Summer Collegiate

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

Published

9 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.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Faith guides pitcher Hudson Lance as he returns for 2026

Published

5 days ago

March 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Pitcher Hudson Lance is a strong believer in faith, and it is that faith that will guide him in his return to the HarbourCats in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

By Norm LeBus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2026

Victoria, BC – As a devout Christian and a business student, athlete and leadership intern at Coastal Carolina University, Hudson Lance already walks the road less travelled.

And now his path is even more remote.

A middle-inning reliever last summer with the ‘Cats, Lance has walked away from Division One baseball this season to follow the Lord.

Returning to Coastal Carolina in fall of ’25, Lance was informed he was surplus as the Chanticleers’ roster swelled with talent after last season’s appearance in the College Baseball World Series.

Lance hit the transfer portal and relocated to D1 mid-major Winthrop, also in South Carolina. But two weeks before his arrival, Lance changed his mind. It was August 1.

“I shocked my entire world,” Lance says. “Everyone who knew me thought I was crazy. But I have not regretted it for a second.”

Photo: Christian J. Stewart

Lance went from D1 scholarship student athlete to Christian, club baseball player, business student and leadership intern at…Coastal Carolina. He never left the school that rejected him after initially recruiting Lance to play baseball.

“I just never had peace with the decision to go to Winthrop,” he says. “My faith is really a giant part of my life, and I really felt like the Lord was calling me to step away from baseball. I absolutely love Coastal Carolina – the friends I’ve made there, the community I have.”

At Carolina this year, Lance is running long distance to build stamina, bullpen training and pitching live at-bats with the schools’ club baseball team. But he’s just as excited about his internship with FCA, Fellowship for Christian Athletes – a major time commitment for the business major.

“It’s really just something the Lord has put on my heart and I’m really passionate about,” Lance says. “It is time consuming, but to me it doesn’t feel like work, or something that’s this great burden because it’s something that I love.”

But Lance is returning to the WCL without a season of Division One baseball – an anomaly in the Pacific Northwest circuit.

“When I get to Victoria, it won’t be like I haven’t faced a batter in several months,” he says of the pitching he will be doing at Coastal Carolina with its club team. “I will just have faced hundreds of batters training throughout the entire spring.”

Last season in Victoria, Lance was a middle reliever who had a solid rookie season – one bad outing ballooned his ERA, but the ‘Cats won five of the seven games he appeared in.

Photo: Christian J. Stewart

“He was a good, reliable middle inning guy for us, came in in situations and got batters out when we needed it, a reasonable number of strikeouts, ‘Cats GM Christian Stewart recalls. “More importantly, he only walked three guys – that’s a big plus in this league.”

In bullpen work with the club team this spring, Lance says he’s working on direction, speed and location in bullpen training. Then there’s the live at bats.

“My plan is to hit the ground running and be ready to roll when I hit Victoria,” he explains.

It’s far from the first time a player has arrived in Victoria in May without recent D1 experience.

“The fact that he’s a player without a home right now is kind of interesting – there’s no stats to look at and see how he’s doing, so whether that’s a plus or a minus, hard to say,” Stewart says. “Hopefully we can he’s working hard and ready to show somebody what he can do.”

That seems a safe bet.

—

Hudson Lance and the HarbourCats begin the 2026 West Coast League season on the road in Portland on Friday, May 29th and then return to Wilson’s Group Stadium for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 pm.

Tickets for that game and all 2026 HarbourCats games, as well as the 2026 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby July 14-15, Season Tickets and Flex-Packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street just around the corner from the stadium.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – School Spirit Games partners pleased with near-sellout status

Published

6 days ago

March 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

March 5, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — The kids always bring the energy — and the noise, in sections teeming with students.

The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to recognize the valuable partners who have helped the team close in (already, in March!) on sellouts for the two SCHOOL SPIRIT GAMES planned for the 2026 West Coast League baseball season — just a part of the big summer plans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

On Thursday, June 4 (11:05am), the MAYFAIR OPTOMETRIC CLINIC SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME has limited seating still available for the meeting with the visiting Edmonton Riverhawks.

Then, the KIDSPORT GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME on Thursday, June 18 (also 11:05am) vs. the Redmond Dudes, is essentially at capacity already as schools/teachers have already snapped up seats and sections. A wait list is being taken, but schools still wanting to attend a game are urged to book into the June 4th game instead.

“The popularity of these games is undeniable, and they are a perfect match for Mayfair Optometric Clinic and KidSport Greater Victoria to reach an excited audience,” said Christian Stewart, General Manager of the HarbourCats.

The games are such a hot commodity for school field trips that Stewart had teachers getting on the list right after last year’s games, and then inquiries as early as the opening of schools in September.

For any teachers or schools wanting to secure remaining seats for the June 4th game, contact Christian at chris@harbourcats.com or call 778-265-0327. Tickets are just A$9.00 each.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are now on sale at our Showpass site at harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought on-line or by stopping in to the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

SEE SCHEDULE HERE

Need to gear up with HarbourCats merchandise? Then be sure to stop into the office, or else visit The Cat Shop online at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/

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Summer Collegiate

Kentucky Influence Will Be Strong For NightOwls, Nine Players Signed

Published

1 week ago

March 4, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

March 4, 2026

Nanaimo NightOwls head coach Cody Andreychuk is from the Harbour City — but spends most of his time now as dugout boss at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

So, it’s no surprise the next nine players signed are playing college baseball in the Bluegrass State — talent from UPike, and Western Kentucky.

And two of them? From Nanaimo, of course, continuing the tradition of local flavour with the NightOwls.

Announced today by “Coach Chuk”:

LHP Bryson Vawter, Western Kentucky, L/L, 6-1/210, Topeka, Kansas

LHP Rodney Whaley, Western Kentucky, L/L, 6-2/195, Ashland, Nebraska

RHP Jacob O’Day, Western Kentucky, R/R, 6-3/185, Bloomington, Illinois

RHP Jack Schroeder, UPikeville, R/R, 6-1/205, Cody, Wyoming

RHP/IF Reed Sutton UPikeville, L/R, 6-2/215, Nanaimo

LHP Caleb Morrison, UPikeville, L/L, 5-10/170, Georgetown, KY

IF Easton Mould, UPikeville, R/R, 5-10/165, Nanaimo

SS Francis Subero, UPikeville, S/R, 5-11/185 San Jose De Ocoa, Dominican Republic

OF Ethan Reynolds, Western Kentucky, R/R, 5-11/210, Bowling Green, KY

“There is a hard-nosed way of playing the game in Kentucky that our fans at Serauxmen Stadium will like — these guys all work hard and grind,” said Andreychuk. “The pitching depth from this group will important, and I really like having Nanaimo guys in Mould and Sutton. I know these players very well, what they can do.”

This is an intriguing group of additions —- it includes returning local second baseman Mould, and fellow Pirates product Sutton, who got a short stint as a NightOwl in 2025. Mould played 37 games for the NightOwls in 2025 and is the double play partner this spring at UPike with Dominican shortstop Subero, who is batting .356 with 11 runs driven in over 13 games.

O’Day fanned 63 hitters in 58 innings for Heartland CC before transferring to WKU. Vawter had a 3.84 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 72 innings at Kansas City CC, while Whaley is another lefty and a product of power junior college program Iowa Western.

Schroeder and Morrison will be counted on for quality bullpen innings, and Reynolds is a versatile fielder with a bat that finds gaps.

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