Summer Collegiate

– Kamloops NorthPaws

Published

3 months ago

July 10, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

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 Division: https://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 – Two key returnees among three Canadians signed for 2024

Published

5 days ago

September 20, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Green (above), Hall and former Canadian junior team star Chee-Aloy join Cats

September 20, 2023

VICTORIA, B.C. — The reloading of the 2023 North Division champion Victoria HarbourCats has started — not surprisingly, given the team’s history of finding local and Canadian talent — with three players who have maple leaf passports.

Returning infielders Brandon Green of the Victoria Golden Tide and Tyrus Hall of Bossier Parrish JC are joined by prized Illinois recruit Cameron Chee-Aloy of Toronto as the HarbourCats, who have posted just one sub-.500 record since 2014 and have made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, get ready for the 2024 campaign.

Hall, primarily a shortstop, is a Victoria product who came through the Eagles program, while Green, who can play any infield position, is in his third year with the Golden Tide, hailing from Olds, Alberta. Both played with the HarbourCats in 2023, part of the team that set a WCL record with 25 home wins in 27 home regular season games — 27-2 counting playoffs.

HarbourCats infielder Ty Hall will return to the HarbourCats in 2024 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

“Ty Hall has tremendous potential and a pro-level arm, with blazing speed — and we saw so much improvement with him under WCL coach of the year Todd Haney,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats. “He will get better yet in college and being back with us next summer. And Brandon, he was one of the great stories of our season, unceremoniously dumped before the season by a summer team in another league in Alberta and given a chance to stay in Victoria at the WCL level, and all he did was earn the trust of Todd and the staff. He had the summer of his life, and he’s not done.”

Green became the first product of the third year Golden Tide program to have a notable impact on the WCL club, part of the mandate of the CCBC entry.

In 24 games, Green had two doubles, two home runs and drove in 10 runs, batting .222 and earning stretches of time at second base, with just one error. Hall got into 26 games, his speed of great value off the bench, and hit .250 with 13 stolen bases — caught just once. Hall was a featured part of a league record 150 stolen bases as a team.

Chee-Aloy (pictured right), a product of the Ontario Terriers, is best described as a plus-speed outfielder who plays the game hard, getting the most out of his 6-0/180 pound frame. The right-handed hitter with a right fielder’s arm had two stints with Team Canada, where he was teammates with Hall.

“We are exited to add Cameron to the 2024 team,” said Head Coach Todd Haney. “His speed will be an asset both offensively and defensively.”

The HarbourCats 2024 schedule in anticipated to be released in late October or early November 2023. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for news on that once it becomes available.

Season tickets are now on sale and can now be renewed for the 2024 season of HarbourCats baseball! Lock in and renew your existing seats, or purchase new seats by October 31, 2023 to guarantee Early Bird Pricing at the 2023 rates:

General Admission – $375 ($385 after October 31)
Premium Reserved (Sections 6-9 and 11-12) – $475 ($495 after October 31)
Grandstand Reserved (Section 10 Rows E and up) – $525 ($550 after October 31)
Campbell Real Estate Club Seats (Section 10 Rows A-D) – $675 ($700 after October 31)
Diamond Club Field Level – $750 (WAIT LIST – CALL FOR AVAILABILITY) ($775 after October 31)

Season tickets offer the best per-game value per seat and come with the following benefits:

Includes all regular season WCL league home games, and all pre-season and exhibition games
Incudes FREE PLAYOFF TICKETS
Season ticket holders get first right of refusal to purchase tickets for other special events (eg. concerts)
Season-ticket holders do not pay additional Fireworks Game pricing
Service fees and all taxes included in above prices

Please call the office at 778-265-0327 or e-mail chris@harbourcats.com to renew, or to purchase new seats.

You can also stop into the office to take care of this at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. We are open in the off-season Tuesday – Friday from 10AM to 5PM.

Cats merchandise is also on sale now at the office at The Cat Shop, or online at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/

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Summer Collegiate

2023 Fan Experience Survey – Kamloops NorthPaws

Published

6 days ago

September 18, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Photo by: Allen Douglas

The Kamloops NorthPaws wanted to thank our fans for another great season at Norbrock Stadium – THANK YOU ‘PAWS FANS!!!

The organization is looking to fans to share their experiences in order to make improvements for 2024. Fans who choose to include their email will be entered into a draw for a 2024 10-game flex plan, the winner will be contacted on October 6, 2023. All anonymous users will not be entered into the draw. The NorthPaws thank you for your reviews and support of our team, we look forward to improving our operations and welcoming you back to the ballpark in 2024!

You can complete the form below:

https://forms.gle/YBfFHvp6eDyRuoUR6

Source

Summer Collegiate

Top player in 2023 returns for third season as a NightOwl

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Marsh the first NightOwls’ signing for 2024 WCL season

An original NightOwl is coming back for a third season at historic Serauxmen Stadium.

Infielder Aaron Marsh of the UBC Thunderbirds, who shared the 2023 player of the year award with keystone partner Elijah Ickes, will be the key offensive piece that Head Coach Greg Frady will build his lineup around in the summer of 2024.

The Nanaimo product, a former Pirate, has been the picture of consistency for the NightOwls for the team’s first two seasons in the West Coast League. In 2022, Marsh batted .309 and was among team leaders with 38 hits and 20 runs driven in, and followed that up in 2023 with 39 more hits, 24 RBIs, and batting .287 while playing both second and third. He hit two home runs both seasons.

“Aaron is a tough out, gives the team gritty at-bats and is so reliable on defence,” said Jim Swanson, GM of the NightOwls. “He brings so many intangibles to UBC and to the NightOwls, is a leader and you can tell he loves to play the game, and loves to play in front of our great crowds in Nanaimo, in front of people who watched him grow up in our city. He’s the ideal player to have as our first signing for the 2024 season.”

A left-handed hitter with extra-base power, a valuable asset with the exciting fence configuration at Serauxmen Stadium, the 5-10/185 Marsh has played 73 games as a NightOwl, so will be looking to become the first player to play in 100 games for Nanaimo’s young WCL franchise.

“Recruiting is very much underway, between myself and the coaching staff, looking to build a team that can get us to the playoffs and be the first Canadian team to win the WCL title,” said Swanson. “Our 2023 team played everyone hard, one game below .500 — and known for being scrappy and playing the game the right way, with the right approach of effort and sportsmanship. We are building future pro players here, we are also building young men who will be successful in whatever they advance to in life. Aaron is definitely one of those people.”

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2024 campaign — renewals and new fans, the best seats at the park available for as low as $400 for the season (roughly $12.50 per seat per game). Included in season tickets are gratis playoff tickets, with the NightOwls in the hunt for a post-season spot until the final week in both of the team’s initial seasons.

“If you haven’t yet made it to a game — you’re missing out on a great spot and a special energy that only Serauxmen creates,” said Swanson.

For information on season tickets, email tina@nanaimonightowls.com

Team merchandise is also in hot demand, find the shop site at nanaimonightowls.com for a variety of offerings from hats to hoodies to shirts and miscellaneous items.

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