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

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Garrett Villa has given up zero runs in 8-2/3 innings this season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

July 1, 2025

For immediate release

NANAIMO, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats celebrated Canada Day by clinching the Island Cup, beating the Nanaimo NightOwls 8-2 at Serauxmen Stadium.

It was the hosts who took the lead early when Talen Zenk hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first, giving the packed home crowd something to cheer about.

BOX SCORE

The Owls doubled their lead in the bottom of the second when Tyler Arnold came into score on a Raoul Fabian Jr. RBI single, making it 2-0.

From that point on, it was all Victoria. JC Allen (UC San Diego) and Dillon Lopez (St Mary’s) hit RBI singles in the third and fourth innings, respectively, to tie the game up at two.

WCL STANDINGS

Connor Ross (Cal Baptist) drove in what proved to be the winning run in the top of the fifth with a sacrifice fly.

Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) started the game for the HarbourCats and pitched 2-1/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Ben Hewitt (Ottawa) was first out of the bullpen and produced one of his best performances in a Victoria uniform. The big right-hander went 3-2/3 innings, giving up no runs on three hits and striking out a pair. He also recorded the win on the evening.

WATCH GAMES HERE

A second Allen RBI single as well as sacrifice flies from Cayden Munster (Fresno State) and Hudson Shupe (Gonzaga) in the sixth inning gave the Cats a 6-2 lead.

Lopez and Shupe both hit RBI singles in the seventh inning to make it 8-2 and put the game beyond doubt.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Garrett Villa (Angelo State) pitched two shutout innings of relief while Tristin Thomas (West Texas A&M) closed it out in the ninth to clinch the victory.

This win means the HarbourCats win the 2025 Island Cup with two games to spare, as they have won five games this season against their island rivals.

The two teams continue the series in Victoria on Wednesday and Thursday at 6:35 PM. Buy tickets for those two games at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

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The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Wenatchee AppleSox 5-4 on Monday night, snapping their three-game losing streak. The AppleSox got off to a 3-0 lead, but the NorthPaws bullpen kept their bats at bay, allowing the bats to wake up in the fifth finally. In the bottom of the seventh, the bases were loaded for second baseman Tanner Hornback, and he sent a double down the right field line, clearing the bases and giving Kamloops the lead. Righty Julio Garcia came on for another six-out save, securing the victory.

Righty Joey Rico took the mound to begin the series and looked to improve upon his last start, where he gave up five earned runs in Walla Walla. Rico would get through the first two innings scoreless but ran into some trouble in the third: a walk and a single with two out brought

AppleSox third baseman Kyle Panganiban up to the plate. Panganiban sent a fly ball over the fence in left field, giving Wenatchee a 3-0 lead.
Kamloops once again struggled at the plate to begin the game, going hitless through the first four innings. In the fifth, the NorthPaws loaded the bases off two walks and a single from center fielder Connor Clark. With only one out, shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to score Rico, making it a two-run deficit.

NorthPaws lefty Tyler Straily replaced Rico on the mound and was great yet again. Straily went three innings, giving up just three hits while not allowing a run and not walking a batter. Strailys outing gave the NorthPaw bats more time to wake up. In the sixth with two outs, Clark singled yet again, this time loading the bases. Unfortunately for Kamloops, catcher Kalen Applefield was unable to deliver as they left the bases loaded following a fly out.

The seventh inning saw the NorthPaws rattle off four hits, but none were bigger than Tanner Hornback’s. Setticassi, left fielder Elijah Clayton, right fielder Jared Hall and third baseman Drew Schmidt all reached base, including Schmidt drawing a walk to make it 3-2. Hornback was at the plate and shot a ball down the right field line that just stayed fair. He cleared the bases with one swing of the bat, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the NorthPaws led 5-3.

Wenatchee stayed pesky in the top of the eighth, however. Back-to-back doubles made it a one-run game, forcing Kamloops to send in righty Julio Garcia earlier than expected. Garcia struggled with command early on, hitting two batters and loading the bases. With two outs, the AppleSox sent a ball to right field that Jared Hall made a nice sliding catch on to preserve the lead.

In the top of the ninth, Garcia found his command, pitching a quick inning, securing his second six-out save in as many days. The NorthPaws now have 15 wins, matching last year’s total in just half the time. The two teams will battle it out on Canada Day at Norbrock Stadium, with the first pitch set for 6:35.

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