Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws take it on the chin from AppleSox

Published

3 years ago

June 23, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—The Wenatchee AppleSox sliced through the Kamloops NorthPaws as the two teams locked horns in a WestCoast League three game series at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.

The AppleSox moved to 14-4 on the season as they swept the NorthPaws who drop to 4-14.

The series started a day late (Wednesday, June 21) after the opening game was rained out on Tuesday (June 20).

Wenatchee won the opening game 3-0 before taking both ends of a doubleheader on Thursday (June 22) . The scores were 9-6 in the first game and 9-5 in the second.

The NorthPaws will now hit the road for their longest road trip of the West Coast League season. The seven-game trip will begin in Corvallis against the Knights on June 24th and wind up at Elks Stadium in Kelowna, BC on Friday, June 30th.

The AppleSox are off until Tuesday, June 27 th when they entertain the Port Angeles Lefties.

Wenatchee and Kamloops have a rematch series set for Washington State. The games go July 7-9th.

A reminder that all West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Wednesday, June 21, 2023: AppleSox 3 NorthPaws 0

708 Fans were on hand for the first ever “Military Appreciation Night.” Wenatchee scored all their runs in the sixth inning. Two came off the bat of designated hitter Easton Amundson. The resident of Nampa, Idaho hit a two-run homer. He was 1-4 on the night with a run scored as well as the two runs batted in. Teammate Mason Strong (Santa Clara, UH) was 2-4 with a run batted in .

Kamloops was led by right fielder Tyler Glowacki (San Diego, CA). He was 2-4.

The combo of Quincy Vasser (Brewster, WA) and Cam Hoiland (Renton, WA) combined on a two hitter. Vasser evened his record at 1-1 on the year going six innings. He struck out five and walked two. Hoiland pitched the final three for his first save. He gave up a hit, walked three and struck out one. Tyrelle Chadwick (Kamloops, BC) was tagged with his second loss of the season. He was the first of three NorthPaws pitchers. Chadwick went five and a third, surrendering three runs, four hits, walking two and fanning five batters.

The game marked the season debut of Kamloops first baseman Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC). He was 0-4 with two strikeouts.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598682

Thursday, June 22, 2023-Game 1: AppleSox 9 NorthPaws 6

The AppleSox came out strong scoring four runs in the top of the first inning and added deuces in the second and third.

Kamloops cut the deficit to 4-2 after the first inning and were down 6-3 after two innings. The NorthPaws cut the deficit to fours runs with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth and added one more in the bottom of the seventh.

Third baseman Marcus Harrison (Chandler, AZ) went 3-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Catcher Josh Williams (Clovis, CA) was 2-3 with three runs scored. Amundson and designated hitter Austin Ohland (Maple Valley, WA) were both 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

For Kamloops, they were led by centerfielder Jude Hall (Chilliwack, BC) who was 2-4 with two runs scored. Drew Giannani (Tracy, CA) was 2-3 with two RBI. Glowacki scored two runs and was 1-3.

The Paws debuted Bennett Freiter behind the plate. He was 0-3 in the game offensively.

Sammamish, Washington resident Bryce Johnson was the winning pitcher for Wenatchee. He threw four innings of three hit ball, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking two for his first victory of the West Coast League campaign.

NorthPaws starter Griffin Almond (Thornbury, ON) pitched two innings. He gave up seven runs on six hits, walking three and striking out two as he took the loss to see his season record drop to 2-1.

Kamloops stranded seven runners to Wenatchee’s six.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=601742

Thursday, June 22, 2023-Game 2

The NorthPaws battled back after being down 9-3 at one point in this contest. Wenatchee drew first blood with three runs in the third. With it 4-2 AppleSox, they added two in the fifth and three more in the top of the seventh inning.

Toby Haarer (Scottsdale, AZ) started on the hill for Wenatchee and went four innings for the victory. He had a four hitter with five strikeouts and a walk as he moved to 2-1 on the year. Hayden Walker (Albuquerque, NM) was one of five NorthPaws pitchers. Walker started and went four and two thirds with four strikeouts, eight hits, gave up six runs and walked four. His record drops to 1-2.

The AppleSox were led offensively by designated hitter Franke Carney (San Diego, CA) and centerfielder Josh Williams (Clovis, CA). Both were 2-5. Carney had two runs scored while Williams had two runs batted in and a run scored. Nick Putnam (Danville, CA) was 1-2 with two runs scored. Second baseman Sebastian David (Medina, Wash) was 3-4 with a run scored.

For Kamloops, Jude Hall (Chilliwack, BC) was 2-3 with a run scored. Giannini was 2-3 while Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) was two for two with a run scored.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598683

NORTHPAWS INFIELDER COOPER NEVILLE (GLENDALE, AZ):

“The only thing missing is putting it all together. We have really good pitching one day and then really good hitting another day. Once we all start moving together, we should see better results. Obviously it is a bit disheartening losing six games in a row.”

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

After a day off, the North Paws will hit the road for series against Corvallis, Portland and one game with the Kelowna Falcons at Elks Stadium. Next home game for Coach Keith Francis’ crew will be Canada Day ( Saturday, July 1) against those same Falcons. The same two teams will do battle on Sunday, July 2nd as well. Opening pitch Canada Day is 6:35 PM. Sunday’s tilt has a 2:05 PM start time.

If you can’t make the 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 North Paws tickets: ticketing@northpawsbaseball.ca

West Coast League: westcoastleague.com.

Contact for Media for Player Interviews;

Adam Filmon

Assistant Coach afilmon@northpawsbaseball.ca cell phone (204) 955-3547

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Former HarbourCat Austin Russell, a WCL all-star, hired to coach Collegiate Cats program

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

July 5, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Former HarbourCat and WCL All-Star Austin Russell has been handed the reins of Victoria’s year-round collegiate baseball program.

The local product has been hired to lead the Victoria Collegiate Cats of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), effective August 1. The team formerly called the Golden Tide will enter its sixth season this fall, based primarily out of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to help build a Victoria Collegiate Cats program that the players, alumni and community can be proud of,” said Russell, who played with his brother Ty on the 2013 HarbourCats team. “My time playing college baseball had a tremendous impact on my growth as a person, both on and off the field, and my priority is to provide these young men with that same opportunity — an experience they can look back on with pride and one that helps prepare them for success as they move forward in life.”

Russell, 34, was a member of the inaugural HarbourCats team and the outfielder was selected to play in the WCL all-star game in 2013. He also played summer collegiate baseball in Moose Jaw, and played collegiately at Colby Community College, Southern Polytechnic State, and MacPherson College.

Russell won conference awards as a player at Colby and MacPherson, and still plays in the Mavericks League locally. He represented Victoria in the 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s Nationals on home soil, earning a silver medal.

Russell (left), along with Nick Pivetta (centre) and Connor Russell (no relation)(right) were three of the first HarbourCats players to be signed for the 2013 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

He coached for many years in the Victoria Mariners youth system, and is excited to return to the college level. Pitching Coach Darius Opdam Bak and Assistant Coach Colton O’Brien will return and round out the coaching staff.

Russell will also join Opdam Bak and other WCL HarbourCats coaches in taking an active role with community development initiatives and youth camps.

“This is an exciting announcement for us and we could not be happier to put Austin into the leadership role with the Collegiate Cats as Head Coach,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that owns the Collegiate Cats, the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls (West Coast League), and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) indoor facility.

“Austin is well-known and respected in the baseball world, especially locally, and we know he will put tremendous effort and skill into the role as we continue to grow the Collegiate Cats. He’s excited to get started.”

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Drop Third Game of Kelowna Series

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Kelowna, B.C. – The HarbourCats took on the Kelowna Falcons for the third game a row this afternoon, losing the final matchup by a score of 9-2.

The Falcons were the first side to find purchase on the offensive side in a long third inning. Cats starter Daniel Tovar (Northern Kentucky) allowed a couple of baserunners on a walk and an error, and was swapped out for right-hander Houston Tomlinson (Arkansas State). Kelowna strung together a few singles together on Tomlinson over the course of the inning, taking a 3-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

The home team followed that up with an uppercut in their next trip to the plate, smashing a three-run homer off of Tomlinson in the fourth to blow the game wide open.

Tate Collins (Arkansas State) took over for the fifth and pitched a clean inning, but was accosted for another scoring trio in the home half of the sixth. A single, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly gave the Falcons a daunting 9-0 lead.

The Cats at last found life in the seventh frame, kicked off by a solo bomb off the bat of Fresno State outfielder Marcus Nolen. Matthew Westley (George Mason) followed that homer up with a fine job of manufacturing a run. The Virginia product drew himself a walk, stole two bases, and advanced all the way home on a wild pitch to continue cutting a chunk out of that mountainous lead.

Carson Ackermann (Tacoma) took to the pitcher’s mound in the seventh and only allowed two baserunners across his two innings of work, but in the end the lead proved insurmountable and the Falcons secured a 9-2 win on home turf.

WCL STANDINGS

The HarbourCats will now travel back to Victoria and look to rebound on Tuesday night in the first matchup of a three-game mid-week series versus the Bend Elks.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games 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.

GET YOUR ALL-STAR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Tickets for the 2026 WCL All-Star Home Run Derby (featuring former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar) and the West Coast League All Star Game on July 14-15 are selling fast. Get yours today! Each event is now on sale separately, or grab the package deal for both and save a few bucks at http://harbourcats.com/tickets! Or call the office at 778-265-0327 to order by phone.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Two major events announced with Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game

Published

3 days ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Legendary scout Marti Wolever to speak at luncheon

July 4, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Having the West Coast League all-star festival in Victoria brings tremendous extra opportunities — like hearing from some of the best in the game.

The organizers of the Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game, presented by Canadian Club, are proud to announce two signature pieces of the two-day festival, and they are sponsored by valued partners of the Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club — The Wilson’s Group of Companies, and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

“Sponsors like Wilson’s and The Chamber make events like this possible — and with the big names and details, will get people fired up to attend,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats.

Both events are also held at the Studio 919 thanks to partnership with the Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas Street).

HOT STOVE PANEL, presented by The Wilson’s Group of Companies
Tuesday, July 14 — 9pm-11:30pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Admission — $10
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

A soiree on baseball following the WCL All-Star Home Run Derby, fans are urged to keep the evening going with a social, relaxed, panel-style discussion of baseball and tons of stories — headlined by Kevin Pillar and legendary baseball scout Marti Wolever, and including HarbourCats head coach Todd Haney, himself a five-year MLB player, the dean of pitching coaches, Gorm Heimueller, who is celebrating his 50th year in the game, and legendary local baseball scout Walt Burrows.

Food and refreshments will be available for attendees to purchase.

OFFICIAL ALL-STAR LUNCHEON, presented by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, July 15, 11:30am-1pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Tickets — $25 (Limited quantities available to the public).
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

All of the all-stars and coaches will be there to hear a welcome from John Wilson, a member of the HarbourCats ownership group and also the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, from WCL commissioner Rob Neyer, and then keynote speaker Marti Wolever, who has been enshrined in the MLB Scouts Hall of Fame, and now is senior amateur scouting advisor for the Miami Marlins.

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