Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws end 2023 West Coast League season with back to back losses

Published

3 years ago

August 7, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—The Nanaimo NightOwls won back to back games on the weekend to take two of three from the host Kamloops NorthPaws in West Coast League action. In a battle of two teams who missed the WCT post season, Kamloops won the opening night (Fri Aug 4) 7-4 but then lost 4-1 on Saturday (Aug 5) and Sunday afternoon 8-3 to Nanaimo.

The NightOwls finished the season at 26-28 while the NorthPaws were 12-40.

The teams played on the Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.

SERIES RECAP:

Friday, August 4, 2023:NorthPaws 7 NightOwls 4

The NorthPaws snapped a three-game losing streak taking Nanaimo, who trailed 7-0 at one point. Kamloops had a season high two homers in this game. Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC) hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Villeneuve was 2-4 with three runs batted in and a run scored in the contest and has three home runs this summer.

The other homer came off the bat of Matthew McDonald (Kamloops, BC). He led off the fifth inning with a solo blast. He was 1-4 with a run scored. Gage Mestas (Durango, CO) was 3-5 with a run scored. Matthew Ward (Mississauga, ON) was 2-4 with a run scored while Drew Giannini (Troy, CA) was 2-5 with a run scored.

Christian Spitz (Overland Park, KS) went six innings for the win. He struck out four, gave up two walks on five hits to improve his record to 2-4. David Jeon (Coppell, TX) pitched the ninth inning for the save. It was his third of the year in 17 appearances. He struck out one.

Night Owls starter Brian Veniard (Jacksonville, Fla) fell to 1-2 on the year. He pitched only three and two thirds’ innings surrendering 10 hits, five runs, striking out seven and walking one.

Caden Casagrande (Earle, ID) led Nanaimo offensively going 1-4 with three RBI. Brandon Hupe (Delta, BC) went 1-3 with two runs scored while Ethan Rivera (Chino Hills, CA) and Liam Bushey (Abbotsford, BC) were both 2-4 with a run scored.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598528

Saturday, August 5 2023:NightOwls 4 NorthPaws1

The NightOwls snapped a five-game losing skid with the victory. They broke open a scoreless tie scoring once in the fifth, added another in the sixth and had a single run in both the eighth and ninth. They had nine hits in the ball game. The NorthPaws scored their only run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Ward hit his second home run of the season. They had six hits and committed one error.

Hupe was 2-5 with a run scored for Nanaimo. Bryce Johnson (Bellingham, WA) was 1-2 with a RBI. Brandon Nicholl (Coombs, BC) was 1-4 with a run scored. Elijah Ickles (Wahiawa, HI) was 1-3 with a run scored.

Nathan Buchan (Mercer Island, WA) started his ninth game of the year and was the winner. He evened his record at 3-3 going seven innings. He pitched a five hitter with a run given up, three strikeouts and one walk. MacCallan Conklin pitched the last inning for his second save in three starts. He struck out two and walked two.

Liam Reynolds (Trumansburg, NY) fell to 0-3. He started and went five innings, giving up a run, four hits, struck out five and walked six.

Villeneuve was 3-3 at the plate for Kamloops. Ward was 1-3 with a run scored and an RBI (thanks to that homer). Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA) and Ray Jesse (Oak Lawn, IL) were both 1-4.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598529

Sunday, August 6 2023:NightOwls 8 NorthPaws 3

The NightOwls scored one in the first, two more in the second and third innings to chase MacLain Roberts (Auckland, NZ) off the hit for Kamloops. Roberts was 2-8 on the year. In this game, he went two and two thirds innings surrendering six hits, five runs, walking three and striking out one. He started 10 games in his rookie WCL season. He was one of four pitchers utilized by NorthPaws manager Keith Francis in the contest.

Nanaimo was led offensively by Wylie Waters (West Vancouver, BC). He was 4-5 with three runs scored and three RBI. He also hit a home run. Reid Little (Bellingham, WA) also hit a dinger for Nanaimo. He was 1-3 with two RBI and a run scored. His homer game in the second inning.

For Waters and Little: it was the second home runs of the summer.

Elijah Ickles (Wahiawa, HI) was 2-3 with a run scored as well for the NightOwls.

Matt McDonald (Kamloops, BC) was 1-3 with a run scored and a RBI. He knocked one out of the park in the seventh inning with the NorthPaws down 8-2. Gage Mestas (Durango, CO) was 2-4 with a run scored. Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA) was 1-2 with a run scored.

Jacob Fleury (Burlington, WA) was the winning pitcher. He was the third of three pitchers and went three innings tossing a one hitter over that time. He had two strikeouts and two walks. He was 5-0 on the year and it was his first relief appearance of 2013.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598530

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

On the series: “ I am kind of disappointed the way we played today (Sunday). We didn’t get excited about playing today. Everyone was more focused on going home unfortunately. I understand that. I wished we played a little harder. That was the same story yesterday (Saturday). We had enough horses to get it done but we didn’t.

Admits that timely hitting and pitching depth were downfalls this year for Kamloops. He credits those players who stuck it out. “The effort I got from these guys, as bad as its been has been A plus. I know they didn’t give it to me today, but they did it all year long.

Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC).252 batting average, 3 homers, 6 doubles in 32 games

On season: “ It was a pretty tough summer. I came late and it took me a while to get going, but the last few games I started to put it around. It is hard to have a good chemistry when you don’t win but there were a lot of great guys on this team.

Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ): .273 batting average, 183 at bats in 52 games, 22 RBI

On the year: “ I don’t think we had the best odds of winning. We needed to have more guys coming in and our pitching could have been better. We should have had more pitchers at the end instead of losing them all at the same time. I think our hitters could have done a much better job (me included). I don’t know what happened. We just couldn’t get it all together at the same time.”

Nathan Grey (Queen Creek, AZ) 0-1 record 9 games as a pitcher, four starts, 1.71 ERA/.137 Batting average in 31 games. 95 at bats.

On adjusting to the West Coast League after making the jump from high school : “On the mound, it was an easy transition. I just felt comfortable out there. I know my stuff and I know what I could do. At the plate it was a little different, going from high school pitching to college pitching: it’s a little faster. I am making adjustments to that and should be ready for the fall (going to Puma Community College in Arizona).”

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Summer Collegiate

2026 NightOwls Coaching Staff

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

NightOwls coaching staff grows in 2026

Heimueller celebrating 50 years in baseball

Cody Andreychuk, the Head Coach of his hometown Nanaimo NightOwls, already had tremendous experience with collegiate and summer baseball.

Going into his second season steering the NightOwls, he feels even more prepared and supported with the challenge of the West Coast League ahead.

Andreychuk will have veteran Pitching Coach Gorm Heimueller with him again.

The 70-year-old is entering his 50th year in the game dating back to his college years at Cal Poly when he was a teammate of Ozzie Smith. Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his stellar pro ball coaching career, is the only pitching coach the fifth-year organization has ever known.

Returning as the Athletic Therapist Extraordinaire is one of the best in the business, Dr. Kyle Salloum — a chiropractor and AT from Prime Performance and Therapy, which also serves as the official training centre of the NightOwls.

Added to the NightOwls staff this year is assistant coach Cam Revolt, a former college player now an assistant with Andreychuk at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky. The infielder hit nine home runs and drove in 111 while playing four seasons and batting .312 for the Bears.

The NightOwls have added Jordan McLeod as Bullpen Coach — a product of Nelson, B.C. and currently a teacher in Nanaimo and a graduate of Vancouver Island University, who is the Pitching Coach for the VIU Mariners. He is a former Douglas College and VIU pitcher.

Bench coach and mental skills coach Dr. Jordan Herbison, an instructor at VIU and a former UBC pitcher, is back to support the staff.

Andreychuk, 33, played in the West Coast League in 2013 for the Kelowna Falcons and served as an assistant coach in the famed Cape Cod League, the top summer collegiate league. In his first season leading the NightOwls, the former VIU player and Nanaimo product led the NightOwls to within a whisker of the playoffs, finishing at 23-31. Pikeville finished the spring season with a 29-19 record, reaching the playoffs, on the heels of winning 27 games in 2025 and 30 games in 2024.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Victoria HarbourCats Announce Expanded Premium Group Experiences for 2026 Season

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

New and enhanced hospitality spaces, upgraded fan experiences, and streamlined online booking now live at harbourcats.com/groups

May 22, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats are elevating the group entertainment experience for their 2026 season with expanded premium hospitality offerings, upgraded fan spaces, and a newly enhanced online booking platform designed to make planning summer outings easier than ever heading in to the All-Star Game Festival taking place at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and around the City July 14th – 16th, 2026.

With demand continuing to grow for corporate outings, staff events, client entertainment, birthdays, reunions, and social gatherings, the HarbourCats have introduced several refreshed and newly-enhanced group spaces at Royal Athletic Park – many of which are already seeing strong early demand.

Fans and organizations can now explore real-time availability, view space details/renderings, review spacing/capacity and pricing information, and submit booking requests directly at harbourcats.com/groups.

New and enhanced premium spaces for the 2026 season include:

Canadian Club House – a newly themed hospitality space along the third base line designed for groups and premium experiences.

The Nordic Fencing Dugout – an intimate field-level hospitality option next to the HarbourCats dugout that places guests close to the action while providing a unique experience for smaller private groups with tables for two.

The Strath Party Deck – a long-time fan favourite that continues to be one of the stadium’s most popular group destinations, offering a high-energy atmosphere ideal for larger celebrations, team outings, and company events.

Top Deck Lounge by Sipsmith Gin – one of the most unique viewing experiences in summer baseball returns with major upgrades for 2026, inside and atop the iconic double-decker British bus along the first base line.

Vancouver Island Brewing Islander FanZone – a casual and energetic group environment giving an outdoor brewery patio vibe that remains a popular option for fans looking for a fun and flexible game-day gathering space.

“Our premium hospitality program has grown significantly because people are looking for experiences that go beyond simply attending a baseball game,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats. “We’re proud to have hired some of the best in hospitality management to take it to the next level, whether it’s a company event, client appreciation night, staff party, birthday celebration, or just getting friends together, our team has created unique options to fit every type of group.”

Several key summer dates – including fireworks nights, weekend matchups, and 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game festivities – are already seeing limited availability.

Groups interested in booking are encouraged to visit harbourcats.com/groups to explore options and secure preferred dates before availability becomes limited.

More details are forthcoming on additional activations, including an exciting addition to the park, a recently-installed viewing platform with arguably the best view in the house!

ABOUT THE VICTORIA HARBOURCATS

The Victoria HarbourCats are a premier summer collegiate baseball organization competing in the West Coast League, delivering high-quality baseball and entertainment to fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia.

Media Contact:
Jim Swanson
(778) 265-0327
jim@harbourcats.com
www.harbourcats.com

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Summer Collegiate

Two returning pitchers, two D1 bats added to roster

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

May 21, 2026

For immediate release

NANAIMO, B.C. — In the West Coast League, top-tier college status matters, and the Nanaimo NightOwls adding two position players from D1-level UC San Diego is a strong step for the coming season.

Nathaniel Widelski and Liam O’Day, an outfielder and infielder respectively, bring all around skills to the NightOwls for the summer of 2026 at Serauxmen Stadium.

Just as much interest for Nanaimo fans is the signing of pitcher Jaden Patrick of the Vancouver Island University Mariners, and returning lefty Jake Schumacher to the mix.

“We love having island players, and we like bringing quality people back for additional seasons, where they know our program and can be leaders,” said GM Tina Cornett. “Getting Liam and Nathaniel from UC San Diego is a big boost for the lineup.”

The player signed this week by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk, further bolstering the 2026 roster:

IF Liam O’Day, UC San Diego, 6-2/195, R/R, San Diego

OF Nathaniel Widelski, UC San Diego, 6-1/180, R/R, San Diego

LHP Jake Schumacher, East Texas Baptist University, 5-10/180, Kennewick, WA

RHP Jaden Patrick, Vancouver Island University, 6-0/205, Victoria, B.C.

RHP Cesar Corrales Jr, Long Beach City College, 6-2/215, Playa Del Rey, CA

O’Day, a freshman, played in the California Collegiate League last summer, while Widelski recently hit his first college home run, in the lineup in centre field against the University of San Diego. Both have pro-potential body types and are expected to be key players at UCSD starting next season.

Patrick spent most of the summer of 2023 as a NightOwl, with four hits allowed and two strikeouts in three appearances in league action. The Victoria product is pitching for VIU this spring.

Schumacher, a Kennewick, WA product then pitching out of D2 St. Martin’s, made seven appearances for the NightOwls in 2024 and one rough outing inflated his ERA to 4.76. He is now at ETBU and has 20 strikeouts in 19.2 innings.

Corrales, who went to the same LA-area high school (St. Bernard’s) as pitching coach Gorm Heimueller graduated from a half century ago, has a fastball that gets up to 92, and is eager to pile up innings throwing for Heimueller.

Tickets are available for all games — season tickets, ticket packages, and single game offerings, though the NightOwls website (nanaimonightowls.com/ticketinfo). Don’t be fooled by third party resale sites.

The NightOwls open on the road at Ridgefield on May 29 but return home for the club’s fifth home opener on June 2 against the Kelowna Falcons, who are coached by former MLB player and broadcaster Gregg Zaun.

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