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NorthPaws back to .500 after taking two of three from the Bellingham Bells

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Photo by: Allen Douglas

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops NorthPaws are back to .500 after taking two of three from the visiting Bellingham Bells.

Game 1 –

The Kamloops NorthPaws took full advantage of the free pass on Tuesday, en-route to a 3-2 series opening win over the Bellingham Bells.

Kamloops got the offense going early, with third baseman Jaden Bitter lining the first pitch of the 1st inning down the third base line for a double. Two batters later, Matthew Olivares would trade places with Bitter with a double of his own to open the scoring.

Derek Murphy got the start on the bump for Kamloops, working three innings of one-hit ball, allowing 1 run. He was replaced by Joey Rico, who would earn the win in relief thanks to 3 innings of 2 hits and 0 runs. Cade Johnson would pitch two innings to earn a hold, and Lucas Smith shut the door in the ninth to earn the save.

The Bells got their first run in unusual fashion, driving one across in the third inning without the benefit of a base hit. Trent Mallonee would score after reaching first on a dropped third strike, followed by a walk, and a fielder’s choice.

Kamloops would take the lead for good in the sixth when Matt Molina walked a trio of batters allowing two to score courtesy of wild pitch and an RBI groundout from Jacob Schlesselman.

Bellingham would make things interesting by closing to within 1 in the 8th. With runners on first and second and one-out, a ball would eat up Anthony Manuel at first allowing the run to score from second. However Kamloops would escape the inning on the same play after getting the back runner caught in a rundown between home and third. Paws catcher Jerry Nix would run him back to third where a gaff from the Bells allowed Nix to tag out both runners.

Game 2 –

The NorthPaws used a stellar start from a TRU WolfPack pitcher, timely offense from the cleanup spot, and a triple play on defense to win the second game of the series 7-1.

Kolby Luckinchuk got his second start of the season and pitched 6 strong innings giving up 1 earned run on 7 hits as he worked himself out of danger in the 2nd, 4th, and 6th innings.

The Bells would strike first in the contest with Jason Shedlock lining an RBI single bringing home Nate Kirkpatrick in the second.

The Paws would get on the scoreboard in the 3rd, with Jacob Schlesselman getting the party started with a one-out single. That would be followed by singles from Ethan VanDelinder and Jaden Bitter to load the bases. Shortstop Madden Ocko would be plunked to bring in the tying run and then Joey Rico, the winning pitcher from Tuesday, ripped a bases clearing double into right field for 3RBI and a lead the Paws would never give up.

Chaos was the theme of the seventh inning. The Bells would load the bases with nobody out thanks to two walks and a hit batter. That brought Chase Taylor into the ballgame in relief of Joey Stover. Facing Jacob Mejia, Taylor got a shallow fly-out to left, as the ball came home to keep the runner stationed at third, Jorge Olivera was caught between first and second. Olivera would be tagged out between the bases by Manuel who fired home to catch Robbins attempting to score for a triple play. The play was scored F9-2-3-2.

The Paws would add on a trio of insurance runs in the eight to make it 7-1. Casper Rammeloo would record the final three outs and secure a series victory for Kamloops.

Game 3 – 

The Bellingham Bells would finally strike back during the final game of the series, taking the school spirit day game 11-1.

Ryan Beitel was in cruise control on the mound for the Bells, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning, when Jacob Schlesselman singled to break up the bid for history. Schlesselman was singled home by Nolan Austin for Kamloops’ lone run of the ballgame.

Josh Berenbaum got the start for the ‘Paws and ran into some bad luck giving up 5 runs, only 2 earned through 4.2 innings of work.

Nate Kirkpatrick led the offense for the Bells going 3-5 at the dish, with 4 RBI.

Pitching and defense lead the way for Kamloops

The Kamloops NorthPaws found their fitting in their first cross-border battle of the season against the Bellingham Bells.

Playing a starring role in the series win was newcomer Joey Rico, who earned the win in game 1 before going 2-4 at the dish with 4 RBI in game 2. Rico stepped into the lineup for Kamloops on Tuesday after just arriving to the team.

“I just went out there and tried to do what I normally do, try to command my stuff and just let it work, not try to do too much,” said Rico. “(Being fresh to the team) makes it easier, you’re not so caught up in a gameplan or some idea of what your suppose to do, you just go out there and play. Two-way (player) in college for sure, just trying to do both because i enjoy doing both and want to keep doing it as long as I can. It was pretty awesome to show up for the team and the fans.”

Game two was started by TRU WolfPack product Kobly Luckinchuk who threw six innings, giving up one run.

“I was a lot off-speed, I was spinning the ball really well, come back with a fastball occasionally and it plays a lot better. But just filling up the zone, trusting the team behind you,” said Luckinchuk. “These two teams Victoria and Bellingham are not an easy ride so to come out 500 after playing these two teams, it’s really exciting, we are really happy about it.”

“Coming together quickly (as a team), just real relaxed, chill guys, it has been awesome to be around a good group of young guys,” added Rico.

As the team comes together in the clubhouse, Head Coach Jose Bautista is still working through getting a few more bodies to Kamloops ahead of the first road trip of the season next week to Cowlitz.

“We win the series that is the most important thing to do,” said Bautista. “Couple more players coming in pretty soon. We just started, looking to get more wins and get closer games. I’m pretty happy with what I’m seeing.”

Upcoming Schedule –

Friday, June 7 – Off-day

Saturday, June 8 vs Coquitlam, 6:35 first pitch (non-league)

Sunday, June 9 vs Coquitlam. 2:35 first pitch (non-league)

Monday, June 10 – Off-day

Tuesday, June 11 @ Cowlitz  6:35 first pitch

Wednesday, June 12 @ Cowlitz  6:35 first pitch

Thursday, June 13 @ Cowlitz 6:35 first pitch

For media request:

Jenna Forter
General Manager
Kamloops NorthPaws

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats WINTER and MARCH BREAK Indoor Youth Training Sessions Now Available!

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1 day ago

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December 11, 2025

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Sessions begin January 10th. Register NOW!

The Victoria HarbourCats and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are now taking individual bookings for our Winter 2026 indoor training sessions and March Break Camps for baseball in both the 8-11 and 12-17 year old age groups.

The “Offseason Academy,” presented by The EFTC, is designed to keep athletes sharp, confident, and improving long after the final game of summer. Built for youth players who want to stay ahead of the competition, our Academy focuses not only on technical skill development but also on the physical conditioning that keeps athletes strong and game-ready.

With a lineup of specialized camps in areas such as hitting, analytics, and catching skills, athletes can train with experienced coaches, benefit from professional-level technology like HitTrax, and build the habits that matter most during the offseason.

All sessions take place in the same professional training facility used by the HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide, giving players access to a proven environment for growth and performance.

2026 WINTER Sessions Include:

Baseball, Foundations and Futures, $400, Saturdays, 9:00am- 1:00pm, January 10 – March 14th (10 Weeks). Ages 8-11: Foundations & Futures” is a high-energy baseball camp for players aged 8–11. This camp delivers professional-grade instruction in a dynamic, fun environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and carry your skills into next season. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, High Performance Prep, $300, Saturdays, 1:00-4:00, January 10 – March 14th (10 Weeks). Ages 12-17: High Performance Prep” is designed for players aged 12–17 who are ready to refine their skills and maintain peak form after summer. This camp delivers advanced instruction in a focused, competitive environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and prepare for the season ahead. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, Specialty Catching Clinic, $250, Saturdays, 4:00-5:30pm, January 10 – March 14th (10 Weeks). Ages 10-17:  With a well structured 10-week program, this clinic will introduce older players to the complex world of catching with a goal of developing strong, technically sound catchers. The clinic will help build confidence, leadership, and game awareness, improve receiving, blocking, transfer speed, and throwing precision and teach advanced catchers to manage pitchers and control the game. REGISTER HERE

2026 MARCH BREAK CAMPS!

2026 March Break Camps (March 16 – 27) are also now available for registration for both the Foundations and Futures (Age 8-11) Group and the High Perofrmance Group (ages 12-17).  Players can register for full 2-week camps, or select one week or the other if they can not attend both weeks.

Foundations and Futures (Ages 8-11), 9AM to 1PM, Monday to Friday – $225 for one week camp, $400 for two week camp.
High Performance (Ages 12-17), 1:15 to 3:15PM, Monday to Friday – $125 for one week camp, $200 for two week camp

There are limited spaces in each camp so don’t delay. Register NOW!

2025 CHRISTMAS CAMPS
It is not too late to register for our 2025 Christmas Camps in all categories including fastball and softball.  Camps start December 20th! . Register NOW!

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NightOwls Resign Standouts Rohne and Florence

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2 days ago

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December 10, 2025

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Head Coach, Cody Andreychuk is proud to announce that reliever, Jakin Rohne and small ball specialist, IF, Ryder Florence will return to the Owls Nest in ’26!

Florence, who has a high baseball IQ and can play short, third, second or outfield, is a savvy, athletic baserunner with a strong arm, and a bat that finds gaps. He’s played 58 games for the NightOwls and will surpass 200 WCL plate appearances in 2026.

Rohne, an Islander, took huge steps last summer under esteemed pitching coach Gorm Heimueller. Rohne, with good breaking stuff, has developed into a starter for his CCBC program. Rohne made 14 appearances with a 2.59 ERA in 2025, taking an aggressive approach against tough WCL batters.



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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats load up on catchers, add two arms — including a two-way star in Davis

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December 10, 2025

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Catcher Jacob Silva is one of four more returning players for 2026 announced by the HarbourCats today (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

December 10, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA — Under Todd Haney as Head Coach, the catching position has been an area of strength. That will continue with the 2026 edition of the Victoria HarbourCats.

Haney, entering his seventh season with the HarbourCats— sixth in the top role — is happy to be bringing back two more catchers from the 2025 team, including local product Jai Berezowski, the team leader of the CCBC Victoria Golden Tide.

Berezowski will both provide support for and learn from fellow returnees Dillon Lopez (St. Mary’s, announced previously) and Jacob Silva (UT-San Antonio), veterans who play at the NCAA D1 level. Silva can also play in the outfield.

“We will be strong behind the dish, depth not only defensively but guys who are versatile and can fill the DH role with their bat— we have other strong catchers lining up as well,” said Haney. “Jai has really grown in his time with us, and has earned trust. Dillon is all-star level and Jacob showed that same promise last year before an injury sliding hard into a base. These guys play the right way. We are very happy they wanted to come back and be HarbourCats — players love to return to Victoria.”

Local product Jai Berezowski will return for his third season as a HarbourCat in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Silva had a home run and triple in 11 games, batting .292 and stealing four bases. He joins Lopez who hit .350 with three home runs, 18 RBIs and just 12 strikeouts in 21 regular season games, then hit .286 in the playoffs.

Also added is exciting two-way star Kade Davis, a teammate of Silva’s at UTSA — who could be one of the players to watch in the WCL in 2026 with his mound work and potent left-side bat. Davis hit .361 with five home runs at Temple College in 2025, while also throwing 54 innings including four starts, with 49 strikeouts and just 47 hits allowed. He can play the outfield or first base.

Speaking of returnees, right-hander Hudson Lance is back — he made seven appearances, five of them starts, and the best was five scoreless innings on June 19 against Nanaimo, giving up four hits. He walked only three batters in 26.1 innings as a HarbourCat.

Hudson Lance will return for his second season on the mound in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Berezowski is not the only local player signed by Haney. Pitcher Garen Geoghegan, a product of the Victoria Eagles (PBL) now at Whitman, was a workhorse and strike-thrower for Eagles Head Coach Mitch Davidoff, and then helped the Victoria Mavericks to a men’s provincial title.

Berezowski hit .269 over 24 games in total, including playoffs and non-league. He mashed four home runs and his best game may have been a defensive gem when he threw out five baserunners. This will be his third season with the HarbourCats.

The list of new signees:

  • LHP/OF Kade Davis, UTSA, 6-0/175, L/L, Cedar Park, TX
  • C/OF Jacob Silva, UTSA, 5-10/210, R/R, San Antonio
  • RHP Hudson Lance, Coastal Carolina, 5-10/180, R/R, Trinity, NC
  • RHP Garen Geoghegan, Whitman, 5-10/185, R/R, Victoria
  • C Jai Berezowski, Victoria CCBC, 6-2/200, R/R, Victoria

___

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, Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm from now until December 22nd.

CRAZY CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE! From now until December 23rd, select HarbourCats apparel, including replica and game-worn jerseys, is on sale for 50% off!  Load up now in time for Christmas at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/collections/50-off-crazy-christmas-clearance

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