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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws Coaches Learn Along With Players

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2 years ago

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KAMLOOPS, BC—One of the main purposes of the West Coast League is to develop. For the second year Kamloops NorthPaws franchise, they have taken the 2023 season as a learning experience in every sense.

Not only have the players on this year’s roster learned the ups and downs of summertime baseball, but so too have the coaching staff.

For Keith Francis, Jose Bautista and Fernie Lorea, this season has had more valleys than peaks as they languish in the lower depths of the WCL North Division.

Not to look for excuses, but the coaching staff was ‘behind the eight ball’ before the start of the campaign.  Very few of the players recruited to play for the NorthPaws this season were familiar to the three coaches.   Francis took over the head coaching job March 31st, just weeks before the start of the season.

“As the season has progressed, I have learned so much about what it takes to compete at a successful level,” he says.  “We didn’t get enough pitching for this level. For those who we were expecting to produce offensively have struggled.  Add to that, some of the players who were supposed to be here didn’t show up due to injuries. They couldn’t help that.  Those who did come here tried to the best of their ability.”

Francis put the players through three days of training before the season started.  “There are whole lot of 4 o clock hitters (time for batting practice), but there are very few 7 o clock hitters.  We found that out this year.”

He and the coaching staff tried different methods to kick start the players in batting practice while at the same time, keeping a positive attitude.  “I try to be a turtle,” Francis says.  “Coming out of my shell every day as it is a new day.  In baseball, you have a chance to win every day.  That is one philosophy the players have come to accept.”

The NorthPaws did have a number of returnees from their inaugural season.  Francis praised infielder Tommy Green and pitcher Tyrelle Chadwick for their efforts.  “Tommy was a leader both on the field and in the dugout.  Chadwick led by example when he was on the mound. “

“We had some younger players who tried to step up despite their inexperience.”   Francis pointed to Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) and Nathan Grey as two players who have tried to make the most of their opportunity here.  “Cooper has been unbelievable and consistently our best player. He has been positive every night.  Nathan struggled offensively but as a pitcher, his skills have really come a long this year.”

Jose Bautista came back to Kamloops this season after being with the NorthPaws on their inaugural run.  He says the key difference between the two years has been the pitching.  “Pitching is key in this league. Last season we had a lot of players who had control of their pitches and were in the right way.  This year, the talent level wasn’t as deep.  A few guys were doing pretty well but overall, it was tough.”

Bautista felt many of the pitchers on this year’s club were behind developmentally for the calibre of the West Coast League.  “It is a big challenge for them to try and compete.”

During a short season, Bautista tries to build a relationship quickly.  “We try to focus in on one or two fundamentals.” He admits he had to accelerate the learning process.

“With the age of the players here, I have concentrated on getting the pitchers to believe in themselves,’ he says. “Most players get it quickly.  I just get them to focus on strikes. “

He points to the development of Tyrelle Chadwick, Hayden Walker and Christian Spitz as highlights.  “ They improved and did a good job when they were out there.”

The pitching coach also credited the development of New Zealander MacLain Roberts as well. ‘Coming from a country where there isn’t much baseball. He has been able to handle himself when he got the chance.”

Bautista feels one of the biggest challenges for himself was to have the players focus on the ‘job ‘aspect of baseball rather than them focusing on the ‘social’ aspect of summer baseball.

He agrees with Francis that patience must be a strong suit during the trials and tribulations of this season.  “I have to have patience—I have eight kids,” he laughs.  Adding that his pitching staff become his surrogate children during the summer.

Baustista coached 22 seasons in professional baseball.  He has experienced less than ideal seasons.  “The difference is in the pros, you have a longer season so there is always hope to turn it around.  Here, time is so short.”

Fernie Lorea is the third member of the NorthPaws coaching staff.  Just a year removed from playing university baseball himself, he was an assistant coach at New Mexico State before coming to Kamloops.  He believes the team has bought into ‘learn from all experiences’ philosophy.  “You need to love to learn. You lose –you learn. You win—you learn. No matter what it is a learning experience.”

Lorea believes the biggest thing he will take away from the 2023 campaign is the be patient and see how everything plays out before you jump on things.  He says it is easier said than done at times.

“What I have said to the players in the dugout is to put it (losses) behind you.  This is a new set up, a new game, new everything.  If there isn’t someone to say that to them (the players), they could lose hope. If that happens in baseball, you are just defeated”.

Lorea praised the leadership displayed by his former summer ball teammate Green. “Being able to see his leadership style, many of the guys took what he offered to heart.”

Lorea’s big takeaway from the year?  “Just how everything was so hard this year. Not in a bad way but something I could grasp and learn from. “

Francis on what he has learned this year. “ What I have learned the most is how the roster should be put together.  I have learned from the other teams on what it takes to succeed.  The league is very competitive. “

Message for NorthPaws fans?  “Hang in there. I think this has a real future here.  It was a less than successful season but the fans have stuck with us.  We will get the right players here next year and be successful.”

Bautista has a message for fans as well.  “They have been very supportive. I hope they will continue to do that. We will be better and the results will be better moving forward.”

Francis and and Lorea will head to Pima Community College in Arizona at the conclusion of the West Coast League season. Bautista will return home to the Dominican Republic.

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Summer Collegiate

Ninth inning heroics secure series win for the NorthPaws

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July 2, 2025

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The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Wenatchee AppleSox 1-0 on Tuesday night, taking the first two games of the series. It was a pitchers’ battle all night as both teams combined for just eight hits, with the lone run of the ballgame coming from catcher Brendan Burke. Center fielder Connor Clark scored the winning run on a single from the catcher, giving the NorthPaws their 16th win of the season.

“It was cool to see him (Burke) come through in that moment, he’s been a guy who’s hit some balls hard recently but hasn’t seen them fall for hits, so definitely nice for him to get one,” said Head Coach Riley Jepson.

New left-handed pitcher Nolan Livsey from the Metropolitan State University of Denver was on the mound, making his first start as a NorthPaw. Livsey impressed in his debut, throwing four scoreless innings, not allowing a hit. Livsey struck out four and walked two AppleSox.

Livsey came to Kamloops primarily because of his connection with Pitching Coach Jack Slominski. The two were teammates during the spring of 2024 at MSU Denver. Slominski remarked on his character on the mound, having a pitch count nearing the 70s before getting pulled.

“He’s been my teammate before, and he’s just a fighter; he competes at all times. He’s a mature kid, so even when he loses it a bit up there, he knows how to get himself right,” said Slominski.

After a fantastic debut from the lefty, Kamloops turned to righty Keith Manby out of the bullpen. Manby delivered another quality outing, going four scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out four batters as well.

Manby ran into some trouble in the eighth with the AppleSox loading the bases with one out on a single, an error in the infield and an intentional walk. Manby got out of the jam with a big strikeout on a full count pitch and a fly out to center field as Wenatchee left the bases loaded.
“When he gets in jams like that, as a team we’re not worried because he’s done that all year for us,” said Slominski.

The AppleSox weren’t the only team to leave the bases loaded. In the fourth, Kamloops took advantage of a pair of errors from Wenatchee, loading the bases. Clark was at the plate but hit a line drive right at the AppleSox shortstop.

In the top of the ninth, right-hander Matt MacDonald was on the mound and, with one out, saw a walk, followed by a hit by pitch, which put runners on first and second. Wenatchee was threatening yet again, but MacDonald stayed strong and got a fly out and a ground out, giving the NorthPaws a chance to walk it off.

With one out, Connor Clark worked a seven-pitch at bat and earned himself a walk. After a strikeout, it was Burke’s turn at the plate. In the third pitch of the at-bat, Clark advanced to second on a wild pitch, putting him in scoring position. Burke shot a ball through the left side, and Clark was heading to the plate. The throw was on line and going to beat Clark by several steps when the Wenatchee catcher bobbled it, allowing Clark to score, making Burke the hero.

The fans left happy on a fantastic Canada Day in Kamloops. The two teams will conclude the series on Wednesday, as the NorthPaws seek their first sweep on their home field. The team will then take some well-deserved time off, with their next game not scheduled until Saturday, when they will face Webber Academy in an exhibition game.

 

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Summer Collegiate

NightOwls Fall To The HarbourCats In Canada Day Clash 8-2

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July 2, 2025

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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.

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!

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats clinch Island Cup with convincing win over Owls

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8 hours ago

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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.

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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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