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)
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!
Carter Eberhard (Cal Baptist) (above) made a splash in the Alaska League last summer (photo courtesy of CBU Lancers)
VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s hard to believe, but Hayden Woodson is about to become the first USC Trojan in Victoria HarbourCats history, with the team now into its 12th season in the West Coast League.
Woodson, a shortstop by trade who is athletic enough to play all over the diamond, saw little playing time at powerhouse USC as a freshman — but will get to break out as a HarbourCat in front of Victoria fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, site of the 2026 and 2027 WCL All-Star Game festivities.
Woodson is joined on the last list of announced players for the 2026 season by Victoria-raised catcher Lukas LeGras, who got a taste of the WCL last summer.
Head coach Todd Haney has signed the following players for 2026:
C Lukas LeGras, Westmont, R/R, 6-0/205, Victoria IF/OF Hayden Woodson, USC, R/R, 5-11/182, Whittier, CA SS Frankie Rutigliano, Portland, R/R, 6-0/160, Medford, OR 1B/3B Carter Eberhard, Cal Baptist, L/R, 6-2/180, Castro Valley, CA OF Bryan Bradshaw, UC San Diego, L/L, 6-0/210, Pomona, CA SS Jax Heid, Southeastern Oklahoma State, R/R, 6-0/185, Boyd, TX
LeGras graduated from the Victoria Eagles PBL program and moved to Westmont University in California this past season, playing in ten games as freshman in an NCAA Div II conference. The Lambrick grad saw action in two WCL games for the HarbourCats last summer.
Rutigliano is a sophomore who does strong infield work with his glove and arm, and used his speed to swipe 19 bags for the Medford Rogues in the summer of 2025.
Eberhard, a lefty hitter finishing his sophomore year, hit .345 in the famed Alaska League in the summer of 2025, and has five home runs for CBU this spring in 37 games, including 19 starts.
Bradshaw, a lefty-hitting junior, broke out as a college hitter batting .404 with seven home runs and 13 stolen bases while at Mt. Sac in junior college.
Heid saw plenty of playing time as a freshman, batting .258 with a couple of home runs, while drawing 31 walks over 49 games and striking out just 20 times.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to announce that Canadian Club has been named the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game, marking a major milestone in a new long-term partnership with Suntory Global Spirits. The All-Star Game sponsorship forms part of a long-term agreement between the HarbourCats and Suntory, bringing Canadian Club, one of the world’s most admired whisky brands to the forefront of one of summer baseball’s premier events.
As Presenting Sponsor, Canadian Club will play a central role in shaping the fan experience at the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game, set to take place at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park July 15th, 2026, preceded by the Home Run Derby July 14th, 2026.
Beyond the All-Star Game festivities, fans can expect to see Suntory Global Spirits brands integrated throughout the ballpark this season with a series of elevated and immersive activations, including:
• Top Deck Lounge by Sipsmith Gin – a refreshed, unique double-decker British bus experience offering premium views and a vibrant social atmosphere. • Canadian Club House – a newly themed hospitality space along the third base line designed for groups and premium experiences. • Additional in-game and on-site activations designed to enhance the overall fan experience throughout the 2026 season.
Fans, groups, and organizers are encouraged to visit harbourcats.com/groups to find availability and booking information for all premium spaces as the Home Opener draws closer.
“Partnering with Canadian Club as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game is a tremendous step forward for our organization,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats. “This long-term agreement with Suntory Global Spirits allows us to elevate not only the All-Star Game, but the entire fan experience at the ballpark.”
“As long-time community supporters, we’re excited to continue our work and expand our visible presence in Victoria and be part of such a marquee event,” said Karissa Dahl of Suntory Global Spirits. “Canadian Club has a long history of bringing people together, and the HarbourCats provide the perfect platform to connect with fans in a fun and meaningful way.”
The 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game will bring together the league’s top talent for a celebration of collegiate summer baseball, with Canadian Club at the centre of the festivities.
Details on All-Star Game programming, events, and ticketing will continue to be announced in the coming weeks leading up to the festival.
ABOUT THE VICTORIA HARBOURCATS The Victoria HarbourCats are a premier summer collegiate baseball organization competing in the West Coast League, delivering high-quality baseball and entertainment to fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia.
Media Contact:
Jim Swanson (778) 265-0327 jim@harbourcats.com www.harbourcats.com
ABOUT SUNTORY GLOBAL SPIRITS Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with a mission of inspiring human connections. Their includes notable brands such as -196, Canadian Club, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Sipsmith Gin, Alberta Distillers, and other globally-recognized products. With an unwavering attention to detail and enduring respect for nature, Suntory crafts spirits of the highest quality and delivers brilliant experiences to people around the world.
Jeremiah Arnett (Rice University) (above) brings a veteran presence to the HarbourCats pitching staff. (photo courtesy of Rice University Athletics)
VICTORIA, B.C. — Big name schools are all over the latest group of Victoria HarbourCats player signed by Todd Haney.
The recruiting network of the head coach has unearthed power arms from Rice, Arkansas State and UC-San Diego, along with an outfielder from Fresno State and another from Hill College,
“Todd works very hard at putting a winning product on the field for our fans,” said Christian Stewart, GM of the HarbourCats. “We know these guys will compete in our environment, and in a very good league like the West Coast League. These guys also have a shot at being added to the list of eight players to play for us and go on to the MLB level.”
Announced today:
RHP Tate Collins, Arkansas State, 6-3/215, Little Rock, AR RHP Houston Tomlinson, Arkansas State, 6-0/200, Spring, TX RHP Jeremiah Arnett, Rice, 6-4/215, Waco, TX RHP Quincey Brown, UC San Diego, 6-2/175, Seattle, WA OF/1B Dryden Fuoco, Hill College, L/L, 6-1/205, Vancouver, BC OF Marcus Nolen, Fresno State, R/R, 6-3/220, Fresno, CA
Collins is a sophomore who was previously at Central Arkansas, and teammate his Tomlinson has started one game for Arkansas State as a redshirt freshman.
Arnett is a junior who will be expected to anchor the staff as a veteran pitcher. He’s 2-2 with a save over ten appearances, including six starts at Rice.
Brown, from Seattle, has made 14 appearances as a freshman and is striking out a batter per inning. He earned his first college win on Feb. 24 in a victory over rival University of San Diego.
Fuoco is from Vancouver and is having a strong junior college season — batting .307 with six home runs, 42 RBIs and four stolen bases in 53 games.
Nolen is a physical specimen who has nine home runs and 12 doubles through 47 games as a freshman, batting .246.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
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