Summer Collegiate
NorthPaws take on the HarborCats in 2024 WCL Opening Series
Photo Credit: Allen Douglas
KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops NorthPaws battled the elements and the Victoria HarbourCats, dropping the opening series of the West Coast League season 2 games to 1.
GAME 1 –
The season began with a low-scoring affair at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium, with the ‘Paws claiming a 2-1 opening night victory.
TRU WolfPack pitcher Kolby Luckinchuk would be credited with the win after pitching four innings of one-run ball, striking out six HarbourCats batters along the way.
The big swing of the game came from Kamloops’ own Manny Recchi who battled back from a 0-2 count to work it full 3-2 before hammering a pitch over the right field wall for a two-run homer. The big fly brought home fellow local product Nolan Austin for the only two NorthPaw runs of the ballgame.
“Down 0-2, I worked it back up to walk, took some good pitches and then got the same fastball I saw first pitch and just happened to get it that time,” said Recchi. “During the TRU season I hit a couple like that and some of them died at the wall so you never know and that’s why I was hustling out of the box. But, I’m glad it went out.”
Michael Weber earned the save, pitching a scoreless 9th.
GAME 2 –
The HarbourCats came to play in the middle game of the three game set, thumping the Paws in a 11-2 final.
Victoria would explode for six runs in the second and never look back, with NyZaiah Thompson keeping a two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole to put an exclamation mark on the big inning.
Victoria would add three more in the sixth inning before Kamloops finally responded courtesy of RBI’s from Chris Catalano, and Jacob Schlesselman.
Along with Thompson, Tyrus Hall and Jake Haggard also had two RBI for Victoria in the big win.
Josh Berenbaum took the loss, giving up 9-run, 3 earned, over 5.1 innings.
GAME 3 –
The rubber match of the three game set was all up for the taking entering the 9th inning on Sunday 5-5.
In the final inning the HarbourCats offense would find their swing, stringing together a number of key hits to push across five runs and take a 10-5 victory.
Kyle Magdic was the man of the game for Victoria with 3 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Camden Sos added 2 RBI and 1 stolen base as well.
Dominic Giustino got the start for Kamloops and pitched well, going 4 innings, with 2 hits, 2 ER.
All five runs for the ‘Paws came in the fifth inning, when Kamloops sent nine men to the plate. Anthony Manuel, Matthew Olivares and Jerry Nix drove in the runs.
Cade Webber was credited with the loss after giving up four of the five runs in the ninth to Victoria.
Reinforcements on their way
Speaking after the series Head Coach Jose Bautista noted that several players are expected to arrive in Kamloops ahead of, and during the next series versus Bellingham.
“What we got right now is not all our regular players. We are still waiting for more to come,” said Bautista. “We only got 10 pitchers, who can pitch one inning here, one inning there. As soon as we get everybody coming in we are going to be fine. Coming on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth, a couple guys are going to be here. There are going to be a couple changes.”
Included in the new players on their way are a couple extra outfielders.
Looking ahead to the Bellingham series, Bautista feels length out of his starters will be key as he continues to learn his roster and put his players in the best position to succeed.
“Get the starters going deep and have the reliever coming up and doing their job,” said Bautista. “Picking up the right guys at the right time to put them up there and right now we don’t have that much roster to put up.”
Upcoming Schedule –
Monday, June 3 – Off-day
Tuesday, June 4 vs Bellingham – 6:35 (Country Night)
Wednesday, June 5 vs Bellingham – 6:35
Thursday, June 6 vs Bellingham – 11:30 (School Spirit Day)
Friday, June 7 – Off-day
Saturday, June 8 vs Coquitlam (Non-League) – 6:35
Sunday, June 9 vs Coquitlam (Non-League) – 2:35
2024 Ticketing Information –
Adult – $22.00
Senior (55+) – $20.00
Youth (6-16) – $14.00
New Ticket Packages:
TGI Friday Pack – reserved seat to all Friday regular season home games and a NorthPaws branded New Era 940SS Hat – $149.99
Weekday Warrior Pack – reserved seat to all Wednesday and Thursday home games – $139.99
Family Pack – $99 – four tickets, four non-alcoholic drinks, four hot dogs
Birthday Bundle- $299
x10 Tickets!
x10 Hotdogs OR Burgers!
x10 Pops!
Also Includes:
– Visit and photo with Homer!
– Signed picture!
– PA announcement during the game!
For media request:
Jenna Forter
General Manager
Kamloops NorthPaws
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Alan Choo has seen a lot of home runs in his life — hundreds from his father, and now a healthy number off his own bat in college.
The son of former MLB all-star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, a Korean product who hit 218 long balls in his 16-season career, Alan himself has now established himself as a power hitter in the college ranks.
Choo, currently at Orange Coast College, is tied for third in home runs in the CCCAA with nine, including two in a game on Tuesday. He is a legitimate draft prospect for this coming July!!
“I’m so pumped to play for the NightOwls,” said Alan Choo, who turns 21 at the end of this week. “I’ve only heard great things about the organization and coaching staff and the players’ futures that go through the NightOwls. I’m super excited for the summer!”
Choo, a lefty hitter who plays first base and DH, is close friends with returning catcher Clark Springs, who is in D1 baseball at UT-Arlington. Choo, who was born in Phoenix Arizona, is a sophomore and checks in at 6’1” and 225 lbs.
“This is a big signing for us, adding a feared lefty power bat to hit in the middle of the order with returning all-stars Jacob Hayes and Talan Zenk,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk. “We will have big bats and depth on our roster, and we think Alan will be a leader for us so we can bring a championship to Nanaimo.”
Choo the senior was an outstanding Major League hitter, starting his big league time as a Seattle Mariner in 2005, then moving on to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Texas, where he played his final season in 2020. He received MVP votes in 2010 and 2013 and went to the all-star game in 2018, representing the Rangers. In seven of his seasons, he hit 20 or more home runs. He also stole 157 bases in his career, with three 20-20 seasons.
Shin-Soo Choo is still involved in the game after retirement, now as a scout.
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