Connect with us

Summer Collegiate

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

Published

on

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).”

Source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Summer Collegiate

Down 5-1 NorthPaws rally to steal game one against the Riverhawks

Published

on

The Kamloops NorthPaws won a thriller at home against the Edmonton Riverhawks 8-6 in game one of the weekend series. The Riverhawks led five one and hit back-to-back home runs, but the NorthPaws were able to claw their way back into the game mainly because of five brilliant innings from Nolan Austin on the mound. Kamloops scored three in the eighth and shut the door, winning the series opener.

“If we lose that game, we’re 1-3 on the week, and morale isn’t going to be the highest, but I think our group is at a point where we never feel like we’re never out of games,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.

Edmonton would get off to a quick start by scoring three runs off four singles and a wild pitch. Kamloops responded in the bottom of the second as shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent an RBI double to right center field. The Riverhawks wasted no time in the top of the third, hitting back-to-back solo home runs to left and right field, taking a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the NorthPaws scored a pair of runs on a past ball and a wild pitch while only recording one hit in the inning. Righty Nolan Austin took over in the fourth inning and recorded three straight scoreless innings while not allowing a hit, slowing down the Riverhawk’s offence.

“Nolan was going after hitters tonight; that was as good as anyone’s pitched all year,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.

The bottom of the sixth saw Jared Hall lead off with a walk and move to second after a wild pitch. Left fielder Joey Rico sent a double to the gap in left-center, scoring Hall. Rico then advanced to third after a Matt MacDonald ground ball. First baseman Keegan Drinkle hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Rico tying the game.

Edmonton responded in the seventh, with catcher Kyle Yip hitting a triple with two outs. Austin uncorked a wild pitch that brought the go-ahead run home for the Riverhawks. That was the lone run Austin gave up over his five innings in relief.

The NorthPaws rallied in the bottom of the eighth with Jared Hall reaching base, and Rico hit his second double of the night. Drinkle was at the plate and sent a grounder to second base. Hall broke for home and dove in safely. Pinch hitter Kalen Applefield had runners at second and third. The lefty hit a grounder through the right side, scoring Rico and giving the NorthPaws their first lead of the game. Drew Abercrombie and Elijah Clayton both walked, loading the bases for Connor Clark. The right fielder stayed tough in the batter’s box and worked a walk, extending the lead.

Julio Garcia was on in the top of the ninth for his second save opportunity in as many days. Garcia was excellent, going three up and three down, sending the fans home happy with a NorthPaw win. Despite a rigid back-to-back, having travelled from Wenatchee the night before, the team showed grit, scoring eight runs on only five hits.

“It’s cool to see, these guys the whole night said in the dugout that they would be coming back in that game, and they did,” said Jepson.

The second game of the series will go at the same time from the same place, 6:35 pm at Norbrock stadium, as the NorthPaws look to take the first two games against the Riverhawks. You can find the game on West Coast League TV.

 

 

 

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Great Pitching From The NightOwls As They Hold Off Kelowna And The Weather For A 4-3 Win

Published

on

KELOWNA, B.C. — The Nanaimo NightOwls headed out to the Okanagan to take on the Kelowna Falcons June 13th, for the start of a three-game series. Despite the weather not being cooperative, and a delay in the 9th inning. The NightOwls were able to battle the elements and the Falcons to hold on for a 4-3 win. That makes it two in a row for Nanaimo and puts them at 7-6 on the season.

It was a masterclass on the night from starting pitcher Ricardo Villegas. He went five innings, allowing just two runs on four hits, walking two but striking out 7 Kelowna batters on the night. The Nanaimo Night Owls would finish the day with a combined 13 strikeouts. Villegas received the win on the night, while Carter Chard-Hill picked up the save.

A couple of big innings were all the Nanaimo NightOwls needed to take the opening game of the series against the Kelowna Falcons. Two runs in the second inning thanks to RBIs from Hunter Stencil and Andrew Ivy. Andrew went two for five on the night with an RBI and a stolen base. Hunter finished with one RBI, a hit, and a base on balls.

The fourth inning saw the NightOwls extend their lead thanks to a bomb to left field from Caden Petrey. He had a great night at the plate, going two for three with a home run, two RBI, and a walk.

For back-to-back nights, Jacob Hayes has been impressing at the plate. He hit a grand slam on Thursday night in Victoria and continued with the hot bat in Kelowna against the Falcons. The Anacortes, WA, native had another two hits and improved his hit streak to nine games.

Reliever Brennan Kettle gave up one run but got out of an 8th inning jam with a strikeout to strand a runner at second and third to keep the score 4-3 for the NightOwls heading into the 9th. There was a brief weather delay before the 9th inning started. Things got a bit nervous for Nanaimo with runners on first and third with 2 outs, but Carter Chard-Hill finished things off, getting the final batter to fly out for the save.

Nanaimo finished the night with four runs on nine hits and one error, while the Kelowna Falcons had three runs on nine hits with one error. The rain delay lasted approximately an hour before they were able to finish the 9th inning.

The Nanaimo NightOwls continue their road trip in Kelowna against the Falcons on Saturday and Sunday, June 14th and 15th. Nanaimo heads back to Victoria for a three-game stint before returning home on June 20th against the Port Angeles Lefties for a weekend series. Make sure to get your tickets and follow the team on our website and social media when they are out on the road for the latest information and updates!

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats blow away Bells in series opener

Published

on

Jacob Silva has four hits in his first four HarbourCats games (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

June 13, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats bounce back in a big way, snapping the division-leading Bellingham Bells’ five-game winning streak, winning 12-1 to open the weekend series.

The Cats got on the board in the first inning for the fifth straight game when Jacob Silva (TCU) hit a deep fly ball to right field with the bases loaded that went in and out of Gavin Long’s glove. The error allowed two runs to score. Cayden Munster (Fresno State) followed that up with a sacrifice fly, giving the home team a 3-0 lead after the opening frame.

BOX SCORE

No more runs were scored until the fourth inning, when the Bells’ pitching lost control and the Cats took advantage. Three walks and one hit by pitch gave the Cats plenty of opportunity to drive in runs, and they did just that, scoring five in the inning, giving them a resounding 8-0 lead.

Thomas Bridges has walked just one batter in 11 innings of work this season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

Jake Butler (George Mason) debuted and had his first hit in that big inning, an RBI single.

WCL STANDINGS

Thomas Bridges (TCU) made his third start of the season and picked up where he left off. The right-hander threw four shutout innings, giving up three hits and one walk, while striking out a season high five batters. Bridges has yet to give up a run this season in 11 innings pitched.

Carson Burks (Hill College) took over in the fifth and threw three innings, giving up one run on three hits, walking one, and striking out three.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Victoria added to their lead in the fifth inning through an Owen Clyne bases-loaded walk, his second RBI of the evening, and Xander McAfee scoring on a wild pitch, making it 10-0.

The Bells broke the shutout with a Brock Sell sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.

Xander “Boogie” McAfee (Texas Arlington) hit an RBI single in the eighth, which was followed by a Jacob Doyle (Nevada) sacrifice fly to make it 12-1, Victoria.

Cayden Munster has six hits in his first three games as a HarbourCat (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

WATCH GAMES HERE

Dustin Davidson (Brookhaven) closed out the game, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out three batters.

The HarbourCats had nine hits and drew eight walks Friday night. Victoria is now 7-6 on the season, gaining ground on Bellingham, who fall to 9-4.

Game two of the series is tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Logan Rumberg (George Mason) is projected to make his HarbourCats debut as the starting pitcher. Buy tickets at HERE

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.

Source

Continue Reading

Trending