Summer Collegiate

NightOwls Edged in Extras in Victoria with 5,000 in Attendance

Published

9 months ago

June 14, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

VICTORIA — An early one-run lead held up — for a long time.

The Nanaimo NightOwls put a bit of a hush on the crowd of 5,044 in attendance at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park with a run in the first inning, then nearly hung on for win in a tremendous ballgame played Thursday in Victoria.

The Victoria HarbourCats scraped across runs in the sixth inning and the walkoff in the bottom of the 10th for a 2-1 win over the NightOwls. The game started at 11am for the Mayfair Optometric School Spirit Game and the crowd was loud and hopped up on ice cream and hot dogs.

The HarbourCats (7-5) nearly won it in the bottom of the ninth but had the winning run thrown out at the plate on a great throw by right fielder Mitchell Middlemiss (UBC).

Aiden Russell (San Diego State) was strong in his starting pitching role, going six innings and giving up four hits and one run, that coming in the sixth inning. He struck out eight. Payton Robertson went three scoreless innings, giving up three hits. Venezuelan lefty Richtter Castillo took the loss.

Third baseman Cam Schneider (Fresno State) was 4-5 with the game-winning RBI for Victoria.

The NightOwls (6-6) had eight hits, three of them by third baseman David Draayers (UBC) and two from outfielder Noah Hata (Hawaii Pacific).

The NightOwls now host the Redmond Dudes for evening games on Friday and Saturday, and a 1pm game on Sunday. The Friday game will see skydivers land on the field prior to the game, while Saturday is the now-annual major Blue Jays vacation trip giveaway with YCD Nanaimo Airport. Sunday, a trip to Las Vegas is up for grabs with Nanaimo Mitsubishi.

The next league action for the NightOwls is at home, next week, Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday with the Victoria HarbourCats back in the Harbour City as part of the ReMax Generation Alex Burns Real Estate Island Cup, with nine games between the two teams.

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Summer Collegiate

Star Vegas catcher, Hawaii Pacific players added to summer roster

Published

15 hours ago

March 12, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Unveiled today for Coach Andreychuk’s roster in 2025:

C Anthony Marnell IV, S/R, College of Southern Nevada (and Oregon State), 6-2/200, Las Vegas

RHP Zach Horwith, R/R, 6-1/200, Bellarmine University, Castle Rock, CO

RHP Brennan Kettle, R/R, 6-0/155, Hawaii Pacific, Houston, TX

SS Andrew Nykoluk, R/R, 5-10/165, Hawaii Pacific, Simi Valley, CA

RHP Jayden Gabrillo, L/R, Hawaii Pacific, 5-8/165, Ewa Beach, HI

OF Owen Wessel, R/R, 5-8/165, Hawaii Pacific, Huntington Beach, CA

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Peninsula Co-op partners to bring community events to HarbourCats games

Published

6 days ago

March 6, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

For Immediate Release

March 6, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. –– There are few groups more community-minded on Vancouver Island than Peninsula Co-op — their involvement with the Victoria HarbourCats and specific events confirms that yet again.

Thanks to Peninsula Co-op, athletes from Special Olympics and Challenger Baseball will take to the field at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this summer, in what has become a pair of annual events that warm the hearts of fans and bring big smiles to the faces of all the competitors.

“This is something we have worked together with Peninsula Co-op on for more than a decade and these are special nights that have heart-warming moments you can’t manufacture,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats.

“I think the Special Olympics athletes look forward more to this game with our HarbourCats guys than they do to provincials or major tournaments they attend. And with Challenger Baseball, this game shows all the fans how fun it is to be on the field, getting around the bases or swinging at that pitch down the middle.”

“Peninsula Co-op is excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the HarbourCats and to bring these community-inclusive and engaging events to life,” said Lindsay Gaudette, Director of Member and Community Engagement with Peninsula Co-op.

“The dedication, joy, and spirit of these athletes remind us of the power of community, teamwork, and inclusion. We look forward to another summer of unforgettable moments on the field.”

The big dates:

*Challenger Baseball, Tuesday, July 15, 5:30pm (before the 6:35pm HarbourCats game)

*Special Olympics, Wednesday, July 23, 5:30pm (before the 6:35pm HarbourCats game)

Peninsula Co-op members also get $2.00 discounts for HarbourCats tickets (at the office in advance, or at box-office on game days), and Peninsula Co-op also makes it possible for kids to come free for an entire series, the July 25-26-27 three-game set with the Wenatchee AppleSox in Victoria to play the HarbourCats.

For more information, see the HarbourCats website at harbourcats.com — tickets, promotions, partners, merchandise, and more.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to host Eagles and Blaze PBL games, June 1

Published

1 week ago

March 4, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

March 4, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Two of the best high school baseball teams in B.C. will showcase their talents this summer at the home of the Victoria HarbourCats.

The Victoria Eagles and Langley Blaze, two of the powerhouse organizations of the B.C. Premier Baseball League (BCPBL) — the province’s top loop for high school-aged players — will meet up for a doubleheader on Sunday, June 1, with a noon start at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“We are excited to do this, and it will be a great way to whet the appetite of baseball fans with the HarbourCats opening at home on Friday, June 6,” said HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart.

“I’ve watched a lot of PBL baseball, people know me for my photos of the league over the years, and it’s very good baseball — those players all want to get to college and then earn the chance to play at the HarbourCats level. Our fans will really enjoy this, and the Eagles will be a more than worthy home team that day.”

The Eagles usually play out of the Lambrick Park complex, and do some of their winter training in the Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.

The BCPBL produces players who go on to collegiate baseball, and some are drafted by MLB teams. San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who also pitched for the HarbourCats, developed with the Eagles, while the Blaze have produced Tyler O’Neill, Brett Lawrie, Scott Mathieson and many others.

The Eagles are overseen by Martin Winstanley, Jeremy Campbell, and head coach Mitch Davidoff. The Blaze are run by the legendary Doug Mathieson, coached by Jamie Bodaly.

The Eagles will also play their cross-town rival Victoria Mariners in a single game at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP on Wednesday, June 4, a 6:35pm start.

Tickets are available now for these games and all 2025 home games via the HarbourCats ticketing website HERE and and all season ticket holders will have this event and the June 4th game included in their ticket packages as a bonus.

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