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NorthPaws prepare for Bellingham comeback after Wenatchee sweep

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Photo credit – Allen Douglas Photography

KAMLOOPS — The Wenatchee AppleSox travelled to Kamloops and left with a North Division leading 12-3 record after a weekend sweep. The set also pushed the Kamloops NorthPaws losing streak to seven games.

Game 1 – 

It was an old fashioned pitching duel to begin the three game set between the AppleSox and NorthPaws on Friday night, with the visitors pulling out a thrilling 2-1 win.

Wenatchee starter Evan Canfield went toe-to-toe with ‘Paws righty Josh Berenbaum all night, with both pitchers striking out eight batters along the way. Berenbaum went six strong giving up 2-runs, only 1-earned on just 3-hits, taking a tough-luck loss. He was outdone by Canfield who went 8.0 innings, giving up 5 hits, and 1-unearned run.

The AppleSox would strike first in the sixth inning, scoring the opening run of the ballgame without the benefit of a base hit thanks to a pair of Kamloops errors and a sacrifice bunt.

The NorthPaws would respond in the bottom half thanks to a Hayato Ikeda RBI single. The winning run would score in the seventh on a 2-out RBI single from Hunter Friedberg.

With the tying run standing on second base in the ninth with two outs, Jerry Nix would single up the middle but Dylan Dekker would be gunned at the plate by Max Hartman to end the ballgame and secure the Wenatchee win.

Tristian LaMaison earned his first save of the season thanks to the 8-2 putout.

Game 2 – 

The offense in the series arrived in spades for the AppleSox in game two, as they would bully their way to a 13-2 victory.

Wenatchee would strike early with a first inning run, before exploding for six in the 4th inning and never looking back. Cannon Peery would lead the offense with a 3-5, 4 RBI night. Aidan Dougherty and Max Hartman both provide 2 RBI as well in the dominant win.

The two runs of the ballgame for Kamloops came in the 6th inning when Jacob Schlesselman brought home Jacob French and Tyler Glowacki with a single.

Derek Murphy would take the loss giving up 6ER over 3 innings. Casper Rammeloo allowed 4ER over 2 innings of relief.

Quincy Vassar earned the win for the AppleSox pitching 6 strong giving up 2ER on 6 hits. Braiden Boyd would earn the rare 3-inning save, walking just one and not allowing a base hit.

Game 3 – 

The AppleSox would outdo their offensive performance in a North Division leading statement victory on Father’s Day. A pair of big innings would be the difference in a 15-5 win to complete the sweep for the visitors.

Kamloops held a pair of leads in the contest before Wenatchee took control, including thanks to a 2-run homer from catcher Jerry Nix that made the score 3-2 at the time.

It was a 2-out rally that led to the demise of Kamloops on Sunday. Wenatchee scored five 2-out runs in the 5th inning, including a grand-slam from Connor Peery who finished the contest 3-6 4RBI.

Kamloops leadoff hitter Madden Ocko went 3-5, as the ‘Paws reached the 10 hit plateau for the first time this year.

Cade Johnson was credited with the loss, 4.2 IP, 6ER, 6H, 2K.

Caleb Costa earned the win for Wenatchee who have won 5 straight. The loss pushed the Kamloops losing streak to seven games.

Reset for Bellingham 

The ‘Paws will look to get back on track following an off-day Monday as they begin a mid-week set in Bellingham against the Bells. Kamloops has already beaten the 7-6 Bells twice.

“Hopefully the tables turn here and we start to get some W’s,” said Dylan Dekker. “Just stick to the gameplan, not trying to change to much, not get to-high, to-low.”

Dekker from Hinton, Alberta, now calls Kamloops home and is happy to be spending time in the Tournament capital for the summer.

“Nice to see everybody, see the parents, stay at home” added Dekker.

Along with Dekker, Kamloops’ Matt MacDonald also returned to the squad ahead of the Wenatchee series.

“Loving playing at home, playing in front of the fans. Hopefully I can turn it around, hopefully I can show out and do something cool this year,” said MacDonald. “All these guys, I grew up with them, I love playing with them. It’s sweet, it’s great for the team chemistry. Super enjoyable, I like being home for sure.”

Joining the team in the midst of the slide, MacDonald is looking to reset for Bellingham on Tuesday.

“We have to wipe the slate, definitely a couple of ugly games here but we will figure it out. We just have to get the energy up and forget about it,” said MacDonald.

Head Coach Jose Bautista, who spent 10 seasons in the majors has been a part of a few losing streaks over his long baseball career. His message to the boys after the contest was to keep moving forward.

“Just let the kids go up there and play. No superstitions, no nothing, just go up there and play,” said Bautista. “Hoping to add some more guys, and add a couple pitchers.”

Upcoming Schedule – 

Monday, June 17 – Off-Day

Tuesday, June 18 @ Bellingham, first pitch 6:35

Wednesday, June 19 @ Bellingham, first pitch 6:35

Thursday, June 20 @ Bellingham, first pitch 6:35

Friday, June 21 vs Edmonton, first pitch 6:35 (Bark at the Park)

Saturday, June 22 vs Edmonton, first pitch 6:35

Sunday, June 23 vs Edmonton, first pitch 2:05

For media requests –

Jenna Forter

General Manager

Kamloops NorthPaws

  1. 250-200-1415

www.northpawsbaseball.ca

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – 2026 HarbourCats Single-Game Tickets Now On Sale!

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All 2026 ticket types, including single-game, 6, 12 and 32 game flex -packs, season memberships and All-Star Game ticket packages are now available!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that just in time for Christmas, single-game tickets for all 31 2026 regular season games and the 2026 WCL All-Star Game are now available for purchase.

Fans can see our schedule and purchase tickets on-line with our ticketing partner SHOWPASS at http://harbourcats.com/tickets, or stop by in person to the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Fans can also call the office at 778-265-0327 to order.

Also announced today is the availability of 2026 ALL-STAR GAME ticket packages that include a Home Run Derby event on July 14th and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game on July 15th. Ticket packages that include both events are available now at https://www.showpass.com/wcl-all-star-home-run-derby-and-all-star-game-package/.

Individual All-Star Game and Home Run Derby event tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Note, if you are a season ticket holder, your seats are reserved for the Home Run derby and All-Star game, but as this is a separate purchase, you do need to contact the office to claim and pay for your seats.

FLEX-PACKS

Also on sale for 2026 are our regular 12-game and 32-game flex packs, as well as a new STOCKING STUFFER 6-Pack that will be offered until Christmas. The 6-Pack starts at $99 for General Admission seating and all 6-Packs will include a souvenir baseball that will fit nicely in the toe of the stocking of your favourite HarbourCats fan.

12 and 32-game flex packs can be bought on-line at  http://harbourcats.com/tickets or in person at the HarbourCats office. The 6-Pack offering is only available in person at the HarbourCats office.

NOTE: If you already have ticket vouchers for the 2026 season, you may now begin to redeem them for single-games as desired.  You can do so on-line assuming you are all set up in SHOWPASS to do so, or pop into the office and we can handle this for you!

SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIPS

Season tickets are also still available for the 2026 season. Prices start at $400 for General admission seating and seats can be ordered on-line at https://www.showpass.com/m/victoria-harbourcats-season-tickets/ or by visiting the HarbourCats office.

MERCHANDISE

We also have a wide range of merchandise available for the baseball fan on your list including new 2026 All-Star game tee-shirts and our Nathan Lukes Blue Jays World Series commemorative tee-shirt. Items can be ordered on-line at The Cat Shop at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ or by visiting the HarbourCats office, where a 15% in store discount is in effect until Christmas!

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Stay up to date with other promotions and special events by visiting the HarbourCats web page at https://harbourcats.com/events-promotions/

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats, EFTC and Richardson Sport announce Harvey’s Sports Stars!

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The Victoria HarbourCats, in association with Richardson Sport Inc. (RSI) and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are excited to announce the launch of Harvey’s Sports Stars!

Harvey’s Sports Stars will give children exclusive access to a professional-quality indoor turf facility and a wide range of fun, skill-building sports programs. Whether they’re swinging a bat, learning new movement skills, or high-fiving mascot Harvey the HarbourCat, Harvey’s Sports Stars will be part of a vibrant sports community that celebrates fun and teamwork, while staying active!

Families can look forward to enjoying year-round opportunities to play, connect, and make lasting memories, through exciting RSI programming inside the HarbourCats’ exciting indoor training space, located at 1821 Cook Street.

YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR KICK-OFF EVENT!

With this exciting new partnership, RSI is inviting all kids and their families to join the exciting SPORTSAPALOOZA day taking place on Sunday, November 30th from 1:30-5:30pm at the Indoor Training Facility. – the EFTC – located at 1821 Cook St.

Our Sportspalooza Day is a chance for children to jump in, meet RSI coaches, see the indoor facility, and get a sneak peak at our upcoming Harvey’s Sports Stars Programming.

During this Demo Day, children will get to:

  • Explore the activities we offer
  • Meet the coaches and see the facility
  • Get a feel for the environment
  • Discover what makes this program so engaging and confidence-building

Spaces are limited, so we highly encourage you to claim your spot as early as possible.

Register here: https://www.richardsonsport.ca/harveyskidsclub

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. BE SURE TO LOCK IN YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria.  These will be going on sale SOON!

Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.

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Pitching Coach Gorm hits a HUGE milestone

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The Nanaimo NightOwls will be using the 2026 season to celebrate Gorm Heimueller — the esteemed pitching coach, one of the best to ever do it in baseball!  The 70-year-old marks a half-century in the game when he suits up in his fifth summer in the West Coast League with the Nanaimo NightOwls.

“First — thank you, Nanaimo,” said Heimueller.  “I’m very grateful to the Nanaimo NightOwls organization for allowing me to come back as pitching coach in 2026. This will be my 50th year since I signed my first pro contract, but I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to be involved in this game that I’ve loved for more than 60 years.  I’m looking forward to working with Jim, Tina, Anthony, and Cody in putting together an exciting and competitive team on the field for our amazing Nanaimo fans!”

Coach Gorm will tuck his golf clubs away in May — he recorded his second career ace recently — so he can do what he loves most, and that’s working with young pitchers.

“We are going to celebrate Gorm in 2026 — our players, our coaches, our staff could not have more admiration for him as a coach and as a human being,” said Jim Swanson, managing partner of the NightOwls, in announcing Heimueller and wife Lee Ann will return to Nanaimo in 2026 to work with Head Coach Cody Andreychuk and assistant Anthony Houk.

“Players love the man, they hang on his every word. Coaches send us pitchers specifically to get to work with him. He’s a gentleman, he relates well to everyone, and he tells the best stories. We have an absolute legend of the game in Nanaimo as the only pitching coach the NightOwls have ever known — and he’s a mentor to so many, in so many ways.

“Gorm has more than earned the opportunity to be celebrated for all he’s done for the game. I’m biased because he’s become a good friend, but he should be in the Hall of Fame.”

The NightOwls are unveiling a special “GORM50” logo that will be ever-present during the 2026 season — from players shirts, to merchandise. There is also a book being written on his stories and exploits, co-written by Swanson and fellow NightOwls owner Helen Edwards — both have authored books in their careers.

Heimueller, a Los Angeles native, who has World Series rings from coaching in the Twins and Phillies systems, started his baseball career as a lefty pitcher at Cal Poly — with a guy named Ozzie Smith as his shortstop.

Heimueller spent 10 years as a professional pitcher, throwing strikes around the globe (Venezuela, Australia, Canada, USA), and spent two years as mostly a starting pitcher with the Oakland A’s (1983-84), a team which featured Rickey Henderson in his prime. As legend has it, the manager at his first MLB spring training was Frank Robinson, with Billy Martin the manager at his second camp, and his first MLB strikeout victim was Cal Ripken Jr. He transitioned directly from playing to coaching in the minors and held pitching coordinator positions later in his pro tenure, including the San Diego Padres until 2020.

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