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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws ‘pickled’ in home opener against Portland

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Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS BC—The Kamloops NorthPaws are still in search of their first victory of the young West Coast League season.

The NorthPaws hosted the Portland Pickles at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium in a three-game series Tuesday through Thursday (June 6-8).   Over 500 fans a night were treated to some entertaining baseball but went home a little disappointed as the Pickles swept Kamloops.

The scores were 11-4 Tuesday (June 6), 6-4 Wednesday and Thursday (June 7,8). 

The results leave Portland with a 5-1 record while the NorthPaws dip to 0-6.

The NorthPaws will continue their homestand with the first ever appearance of the six time defending West Coast League champions, the Corvallis Knights to Kamloops.   The Pickles will head down Highway 97 for a three-game set in Kelowna against the Falcons.  Crovallis has a record of 5-1 after downing Yakima Valley 8-1. Wednesday night.

Portland and Kamloops will tangle once more this season when the NorthPaws visit the Pickles for three games beginning June 27th.

All West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Tuesday, June 6, 2023-Portland Pickles 11 Kamloops NorthPaws 4

Portland broke open a 1-1 tie scoring four runs in the third inning before adding two more in the fifth and three runs in the sixth. Kamloops scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to reduce the deficit to 10-3.  New Zealander Maclain Roberts was tagged with the loss as he started the game and went three innings giving up four hits, four runs, had one walk and one strikeout.   

Left fielder Andrew Stucky (Tuscon, AZ) and Right fielder Felix Chenier-Rondeau (Blainvile, QC) each had runs batted in.

The Pickles were led by Jackson Waller (San Marcos, CA) who was two for two and three runs batted in. Two of the runs coming in on a single in the sixth.   Jack Metcho (Fairfield, CA) was one for two with three runs scored.  Starter Aiden Garza (Ventura, CA) was the winning pitcher tossing a no hitter for three innings, giving up two runs, striking out two and walking three.

Portland moved to 3-1 on the year.  The NorthPaws dropped their fourth in a row.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598675

Wednesday, June 7, 2023-Portland Pickles 4 Kamloops NorthPaws 4

All the scoring in this game occurred in the first three innings.  Portland rallied from a 2-0 first inning deficit to tally three in both the second and third. 

The NorthPaws were led offensively by first baseman Nolan Austin (Kamloops, BC).  He was two for four at the dish with two runs batted in.  Designated hitter Landon Clark was one for four with an R.B.I.. 

Matthew Romero started for Kamloops and was tagged with the loss going two and a third innings, giving up nine hits, six earned runs, with two walks and a strikeout.

Murphy Gienger (Castle Rock, CO), who came into the game after an inning and two thirds was the winner. He threw a three hitter with eight strikeouts.  Morris Austin (Keller, TX) earned the save as he came on in the ninth inning and struck out the side.

Offensively, the Pickles had three R.B.I. from left fielder Xiage Lancaster (Hilo, HI).  He was two for three with two runs scored.  Jack Metcho was three for five with two runs scored and two runs batted in.  Right fielder Nicky Markantanatos (Portland, OE) was three for five.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=601034

Thursday, June 8, 2023-Portland Pickles 6 Kamloops North Paws 4

The NorthPaws jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on the basis of a home run by Jude Hall (Chilliwack, BC).  It was Kamloops’ first home run of the season.  

The home team held a 4-1 lead until the sixth inning when the Pickles scored twice and then added three more in the seventh inning.  They wound up with six runs on six hits and one error. Kamloops had four runs on seven hits and one error.

Kamloops was threatening in the bottom of the ninth.  They had the bases loaded with two outs, but Felix Chenier-Rondeau (Blainville, QC) hit a long flyball which was caught in left field.

Sakemi Sato (La Quinta, CA) was the winning pitcher as he threw two innings of one hit ball with four strikeouts.  Portland was led offensively by Jack Metcho.  He was two for five with three runs batted in.  Nicky Markantanatos was two for five with an RBI.

Joey Adge (Parker, CO) was three for four for Kamloops with an RBI.   Hall was two for four with three runs batted in.

Christian Spitz (Overland Park, KS) was the losing pitcher.  He went three and a third giving up four runs (3 earned), striking out three and walking three.  Kamloops resident Tyrelle Chadwick had his second start of the year for the NorthPaws. He pitched three innings giving up two hits, four walks and one earned run.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598677

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

“It is always the little things in baseball that come back to haunt you. We run the bases improperly. We don’t get the right hit at the right time. Can’t throw the strike when we need it the most. Those things add up. I am telling them we need to win inning by inning.  This has been the underlying theme all season. There is just one inning where an error was started and the pitcher can’t come back from it.  We aren’t hitting. We haven’t scored more than four runs in any game. That is tough. “

FIRST BASEMAN NOLAN AUSTIN (KAMLOOPS, BC):

“It is not the start we wanted to have. We were in the game again tonight.  Just small little errors are keeping us from getting over that hump.  Once we can get the first one we will start to figure it out we are going to start to cruise and get some more dubs.”

NEXT UP:

The NorthPaws will conclude their six game homestand with the Corvallis Knights.  The Knights and NorthPaws will play a three-game series starting tomorrow (Friday June 7th).  It is the first time that the two teams will have ever met in West Coast League play. As mentioned earlier in this release, the Knights have won the league title the last six years in a row.   In 2022, they beat the Bellingham Bells in the final.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON THE CORVALLIS KNIGHTS:

#5, Tyler Quinn, Inf./C, Pacific University, Oregon. He was the Knights MVP in 2022

# 7, Luke Thiele, Inf., Central Arizona College, he’s going to Purdue in the fall.

# 16, Blake Avila, Central Arizona, he’s going to Grand Canyon in the fall.

#17 Sean Wiese, LHP, Hawaii. A four-year Knight, he was the Knights top pitcher in 2022 as our closer.

# 20 Sam Stem, OF, Gonzaga. He hit over .300 for the Zags this spring as a freshman.

# 37, Neil Feist, RHP, Cal State-Northridge. A returnee and a key player from the 2022 champions.

If you can’t make the NorthPaws games, they are all webcast on  https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/ .   Some home games will also be shown on Shaw TV in Kamloops (Cable 10 or 105 with Blue Curve).

TAILGATE PARTY:

The Molson’s Tailgate Party is hoppin’ before every NorthPaws home game.   It runs Tuesday through Saturday 5-630 PM.  The Party runs Sundays noon-1 PM.  Hotdogs and a Pilsner are sold for $ 12.00 plus tax.

For Everything NorthPaws – Go to the website : https://www.northpawsbaseball.ca/ 

Kamloops NorthPaws tickets: ticketing@northpawsbaseball.ca

West Coast League: westcoastleague.com.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Showpass to be Title Partner of 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game Festival

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VICTORIA, B.C. — Showpass, one of North America’s fastest-growing event technology companies has stepped up to the plate as the Title Partner of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game Festival.

In what is a perfect alignment due to the high-demand nature of event tickets, Showpass is reflecting the premier level of collaboration needed to elevate the WCL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby to an unforgettable experience for fans, players, coaches, and all others who are so deeply ingrained with the WCL. The Home Run Derby will feature recent MLB star Kevin Pillar as one of the full participants.

The Showpass logo will now be involved in all digital usage of the event logo, topping the graphic.

Showpass is the official ticketing company for three West Coast League teams, the Bend Elks, and the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls — helping those teams achieve outstanding customer outcomes that are fan-friendly with online, in-office and ticket booth interfacing options.

“The WCL is building something special around summer baseball, and the All-Star Game is a showcase of what strong organizations and great communities can create together,” said Lucas McCarthy, Founder and CEO of Showpass. “The HarbourCats have put real vision behind this event, turning it into more than just a game day experience. At Showpass, we’re proud to support organizations that are pushing their events forward, investing in their fans, and creating moments that bring communities together. We’re excited to help elevate the 2026 WCL All-Star Game Festival in Victoria.”

The Showpass logo will be prominent on the field, and the fingerprints of their ticketing and live event technology platform will be a key aspect of the outstanding experience around this two-day event in Victoria, one of the top destination cities in the world. Fan engagement activations and video content across many platforms, produced by Showpass, will be prominent in bringing this partnership to life.

“Showpass has stepped up since our very first meeting, and fully understands what our Island teams are looking to accomplish — more than that, they understand the fan ticketing experience is essential to growing strong attendance and revenue numbers, and they do it with gusto and skill,” said Adrian Somers, Vice-President of Operations and Business for the HarbourCats and NightOwls. “Showpass will be front and centre during these events, and we are proud to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them in all that we do, but especially this Showpass WCL All-Star Game.”

The 2026 Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game Festival takes place July 14-15 in Victoria, at sites across the city but primarly at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The feature events include the Home Run Derby on Tuesday, July 14 (6:35pm) and All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 15 (7pm), with activities at the stadium up to two hours prior to the start — live bands, food trucks, and special pre-game entertainment fans will not want to miss.

The best of the West Coast League will be on display. The league has produced top Major League Baseball draft picks such as No. 1 overall selections Travis Bazzana and Adley Rutschman, along with current MLB stars such as Tarik Skubal, Nathan Lukes, Nick Pivetta, Shane Bieber and Andrew Vaughn.

For more information on tickets, go to http://harbourcats.com/tickets

ABOUT SHOWPASS

Showpass is the operating system for independent live events, connecting every stage of the event lifecycle into one platform. From ticketing and marketing to operations, analytics, and financing, Showpass gives organizers one system to run, grow, and own their events. More than 175 million tickets have been issued through Showpass, powering music, sports, festivals, venues, cultural events, and everyday things to do across North America. Built with a mission to reignite the joy of live experiences, Showpass equips organizers with the tools and support needed to elevate the fan experience. Independently owned, Showpass is one of North America’s fastest-growing event technology companies, recognized by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and named to The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Top Growing Companies list for three consecutive years.

For media inquiries, contact:

Adrian Somers, Victoria HarbourCats
adrian@harbourcats.com

Katelyn Marchyshyn
Katelyn.marchyshyn@showpass.com

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Victoria HarbourCats – Riverhawks Rivalry Renewed in HarbourCats Opening Homestand

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The HarbourCats fell just short to the Riverhawks at the end of the 2025 season in a tightly-contested series

VICTORIA, B.C. – They say familiarity breeds contempt. With the HarbourCats home opener looming one week from today, the old proverb certainly applies to the first homestand of the 2026 season. After seven consecutive contests between Victoria and Edmonton to end the 2025 season, the Riverhawks will perch in Victoria for a three-game series beginning June 2.

For the returning HarbourCats, last year’s playoff series against Edmonton will be fresh in their minds. Victoria forced game three after dropping the opener, but were defeated 8-7 after a valiant comeback effort. Todd Haney’s crew will be in search of sweet revenge in the opening homestand of the year.

Among the returnees is Austin Lindsey, a right-handed pitcher entering his second season as a HarbourCat. The Lufkin, Texas product went 8-3 over 13 starts for Hill College this season, striking out 48 batters and maintaining an ERA just under five. Lindsey earned a crucial save in game two of the playoffs last year, striking out two in the ninth inning to force game three. Marcus Janovsky returns for the Cats as well, who struck out five over three innings in game one of the Victoria-Edmonton series last year.

Austin Lindsey (Hill College) held on for a critical save in the playoffs last season

Tuesday, June 2 is the home opener, always one of the most exciting days of baseball season! Fresh off an away series in Portland, the Cats will return to Victoria for their first performance in front of a home crowd in the 2026 season.

Following the home opener, Wednesday, June 3’s game is Help Fill a Dream Night, in partnership with the Help Fill a Dream Foundation in support of families with children affected by serious health challenges. The series wraps up on June 4, with our first School Spirit Game, where local students can enjoy some HarbourCats baseball and bring the youthful energy to Royal Athletic Park!

The homestand continues into the weekend with a trio of skirmishes with the Kelowna Falcons, including some fun theme nights! June 5 is Forces Friday, where military members and first responders can take advantage of special ticket discounts. June 6 is the first fireworks night of the season, with gates opening at 5 pm, followed by a Sunday matinee on June 7 where kids can run the bases after the game.

Homestand Schedule:

  • June 2 6:35 pm – Home Opener
  • June 3 6:35 pm – Help Fill a Dream Night
  • June 4 11:05 am – School Spirit Game (sold out, select tickets may become available)
  • June 5 6:35 pm – Forces Friday
  • June 6 6:35 pm – Fireworks Night
  • June 7 1:05 pm – Sunday Matinee

 

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 http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought online or by stopping by the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

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2026 NightOwls Coaching Staff

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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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