Summer Collegiate
NightOwls Command The Skies Against The RiverHawks In Game Two
NANAIMO, B.C. — The Nanaimo NightOwls took the second game of the series against the Edmonton RiverHawks 2-0 in game two and moved closer to an even record on the season at 11-12. The pitching was stellar on the day as the NightOwls combined for a six-hit shutout on Saturday at Serauxemen Stadium.
The bats weren’t there all the time for Nanaimo, but they were there at the right time in the Bottom of the sixth inning. A two-run double was all the scoring the NightOwls needed as their pitchers were all throwing fire. Nanaimo finished with two runs on seven hits and one error, while the Edmonton Riverhawks had no runs on six hits and no errors. That brings the winning streak to three games for the NightOwls as they seem to be getting in mid-season form.
https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=621647
The four pitchers for the NightOwls combined for a seven-hit shutout, walking only 3 and striking out 7. The bulk of those stats go to starting pitcher Aidan Boice. Aidan, from Holladay, Utah, went five innings, giving up just 3 hits and one walk while striking out five of the twenty batters he faced on the night. He left with a no decision, but I spoke to him after the game about his start.
I asked what he thought of his performance on the mound tonight for the NightOwls, “You know I thought it was good, I came back from some behind counts and got some big outs with runners, I’m pretty happy with it.” He would also speak about the play of the team behind him and how it makes it easier to pitch knowing they have his back defensively, “Yeah the defense has been amazing these past few weeks, especially the outfield and they’ve been giving me a lot of help so it’s been awesome.”
http://Nanaimonightowls.com/tickets
Other pitchers for the NightOwls on the night were Cody “Cowboy” Carmichael, who pitched one inning, giving up zero hits and one walk. Cody got the win for Nanaimo and moves to 1-1 on the season in six appearances. Brady Morse also pitched a great inning before Brennan Kettle came on for the six-out save. The Junior from Hawaii Pacific University went two innings and gave up just one hit and walked one.
The NightOwls didn’t generate much offence on Saturday night, but they got it at the perfect time. Spencer Sullivan was once again at the forefront of things and hit a two RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning. On the night, Spencer went one for three with two RBI and a walk. first baseman Jacob Hayes went two for four on the night with two singles and a run scored. It looks like he wants to start another hit streak as that is back to back games for Hayes.
https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/
We have one more game in the series against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Sunday June 29th. It’s Family Fun Day at the ball park so we have a 1:05 pm first pitch. It’s also our mascot, Ney-Te The NightOwls Birthday so come out and help celebrate his big day as the Nanaimo Bars look to bring the brooms out of the janitors closet and sweep the series.
Monday the NightOwls have an exhibition game on June 30th against the Nanaimo Selects before our big Canada Day festivities against Island rivals, the Victoria HarbourCats. Make sure to get out early for that one as we are going to be packed. We have fireworks presented by the Kwumut Lelum Foundation.
General manager of the NightOwls said this about the night, “This fireworks game is becoming a must-see tradition in Nanaimo, with more than 3,100 at last year’s game,” said GM Tina Cornett. “The Kwumut Lelum Foundation is all about community and doing great things in the Nanaimo region.” For more information check out this link here and we hope to see you out at the ballpark on Tuesday! #IlluminateTheDark
Respected island businessman John Wilson has been named President of the company that oversees the successful collegiate baseball teams based in Victoria and Nanaimo.
Wilson, the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and whose family owns and operates the Wilson’s Group of Companies, has been part of the core ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats since 2015, and the Nanaimo NightOwls since inception in 2020 (started play in 2022). The NightOwls, a rival to the HarbourCats on the field, play at historic Serauxmen Stadium.
Wilson takes the position from Ken Swanson, who remains on the board after a solid 10-year run as team president. The group also operates the Victoria Collegiate (CCBC) baseball program and the busy indoor facility on Cook St., the Edwards Family Training Centre.
“Ken has led the corporate structure well, and he’s deserving of a break,” said Wilson. “We have a strong and committed group of owners and staff and a refresh is good for us all, keeping these teams playing great baseball and positively impacting these amazing communities in a stable, creative manner. Ken literally leaves big shoes to fill.”
The HarbourCats, which started play in 2013, will host the WCL All-Star Game in 2026 and 2027, showcasing the island’s immense love of baseball and the team that helped produce eight current MLB players including Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox). The 2026 all-star festival will take place July 14-15 using Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and sites around the South Island, with exciting details to come.
Wilson and Swanson lead a nine-member ownership group that includes Rich Harder, Helen Edwards, Mike Macdonell, Sean Finn, Vic Vendetti, John Schnaderbeck and Jim Swanson.
“No one knows the community like John, so we are all looking forward to what will be a flawless transition that will bring some new life to the organization,” said Ken Swanson.
The management structure remains the same — former GM Jim Swanson in the Managing Partner role, overseeing day-to-day operations, assisted by Adrian Somers (Business Operations and Marketing). In Victoria, Christian Stewart (General Manager) and John Pollard (Marketing Director) remain in place, while Tina Cornett continues her strong leadership in Nanaimo as General Manager, with Kent Malpass overseeing the concession.
The teams maintain wholly separate coaching staffs and recruiting processes — veteran Todd Haney, a five-year MLB player, as the sixth-year Head Coach in Victoria, and local product Cody Andreychuk, a collegiate program head coach at University of Pikeville, enters his second season in Nanaimo, assisted by pitching coach Gorman Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his 50 years in the game.
Tickets are selling fast…get yours today. www.NanaimoNightOwls.com/ticketinfo
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – John Wilson named president of island WCL teams, HarbourCats and NightOwls
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Four San Jose State stars slated to land in Victoria this summer
For immediate release
January 20, 2026
VICTORIA, BC — A former HarbourCats outfielder, a member of the record-breaking WCL team in 2016, knew he wanted to send players he now coaches to a great summer baseball factory.
Jarron Silva, then an outfielder from UCLA, really enjoyed his time in Victoria, on a team that won a record 40 games, including 19 in a row at one point.
Now as an assistant coach at San Jose State, he connected with veteran HarbourCats coach Todd Haney to secure development spots for two pitchers and two position players.
“Jarron was a spark plug for that 2016 team, and he remembers the fan support and atmosphere at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP — Victoria is a baseball city,” said Managing Partner Jim Swanson. “We are excited to see the pitchers signed, and to see the power in Rohne Klein and Ethan Nunez — they have the potential to represent Victoria when we host the WCL All-Star Game on July 15.”
Four Spartans and a versatile fielder from George Mason, Matthew Westley, have been signed by Coach Haney:
- RHP Landon Marchetti, San Jose State, 5-11/190, Brentwood, CA
- RHP Spencer Kratt, San Jose State, 6-0/210, Woodland Hills, CA
- IF Rohne Klein, San Jose State, 6-4/230, L/R, Renton, WA
- OF Ethan Nunez, San Jose State, 6-4/190, R/R, Chino Hills, CA
- IF/OF Matthew Westley, George Mason, 6-1/210, R/R, Manassas, VA
Marchetti, previously at UC San Diego, has nearly 30 games of college experience, including five starts, and used a lower lefty arm slot to register high strikeout numbers in high school. Kratt is a power righty who runs it up to 92, a transfer from LA Valley College.
Landon Marchetti delivers a pitch while playing for the UC San Diego in 2025.
Klein, a transfer to SJSU from Utah, is a developing power bat who also is noted for a strong arm — can play third, outfield or first. He’s an athlete, playing both quarterback and linebacker on his high school team.
Nunez is a transfer from Colorado Mesa, where he was the RMAC freshman of the year — and he will miss the spring as a redshirt to get an injury fully rehabbed, but will be good to go for summer. At Colorado Mesa, he hit .356 with 14 bombs.
The lone non-SJSU addition announced by Coach Haney is utility guy Westley, formerly of Virginia Tech and now at George Mason. He has two summers of experience in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League.
The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:
- Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
- Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
- Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
- $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)
Season ticket memberships, single-game tickets, 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) and 2026 WCL All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.
All ticket types and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-5pm.
John Wilson Named As New Team President
Victoria HarbourCats – John Wilson named president of island WCL teams, HarbourCats and NightOwls
Victoria HarbourCats – Four San Jose State stars slated to land in Victoria this summer
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Summer Collegiate7 days agoVictoria HarbourCats – Four San Jose State stars slated to land in Victoria this summer
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Summer Collegiate17 mins ago
John Wilson Named As New Team President
-
Summer Collegiate17 mins ago
Victoria HarbourCats – John Wilson named president of island WCL teams, HarbourCats and NightOwls
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