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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws Swept by HarbourCats in Season-Opening Series

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11 months ago

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Article written by Larry Read.

VICTORIA, BC—The road wasn’t a very hospitable place for the Kamloops NorthPaws as they opened up their second season in the West Coast Baseball League. Playing at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria, the NorthPaws were swept in three straight games by the hometown HarbourCats

The scores were 13-3 in the season opener Friday (June 2), 6-4 on Saturday (June 3) and 4-3 on Sunday (June 4).

Of the three games, Kamloops had its best chance of winning in the finale. They led the game 2-0 after scoring twice in the first inning. Up 3-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning, The NorthPaws surrendered two runs. The ninth saw Victoria load the bases on their first three batters. Kevin Shay (San Carlos, CA) drove the ball to left field scoring the tying and winning runs.

The NorthPaws will head home to host Portland on Tuesday (June 6) while Victoria stays at home to open a set against the Walla Walla Sweets beginning Monday (June 5).

SERIES RECAP:

Friday, June 2, 2023-HarbourCats 13 NorthPaws 3

The NorthPaws led 1-0 after two innings but gave up three in the fourth, six in the sixth and four in the eighth. Kamloops added their other two runs in the fifth inning as they had six hits and committed one error. Victoria scored 13 runs on 10 hits.

Felix Chenier-Rondeau (Blainville, QC) led Kamloops offensively. Rondeau had two runs batted in and two stolen bases as he went one for three. Tyrelle Chadwick (Kamloops, BC) the third of five NorthPaws pitchers was tagged with the loss. He gave up four runs and two walks. Griffin Almond started on the mound for Kamloops and went three and two thirds innings.

Bradden Kesey (Manchans, Texas) led Victoria at the plate. The Grayson Country College player was one for four with three runs batted in. Ryan Magdic (Beamsville, ONT) was two for three at the dish with two runs batted in. Russell Young (Surrey, BC), who attends UBC hit a solo homer for Victoria. Dawson Huford (Victoria, BC) was the winning pitcher. He threw six innings of three hit ball, striking out four and walking one. Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598651

Saturday June 3, 2023-HarbourCats 6 NorthPaws 4

For the second straight night, the NorthPaws got the early lead scoring the games first run in the third inning. But Victoria notched deuces in the fourth, seventh and eighth as they had five hits and committed two errors.

Kamloops added a single run in the fourth and two more in the eighth notching three hits and committing two errors.

Infielder Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) was one for four with two runs batted in for the NorthPaws. David Jeon (Coppell, TX) was tagged with the loss coming into the game in the eighth. He surrendered two runs, struck out one and walked two. He was the third pitcher for Kamloops who started lefty Hayden Walker. He pitched five innings, striking out three, walking one and walking one.

Offensively, Victoria was led by Ryan Magdic. The Florida Southern College player was one for three with two runs batted in. Jake Finkelstein (Richmond, BC) was the winning pitcher. He went an inning and a third and was the fourth HarbourCats pitcher. Starter Cam Calley (The Woodlands, TX) tossed the first five innings. The Baylor University lefthander had nine strikeouts, three walks, gave up two runs and one hit.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598652

Sunday, June 4, 2023 HarbourCats 4 NorthPaws 3

Kamloops scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Nathan Gray (Queen Creek, AZ) doubled to bring in leadoff hitter Tommy Green (Courtenay, BC) . Later, Nolan Austin (Kamloops, BC) singled and scored on a single from Jude Hall (Chilliwack, BC). Hall was two for three on the day.

The NorthPaws led 3-0 until that eighth inning when reliever Joey Carrenza (Duncanville, TX) gave up three straight walks to load the bases. The HarbourCats got on the scoreboard on a hit pitch and a ground ball.

In the bottom of the ninth, two ‘hot shots’ to third baseman Austin resulted in two Victoria players getting to first and second. Tyrus Hall (Victora, BC) beat out a bunt to load the bases setting up Kevin Shea’s dramatics. Hall was two for three on the day. Shea was two for four with two runs batted in.

Shortstop Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) was two for three and made two outstanding defensive plays for Kamloops.

Reliever Kolby Lukinchuk (Prince George, BC) suffered the loss. He was the fifth pitcher of the day and went an inning giving up the tying and winning runs. Tucker Christenson(Norwalk, IA) was the winner in relief. He pitched two thirds of an inning surrendering one strikeout.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598653

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

On weekend vs Victoria: “I didn’t think we were too nervous. We have a lot of players who are new to the program. I thought the younger guys played well this weekend. On the first night we had one bad inning which did us in. Saturday saw us make some errors which cost us. Today (Sunday), our first two pitchers performed well. We just couldn’t pitch out of jams when we gave them (Victoria) chances to win. I am not taking anything away from them, they are a good team. We failed to execute but we will get better. I won’t lie to you—it’s a bitter pill to swallow (the results) but I have been there before. We will turn this around pretty quick.

On play of Nathan Gray and Cooper Neville: “Both these guys are just out of high school or have had just one year of college. Cooper especially hit the ball well. They are very fun to watch and will only get better.”

NorthPaws moving forward: “We have a catcher/outfielder and a pitcher who arrived in town (Kamloops) on the weekend. Both will be in the line up soon (one was sick and the others equipment didn’t arrive yet) and we have others making their way here after being knocked out of the College World Series. They will add a lot of depth to our roster.”

WE MEET AGAIN:

The NorthPaws and HarbourCats will meet one more time this season. The two teams will play in Kamloops in a three game series which begins July 28th.

NEXT UP:

The NorthPaws return home to Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium to entertain the Portland Pickles. The three game set is Tuesday through Thursday (June 6-8th). Opening pitch all three nights is 6:35 PM. Wednesday, June 7th will see the Western Hockey League Kamloops Blazers honored. Members of the team will be on hand and will be signing autographs.

Kamloops will be at home for six games. The visit June 9-11.

If you can’t make the games, they are all webcast on https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/ . Some will also be shown on Shaw TV in Kamloops (Cable 10 or 105 with Blue Curve). For “Everything NorthPaws-Go to the website : https://www.northpawsbaseball.ca/ “ Kamloops North Paws tickets: ticketing@northpawsbaseball.ca West Coast League: westcoastleague.com.

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Summer Collegiate

Japanese pitcher, Hawaiian speedster, big bat from VIU among eight added by NightOwls

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5 days ago

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April 22, 2024

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The pitching staff, it is growing — and adding interesting storylines.

Japanese pitcher Moosa Nonomiya, who is at Skagit Valley College in Washington, will add more to the international flavor of the Nanaimo NightOwls for 2024 — already with players from Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Taiwan

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Not all are far flung — lefty-hitting DH/1B Brayden McClary of the VIU Mariners and returning lefty arm Hayden Cuthbertson are islanders who know Serauxmen Stadium well.

Hata can fly — he started 40 games as a freshman and will top that this spring, piling up 28 stolen bases over two seasons. He’s not just speed, he hit a game-winning grand slam in extra innings earlier this month and has three home runs and 25 runs driven in, batting .320 with a low strikeout rate.

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Cuthbertson has had a breakout year with a 3-1 record and four saves, striking out 27 in 17 innings and earning a Division1 spot with Miami-Ohio. McClary, also an Islander, will be the first married player on the NightOwls — he’s a key offensive force in the middle of the VIU lineup, hitting a ball out of Serauxmen this weekend against TRU.

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Felix is a young star catcher with position versatility— and he’s big at 6-2/200 as he goes to Cal Poly this fall. Jakobson is a righthander who will have ample innings available for the summer, a oower arm with bullpen potential.

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Ariaza is a great mix of power and strikes, and he’s the biggest NightOwl to date at 6-5/270. He didn’t walk a batter in 10 outings as a freshman and has 25 strikeouts in 18 innings, along with a save, this spring.

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Hanning has had success at the junior college level and has proven to be a workhorse, including 61 innings already this season, tops on his staff.

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Nonomiya has moved into a starting role in the NWAC conference and is now over 30 innings for a team that has NightOwls assistant Sean FitzGerald on the staff.

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Summer Collegiate

Three returning players, one a WCL all-star, and local infielder highlight eight NightOwls signings

Published

1 week ago

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April 17, 2024

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Those announced today:

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OF/LHP Riley Paulino, University of Pikeville, 5-11/180, Fife, WA (returning player)

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C Sammy Torres, University of Pikeville, 5-9/200, Yuaco, Puerto Rico (returning player)

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LHP Richtter Castillo, University of Pikeville, 6-0/215, Maracay, Venezuela

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IF Lucas Laukkanen, Cloud County commit, 6-0/190, Nanaimo

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LHP Carson Jones, St. Martins, 6-0/180, Walla Walla, WA (returning player)

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RHP Christian Lucero, Arizona Christian, 6-1/190, Sacramento

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OF Sammy Kahler, San Diego State, 6-0/185, Stockton, CA

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OF Drew Rutter, San Diego State, 6-1/190, Trabuco Canyon, CA

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Manny’s hitting coach added to staff by Coach Haney

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 16, 2024

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2024 HarbourCats Coaching Staff – Front Row (L to R) Scott Anderson (Pitching Coach), Todd Haney (Head Coach), Trovin Valdez (Hitting Coach), Steve Sinclair (Bench Coach); Back Row (L to R): Ethan Fox (Bullpen Coach), Troy Birtwistle (First Base Coach).

For immediate release

April 16, 2024

VICTORIA, B.C. — An already strong coaching staff under WCL Coach of the Year Todd Haney just got stronger with the addition of Trovin Valdez, a former pro who made it to AAA in the Montreal Expos system.

Valdez, 50, was the personal hitting coach of Manny Ramirez during much of his record-setting MLB career and now works extensively with his sons Manny Jr. and Lucas, who have joined the HarbourCats for the 2024 WCL season. Valdez, who was once traded for lefthander David Wells, also works with a number of MLB players from his base in Florida, moving around the continent — and now will spend the summer exclusively in Victoria working with all HarbourCats hitters.

Haney, who has been with the HarbourCats since 2018 and Head Coach since 2019, is proud to unveil the entire staff for 2024:

  • Todd Haney, Head Coach (5th year, 4th as Head Coach)
  • Trovin Valdez, Hitting/Outfield Coach (First year)
  • Scott Anderson, Pitching Coach (Second year)
  • Troy Birtwistle, First Base Coach (Sixth year)
  • Steve Sinclair, Bench Coach (Second year)
  • Ethan Fox, Bullpen Coach (Third year, former HarbourCats player)

Under Haney, the HarbourCats led the WCL in hits, runs and stolen bases in 2023 and set a WCL record with an astounding 25-2 home record at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP, adding two more home wins in as many dates in the playoffs. The HarbourCats reached the WCL’s final game for the third time in five seasons.

Jaxon Williams (pictured right), part of the 2023 staff, is unable to return due to career reasons and the HarbourCats thank him and wish him all the best, he will always be a part of the HarbourCats family.

“This is a tremendous staff under incredible leadership from Todd — our players will be well served in their development,” said Christian Stewart, GM of the HarbourCats. “We couldn’t be happier with the makeup of this group, and we’re excited to see Trovin go to work. Our team set multiple team and league records on the offensive side of the game last year and that exciting style of play will be on display for our fans again.”

Valdez stole more than 250 bases as a pro, spanning nine seasons, and he joins former pro players Haney (five years MLB with Expos, Cubs and Mets), Anderson (also Expos system), Sinclair (MLB lefty with Blue Jays and Mariners), and Birtwistle (Australia). Fox played college ball and is the Head Coach of the Golden Tide CCBC team.

The HarbourCats open on the road May 31 in Kamloops, the start of back-to-back series in Kamloops and Kelowna, before returning for the June 7 home opener against Wenatchee. The HarbourCats will be on the road this summer in Kamloops, Kelowna, Edmonton, Wenatchee, Ridgefield, Port Angeles, Bellingham, and six games in Nanaimo against the Island-rival NightOwls at Serauxmen Stadium. Teams visiting Victoria this year are Wenatchee, Nanaimo, Bellingham, Port Angeles, Kelowna, Edmonton (two series), Kamloops and Corvallis, along with non-league games against the Redmond Dudes, Dub Sea Fishsticks, the SIBL All-Stars, and Victoria Mavericks All-Stars.

The regular season runs until August 7, with WCL playoffs running from August 10 to August 16.

Single game tickets are now available for the HarbourCats 2024 season including the home opener on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 6:35pm against the Kamloops NorthPaws. These can be purchased online through our one and only ticketing partner, Select Your Tickets, at www.harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are also now on sale via the HarbourCats office or by calling 778-265-0327.

 

 

 

 

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