Summer Collegiate
Kamloops takes two of three from Bellingham
Photo Credits – Allen Douglas Photography
KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University WolfPack pitcher Kolby Lukinchuk is officially the all-time leader in innings pitched for the Kamloops NorthPaws, and the righty showcased his skills on Thursday night, pitching 8.1IP in a come from behind victory for Kamloops as they took the series off the Bellingham Bells.
“I know hitting is a hard game and I know that if I just throw strikes the guys behind me will make the plays and bail me out,” said Lukinchuk. “I had to do some begging in between innings (to get the 9th), he let me start it but we had to play a matchup and I fully understand that, And I totally respect (Jose Bautista) for it.”
“I always believe in (Kolby Lukinchuk), the first two years I was just teaching him how to pitch, he picked it up really well,” said Manager Jose Bautista. “He can pitch backwards, throw strikes and get people out.”
Lukinchuk, with ice on his throwing elbow, joked he’s willing to pitch every game of the last six. He’ll likely get one more start on the road next week in Yakima.
A newcomer helped lead the offense in the rubber match of the series and ensure Lukinchuk got the win, as Keegan Drinkle went 3-5 2-2B, 2RBI.
“It means everything, I wasn’t doing anything they asked me to come out and get some reps. Glad to help the team out,” said Drinkle. “We battle, battle hard, compete to the end.”
As the WCL season wraps up next week a number of Paws have left the team and returned to their college rosters including Tuesday’s star TJ Wachter and a number of pitchers.
“I don’t have any (players left). You see today we had to pitch Matt (MacDonald) in the 9th inning to work through it,” added Bautista. “Going to be tough, because right now we don’t have too much (in terms of pitchers available).”
The NorthPaws have two home games remaining in 2024, both this weekend on Friday and Sunday against the Interior rival Kelowna Falcons.
“Very excited. See how it goes, see the rivalry, never really be part of a rivalry before,” said Drinkle.
GAME 1
TJ Wachter put on a show in his final game with the NorthPaws in 2024. The Kamloops first-baseman led the offense in a dominant 13-4 victory in game one versus the Bells going 4-5 with 6 RBI at the dish and finishing a triple shy of the cycle.
Wachter got the game rolling in the first with a 2-out RBI double that brought home Anthony Manuel and the Paws would never look back.
The big inning for the Paws would be the 5th, with Kamloops sending 12 men to the plate as they would score 8 runs, highlighted by a Wachter 3-run homer to left.
Lucas Smith got the start for Kamloops pitching 4.0IP 3H 0ER and earning a no-decision. The win went to newcomer Owen Fernandes 2.0IP, 2H, 0ER.
Wachter would get a chance at the cycle in the seventh, hitting a 2 RBI double to the gap but would be tagged out after putting on the brakes around second.
Kamloops locals Matt MacDonald and Nolan Austin both toed the rubber in the contest with Austin pitching a clean ninth.
GAME 2
The Bells would return serve in the middle game of the set, shutting out the NorthPaws 7-0.
Layton Haywood got the start for Bellingham and pitched six dominant innings of 2 hit, no run baseball before being lifted despite throwing under 60 pitches. Jack Svinth and Nic Peterson would complete the shutout on the mound.
Cade Webber took the loss for Kamloops, giving up all seven runs over 5.0IP.
Nate Kirkpatrick was the offensive hero in the contest going 3-5 at the plate, including a 3-run homer in the first to get the Bells rolling.
GAME 3
The rubber match of the three game set was a perfect example of a game of two halves, with the contest split directly in between the top and bottom of the 5th.
It was the Bells starting out hot, and in the second straight game would smoke a homer to left in the 1st inning as Roman Martin would club a 2-run shot off Kamloops starter Kolby Lukinchuk. Bellingham would add on three more runs in the fifth, including another 2-run homer from Jacob Meija making the score 5-0.
After 13.2 innings of shutout ball, the NorthPaws would rally with two outs in the fifth to show some life, newcomer Keegan Drinkle had the biggest hit of the inning a 2-RBI double. Jerry Nix would add an RBI on an infield single to make the contest 5-3 Bells.
Kamloops would claw one closer in the 7th thanks to a passed ball that allowed Kamloops’ Manny Recchi to score. In the 8th, Anthony Manuel would double home Jacob Schlesselman all the way from first to tie the contest at 5-5. Then with two outs in the inning, Madden Ocko legged out an infield single to bring across Manuel to give Kamloops a 6-5 lead.
After giving up 5ER in 5IP, Lukinchuk would find his groove, pitching 8.1IP before giving way to Matt MacDonald who recorded the final two outs for the save and a series win for Kamloops.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, August 2, vs Kelowna, 6:35 first pitch (Fan appreciation night)
Saturday, August 3 @ Kelowna, 6:35 first pitch
Sunday, August 4 vs Kelowna, 2:05 first pitch (FINAL HOME GAME OF THE SEASON)
Monday, August 5 – Off-Day
Tuesday, August 6 vs Yakima Valley, 6:35 first pitch
Wednesday, August 7 vs Yakima Valley, 6:35 first pitch
Thursday, August 8 vs Yakima Valley, 7:05 first pitch (FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON)
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS
Jenna Forter
General Manager
Kamloops NorthPaws
p. 250-200-1415
www.northpawsbaseball.ca
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Former HarbourCat Austin Russell, a WCL all-star, hired to coach Collegiate Cats program
July 5, 2026
VICTORIA, B.C. — Former HarbourCat and WCL All-Star Austin Russell has been handed the reins of Victoria’s year-round collegiate baseball program.
The local product has been hired to lead the Victoria Collegiate Cats of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), effective August 1. The team formerly called the Golden Tide will enter its sixth season this fall, based primarily out of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to help build a Victoria Collegiate Cats program that the players, alumni and community can be proud of,” said Russell, who played with his brother Ty on the 2013 HarbourCats team. “My time playing college baseball had a tremendous impact on my growth as a person, both on and off the field, and my priority is to provide these young men with that same opportunity — an experience they can look back on with pride and one that helps prepare them for success as they move forward in life.”
Russell, 34, was a member of the inaugural HarbourCats team and the outfielder was selected to play in the WCL all-star game in 2013. He also played summer collegiate baseball in Moose Jaw, and played collegiately at Colby Community College, Southern Polytechnic State, and MacPherson College.
Russell won conference awards as a player at Colby and MacPherson, and still plays in the Mavericks League locally. He represented Victoria in the 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s Nationals on home soil, earning a silver medal.
Russell (left), along with Nick Pivetta (centre) and Connor Russell (no relation)(right) were three of the first HarbourCats players to be signed for the 2013 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).
He coached for many years in the Victoria Mariners youth system, and is excited to return to the college level. Pitching Coach Darius Opdam Bak and Assistant Coach Colton O’Brien will return and round out the coaching staff.
Russell will also join Opdam Bak and other WCL HarbourCats coaches in taking an active role with community development initiatives and youth camps.
“This is an exciting announcement for us and we could not be happier to put Austin into the leadership role with the Collegiate Cats as Head Coach,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that owns the Collegiate Cats, the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls (West Coast League), and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) indoor facility.
“Austin is well-known and respected in the baseball world, especially locally, and we know he will put tremendous effort and skill into the role as we continue to grow the Collegiate Cats. He’s excited to get started.”
Kelowna, B.C. – The HarbourCats took on the Kelowna Falcons for the third game a row this afternoon, losing the final matchup by a score of 9-2.
The Falcons were the first side to find purchase on the offensive side in a long third inning. Cats starter Daniel Tovar (Northern Kentucky) allowed a couple of baserunners on a walk and an error, and was swapped out for right-hander Houston Tomlinson (Arkansas State). Kelowna strung together a few singles together on Tomlinson over the course of the inning, taking a 3-0 lead.
The home team followed that up with an uppercut in their next trip to the plate, smashing a three-run homer off of Tomlinson in the fourth to blow the game wide open.
Tate Collins (Arkansas State) took over for the fifth and pitched a clean inning, but was accosted for another scoring trio in the home half of the sixth. A single, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly gave the Falcons a daunting 9-0 lead.
The Cats at last found life in the seventh frame, kicked off by a solo bomb off the bat of Fresno State outfielder Marcus Nolen. Matthew Westley (George Mason) followed that homer up with a fine job of manufacturing a run. The Virginia product drew himself a walk, stole two bases, and advanced all the way home on a wild pitch to continue cutting a chunk out of that mountainous lead.
Carson Ackermann (Tacoma) took to the pitcher’s mound in the seventh and only allowed two baserunners across his two innings of work, but in the end the lead proved insurmountable and the Falcons secured a 9-2 win on home turf.
The HarbourCats will now travel back to Victoria and look to rebound on Tuesday night in the first matchup of a three-game mid-week series versus the Bend Elks.
Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games 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.
GET YOUR ALL-STAR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Tickets for the 2026 WCL All-Star Home Run Derby (featuring former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar) and the West Coast League All Star Game on July 14-15 are selling fast. Get yours today! Each event is now on sale separately, or grab the package deal for both and save a few bucks at http://harbourcats.com/tickets! Or call the office at 778-265-0327 to order by phone.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Two major events announced with Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game
Victoria HarbourCats – Former HarbourCat Austin Russell, a WCL all-star, hired to coach Collegiate Cats program
Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Drop Third Game of Kelowna Series
Victoria HarbourCats – Two major events announced with Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game
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