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Summer Collegiate

– Kamloops NorthPaws

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Author: Larry Read

WENATCHEE, WA—The second half of the 2023 West Coast League season started in the same fashion as the first half for the Kamloops North Paws.  The Paws were swept on the road.  This time, Kamloops dropped three straight to the AppleSox in Wenatchee.

The scores were 7-6 in 12 innings on Friday (July 7), 5-1 on Saturday (July 8) and 11-6 on Sunday (July 9).  Wenatchee won all six regular season games with the NorthPaws.

The AppleSox move to 22-8 overall and 3-0 in the second half.  Kamloops falls to 7-26 overall and 0-3 in the second half.

By the way, Bellingham won the 2023 North Division First Half Title while the Ridgefield Raptors took the crown in the South Divisionhttps://westcoastleague.com/bells-secure-postseason-bid-second-half-race-starts/

Kamloops will have a day off to travel home on Monday (July 10). They will open up a three-game series at home against the Edmonton RiverHawks on Tuesday (July 11). 

The AppleSox will begin a six-game road trip on Tuesday (July 11) when they meet the Night Owls in Nanaimo.

SERIES RECAP:

Friday, July 7, 2023: AppleSox 7 NorthPaws 6 (12 innings)

The NorthPaws battled back from a 5-0 deficit to score five in a row to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning.  Kamloops then took the lead in the 12th inning when Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau< QC) doubled and scored Casey Wayne who led off the inning with a single.

Wenatchee though scored two in their half of the 12th. Sebastian David  (Medina, WA) led off and was hit by a Kolby Lukinchuk (Prince George, BC) pitch.  He scored on a fielder’s choice which resulted in Reeve Boyd (Seattle, WA) getting to first. He scored the winning run on a single from Brandham Ponce (Federal Way WA).

Ponce was 2-6 for Wenatchee.  Austin Ohland (Maple Valley, WA) led them offensively going 2-6 with 3 RBI. 

Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) was 3-5 with two RBI and a run scored to lead Kamloops. Joey Baran (Austin, TX) was 2-5 with a run scored.    

Lukinchuk was tagged with the loss. He is 0-1 in 11 appearances this season. He pitched 1 2/3 innings giving up three hits, two runs and walked one.    Bryce Johnson (Sammanish, WA) was the third of three AppleSox pitchers and garnered the win.   He went four innings giving up two runs, four hits, struck out eight and walked four.  He is 2-1 on the year.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598639

Saturday, July 8, 2023: Applesox 5  NorthPaws 1

Kamloops broke open a scoreless tie with a run in the fifth inning. Wenatchee evened it up sixth with a run of their own and added another in the seventh and three more in the eighth.  They had 13 hits to the NorthPaws’ six.

Trent Liolios (Newport Beach, CA) led the way for Wenatchee with a two run homer in that eighth inning. It was his first homer of the year. He was 2-5 with two runs scored. Ponse was 2-3 with a run scored as well for the AppleSox.

Kamloops ‘ Rei Kimura (Osaka, Japan) was 2-4.  Villeneuve was 2-3 while Mestas was 2-5.

Griffin Allen (San Jose, CA), the third of four Wenatchee pitchers was the winner. He went 3 2/3 innings striking out two, giving up two hits and walking one. He moved to 1-0 on what was his first appearance of the year for the AppleSox.  Collin Hysell (Payette, Idaho) the third of three NorthPaws pitchers was the loser.  He went two innings giving up five hits and three runs including the homer to Liolios.  He is 0-1 in is fourth outing of the season.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598641

Sunday, July 9, 2023:AppleSox 11 NorthPaws 6

Kamloops was playing catchup from the beginning. They gave up four runs in the first and one in the second before getting on the scoresheet. Villeneuve singled to center field brining in Tyler Glowacki (San Diego, CA) who had walked earlier. 

Wenatchee scored two in the bottom half of the third to go up 7-1 and then added two runs in the sixth and the seventh innings.  

The Paws cut the deficit to to 9-4 with two runs in the top half of the seventh and added singles in the eighth and ninth.   Neville led the way for Kamloops going 2-4 with two runs scored. Villeneuve was 1-5 with a run scored. Glowacki scored two runs.

The AppleSox offense was led by Easton Admundson  (Nampa, ID) who was 2-3 with two runs scored and three runs batted in. Liolios was 2-5 with a run scored and three runs batted in. Frankie Carney (San Diego, CA) was 2-2 with two runs scored.

Andrew Monson (Liberty Lake, WA) went three innings of relief for his first win his second start with Wenatchee. He gave up a run, a hit, a walk and struck out six.   New Zealander MacLain Roberts was the first of six NorthPaws pitchers. He suffered his fifth loss in six decisions going two innings. He gave up five runs on two hits with six walks and one strikeout.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=602296

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

On Roadtrip:

“We performed well in most disciplines, but we continue to struggle at the plate.  Two nights ago, we left 18 men on base.  We just can’t hit. Today (Sunday), we came out flat and our pitching put us behind the eight ball early.  We are playing hard. We just can’t connect at the plate.  We have tried different things including having the players do BP (Batting Practice) in the cage and by themselves.  Tuesday (July 11), we will try something different.  Everyone wants to turn this (lack of hitting) around.  We just need to slow down and concentrate on hitting the ball.”

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

Their next home series will be Tuesday July 11th when the Edmonton RiverHawks come to town. Opening pitch that night along with Wednesday and Thursday July 12-13th will be 6:35 PM.  Kamloops then has a four day break.

July 12th  is SPCA Night. Guess the object inside the Big Steel Box at the game and be entered to win a Yeti Cooler and More.  The Clue will be unveiled at the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON THE RIVERHAWKS:

KJ Ward – RHP – Park University Gilbert

Jonny McGill – OF – University of British Columbia

Jack Wheatley – MIF – Liberty University

Kelly Corl – MIF – Niagara University.

If you can’t make the home games, they are all webcast on  https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/ .   Some home games will also be shown on Shaw TV in Kamloops (Cable 10 or 105 with Blue Curve).

NEW FAN PROMOTION:

The NorthPaws are looking for their newest fans.  The team is running a promotion right now which sees you capture a $15 ticket for any home game for the remainder of the season. There are only 100 of these tickets available.  Visit tickets.northpawsbaseball.ca and click “Find tickets” on the game you would like to attend. Enter ‘NEWESTFAN’ into the promo code box and the tickets are unlocked!

TAILGATE PARTY:

The Molson’s Tailgate Party is hoppin’ before every NorthPaws home game.   It runs Tuesday through Saturday 5-630 PM.  The Party runs Sundays noon-1 PM.  Hotdogs and a Pilsner are sold for $ 12.00 plus tax.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Riverhawks Rivalry Renewed in HarbourCats Opening Homestand

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The HarbourCats fell just short to the Riverhawks at the end of the 2025 season in a tightly-contested series

VICTORIA, B.C. – They say familiarity breeds contempt. With the HarbourCats home opener looming one week from today, the old proverb certainly applies to the first homestand of the 2026 season. After seven consecutive contests between Victoria and Edmonton to end the 2025 season, the Riverhawks will perch in Victoria for a three-game series beginning June 2.

For the returning HarbourCats, last year’s playoff series against Edmonton will be fresh in their minds. Victoria forced game three after dropping the opener, but were defeated 8-7 after a valiant comeback effort. Todd Haney’s crew will be in search of sweet revenge in the opening homestand of the year.

Among the returnees is Austin Lindsey, a right-handed pitcher entering his second season as a HarbourCat. The Lufkin, Texas product went 8-3 over 13 starts for Hill College this season, striking out 48 batters and maintaining an ERA just under five. Lindsey earned a crucial save in game two of the playoffs last year, striking out two in the ninth inning to force game three. Marcus Janovsky returns for the Cats as well, who struck out five over three innings in game one of the Victoria-Edmonton series last year.

Austin Lindsey (Hill College) held on for a critical save in the playoffs last season

Tuesday, June 2 is the home opener, always one of the most exciting days of baseball season! Fresh off an away series in Portland, the Cats will return to Victoria for their first performance in front of a home crowd in the 2026 season.

Following the home opener, Wednesday, June 3’s game is Help Fill a Dream Night, in partnership with the Help Fill a Dream Foundation in support of families with children affected by serious health challenges. The series wraps up on June 4, with our first School Spirit Game, where local students can enjoy some HarbourCats baseball and bring the youthful energy to Royal Athletic Park!

The homestand continues into the weekend with a trio of skirmishes with the Kelowna Falcons, including some fun theme nights! June 5 is Forces Friday, where military members and first responders can take advantage of special ticket discounts. June 6 is the first fireworks night of the season, with gates opening at 5 pm, followed by a Sunday matinee on June 7 where kids can run the bases after the game.

Homestand Schedule:

  • June 2 6:35 pm – Home Opener
  • June 3 6:35 pm – Help Fill a Dream Night
  • June 4 11:05 am – School Spirit Game (sold out, select tickets may become available)
  • June 5 6:35 pm – Forces Friday
  • June 6 6:35 pm – Fireworks Night
  • June 7 1:05 pm – Sunday Matinee

 

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought online or by stopping by the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

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Summer Collegiate

2026 NightOwls Coaching Staff

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NightOwls coaching staff grows in 2026

Heimueller celebrating 50 years in baseball

Cody Andreychuk, the Head Coach of his hometown Nanaimo NightOwls, already had tremendous experience with collegiate and summer baseball.

Going into his second season steering the NightOwls, he feels even more prepared and supported with the challenge of the West Coast League ahead.

Andreychuk will have veteran Pitching Coach Gorm Heimueller with him again.

The 70-year-old is entering his 50th year in the game dating back to his college years at Cal Poly when he was a teammate of Ozzie Smith. Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his stellar pro ball coaching career, is the only pitching coach the fifth-year organization has ever known.

Returning as the Athletic Therapist Extraordinaire is one of the best in the business, Dr. Kyle Salloum — a chiropractor and AT from Prime Performance and Therapy, which also serves as the official training centre of the NightOwls.

Added to the NightOwls staff this year is assistant coach Cam Revolt, a former college player now an assistant with Andreychuk at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky. The infielder hit nine home runs and drove in 111 while playing four seasons and batting .312 for the Bears.

The NightOwls have added Jordan McLeod as Bullpen Coach — a product of Nelson, B.C. and currently a teacher in Nanaimo and a graduate of Vancouver Island University, who is the Pitching Coach for the VIU Mariners. He is a former Douglas College and VIU pitcher.

Bench coach and mental skills coach Dr. Jordan Herbison, an instructor at VIU and a former UBC pitcher, is back to support the staff.

Andreychuk, 33, played in the West Coast League in 2013 for the Kelowna Falcons and served as an assistant coach in the famed Cape Cod League, the top summer collegiate league. In his first season leading the NightOwls, the former VIU player and Nanaimo product led the NightOwls to within a whisker of the playoffs, finishing at 23-31.  Pikeville finished the spring season with a 29-19 record, reaching the playoffs, on the heels of winning 27 games in 2025 and 30 games in 2024.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Victoria HarbourCats Announce Expanded Premium Group Experiences for 2026 Season

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New and enhanced hospitality spaces, upgraded fan experiences, and streamlined online booking now live at harbourcats.com/groups

May 22, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats are elevating the group entertainment experience for their 2026 season with expanded premium hospitality offerings, upgraded fan spaces, and a newly enhanced online booking platform designed to make planning summer outings easier than ever heading in to the All-Star Game Festival taking place at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and around the City July 14th – 16th, 2026.

With demand continuing to grow for corporate outings, staff events, client entertainment, birthdays, reunions, and social gatherings, the HarbourCats have introduced several refreshed and newly-enhanced group spaces at Royal Athletic Park – many of which are already seeing strong early demand.

Fans and organizations can now explore real-time availability, view space details/renderings, review spacing/capacity and pricing information, and submit booking requests directly at harbourcats.com/groups.

New and enhanced premium spaces for the 2026 season include:

Canadian Club House – a newly themed hospitality space along the third base line designed for groups and premium experiences.

The Nordic Fencing Dugout – an intimate field-level hospitality option next to the HarbourCats dugout that places guests close to the action while providing a unique experience for smaller private groups with tables for two.

The Strath Party Deck – a long-time fan favourite that continues to be one of the stadium’s most popular group destinations, offering a high-energy atmosphere ideal for larger celebrations, team outings, and company events.

Top Deck Lounge by Sipsmith Gin – one of the most unique viewing experiences in summer baseball returns with major upgrades for 2026, inside and atop the iconic double-decker British bus along the first base line.

Vancouver Island Brewing Islander FanZone – a casual and energetic group environment giving an outdoor brewery patio vibe that remains a popular option for fans looking for a fun and flexible game-day gathering space.

“Our premium hospitality program has grown significantly because people are looking for experiences that go beyond simply attending a baseball game,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats. “We’re proud to have hired some of the best in hospitality management to take it to the next level, whether it’s a company event, client appreciation night, staff party, birthday celebration, or just getting friends together, our team has created unique options to fit every type of group.”

Several key summer dates – including fireworks nights, weekend matchups, and 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game festivities – are already seeing limited availability.

Groups interested in booking are encouraged to visit harbourcats.com/groups to explore options and secure preferred dates before availability becomes limited.

More details are forthcoming on additional activations, including an exciting addition to the park, a recently-installed viewing platform with arguably the best view in the house!

ABOUT THE VICTORIA HARBOURCATS

The Victoria HarbourCats are a premier summer collegiate baseball organization competing in the West Coast League, delivering high-quality baseball and entertainment to fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia.

Media Contact:
Jim Swanson
(778) 265-0327
jim@harbourcats.com
www.harbourcats.com

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