NANAIMO, B.C. — The NightOwls are on a roll as they make it four games in a row with a 6-5 victory over the Wenatchee AppleSox. It was a packed crowd of close to 1100 people at Serauxmen Stadium Friday night to cheer on Nanaimo, and despite going down 4-0, they kept their voices strong and cheered on the team to a big comeback.
Nanaimo NightOwls vs Wenatchee AppleSox (Photo Credit: Chad Frostad)
Wenatchee put two runs on the board in the third inning and one each in the fourth and fifth to jump out to a 4-0 lead. The NightOwls stormed back in the bottom of the fifth inning with 4 runs of their own to tie things up 4-4. The AppleSox got one more in the sixth, but the fans cheered on the team for a seventh inning rally and scored two runs to take the 6-5 lead and didn’t look back to get their fourth win in a row and move back to .500% at 17-17.
Nanaimo finished the night with six runs on 12 hits with three errors that almost cost them the game. The Wenatchee AppleSox had five runs on 13 hits and one error.
Starter Aidan Boice was dealt a daunting task with the number of pitchers the NightOwls and pitching coach Gorman Heimueller had to use in the last series against Kelowna. He was a beast for the NightOwls, going five innings and striking out four of the Wenatchee batters. He left the game, giving his team a chance to win at the end of the fifth inning.
Ricardo Villegas got back in the lineup and threw one inning for the Nanaimo NightOwls. Cole “Cowboy” Carmichael came into the game in the seventh inning and pitched a scoreless inning giving up just one hit. He got the win for the Nanaimo NightOwls, as he is now 2-0 on the season in relief.
Nanaimo NightOwls vs Wenatchee AppleSox (Photo Credit: Chad Frostad)
That led the way for Jayden Gabrillo to come in for the six out save in the eighth inning. He gave up just one hit, one walk while striking out four to seal things for the Nanaimo NightOwls.
It was our All-Star Jacob Hayes that lead the way for the NightOwls on Friday as he went three for three with a double, two singles, an RBI and than Wenatchee just got tired of it and intentionally walked him. I spoke with him after the game about his performance, “I feel like I’m seeing it well, kind of back to what I said earlier [From a previous interview], just trusting to stay up the middle and trusting Cody [Andreychuk] and what he says, I think, plays a big thing, and then stepping up for the guys and coming through in those big moments.”
Nanaimo NightOwls vs Wenatchee AppleSox (Photo Credit: Chad Frostad)
He also spoke about the play of the team of late, on a four game winning streak currently, “Yeah, definitely, definitely. After a sweep you want to you want to keep it going and I know the AppleSox haven’t had their way, so they’re down, and just as long as we can, kind of kick them in the teeth and keep our ship rolling so I think it’s good.”
Multiple players had two hit nights as Raoul Fabian Jr. went two for five with two RBI and a double. Spencer Sullivan and catcher Hunter Stencil also had two hits for the Nanaimo NightOwls in the 6-5 victory. Raoul had a clutch double off the Save on Foods monster to start the pivotal seventh inning, he missed a home run by about a foot.
Tyler Arnold and Brock Wirthgen also chipped in with an RBI for the NightOwls. Make sure to check out the first player prolife on catcher Brock Wirthgen that is up now on our NightOwls website, or just click the link!
It was also an important night for us as it was “Help Fill A Dream Foundation Night” at the ballpark. Click the link for more information and to support their great endeavors.
The series continues against the Wenatchee AppleSox on Saturday, July 12th, at 6:35 pm, before a 1:05 matinee on Sunday, July 13th. Monday, the NightOwls have a day off before two exhibition games against the Nanaimo Selects and the All-Star Break. Remember that kids and adults who feel like kids can run the bases on Sunday afternoon!
Above: Logan Shepherd belts one of his eight home runs on the season against Wenatchee on July 27th. Shepherd earned All WCL first team honours for his play this season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2025
Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are extremely pleased to announce the following players have been named to the 2025 “All WCL” team:
The HarbourCats were among seven of the 17 WCL teams that had five or more players named to the First Team, Second Team and Honorable mentions, with the Portland Pickles leading the way with 11 players. Bellingham led the way in the North Division with eight players selected.
Bridges was lights out on the mound for the HarbourCats this season and was selected to the midseason All-Star Game thanks to his 1.83 ERA in his nine appearances, all starts. In that time, he pitched 39.1 innings, striking out 37 and walking only seven.
Tommy Bridges’ 1.83 ERA was good enough to earn him All WCL First Team honours for 2025 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Shepherd was an offensive catalyst in 2025, hitting .345 with 41 RBI and eight home runs, tying the HarbourCats franchise record. He also added 28 walks to the mix and had an OPS of 1.039.
Beltowski was a pleasant surprise for the HarbourCats, originally intended to be a start of the year fill-in player, but he earned himself a regular spot and an All-Star game selection thanks to his .303 batting average, 27 RBI, three home runs and 32 walks. He was also second on the team in runs scored with 44.
Tanner Beltowski earned an All WCL Team Honourable Mention for his solid play for the HarbourCats in 2025 (Photo: Justin Morash).
Rumberg made seven appearances on the season, all starts, and amassed a 2-3 record with a 3.64 ERA in 29.2 innings of work. He struck out 35 and walked only 11. His most notable appearance was his last, going seven complete innings in a 13-8 win over Wenatchee.
Lindsey was a consistent arm out of the bullpen for the ‘Cats, appearing in 13 games and earning a 2-1 record with two saves and a 4.12 ERA. He also pitched two innings of scoreless relief in Victoria’s 3-1 playoff win in Edmonton, striking out three to earn the save.
Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are now on sale for the 2026 season. Get yours now at http://harbourcats.com/tickets, or by calling the office at 778-265-0327. You may also drop in at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Off-season hours are Tuesday – Friday, 10AM to 5PM.
Fans who renew or purchase new Season Ticket Memberships prior to tickets going on sale for the 2016 WCL All-Star game here in Victoria, will get first right of refusal to purchase their seats for that game and any other associated events. It is anticipated that All-Star tickets will be available in October, so lock your season seats in now!
VICTORIA, B.C. – Using his signature phrase of “figure it out,” the Victoria HarbourCats would like to thank coach Scott Anderson for his years as Pitching Coach of the West Coast League team. He has, indeed, figured out that he is saying a fond good-bye to the organization.
Anderson, a veteran baseball guy and a veteran of the league, will turn 70 in October — a very young 70 for all who know him! He has been a tremendous asset on and off the field in guiding the pitching staff and working so closely with Head Coach Todd Haney for three seasons — the HarbourCats have enjoyed every moment, and Scott will always be a part of the family.
“Scott has been tremendous in the role, his pitchers loved working with him,” said Managing Partner Jim Swanson. “He was the perfect addition for us three years ago and gave us every bit of his energy. Such a classy baseball gentleman — even when suggesting an umpire should maybe return to school,” Swanson joked. (Well, kinda…)
The HarbourCats made the WCL Playoffs all three years Anderson was pitching coach, including the run to the Championship Final in 2023. The Cats had a combined regular-season record of 100-62 in three years with Anderson on the coaching staff.
Countless pitchers who have played in Victoria and worked under Anderson have seen major improvements in their game. Right-handed pitchers Carson Cormier and Tommy Bridges were named to the WCL All-Star Games in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Anderson has also played a part in the development of recent MLB draftees such as Ryan Magdic, Sean Heppner, and Carson Latimer, who all played for the Cats in 2023.
2026 SEASON TICKETS – Season ticket renewals and sales are now on for the 2026 season! 10-Game Flex Packs are also on sale! Existing season ticket holders can log in to their Showpass account and navigate to the Memberships link, where they can easily renew their seats online. Members can also drop in or call the office at 778-265-0327, and we can process the renewal for them. New Season Ticket buyers can click HERE to purchase seats for 2026!
For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
EDMONTON, A.B.– The Victoria HarbourCats rallied late, scoring five runs in the ninth inning, but fell just short of a comeback as the Edmonton Riverhawks won 8-7 to advance to the North Division Final, ending the Cats’ season.
The Riverhawks wasted no time this afternoon, scoring six runs in the opening frame. A wild pitch brought home the first run, which was followed by two more coming home when a ground ball snuck past Jack Johnson (Tulane U) at first base. RBI singles from Jaxon Fox and James Cote, along with an RBI groundout, gave the hosts a huge 6-0 lead early.
The Cats started to claw their way back in the fourth inning when Dillon Lopez (St. Mary’s) and Jake Butler (George Mason) singled and found themselves in scoring position with two outs. On an 0-2 count, Isaiah Afework (TAMU-CC) split the left side of the infield to drive home both baserunners, cutting the Hawks’ lead to 6-2.
Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) started for Victoria, and after the whirlwind first inning, he settled in and kept the Hawks at bay, completing six innings allowing just one hit from the second to sixth innings, striking out four Hawks.
Garrett Villa (Angelo State) replaced Patrick and was one pitch away from escaping the seventh inning unscathed, but gave up a two-run single to Shiryu Sato, increasing the hosts’ lead to 8-2. Villa pitched two innings, giving up those two runs while striking out three.
Hawks starter Myles Chamberlain, who got the win last Monday in Victoria, pitching six innings, was once again dominant tonight. He pitched into the ninth inning, but after surrendering three singles to load the bases, his night came to an end after 8-1/3 innings pitched.
Austin Egan was his replacement, but he hit the first two batters he faced, which brought home two runs for Victoria and cut the lead down to 8-4. Tristan Buehring (Whitman College) made it 8-5 on a sacrifice fly, which brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the form of Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii). He smacked a double down the left field line to score a pair and make it a one-run ballgame. Brandon Craven replaced Egan and hit the first batter he faced, bringing up Lopez with the tying run at second and the go-ahead run at first. The designated hitter flew out to right field to end the game as the Cats’ comeback came up just short.
The Riverhawks will face the winner of tonight’s game three between the Bellingham Bells and Wenatchee AppleSox with a place in the West Coast League Championship game on the line.
For the second season in a row, the Cats fell in the deciding game in the first round of the playoffs, after losing to the AppleSox in 2024.
Thank you to all the best fans in the WCL for their incredible support all season long. The countdown to opening day in 2026 is on, and Todd Haney’s team will be more determined than ever to go all the way.
2026 SEASON TICKETS – Season ticket renewals and sales are now on for the 2026 season! Existing season ticket holders can log in to their Showpass account and navigate to the Memberships link, where they can easily renew their seats online. Members can also drop in or call the office at 778-265-0327, and we can process the renewal for them. New Season Ticket buyers can click HERE to purchase seats for 2026!
For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
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