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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws take two of three in Edmonton

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3 years ago

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Author: Larry Read

EDMONTON, AB—Saying his team matured a lot over three games, Kamloops NorthPaws manager Keith Francis saw his squad take two of three West Coast League contests against the host Edmonton RiverHawks.

Kamloops won the third game of midweek series with a 10-5 shellacking of the RiverHawks on Thursday (June 15th) at ReMAX Field.  

This followed a 8-4 victory on Wednesday (June 14) and a 4-1 loss to the RiverHawks on Tuesday (June 13).    

Kamloops improved it’s record to 4-8 while Edmonton drops to 3-9.

Kamloops had to take the long way to the Alberta capital for this series going through Calgary due to forest fires in Northwestern Alberta.  The Paws had 23 players on the trip but had the number of available players dwindle to 21 due to illness.

Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ)  has moved atop of the batting average leaders for Kamloops.  He is slugging .326 with six runs batted in and 14 hits. Hayden Walker (Albuquerque, NM) is tied for second in the West Coast league in Earned Run Average. He is at 0.75 with a record of 1-0 and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.

The NorthPaws finished Thursday’s encounter and immediately got on the bus and headed back to the Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium to kick off a six game homestand.  It begins tomorrow (Friday June 16th) as the Port Angeles Lefties pay a visit to Kamloops.  The Lefties and the NorthPaws will play three in a row before a day off.

The RiverHawks stay at home to play three in a row against the Nanaimo Night Owls.

All West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Tuesday, June 13, 2023-Edmonton RiverHawks 4 Kamloops NorthPaws 1

In a battle of two teams with identical records (2-7), the RiverHawks downed the NorthPaws. The attendance was tabbed as 3550.  Kamloops led 1-0 after a half inning as Shortstop Cooper Neville  singled and scored on an RBI double off the bat of Jude Hall (Chilliwack, BC).  Neville was two for four on the night. Centerfielder Hall wound up one for four with an RBI.

The RiverHawks evened things up in the third and added single runs in the fifth, seventh and ninth innings. Halen Knoll (Edmonton, AB) was the winning pitcher as he went eight innings giving up five hits, striking out eight and walking two.  He is now 1-1 on the year.  Shaun Atamanchuk (Beaumont, AB) pitched the last inning earning the save. He had one strikeout.  It was his first save of the campaign.

New Zealander Maclain Roberts took the loss.  He pitched seven innings giving up three runs, five hits, walking three and striking out two.  He is 0-2 on the year.  Manny Recchi (Kamloops, BC) pitched the last inning, giving up two hits and an earned run.

Designated hitter Tommy Takayoshi (Spanaway, WA) was three for four with a run batted in.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598579

Wednesday, June 14, 2023-Kamloops NorthPaws 8 Edmonton NightHawks 4

Rebounding a few hours from the game one defeat, the two teams played a day game at Re-Max field. Kamloops chalked up their first road victory of the 2023 season. It was “School Day” in Edmonton and over 76 hundred people were on hand at Re-Max field.

It was the NightHawks who led 2-0 after the first inning and were up 3-2 until the sixth inning when Kamloops scored four runs on three hits.

Matthew Romero (Albuquerque, NM) pitched four innings of relief to garner his first win of the season. He surrendered five hits, one run, struck out two and walked one.   He came on in relief of starter Tyrelle Chadwick (Kamloops, BC) who pitched five innings of four hit ball. He struck out three, gave up three runs and walked three.

The third of four Edmonton pitchers—Heath Hachkowski (Red Deer, AB) was tagged with the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year. Hachkowski went two thirds of an inning giving up three runs, two hits, walking one and striking out one.

Offensively, Kamloops was again led by Hall and Neville.   Hall scored four runs and was two for three.  Neville had a double in that eighth inning. He was three for four with two runs batted in and a run scored.  Left fielder Landon Clark (Fortville, IN) went two for four with two runs batted in and a run scored. He had a single in that eighth.

For Edmonton, designated hitter Takayoshi was their main offensive weapons going two for four with two RBI.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598580

Thursday, June 15, 2023-Kamloops NorthPaws 10 Edmonton RiverHawks 5

Moss Adams Pitcher of the Week Griffin Almond (Thornbury, ON) recorded his second win of the WCL season pitching three and a third innings.  He gave up three hits, two runs, walked four and struck out one before being relieved by Christian Spitz (Overland Park, KA).

Spitz tossed five and a third innings. He gave up three runs on six hits, struck out four and walked four. He was replaced by David Jeon (Coppell, TX) who went a third of an inning.

Offensively, Kamloops was led by Jared Sucro (Kamloops, BC), Neville  and Hall.   Sucro was two for five with two runs batted in and a run scored.  Neville was three for five with two runs batted in and two runs scored.  Hall was one for three with two runs batted in and a run scored.

Edmonton was led by catcher Takayoshi who was two for five.  Will Gardner (St. Albert, AB) was two for four with a run scored and a run batted in.   Daniel Calabrese (Hurst, TX) was one for three with an RBI and a run scored.

RiverHawk starter Chase Wheatley (Edmonton, AB) went three innings. He gave up four runs (three earned), walked four and struck out six.  The loss was his first of the year.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598581

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

On the series:

“We grew up a lot this weekend. There as all kinds of adversity beginning with the long trip here.  We lost players due to sickness, there were times when we were down.  But I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.   After having only five hits against Corvallis, we rectified things in a hurry-especially in the last two games “(The NorthPaws had 18 hits in both victories over Edmonton). 

Props for Sucro:

“He was definitely our unsung hero.  He caught the last part of the opening games along with the next two games after Adge got sick.  He told me he was up for the challenge and proved it with two hits today and two runs batted in.”

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

The NorthPaws get on the bus and head back to the Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium to kick off a six game homestand.  It begins tomorrow (Friday, June 16th)) as the Port Angeles Lefties pay a visit to Kamloops.  The Lefties and the NorthPaws will play three in a row before Kamloops gets a day off. .   Kamloops took four of six games against the Lefties last year including 6-5 and 7-4 at home. They were played June 24-25, 2022.

The RiverHawks stay at home to play three in a row against the Nanaimo Night Owls.

Edmonton will pay a visit to Kamloops for three games beginning July 11th.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON PORT ANGELES:

BY Choi-SS/3B (South Korea) Dallas Baptist University 

Roberto Nunez  Infield (Salinas, CA) Embry-Riddle U. leads team in hitting .390 with16 hits and 9 RBI

Kander Koester  Left Field (Chanute, KC) Neosho Country CC  is second in hitting .345 with 4 RBI and two doubles

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 operating 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.

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Summer Collegiate

John Wilson Named As New Team President

Published

5 days ago

on

January 27, 2026

By

Respected island businessman John Wilson has been named President of the company that oversees the successful collegiate baseball teams based in Victoria and Nanaimo.

Wilson, the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and whose family owns and operates the Wilson’s Group of Companies, has been part of the core ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats since 2015, and the Nanaimo NightOwls since inception in 2020 (started play in 2022). The NightOwls, a rival to the HarbourCats on the field, play at historic Serauxmen Stadium.

Wilson takes the position from Ken Swanson, who remains on the board after a solid 10-year run as team president. The group also operates the Victoria Collegiate (CCBC) baseball program and the busy indoor facility on Cook St., the Edwards Family Training Centre.

“Ken has led the corporate structure well, and he’s deserving of a break,” said Wilson. “We have a strong and committed group of owners and staff and a refresh is good for us all, keeping these teams playing great baseball and positively impacting these amazing communities in a stable, creative manner. Ken literally leaves big shoes to fill.”

The HarbourCats, which started play in 2013, will host the WCL All-Star Game in 2026 and 2027, showcasing the island’s immense love of baseball and the team that helped produce eight current MLB players including Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox). The 2026 all-star festival will take place July 14-15 using Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and sites around the South Island, with exciting details to come.

Wilson and Swanson lead a nine-member ownership group that includes Rich Harder, Helen Edwards, Mike Macdonell, Sean Finn, Vic Vendetti, John Schnaderbeck and Jim Swanson.

“No one knows the community like John, so we are all looking forward to what will be a flawless transition that will bring some new life to the organization,” said Ken Swanson.

The management structure remains the same — former GM Jim Swanson in the Managing Partner role, overseeing day-to-day operations, assisted by Adrian Somers (Business Operations and Marketing). In Victoria, Christian Stewart (General Manager) and John Pollard (Marketing Director) remain in place, while Tina Cornett continues her strong leadership in Nanaimo as General Manager, with Kent Malpass overseeing the concession.

The teams maintain wholly separate coaching staffs and recruiting processes — veteran Todd Haney, a five-year MLB player, as the sixth-year Head Coach in Victoria, and local product Cody Andreychuk, a collegiate program head coach at University of Pikeville, enters his second season in Nanaimo, assisted by pitching coach Gorman Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his 50 years in the game.

Tickets are selling fast…get yours today.  www.NanaimoNightOwls.com/ticketinfo

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – John Wilson named president of island WCL teams, HarbourCats and NightOwls

Published

5 days ago

on

January 27, 2026

By

January 27, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA and NANAIMO, BC — Respected island businessman John Wilson has been named President of the company that oversees the successful collegiate baseball teams based in Victoria and Nanaimo, effective immediately.

Wilson, the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and whose family owns and operates the Wilson’s Group of Companies, has been part of the core ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats since 2015, and the Nanaimo NightOwls since inception of the second island WCL team in 2020 (started play in 2022). The NightOwls, a rival to the HarbourCats on the field, play at historic Serauxmen Stadium.

Wilson takes the position from Ken Swanson, who remains on the board after a solid 10-year run as team president. The group also operates the Victoria Collegiate (CCBC) baseball program and the busy indoor facility on Cook St., the Edwards Family Training Centre.

“Ken has led the corporate structure well, and he’s deserving of a break,” said Wilson. “We have a strong and committed group of owners and staff and a refresh is good for us all, keeping these teams playing great baseball and positively impacting these amazing communities in a stable, creative manner. Ken literally leaves big shoes to fill.”

The HarbourCats, which started play in 2013, will host the WCL All-Star Game in 2026 and 2027, showcasing the island’s immense love of baseball and the team that helped produce eight MLB products including current MLB players Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox). The 2026 all-star festival will take place July 14-15 using Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and sites around the South Island, with exciting details to come.

Wilson and Swanson lead a nine-member ownership group that includes Rich Harder, Helen Edwards, Mike Macdonell, Sean Finn, Vic Vendetti, John Schnaderbeck and Jim Swanson.

“No one knows the community like John, so we are all looking forward to what will be a flawless transition that will bring some new life to the organization,” said Ken Swanson.

The management structure remains the same — former GM Jim Swanson in the Managing Partner role, overseeing day-to-day operations, assisted by Adrian Somers (Business Operations and Marketing). In Victoria, Christian Stewart (General Manager) and John Pollard (Marketing Director) remain in place, while Tina Cornett continues her strong leadership in Nanaimo as General Manager, with Kent Malpass overseeing the concession.

The teams maintain wholly separate coaching staffs and recruiting processes — veteran Todd Haney, a five-year MLB player, as the sixth-year Head Coach in Victoria, and local product Cody Andreychuk, a collegiate program head coach at University of Pikeville, enters his second season in Nanaimo, assisted by pitching coach Gorman Heimueller, who has three World Series rings from his 50 years in the game.

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 6:35pm.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)
  • The 2026 WCL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby (July 14-15)

Season ticket memberships, single-game tickets, 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) and 2026 WCL All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

All ticket types  and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-5pm.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Four San Jose State stars slated to land in Victoria this summer

Published

2 weeks ago

on

January 21, 2026

By

For immediate release

January 20, 2026

VICTORIA, BC — A former HarbourCats outfielder, a member of the record-breaking WCL team in 2016, knew he wanted to send players he now coaches to a great summer baseball factory.

Jarron Silva, then an outfielder from UCLA, really enjoyed his time in Victoria, on a team that won a record 40 games, including 19 in a row at one point.

Now as an assistant coach at San Jose State, he connected with veteran HarbourCats coach Todd Haney to secure development spots for two pitchers and two position players.

“Jarron was a spark plug for that 2016 team, and he remembers the fan support and atmosphere at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP — Victoria is a baseball city,” said Managing Partner Jim Swanson. “We are excited to see the pitchers signed, and to see the power in Rohne Klein and Ethan Nunez — they have the potential to represent Victoria when we host the WCL All-Star Game on July 15.”

Four Spartans and a versatile fielder from George Mason, Matthew Westley, have been signed by Coach Haney:

  • RHP Landon Marchetti, San Jose State, 5-11/190, Brentwood, CA
  • RHP Spencer Kratt, San Jose State, 6-0/210, Woodland Hills, CA
  • IF Rohne Klein, San Jose State, 6-4/230, L/R, Renton, WA
  • OF Ethan Nunez, San Jose State, 6-4/190, R/R, Chino Hills, CA
  • IF/OF Matthew Westley, George Mason, 6-1/210, R/R, Manassas, VA

Marchetti, previously at UC San Diego, has nearly 30 games of college experience, including five starts, and used a lower lefty arm slot to register high strikeout numbers in high school. Kratt is a power righty who runs it up to 92, a transfer from LA Valley College.

Landon Marchetti delivers a pitch while playing for the UC San Diego in 2025.

Klein, a transfer to SJSU from Utah, is a developing power bat who also is noted for a strong arm — can play third, outfield or first. He’s an athlete, playing both quarterback and linebacker on his high school team.

Nunez is a transfer from Colorado Mesa, where he was the RMAC freshman of the year — and he will miss the spring as a redshirt to get an injury fully rehabbed, but will be good to go for summer. At Colorado Mesa, he hit .356 with 14 bombs.

The lone non-SJSU addition announced by Coach Haney is utility guy Westley, formerly of Virginia Tech and now at George Mason. He has two summers of experience in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League.

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Season ticket memberships, single-game tickets, 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) and 2026 WCL All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

All ticket types  and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-5pm.

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