Summer Collegiate
KAMLOOPS — Walla Walla was the tonic that the Kamloops NorthPaws needed as they took two of three from the South Division foes.
Photo Credits – Allen Douglas Photography
Rico chants fill Dearborn Ford Field after big weekend set
A big crowd at the Park on Saturday night began chanting Joey Rico’s name as he walked up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, looking to walk off the Sweets.
“You dream of that situation, to win the game, bases loaded, bottom of the ninth. Take it in the moment, take what they give you, try to stay calm as much as possible and don’t let the moment get too big,” said Rico. “It was awesome to see all the fans out and play for them.”
Less than 24 hours after the walk-off single, Rico stepped up in the 7th inning and hit a ball 106 mph off the barrel for a 396 foot homer. After the homer Rico toed the rubber pitching a clean 9th for the save.
“I knew it, 3-1 count ready for a fastball and got it, so just put a good swing on it,” said Rico. “Just doing what I can to help the team win.”
The back to back wins represent the first winning streak and first series win for Kamloops since the second series of the season.
“It was big because we have struggled and we are coming back and fighting. This series was big to show us who we are and keep playing,” added Rico.
For a team that has been scuffling it was a crucial weekend set.
“The important thing is keeping positive, keeping the guys relaxed. We know we are going to lose and we are going to win so keep ourselves on the right track and play the right way,” said Manager Jose Bautista. “Continue to do the best we can and I think we are going to turn it around.”
GAME 1
The Kamloops NorthPaws opened up a three game set versus the Walla Walla Sweets at home on Friday night (June 28), getting shutout by the visitors 12-0.
The Sweets, who arrived at the ballpark just three hours before first pitch, got the bats going early, pushing across four runs in the opening frame and never looking back.
Cade Webber got the start for Kamloops pitching 3.0 IP, giving up 7ER, 7H, 3K. Logan Meyer led the offense for Walla Walla for a 2-4 night with 4RBI, the big swing of the bat coming in the first inning with a bases clearing triple to right centre.
The Paws would only muster 6 hits in the shutout, with Zach Hangas throwing a complete game for the Sweets, 9.0IP, 6H, 0ER, 2K.
GAME 2
Joey Rico played hero on Saturday night in Kamloops, as the NorthPaws right fielder hit a walkoff single in the 9th to secure a 3-2 win over the Sweets.
Keith Manby made his ‘Paws debut on the mound and pitched well in a ballpark he’s quite familiar with as he plays for the TRU WolfPack. Manby went 5.0IP, 2ER, 4BB, 3K and earned a no-decision in the Kamloops win.
The ‘Paws struck first, in the third innings as Michael Weber brought home Chris Catalano on a sac-fly to make it 1-0.
A pair of wild-pitches from Manby would set up a pair of runs from Walla Walla in the 5th as they held a 2-1 lead until the 7th.
Potentially the turning point of the game was when Casper Rammeloo allowed a leadoff triple in the sixth but would strand the runner and escape the jam. Rammeloo collected the win pitching 4.0IP, 1H, 0ER baseball, striking out two and not walking a soul.
Weber would collect his second RBI of the game to tie things at 2-2 in the seventh as he dumped a single just over the head of the second baseman scoring Anthony Setticasi.
Anthony Settacasi walked to open the bottom of the ninth, which was followed by a double to right by Jacob French. With the winning run 90 feet away, Walla Walla intentionally walked Catalano to set up a force out at any base and pitch to Rico.
Rico would take a 1-1 pitch into left-centre to walk off the Sweets, and earn a split of the first two games of the weekend set.
GAME 3
Both Walla Walla and Kamloops traded runs of five unanswered during the Sunday finale to the series before Joey Rico would play hero for a second straight contest as Kamloops won 7-5.
The Paws struck first on Sunday, scoring a pair in the second inning thanks to a Jerry Nix RBI single and a sac-fly from Anthony Setticasi.
Then it was time for Walla Walla to return serve with five straight runs as they would put up a pair in the fourth and three in the fifth to take the lead 5-2.
From there Lucas Smith (4.0IP, 3ER) who relieved starter Cade Johnson (4.0IP, 2ER) would lock things down and not allow another run in the ballgame.
Kamloops would tie things back up in the sixth with Jerry Nix, Anthony Manuel, and Nolan Austin all collecting RBI singles to make it 5-5.
The first batter of the bottom of the seventh was Joey Rico who hammered a 3-1 pitch 296 feet to right field to give the Paws a lead they would never surrender. Michael Weber would score an insurance run on a Walla Walla error to make it 7-5.
After crushing the go-ahead homer, Rico would be called upon to pitch the ninth, striking out two for his first save of the season.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Monday, July 1 @ Kelowna, first pitch 6:35
Tuesday, July 2 vs Kelowna, first pitch 6:35 (next home game)
Wednesday, July 3 @ Kelowna, first pitch 6:35
Thursday, July 4 – Off-day
Friday, July 5 @ Edmonton, first pitch 7:05
Saturday, July 6 @ Edmonton, first pitch 7:05
Sunday, July 7 @ Edmonton, first pitch 1:05
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS
Jenna Forter
General Manager
Kamloops NorthPaws
250-200-1415
www.northpawsbaseball.ca
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Four returnees signed by HarbourCats, including all-star Shepherd
2025 All-Star and home-run leader Logan Shepherd (28) will return to the HarbourCats for the 2026 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
October 15, 2025
For immediate release
VICTORIA, BC — It’s the norm for players to want to run it back for another summer, and four such returning players have started the foundation for the 2026 Victoria HarbourCats — headlined by a slugging DH/first baseman.
Logan Shepherd, a powerful right-handed hitter from Olympia, WA, will be back with the HarbourCats next summer. A product of Tacoma Community College and now at Mercer, he tied the franchise record for home runs in a season with eight last year, batting .345 and driving in 41 runs while being named to the West Coast League all-star game.
“Logan put up some serious numbers for us and wants to get even more out of the Victoria experience,” said WCL veteran head coach Todd Haney, who will be in his sixth season leading the HarbourCats when May rolls around. “He was a leader, and these players announced today will help us continue with the culture we have established with this program.”
Also signed:
- C Dillon Lopez, St. Mary’s, 5-10/200, San Antonio, TX
- RHP Austin Lindsey, Hill JC, 6-1/180, Lufkin, TX
- RHP Marcus Janovsky, UBC, 6-0/195, Surrey, BC
- 1B/DH Logan Shepherd, Mercer, 6-2/215, Olympia, WA
Lopez also put up all-star worthy numbers, if he’d been able to join the team earlier in the season — .350 with 18 RBIs in 21 games, hitting three home runs and providing premium defence behind the plate.
Catcher Dillon Lopez (18), here celebrating after a walk-off hit in 2025, will return behind the dish for the 2026 season (Photo: Justin Morash).
Lindsey pitched in 13 games with 27 strikeouts in 24 innings of work, mostly out of the bullpen — a high-leverage, dependable arm for Haney and the coaching staff. Janovsky, playing near his hometown of Surrey at UBC, was 2-1 while giving up 19 hits in 21.1 innings of work, with 19 strikeouts.
Right-hand pitcher Marcus Janovsky (centre), here celebrating after a clutch relief appearance in 2025, will return to the mound for the HarbourCats in 2026 (Photo: Justin Morash)
“We’re proud of the development of these players and can’t wait to welcome them back, with another year of experience under their belt,” said Haney.
Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. BE SURE TO LOCK IN YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria. These will be going on sale SOON!
Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.
Victoria HarbourCats – Four returnees signed by HarbourCats, including all-star Shepherd
Victoria HarbourCats – West Coast League meetings to be held in Victoria
All-Stars Hayes and Zenk returning to Owls in 2026
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