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NorthPaws respond in a big way putting up 12 in rubber match victory

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The Kamloops NorthPaws won the rubber match against the Edmonton Riverhawks 12-6, taking two of three on the weekend at Norbrock Stadium and moving to 9-6 on the season. The Riverhawks led 3-0 after the first, but Kamloops scored seven unanswered runs and hit two home runs, sending the dads home happy on Father’s Day.

NorthPaws righty Lucas Dykstra was on the mound to start and saw his infield turn a nifty 5-4-3 double play. The Riverhawks made him work for the third out, however, as they rattled off four straight hits, making it 3-0. Dykstra settled in and pitched back-to-back scoreless innings before being pulled after three innings.

“He competed today; he didn’t walk anybody and made them earn it. That first inning unravelled a bit for him, but he stayed in the fight,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.

The NorthPaws got on the board in the bottom of the first with an opposite-field home run from shortstop Anthony Setticassi. Right fielder Jared Hall reached base via an error, bringing home Elijah Clayton and making it a one-run ballgame.

“Setti (Setticassi) is a gamer; he plays the game the right way, and it’s cool to see guys like that get their opportunities and succeed,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.

Setticassi’s next at-bat was in the fourth, where he had the bases loaded and walked, tying the game. Left fielder Matthew MacDonald scored the go-ahead run as he scored on a wild pitch.

MacDonald kept the scoring going for the NorthPaws in the fifth, sending a double to left center field, scoring Connor Clark. Catcher Brendan Burke singled and drove in MacDonald to extend the lead. Kamloops made it 7-3 as Setticassi got his second RBI on a single to left field.

The NorthPaws kept it rolling in the sixth, capitalizing on Riverhawk’s errors. Clark scored via a throwing error from the catcher, and Joey Rico drove in Jared Hall on a sacrifice fly, capping off a four-inning stretch that saw Kamloops score nine unanswered runs.

In the bottom of the eighth, Joey Rico had a pair of runners on base and, got a hold of a pitch, and drilled it to deep right field for his first home run of the season, putting a season-high 12 runs on the board.

The Riverhawks scored three runs in the final two innings, but it was too little too late for them. Despite losing two of three in Kamloops, the Riverhawks outhit the NorthPaws in every game of the series.

After the Riverhawks scored 14 on Saturday night, the team and coaches knew a response was needed, and they provided that in front of their home fans.

“This was a gritty response from the boys. We talked after the game yesterday about how we didn’t like how things ended on Saturday, and we responded,” said Setticassi.

The weekend homestand marked the first time this season the team had played three consecutive games at Norbrock Stadium. Players and coaches have been pleased with the fan’s support and hope to keep the energy high as the summer goes on.

“It’s great to be able to compete in front of the fans and them showing up caring about the game and being loud; that was something we kinda missed last year, so hopefully we keep winning games, and they keep being loud,” said Jepson.

The next home game won’t be until next weekend, as the team starts the week on the road again, this time in Walla Walla for three games against the Sweets, who sit in second place in the South Division. When the team returns home next weekend to play against the Victoria Harbour Cats, it will begin a 12-game stretch, with 11 of those games to be played at Norbrock Stadium.

 

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – West Coast League meetings to be held in Victoria

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October 6, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — The capital city of British Columbia will become the centre of the West Coast League (WCL) for two days in October.

The 2025 WCL Fall Meetings, featuring a gathering of team owners/directors, will be held in Victoria, October 20-21. This marks the first time the meetings, often staged near a major U.S. airport (Seattle or Portland) for travel and logistics reasons, have been held in Canada since the formation of the collegiate elite baseball league that evolved from a gathering in Kelowna in 2003, with the Kelowna Falcons as one of the founding members — and the lone Canadian entry until the HarbourCats were founded.

Five of the league’s 17 teams now are located in Canada — in Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops and Edmonton. Kamloops, Nanaimo and Edmonton all started play in 2022.

The HarbourCats, who joined the WCL for the 2013 season and have watched as eight former players have advanced to the MLB level, will also welcome the league to Victoria in July of 2026 and 2027 when the organization plays host to the WCL All-Star Game festival for consecutive seasons, showcasing Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The all-star game was held in Bellingham the last two summers.

“The inner harbour in fall will be a fantastic setting for these meetings, just as it will be for events around the WCL All-Star Game next July,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that operates both the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls.

Topics expected to be discussed are the finalization of the league’s 2026 schedule, WCL marketing initiatives, and ways to improve best practices around player, coach and umpire development — the keystone goal of the WCL.

“I’m incredibly excited to visit Victoria for our fall meetings,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer. “The city’s rich baseball history and beautiful scenery will provide the perfect backdrop for our teams to discuss the future of the League in one of my favorite WCL markets.”

Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. 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.

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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All-Stars Hayes and Zenk returning to Owls in 2026

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NANAIMO, B.C. — They put on a show for fans at historic Serauxmen Stadium, and they got better as the summer went on.

Talan Zenk (Everett CC) and Jacob Hayes (Azusa Pacific), two West Coast League all-stars in 2025, are returning to the Nanaimo NightOwls next summer — the priority first signings by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk and GM Tina Cornett.

“These two players really enjoyed performing in front of WCL fans, and especially our great fans in Nanaimo,” said Andreychuk, the local product who will enter his second season as the NightOwls’ head coach. “They developed, and they got a chance to be leaders. We are proud of how they represented us at the all-star game and we are very happy they are eager to be in Nanaimo again. These are great young men who represent their schools and families so well.”

Zenk, who was the ultimate utility player by serving in both the infield and outfield, was a spark plug at the top of the order — he hit .289 with 10 stolen bases, four home runs, seven doubles and two triples. The 19-year-old from Brier, WA, had a .853 OPS.

Hayes is without a question the best power hitter the NightOwls have ever had in blue and gold, following up a 19-bomb spring at college by hitting 10 home runs (team record) in 49 WCL games, batting .250 with 44 hits, 30 walks and 39 runs driven in, all while playing nearly every game at first base. The 20-year-old from Anacortes, WA is entering his sophomore season at Azusa Pacific. He was the NightOwls player of the year in 2025.

SEASON TICKETS — The best seats can be secured now! Email tina@nanaimonightowls.com to lock in your 2026 NightOwls season tickets, with versatile fan-friendly flex options to see the best baseball on Vancouver Island. The NightOwls enter their fifth season in the WCL and have had a player selected in the MLB draft each of the last three seasons.

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Fall Indoor Youth Training Sessions Now Available!

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Sessions begin September 30th (softball) and October 4th (baseball). Register NOW!

The Victoria HarbourCats and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are now taking individual bookings for our Fall 2025 indoor training sessions for both baseball and softball.

The “Offseason Academy“, presented by The EFTC, is designed to keep athletes sharp, confident, and improving long after the final game of summer. Built for youth players who want to stay ahead of the competition, our Academy focuses not only on technical skill development but also on the physical conditioning that keeps athletes strong and game-ready.

With a lineup of specialized camps in areas such as hitting, analytics, and fastball skills, athletes can train with experienced coaches, benefit from professional-level technology like HitTrax, and build the habits that matter most during the offseason.

All sessions take place in the same professional training facility used by the HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide, giving players access to a proven environment for growth and performance.

2025 Fall Sessions Include:

Baseball, Advance Hitting Analytics, $159, Saturdays, 1:15-3:15, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 12-17
The Advanced HitTrax Analytics Hitting Camp is built for serious baseball athletes aged 12–17 who want to take a deeper dive into the analytics behind their swing. Led by Dexter Stoiber from the Victoria Golden Tide collegiate roster, this camp goes beyond basic mechanics to show players how to interpret advanced hitting data, identify areas for improvement, and make the small tweaks that translate into real results on the field. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, Foundations and Futures, $299, Saturdays, 9:00am- 1:00pm, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 8-11
Foundations & Futures” is a high-energy baseball camp for players aged 8–11. This camp delivers professional-grade instruction in a dynamic, fun environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and carry your skills into next season. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, High Performance Prep, $225, Saturdays, 3:30-6:30pm, October 4 thru November 22. Ages 12-15.
High Performance Prep” is designed for players aged 12–15 who are ready to refine their skills and maintain peak form after summer. This camp delivers advanced instruction in a focused, competitive environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and prepare for the season ahead. REGISTER HERE

Fastball / Softball, Offseason Advantage, $199, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5-7pm, September 30 thru October 29. Ages 12-17
The Softball / Fastball Skills Camp is built for athletes aged 12–17 who want to strengthen every part of their game during the offseason. With trusted instruction from Maddie Kumala, one of the most respected coaches and players in the fastball community, this camp provides parents with the peace of mind that their athlete is learning in a structured, professional, and supportive environment. REGISTER HERE

There are limited spaces in each camp so don’t delay. Register NOW!

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