Summer Collegiate
NorthPaws Add Utah Valley Righty
The Kamloops NorthPaws have signed right-handed pitcher Mason Gray from Division I Utah Valley University.
Gray is a COVID-sophomore, a unique term being used to describe players who will not lose a year of college playing eligibility due to the abrupt end to the 2020 season courtesy of the pandemic.
In the shortened 2020 campaign he boasted a 5.30 ERA with 14 strikeouts through four starts. His brief season was highlighted by pitching all but one inning in a 1-0 shutout to earn head coach Eric Madsen’s 300th win.
Photo Credit: UVU Athletics
The righty from Phoenix, Ariz. is the third Utah Valley player to commit to playing in Kamloops next summer, joining catcher Trey Newman and middle infielder Mitch Moralez.
“He’s a guy that wants the ball and hates to come out of games. He really wants to finish what he starts,” Newman said. “He has a really good understanding of how he wants to pitch and goes about hitters that way.
“He’s a great teammate too. He made the transition to college really easy on me. He is also someone that if he isn’t pitching, you hear the whole game from the dugout. He lets people know he’s rooting for his guys.”
Gray and Newman have played together since high school, and also played together during the 2020 summer season in the Arizona Collegiate Wood Bat League under the tutelage NorthPaws’ skipper Cole Armstrong.
When Gray found out both Armstrong and Newman were coming to Kamloops for 2021, it was an easy decision to join them.
“You want to play for a guy like that. He’s a player’s coach,” Gray said. “It’s going to be fun playing for a guy that gets you and gets what you’re about. I’m pretty excited to go up to Kamloops.”
Gray offers a four-pitch repertoire with a fastball, deceptive changeup, curveball and improving slider.
“He brings a presence and intensity that his teammates feed off of when he’s on the mound,” Armstrong said. “Mason has a great understanding of his game and loves the big moment. He’s poised and ready to have a great season at Utah Valley, and we’re excited for fans in Kamloops to see him work in the summer.”
Photo Credit: UVU Athletics
Isaiah Afework had four RBIs in one game for the second time this season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
July 24, 2025
For immediate release
VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats wrapped up their final non-league game of the season Thursday night against the Victoria Mavericks, coming out on top 22-2.
Logan Shepherd got things going in the first inning with an RBI single. Isaiah Afework followed that up with a two-run double to make it 3-0. Jake Butler hit an RBI single, and Garrett Brooks drove home two with a triple to cap off the six-run opening frame.
Back-to-back RBI doubles from Shepherd and Dillon Lopez in the second inning made it 9-0, before an Afework opposite field home run increased the lead to 11-0.
The Mavericks got on the board in the fourth inning when Sami Samir hit a double with the bases loaded to plate a pair.
The Cats scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a Liam Fast RBI double, pushing the lead to 14-2.
Connor Ross reached base three times and had one RBI tonight (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
The hits kept coming as five HarbourCats hit RBI singles in the bottom of the sixth inning, which made it 22-2.
WATCH GAMES HERE
Jack Finn started the game and pitched three scoreless innings while striking out four. Ethan McNish-Heider replaced him and threw three of his own, giving up two runs and striking out four. Jacob Thompson pitched the seventh inning, striking out one, before the game was called due to a mercy rule.
Brooks and Afework led the way with four RBIs apiece. Shepherd drove in three and Jai Berezowski, Declan Brown, and Butler all drove in a pair of runs.
Tomorrow is the start of Peninsula Co-op’s Kids Free Weekend! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s games are free for kids 12 and under. You can get tickets at the gate or in person at the HarbourCats office; this option is not available online. Friday’s game is also Anawim House Sock Toss night! Bring pairs of new or gently used socks or buy a pair at the game to throw on the field after the first HarbourCats home run of the game.
Due to popular demand, we are expanding our $12 Tuesday seats. All remaining Premium Reserved seats (normally $22 per seat) for the July 29 game against Kamloops are now just $12. PLUS, WE NOW HAVE $12 THURSDAYS! All remaining Premium Reserved seats for our game Thursday, July 31 are now just $12. Come watch the best baseball in town for the best price anywhere!
BUY TICKETS HERE
Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.
For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
NANAIMO, B.C. — Win or lose, the Nanaimo NightOwls are certainly entertaining.
Centre fielder Andrew Ivy made three highlight reel catches, Trevor Goldenetz made a spectacular catch at the left field wall, and infielder Ryder Florence had a spinarama ground ball out — but it wasn’t enough in a 9-2 loss as the visiting Corvallis Knights took advantage of almost all their baserunners on Wednesday night at historic Serauxmen Stadium.
No less than 10 great defensive plays combined were flashed by both teams.
Catcher Nate Davis was 3-5 for Nanaimo and Goldenetz had two hits including a double for the NightOwls.
The Knights only outhit the NightOwls 10-8 in winning the second game of the series.
Both teams committed two errors.
The third game of the series is 6:35pm at Serauxmen Stadium, and its host family appreciation night.
After the series, the NightOwls go to Kamloops to face the NorthPaws for games Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the latter an afternoon game.
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