.0IP, 1H, 1ER, 2BB.
The Paws would get the tying and winning run into scoring position in the ninth as TJ Wachter missed a two-run walkoff by a matter of inches off the left field wall before a ground out secured the win for the visitors.
Ryan Inouye was credited with the save.
GAME 2
One bad inning spelled disaster for the NorthPaws on Saturday night, as once again the offense scuffled in a 6-4 Nanaimo victory.
Just like in game one, it was an early lead for Kamloops, as TJ Wachter singled home Joey Rico to make it 1-0.
Cade Johnson got the start for Kamloops pitching in and out of danger through 5.0IP, 7H, 1ER.
After Nanaimo leveled the score at 1-1 in the third, the NorthPaws would take a 4-1 lead in the sixth. Matthew Olivares doubled home Rico, followed by a pair of 2-out RBI singles from Jerry Nix, and Jacob Schlesselman.
From there the NightOwls would score 5 unanswered to secure the series win. Trailing by one in the eighth, Nanaimo scored three unearned runs against Paws’ closer Rico, as a ground ball slipped under the glove of Madden Ocko.
Ocko would single in the ninth to give the NorthPaws a shot, but he would be stranded.
GAME 3
The final game of the three game set was entirely one-sided, with the Nanaimo NightOwls completing the sweep in dominant fashion 12-2.
Keith Manby from the TRU WolfPack got the start for Kamloops in the contest and struggled to get outs, allowing 6ER, 7H 1K in 3.1IP. David Betancourt, Manato Tateno, Nolan Austin and Manny Recchi would also toe the rubber on Sunday evening, allowing six more runs to cross the plate in a crushing defeat.
The Paws managed just four hits in the ballgame, three of which came from Kamloops’ own Matt MacDonald who went 3-4 at the plate with an RBI.
Aidan Boice recorded the win for Nanaimo, allowing just two MacDonald hits over 6.0IP, with 7K.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE Monday, July 22 – Off-Day Tuesday, July 23 at Wenatchee, 6:35 first pitch Wednesday, July 24 at Wenatchee, 6:35 first pitch Thursday, July 25 at Wenatchee, 6:35 first pitch Friday, July 26 at Victoria, 6:30 first pitch Saturday, July 27 at Victoria, 6:30 first pitch Sunday, July 28 at Victoria, 1:00 first pitch Monday, July 29 – Off-Day Tuesday, July 30 vs Bellingham, 6:35 first pitch Wednesday, July 31 vs Bellingham, 6:35 first pitch Thursday, August 1, vs Bellingham, 6:35 first pitch
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS Jenna Forter General Manager Kamloops NorthPaws 250-200-1415 www.northpawsbaseball.ca
VICTORIA, B.C. — The most heart-warming happenings each summer are the work of Peninsula Co-op, an outstanding community leader on the island.
There is nothing “community” in the Victoria area that does not involve Peninsula Co-op, it seems — and that includes the HarbourCats’ entire summer schedule.
Thanks to the partnership of Peninsula Co-op, kids will attend for free on the June 12-13-14 weekend when the Springfield Drifters make their first-ever appearance at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
Then, before the Wednesday, June 17 game with the Redmond Dudes, the HarbourCats will take the field with the Special Olympics All-Stars, in an inspirational event that brings smiles to everyone, presented by Peninsula Co-op.
On Wednesday, July 8, the Challengers All-Stars will take over the field prior to a game with the HarbourCats and Bend Elks.
A major bonus for all Peninsula Co-op members is a $2 discount on HarbourCats game tickets (excluding WCL All-Star Game events), including playoffs.
Peninsula Co-op signage and messages will be front and centre for the whole league as well when the WCL All-Star Festival takes over the city, July 14-15.
“Peninsula Co-op keeps showing that caring about the community is good for everyone,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats. “They participate with heart, which is why these events with Challenger and Special Olympics mean so much to so many.”
Single game tickets, season tickets, and 12 and 32-game flex packs, along with All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Pitcher Jack Marek (San Jacinto College)(above) is another strong arm joining the HarbourCats for 2026 (Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College)
VICTORIA, B.C. — Pitching quality and depth are the key to grinding out wins in a very tough competition environment like the West Coast League.
The Victoria HarbourCats are putting in the work to be ready with the arms they’ll need on the mound, working with first-year pitching coach Zach Swanson.
Veteran head coach Todd Haney and Swanson, the former HarbourCats hurler who is now a pitching coach at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, are excited for the six new signees announced today.
“Todd definitely has a plan and philosophy on being successful with the pitching staff, and I’m excited to work with him and follow that plan,” said Swanson, a Lambrick Park grad who played five years of college baseball after going through both the Eagles and Mariners programs. “Our job as coaches will be to be ready and prepare the pitchers for this level of competition. I’m also excited to work with (assistant coaches) Darius Opdam Bak, Troy Birtwistle, Steve Sinclair and Carson Myers on the staff.”
Announced today for the 2026 roster:
RHP Bryson Toner, Hawaii, 6-3/190, Honolulu RHP Pierce Stone, Regis, 5-9/180, Round Rock, TX RHP Anson Stuckly, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 6-1/200, Katy, TX RHP Jack Marek, San Jacinto College, 6-2/190, Liverpool, TX RHP Easton Reimers, North Dakota State, 6-2/215, Missoula, MT LHP Jack Clark, Cal State San Marcos, 6-0/185, San Diego RHP Davis Lee, University of Calgary, 6-5/210, Richmond
Clark, a lefty, is a key recruit from San Marcos — he didn’t allow a run in his first 14 college appearances, and now in his sophomore season has made nine starts this spring. He is 6-1/4.74 with a save, and strikes out a batter per inning.
Lee is a big-arm project with a fastball that has touched 95mph. Playing in the CCBC for the Calgary Dinos, the business student from Richmond and product of the PBL Delta Blue Jays has 16 strikeouts in 10.1 innings, and will work closely with Swanson and Opdam Bak to cut down on his walks.
Toner is a big right-hander who should have no challenge adjusting to life on a beautiful island — he’s from Honolulu. The Hawaii freshman was a dominant, highly-ranked pitcher in high school who will get valuable game experience as a HarbourCat this summer.
Stone is a sophomore who struck out more than a batter per inning as a freshman, while Reimers is a freshman who was state tournament MVP as a high school senior and a dominant innings-eater. Of note, his dad Cameron was a 35th round pick of the Blue Jays in 1988 and reached AAA.
Stuckly is a graduating high school senior who is committed to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, while Marek was an early commit to Southern Illinois now at San Jacinto College, with a fastball in the 90-92 range.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that their 2026 Summer Kids Camps offerings, sponsored by A&W, are now available for registration, including a FREE, one-day, MLB sponsored camp on MLB PlayBall Weekend, Saturday June 6th!
All camps will be run by Victoria HarbourCats and Victoria Collegiate Cats players and coaches and take place either at Wilson’s Group Stadium or at our indoor Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.
THE OFFERINGS
MLB PLAY BALL WEEKEND CAMP Saturday, June 6th, 12 noon to 3pm, Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park FREE ADMISSION, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, Limited to 100 Registrants Boys and girls ages 5 to 12 are invited to participate in the FREE three-hour camp at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 pm. The camp is designed to give boys and girls the opportunity to develop their skills, regardless of experience or ability. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, AGES 8-17 Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park $225-$350 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $2000. Limited to 30 registrants per week. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 8-11 Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 12 Noon Edwards Family Training Centre $200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 12-17 Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Edwards Family Training Centre $200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
Our camps usually fill up fast, so please be sure to register today to secure your spot.
If you have any questions, please contact HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart at chris@harbourcats.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login