Summer Collegiate

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

Published

2 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

Road warrior NightOwls battle hard in loss in Alberta

Published

12 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

EDMONTON, Alta. — The Nanaimo NightOwls have been anything but a pushover this season, refusing to make things easy on the opposition.

Five late runs by the host Edmonton Riverhawks turned a 1-0 lead by the NightOwls, that lasted for six innings, into a 5-1 victory by the Albertans on Tuesday night at Remax Field, a game played in front of a legitimate crowd count of 7,108. Edmonton is the unquestioned attendance leader in the WCL.

Outfielder Spencer Sullivan’s sacrifice fly in the first inning, scoring Trevor Goldenetz, actually looked like it might hold up as all the scoring needed — until the bottom of the sixth inning.

Dawson Schultz was masterful in his starting pitching role for the NightOwls (20-26 overall, 8-11 in second half), throwing four innings with just one hit allowed — he walked none, and used his defence with no strikeouts recorded.

Reliever Cole Carmichael was effective in two innings, surrendering one run, but had the NightOwls in position to still find a way to win. The Riverhawks scored once each in the sixth and seventh innings, and broke open a 2-1 game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Third baseman Ryder Florence was 2-4, and Goldenetz stole his fifth base of the season for Nanaimo.

The NightOwls stay in Edmonton for two more games in the Alberta capital, evening games on Wednesday and Thursday before heading home on Friday morning.

There are just three more regular season home games for the NightOwls in 2025, a weekend series against Kamloops that starts Friday (August 1-2-3), with the Friday and Saturday games at 6:35pm and the Sunday capper at 1pm. The NightOwls complete their fourth WCL regular season with a road series in Bellingham, August 4-5-6.

Those home games are the only chance to use remaining vouchers purchased at Save On Foods, or as part of 10packs.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Long ball leads the way in Cats win

Published

12 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Kamana Nahaku finished a double shy of the cycle (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

July 30, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats players gave their head coach the best birthday present he could ask for, beating the Kamloops NorthPaws in resounding fashion 10-3.

For the second game in a row the Cats scored three runs in the opening frame. After a pair of singles to lead off the game from Tanner Beltowski (Westmont College) and Jack Johnson (Tulane U), Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii) crushed a triple to the gap to plate both, making it 2-0. He then scored on a Connor Ross groundout to give the hosts an early 3-0 advantage.

BOX SCORE

Beltowski continued his hot series with a two-out RBI single in the second inning to push the lead to 4-0. The shortstop recorded three hits for the second straight game.

Solo home runs from Jake Butler (George Mason) and Nahaku in the middle innings extended the lead to 6-0. Nahaku has hits in every game he’s played in this season which is good for a .387 batting average.

Head Coach Todd Haney celebrated his 60th birthday today (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Dominic Archila (Texas Tech) drove in his first run as a HarbourCat with an RBI single in the fifth to make it 7-0.

WCL STANDINGS

Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) started his fifth game of the season for Victoria and picked a good time to produce his most impressive outing yet. The freshman threw a season high six innings giving up no runs on just three while striking out a pair.

Butler went yard again in the seventh inning for his second home run of the game and season. The second baseman recorded a season high three hits tonight.

Connor Ross (Cal Baptist) was the fourth HarbourCat to hit a homer tonight when he crushed a two-run shot over the left field fence to make it 10-0. Four home runs as a team is a season high for Victoria.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Jake Finkelstein (Georgia Gwinnett) replaced Patrick and was solid through the seventh and eighth innings, but the NorthPaws batters got to him in the ninth, scoring three runs against the lefty. Marcus Janovsky (UBC) came in to replace him and recorded the final two outs on four pitches.

Del Manak threw out the first pitch on his celebration night (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Elsewhere in the WCL, the Edmonton Riverhawks beat the Nanaimo NightOwls 7-0 which keeps them a game behind the HarbourCats for first in the North Division second half standings.

The Cats go for the sweep tomorrow night against the NorthPaws. Austin Lindsey (Hill College) is projected to start for Victoria.

VOUCHER REMINDER: The Victoria HarbourCats only have 5 home games remaining this season, so don’t forget to redeem your vouchers. You can do so at harbourcats.com/tickets, and if you have any questions or need help exchanging your vouchers, call the HarbourCats office at (778) 265 0327.

10 Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ 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.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Shepherd steers Cats to victory

Published

2 days ago

July 29, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

With two hits tonight, Logan Shepherd increased his batting average to .356, which is third best in the WCL (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

July 29, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – With Logan Shepherd leading the charge, the Victoria HarbourCats cruised to a 9-3 win over the Kamloops NorthPaws to open the series.

For the third game in a row, the Cats gave up a run in the top of the first inning. A walk and single to start the game was followed up by a Kason Siguenza RBI single to give the NorthPaws the early lead.

The hosts wasted no time answering back in the bottom half when Shepherd (Mercer U) crushed a breaking ball off the scoreboard beyond the left field fence for a three-run home run to make it 3-1. It was his third straight game going yard and his eighth home run of the season. That ties him for the HarbourCats single-season home run record with Gabe Clark, Hunter Vansau, and Colton Moore, who all hit eight long balls in 2014, 2017, and 2022, respectively.

BOX SCORE

Tanner Beltowski had three hits and scored three runs (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Kamloops starter Mason Chien struggled facing the lineup the second time through the order in the third inning, giving up a pair of hits, walking three, and a wild pitch. Victoria took advantage of his lack of control, scoring runs on a bases-loaded walk, RBI groundout, and wild pitch to give starter Ryne Palmer (Cal Baptist) a solid cushion to work with. Another bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, this time drawn by Garrett Brooks (St. Mary’s), gave the Cats a 7-1 lead.

Palmer made his fourth appearance of the campaign and first start. He pitched five innings, giving up one earned run on two hits, striking out six and walking two. In 2024, the right-hander from Peoria, Arizona, led the Cats with seven starts and 27-1/3 innings pitched.

WCL STANDINGS

The NorthPaws added a pair of runs in the middle innings, but the HarbourCats cancelled out those runs in the eighth through back-to-back RBI singles from Jack Johnson (Tulane U) and Shepherd to restore their six-run lead, making it 9-3.

Ryne Palmer has 12 strikeouts in 9-2/3 innings pitched this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Ben Hewitt replaced Palmer and threw a season-high four innings to close out the game for the hosts. The big right-hander struck out four while surrendering just one run on one hit.

WATCH GAMES HERE

With tonight’s win, the HarbourCats maintain their one-game lead at the top of the North Division’s second-half standings. The Edmonton Riverhawks, who sit in second, beat the Nanaimo NightOwls 5-1 Tuesday night.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) is your projected starter for Victoria.

10 Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ 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.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

Source