Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws drop game three after a big seventh inning from the Apple Sox

Published

8 months ago

June 13, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops Northpaws lost the rubber match to the Wenatchee Apple Sox on Thursday night after a five-run seventh inning by the home team. The Apple Sox led 5-1 heading into the fourth inning, but the North scored four, tying the game. The lead would change twice more as Wenatchee took a 6-5 lead into sixth, but it didn’t last much longer as Kamloops grabbed a one-run lead of their own. Despite 11 hits in the game, the NorthPaws offence fizzled out late as the mountain was too big to climb this time around.

Kamloops starter Owen Fernandes worked quickly in the bottom of the first, recording the first two outs. The Apple Sox hitters mounted a rally with a walk, a single, and a triple, making it 2-0.

The top of the third saw NorthPaws center fielder Ethan Kodama send a single to center field, scoring catcher Kalen Applefield and cutting the lead in half.

Wenatchee responded in the bottom of the third, extending their lead. Fernandes would record two quick outs but had trouble finishing the inning. A single, walk, and double put the Sox up by two. A few pitches later, Fernandes threw one away, scoring the fourth run. That would be it for the righty as lefty Kaden Douglas-Pluff came on in relief. Three pitches later, the third run of the inning came across after a single to left field.

The third out of the inning was a highlight reel play from Kodama in center. Wenatchee shortstop Cade Martinez sent a fly ball to the left-center gap. The Apple Sox already had the bases loaded, and if the ball fell, two more runs were bound to score. Kodama tracked down the ball and laid out, making a diving catch to spot the bleeding.

The play by Kodama gave the bats some life in the top of the fourth. Nolan Austin and Ethan Kodama both singled with one out. The order was back to the top for second baseman Elijah Clayton, who made it three singles in a row, scoring Austin. Connor Clark reached base via an error setting up Drew Schmidt, who hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kodama.

Right fielder Jared Hall was next and tied the game with one swing of the bat. Clark stole second, putting himself in scoring position, later tying the game as Hall singled to left field. The Apple Sox would regain their one-run lead in the bottom of the fifth.

In the sixth, Kodama and Clayton both singled, and Clark sacrificed himself with a bunt, moving his teammates to second and third. Drew Schmidt sent a sharp ground ball to shortstop that couldn’t be handled as Kodama scored, tying the game once more. Hall was up next and came through in a big moment, sending a line drive to center that scored Clayton, giving the NorthPaws their first lead of the game.

Unfortunately for Kamloops, that was the last run they would score. The Apple Sox came to bat in the bottom of the seventh and made the most of the NorthPaws mistakes. Two errors, one past ball, one single and a double brought in five runs for the Apple Sox, sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy.

Despite the series loss, the NorthPaws had 11 hits, including two crucial hits from Jared Hall, who had three of the biggest RBIs of the game for Kamloops. The NorthPaws have had stretches where they couldn’t get the big hits to fall their way, but in the last two games of the series, that changed.

“I think we were due for it. There was a string of games where we left ten plus guys on base, so hopefully, the guys realize how big this is, and we keep it rolling this weekend,” said Assistant Coach Trey Newman.

Another positive for the team was that they had 46 stolen bases as a team, which led the league. However, with four more on Thursday night, the team now has an even 50 on the season.

“It’s a testament to the guys; they know what our identity is, and that’s them going out there and playing our game,” said Newman.

The NorthPaws will now return home for their first three-game home series of the season. The team has played 10 of their first 12 on the road and is eager to treat the fans.

“I’m excited for them; these guys have been grinding on the road. I know it will be great to have two-night games this weekend, so hopefully, Norbrock is loud,” said Newman.

The Edmonton Riverhawks will come to town starting on Friday night. The first pitch is set for 6:35.

Source

Summer Collegiate

John Wilson Named As New Team President

Published

1 week ago

January 27, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Respected island businessman John Wilson has been named President of the company that oversees the successful collegiate baseball teams based in Victoria and Nanaimo.

Wilson, the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and whose family owns and operates the Wilson’s Group of Companies, has been part of the core ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats since 2015, and the Nanaimo NightOwls since inception in 2020 (started play in 2022). The NightOwls, a rival to the HarbourCats on the field, play at historic Serauxmen Stadium.

Wilson takes the position from Ken Swanson, who remains on the board after a solid 10-year run as team president. The group also operates the Victoria Collegiate (CCBC) baseball program and the busy indoor facility on Cook St., the Edwards Family Training Centre.

“Ken has led the corporate structure well, and he’s deserving of a break,” said Wilson. “We have a strong and committed group of owners and staff and a refresh is good for us all, keeping these teams playing great baseball and positively impacting these amazing communities in a stable, creative manner. Ken literally leaves big shoes to fill.”

The HarbourCats, which started play in 2013, will host the WCL All-Star Game in 2026 and 2027, showcasing the island’s immense love of baseball and the team that helped produce eight current MLB players including Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox). The 2026 all-star festival will take place July 14-15 using Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and sites around the South Island, with exciting details to come.

Wilson and Swanson lead a nine-member ownership group that includes Rich Harder, Helen Edwards, Mike Macdonell, Sean Finn, Vic Vendetti, John Schnaderbeck and Jim Swanson.

“No one knows the community like John, so we are all looking forward to what will be a flawless transition that will bring some new life to the organization,” said Ken Swanson.

The management structure remains the same — former GM Jim Swanson in the Managing Partner role, overseeing day-to-day operations, assisted by Adrian Somers (Business Operations and Marketing). In Victoria, Christian Stewart (General Manager) and John Pollard (Marketing Director) remain in place, while Tina Cornett continues her strong leadership in Nanaimo as General Manager, with Kent Malpass overseeing the concession.

The teams maintain wholly separate coaching staffs and recruiting processes — veteran Todd Haney, a five-year MLB player, as the sixth-year Head Coach in Victoria, and local product Cody Andreychuk, a collegiate program head coach at University of Pikeville, enters his second season in Nanaimo, assisted by pitching coach Gorman Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his 50 years in the game.

Tickets are selling fast…get yours today. www.NanaimoNightOwls.com/ticketinfo

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – John Wilson named president of island WCL teams, HarbourCats and NightOwls

Published

1 week ago

January 27, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

January 27, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA and NANAIMO, BC — Respected island businessman John Wilson has been named President of the company that oversees the successful collegiate baseball teams based in Victoria and Nanaimo, effective immediately.

Wilson, the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and whose family owns and operates the Wilson’s Group of Companies, has been part of the core ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats since 2015, and the Nanaimo NightOwls since inception of the second island WCL team in 2020 (started play in 2022). The NightOwls, a rival to the HarbourCats on the field, play at historic Serauxmen Stadium.

The HarbourCats, which started play in 2013, will host the WCL All-Star Game in 2026 and 2027, showcasing the island’s immense love of baseball and the team that helped produce eight MLB products including current MLB players Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox). The 2026 all-star festival will take place July 14-15 using Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and sites around the South Island, with exciting details to come.

Wilson and Swanson lead a nine-member ownership group that includes Rich Harder, Helen Edwards, Mike Macdonell, Sean Finn, Vic Vendetti, John Schnaderbeck and Jim Swanson.

“No one knows the community like John, so we are all looking forward to what will be a flawless transition that will bring some new life to the organization,” said Ken Swanson.

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 at 6:35pm.

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)
The 2026 WCL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby (July 14-15)

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, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-5pm.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Four San Jose State stars slated to land in Victoria this summer

Published

2 weeks ago

January 21, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

For immediate release

January 20, 2026

VICTORIA, BC — A former HarbourCats outfielder, a member of the record-breaking WCL team in 2016, knew he wanted to send players he now coaches to a great summer baseball factory.

Jarron Silva, then an outfielder from UCLA, really enjoyed his time in Victoria, on a team that won a record 40 games, including 19 in a row at one point.

Now as an assistant coach at San Jose State, he connected with veteran HarbourCats coach Todd Haney to secure development spots for two pitchers and two position players.

“Jarron was a spark plug for that 2016 team, and he remembers the fan support and atmosphere at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP — Victoria is a baseball city,” said Managing Partner Jim Swanson. “We are excited to see the pitchers signed, and to see the power in Rohne Klein and Ethan Nunez — they have the potential to represent Victoria when we host the WCL All-Star Game on July 15.”

Four Spartans and a versatile fielder from George Mason, Matthew Westley, have been signed by Coach Haney:

RHP Landon Marchetti, San Jose State, 5-11/190, Brentwood, CA
RHP Spencer Kratt, San Jose State, 6-0/210, Woodland Hills, CA
IF Rohne Klein, San Jose State, 6-4/230, L/R, Renton, WA
OF Ethan Nunez, San Jose State, 6-4/190, R/R, Chino Hills, CA
IF/OF Matthew Westley, George Mason, 6-1/210, R/R, Manassas, VA

Marchetti, previously at UC San Diego, has nearly 30 games of college experience, including five starts, and used a lower lefty arm slot to register high strikeout numbers in high school. Kratt is a power righty who runs it up to 92, a transfer from LA Valley College.

Landon Marchetti delivers a pitch while playing for the UC San Diego in 2025.

Klein, a transfer to SJSU from Utah, is a developing power bat who also is noted for a strong arm — can play third, outfield or first. He’s an athlete, playing both quarterback and linebacker on his high school team.

Nunez is a transfer from Colorado Mesa, where he was the RMAC freshman of the year — and he will miss the spring as a redshirt to get an injury fully rehabbed, but will be good to go for summer. At Colorado Mesa, he hit .356 with 14 bombs.

The lone non-SJSU addition announced by Coach Haney is utility guy Westley, formerly of Virginia Tech and now at George Mason. He has two summers of experience in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League.

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: