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!
VICTORIA, B.C. — Showpass, one of North America’s fastest-growing event technology companies has stepped up to the plate as the Title Partner of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game Festival.
In what is a perfect alignment due to the high-demand nature of event tickets, Showpass is reflecting the premier level of collaboration needed to elevate the WCL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby to an unforgettable experience for fans, players, coaches, and all others who are so deeply ingrained with the WCL. The Home Run Derby will feature recent MLB star Kevin Pillar as one of the full participants.
The Showpass logo will now be involved in all digital usage of the event logo, topping the graphic.
Showpass is the official ticketing company for three West Coast League teams, the Bend Elks, and the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls — helping those teams achieve outstanding customer outcomes that are fan-friendly with online, in-office and ticket booth interfacing options.
“The WCL is building something special around summer baseball, and the All-Star Game is a showcase of what strong organizations and great communities can create together,” said Lucas McCarthy, Founder and CEO of Showpass. “The HarbourCats have put real vision behind this event, turning it into more than just a game day experience. At Showpass, we’re proud to support organizations that are pushing their events forward, investing in their fans, and creating moments that bring communities together. We’re excited to help elevate the 2026 WCL All-Star Game Festival in Victoria.”
The Showpass logo will be prominent on the field, and the fingerprints of their ticketing and live event technology platform will be a key aspect of the outstanding experience around this two-day event in Victoria, one of the top destination cities in the world. Fan engagement activations and video content across many platforms, produced by Showpass, will be prominent in bringing this partnership to life.
“Showpass has stepped up since our very first meeting, and fully understands what our Island teams are looking to accomplish — more than that, they understand the fan ticketing experience is essential to growing strong attendance and revenue numbers, and they do it with gusto and skill,” said Adrian Somers, Vice-President of Operations and Business for the HarbourCats and NightOwls. “Showpass will be front and centre during these events, and we are proud to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them in all that we do, but especially this Showpass WCL All-Star Game.”
The 2026 Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game Festival takes place July 14-15 in Victoria, at sites across the city but primarly at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The feature events include the Home Run Derby on Tuesday, July 14 (6:35pm) and All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 15 (7pm), with activities at the stadium up to two hours prior to the start — live bands, food trucks, and special pre-game entertainment fans will not want to miss.
The best of the West Coast League will be on display. The league has produced top Major League Baseball draft picks such as No. 1 overall selections Travis Bazzana and Adley Rutschman, along with current MLB stars such as Tarik Skubal, Nathan Lukes, Nick Pivetta, Shane Bieber and Andrew Vaughn.
Showpass is the operating system for independent live events, connecting every stage of the event lifecycle into one platform. From ticketing and marketing to operations, analytics, and financing, Showpass gives organizers one system to run, grow, and own their events. More than 175 million tickets have been issued through Showpass, powering music, sports, festivals, venues, cultural events, and everyday things to do across North America. Built with a mission to reignite the joy of live experiences, Showpass equips organizers with the tools and support needed to elevate the fan experience. Independently owned, Showpass is one of North America’s fastest-growing event technology companies, recognized by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and named to The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Top Growing Companies list for three consecutive years.
For media inquiries, contact:
Adrian Somers, Victoria HarbourCats adrian@harbourcats.com
The HarbourCats fell just short to the Riverhawks at the end of the 2025 season in a tightly-contested series
VICTORIA, B.C. – They say familiarity breeds contempt. With the HarbourCats home opener looming one week from today, the old proverb certainly applies to the first homestand of the 2026 season. After seven consecutive contests between Victoria and Edmonton to end the 2025 season, the Riverhawks will perch in Victoria for a three-game series beginning June 2.
For the returning HarbourCats, last year’s playoff series against Edmonton will be fresh in their minds. Victoria forced game three after dropping the opener, but were defeated 8-7 after a valiant comeback effort. Todd Haney’s crew will be in search of sweet revenge in the opening homestand of the year.
Among the returnees is Austin Lindsey, a right-handed pitcher entering his second season as a HarbourCat. The Lufkin, Texas product went 8-3 over 13 starts for Hill College this season, striking out 48 batters and maintaining an ERA just under five. Lindsey earned a crucial save in game two of the playoffs last year, striking out two in the ninth inning to force game three. Marcus Janovsky returns for the Cats as well, who struck out five over three innings in game one of the Victoria-Edmonton series last year.
Austin Lindsey (Hill College) held on for a critical save in the playoffs last season
Tuesday, June 2 is the home opener, always one of the most exciting days of baseball season! Fresh off an away series in Portland, the Cats will return to Victoria for their first performance in front of a home crowd in the 2026 season.
Following the home opener, Wednesday, June 3’s game is Help Fill a Dream Night, in partnership with the Help Fill a Dream Foundation in support of families with children affected by serious health challenges. The series wraps up on June 4, with our first School Spirit Game, where local students can enjoy some HarbourCats baseball and bring the youthful energy to Royal Athletic Park!
The homestand continues into the weekend with a trio of skirmishes with the Kelowna Falcons, including some fun theme nights! June 5 is Forces Friday, where military members and first responders can take advantage of special ticket discounts. June 6 is the first fireworks night of the season, with gates opening at 5 pm, followed by a Sunday matinee on June 7 where kids can run the bases after the game.
Homestand Schedule:
June 2 6:35 pm – Home Opener
June 3 6:35 pm – Help Fill a Dream Night
June 4 11:05 am – School Spirit Game (sold out, select tickets may become available)
June 5 6:35 pm – Forces Friday
June 6 6:35 pm – Fireworks Night
June 7 1:05 pm – Sunday Matinee
Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby 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.
Cody Andreychuk, the Head Coach of his hometown Nanaimo NightOwls, already had tremendous experience with collegiate and summer baseball.
Going into his second season steering the NightOwls, he feels even more prepared and supported with the challenge of the West Coast League ahead.
Andreychuk will have veteran Pitching Coach Gorm Heimueller with him again.
The 70-year-old is entering his 50th year in the game dating back to his college years at Cal Poly when he was a teammate of Ozzie Smith. Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his stellar pro ball coaching career, is the only pitching coach the fifth-year organization has ever known.
Returning as the Athletic Therapist Extraordinaire is one of the best in the business, Dr. Kyle Salloum — a chiropractor and AT from Prime Performance and Therapy, which also serves as the official training centre of the NightOwls.
Added to the NightOwls staff this year is assistant coach Cam Revolt, a former college player now an assistant with Andreychuk at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky. The infielder hit nine home runs and drove in 111 while playing four seasons and batting .312 for the Bears.
The NightOwls have added Jordan McLeod as Bullpen Coach — a product of Nelson, B.C. and currently a teacher in Nanaimo and a graduate of Vancouver Island University, who is the Pitching Coach for the VIU Mariners. He is a former Douglas College and VIU pitcher.
Bench coach and mental skills coach Dr. Jordan Herbison, an instructor at VIU and a former UBC pitcher, is back to support the staff.
Andreychuk, 33, played in the West Coast League in 2013 for the Kelowna Falcons and served as an assistant coach in the famed Cape Cod League, the top summer collegiate league. In his first season leading the NightOwls, the former VIU player and Nanaimo product led the NightOwls to within a whisker of the playoffs, finishing at 23-31. Pikeville finished the spring season with a 29-19 record, reaching the playoffs, on the heels of winning 27 games in 2025 and 30 games in 2024.
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