Summer Collegiate
NightOwls Fall To The HarbourCats In Canada Day Clash 8-2
NANAIMO, B.C. — There were skydivers, fireworks, and some great baseball, as the Nanaimo NightOwls took on their Rival, the Victoria HarbourCats, on July 1st at Serauxmen Stadium. Unfortunately, Nanaimo couldn’t get the win in game one of the series, losing 8-2. That didn’t stop the crowd of 3500 from enjoying their evening at the ballpark. I mentioned we had skydivers fall into centerfield before the game, and a ton of great events and promotions.
Nanaimo jumped out to an early lead in the first inning thanks to another Talan Zenk home run. The NightOwls would tack on one more before Victoria would tie things up with single runs in the third and fourth innings before taking the lead with one more in the fifth. The game was close until Victoria went off for 5 runs in the sixth and seventh innings, and Nanaimo just couldn’t muster up any offense to get back in the game.
https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=621649
The Nanaimo NightOwls had two runs on nine hits with no errors. The HarbourCats had eight runs on 16 hits with one error. The starting pitcher for the NightOwls had a good game, going four innings. Teague VanDyke gave up seven hits and just two runs while striking out two.
Nanaimo NightOwls Vs. Victoria HarbourCats (Photo Credit: Chad Frostad)
Brady Morse, from Bellarmine University, came in for the Nanaimo NightOwls in relief in the eighth inning and pitched two scoreless giving up no hits and no walks. Brady has been good on the mound and in the field for the NightOwls this season.
https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/
It was Talan Zenk once again crushing the ball out of the park tonight for Nanaimo. He finished off the day going one for four with a home run and an RBI. You can see from the stats in the tweet below he has been on fire of late and he will look to continue down in Victoria.
Talan Zenk (@TalanZenk, @EvCC_Baseball ’26) hit a solo HR in the first for the @wclNightOwls, his third this summer and second in consecutive games. Over his last 3 games, Zenk has 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, and 8 runs runs scored. pic.twitter.com/rIiaS8gnXx
— PNW College Baseball Report (@PNW_CBR) July 2, 2025
This is becoming a reoccurring thing since he keeps hitting bombs out the park, but I spoke with Talan about his approach at the plate, “Yeah, my main goal the past couple games have just been to load slow and early up at the plate. As well as focusing on getting my swing off and providing for the team anyway possible.”
Catcher Brock Wirthgen (Photo Credit: Chad Frostad)
Catcher Brock Wirthgen also had a good night at the plate for the home side. He went two for four with two singles on the evening. Look out for a player profile about Brock coming out soon. Tyler Arnold went 1one for four and contributed the other RBI on the night.
http://Nanaimonightowls.com/tickets
It was a great night at the ballpark despite the loss to the HarbourCats. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the team as we sold out tonight! It’s a fun night at the ballpark with you here so come join us all summer. Link for tickets is above and you can book the Bathtub Bar or Bus for a summer party or birthday, message us on social media or call the office.
The series continues for the Nanaimo NightOwls against the Victoria HarbourCats, but it shifts down Island for the final two games at Royal Athletic Park. The two teams will finish off the series on Wednesday, July 2nd, and Thursday, July 3rd. Then the NightOwls head off to Edmonton for a rematch with the RiverHawks. It should be a hard-fought series, as Edmonton will have been swept by the NightOwls fresh on their minds. Make sure to watch the game on the link above and cheer on your team on social media with the Hashtag #IlluminateTheDark.
Good night Nanaimo!
Tough loss for us tonight against our Island Rivals, the @HarbourCats, but all 3500 of you that came out for our Canada Day 🇨🇦 festivities to support left winners!
Skydivers, baseball, and fireworks! Not a bad way to spend the night!#IlluminateTheDark #NightOwls #WCL #YCD pic.twitter.com/0PiV74Vz6a
— Nanaimo NightOwls WCL (@wclNightOwls) July 2, 2025
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
Victoria HarbourCats – John Wilson named president of island WCL teams, HarbourCats and NightOwls
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Summer Collegiate17 mins ago
John Wilson Named As New Team President
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