Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws take two of three in Edmonton

Published

3 years ago

June 16, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

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

Victoria HarbourCats – Faith guides pitcher Hudson Lance as he returns for 2026

Published

5 days ago

March 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Pitcher Hudson Lance is a strong believer in faith, and it is that faith that will guide him in his return to the HarbourCats in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

By Norm LeBus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2026

Victoria, BC – As a devout Christian and a business student, athlete and leadership intern at Coastal Carolina University, Hudson Lance already walks the road less travelled.

And now his path is even more remote.

A middle-inning reliever last summer with the ‘Cats, Lance has walked away from Division One baseball this season to follow the Lord.

Returning to Coastal Carolina in fall of ’25, Lance was informed he was surplus as the Chanticleers’ roster swelled with talent after last season’s appearance in the College Baseball World Series.

Lance hit the transfer portal and relocated to D1 mid-major Winthrop, also in South Carolina. But two weeks before his arrival, Lance changed his mind. It was August 1.

“I shocked my entire world,” Lance says. “Everyone who knew me thought I was crazy. But I have not regretted it for a second.”

Photo: Christian J. Stewart

Lance went from D1 scholarship student athlete to Christian, club baseball player, business student and leadership intern at…Coastal Carolina. He never left the school that rejected him after initially recruiting Lance to play baseball.

“I just never had peace with the decision to go to Winthrop,” he says. “My faith is really a giant part of my life, and I really felt like the Lord was calling me to step away from baseball. I absolutely love Coastal Carolina – the friends I’ve made there, the community I have.”

At Carolina this year, Lance is running long distance to build stamina, bullpen training and pitching live at-bats with the schools’ club baseball team. But he’s just as excited about his internship with FCA, Fellowship for Christian Athletes – a major time commitment for the business major.

“It’s really just something the Lord has put on my heart and I’m really passionate about,” Lance says. “It is time consuming, but to me it doesn’t feel like work, or something that’s this great burden because it’s something that I love.”

But Lance is returning to the WCL without a season of Division One baseball – an anomaly in the Pacific Northwest circuit.

“When I get to Victoria, it won’t be like I haven’t faced a batter in several months,” he says of the pitching he will be doing at Coastal Carolina with its club team. “I will just have faced hundreds of batters training throughout the entire spring.”

Last season in Victoria, Lance was a middle reliever who had a solid rookie season – one bad outing ballooned his ERA, but the ‘Cats won five of the seven games he appeared in.

Photo: Christian J. Stewart

“He was a good, reliable middle inning guy for us, came in in situations and got batters out when we needed it, a reasonable number of strikeouts, ‘Cats GM Christian Stewart recalls. “More importantly, he only walked three guys – that’s a big plus in this league.”

In bullpen work with the club team this spring, Lance says he’s working on direction, speed and location in bullpen training. Then there’s the live at bats.

“My plan is to hit the ground running and be ready to roll when I hit Victoria,” he explains.

It’s far from the first time a player has arrived in Victoria in May without recent D1 experience.

“The fact that he’s a player without a home right now is kind of interesting – there’s no stats to look at and see how he’s doing, so whether that’s a plus or a minus, hard to say,” Stewart says. “Hopefully we can he’s working hard and ready to show somebody what he can do.”

That seems a safe bet.

—

Hudson Lance and the HarbourCats begin the 2026 West Coast League season on the road in Portland on Friday, May 29th and then return to Wilson’s Group Stadium for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 pm.

Tickets for that game and all 2026 HarbourCats games, as well as the 2026 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby July 14-15, Season Tickets and Flex-Packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street just around the corner from the stadium.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – School Spirit Games partners pleased with near-sellout status

Published

6 days ago

March 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

March 5, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — The kids always bring the energy — and the noise, in sections teeming with students.

The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to recognize the valuable partners who have helped the team close in (already, in March!) on sellouts for the two SCHOOL SPIRIT GAMES planned for the 2026 West Coast League baseball season — just a part of the big summer plans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

On Thursday, June 4 (11:05am), the MAYFAIR OPTOMETRIC CLINIC SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME has limited seating still available for the meeting with the visiting Edmonton Riverhawks.

Then, the KIDSPORT GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME on Thursday, June 18 (also 11:05am) vs. the Redmond Dudes, is essentially at capacity already as schools/teachers have already snapped up seats and sections. A wait list is being taken, but schools still wanting to attend a game are urged to book into the June 4th game instead.

“The popularity of these games is undeniable, and they are a perfect match for Mayfair Optometric Clinic and KidSport Greater Victoria to reach an excited audience,” said Christian Stewart, General Manager of the HarbourCats.

The games are such a hot commodity for school field trips that Stewart had teachers getting on the list right after last year’s games, and then inquiries as early as the opening of schools in September.

For any teachers or schools wanting to secure remaining seats for the June 4th game, contact Christian at chris@harbourcats.com or call 778-265-0327. Tickets are just A$9.00 each.

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 our Showpass site at harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought on-line or by stopping in to the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

SEE SCHEDULE HERE

Need to gear up with HarbourCats merchandise? Then be sure to stop into the office, or else visit The Cat Shop online at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/

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Summer Collegiate

Kentucky Influence Will Be Strong For NightOwls, Nine Players Signed

Published

1 week ago

March 4, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

March 4, 2026

Nanaimo NightOwls head coach Cody Andreychuk is from the Harbour City — but spends most of his time now as dugout boss at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

So, it’s no surprise the next nine players signed are playing college baseball in the Bluegrass State — talent from UPike, and Western Kentucky.

And two of them? From Nanaimo, of course, continuing the tradition of local flavour with the NightOwls.

Announced today by “Coach Chuk”:

LHP Bryson Vawter, Western Kentucky, L/L, 6-1/210, Topeka, Kansas

LHP Rodney Whaley, Western Kentucky, L/L, 6-2/195, Ashland, Nebraska

RHP Jacob O’Day, Western Kentucky, R/R, 6-3/185, Bloomington, Illinois

RHP Jack Schroeder, UPikeville, R/R, 6-1/205, Cody, Wyoming

RHP/IF Reed Sutton UPikeville, L/R, 6-2/215, Nanaimo

LHP Caleb Morrison, UPikeville, L/L, 5-10/170, Georgetown, KY

IF Easton Mould, UPikeville, R/R, 5-10/165, Nanaimo

SS Francis Subero, UPikeville, S/R, 5-11/185 San Jose De Ocoa, Dominican Republic

OF Ethan Reynolds, Western Kentucky, R/R, 5-11/210, Bowling Green, KY

“There is a hard-nosed way of playing the game in Kentucky that our fans at Serauxmen Stadium will like — these guys all work hard and grind,” said Andreychuk. “The pitching depth from this group will important, and I really like having Nanaimo guys in Mould and Sutton. I know these players very well, what they can do.”

This is an intriguing group of additions —- it includes returning local second baseman Mould, and fellow Pirates product Sutton, who got a short stint as a NightOwl in 2025. Mould played 37 games for the NightOwls in 2025 and is the double play partner this spring at UPike with Dominican shortstop Subero, who is batting .356 with 11 runs driven in over 13 games.

O’Day fanned 63 hitters in 58 innings for Heartland CC before transferring to WKU. Vawter had a 3.84 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 72 innings at Kansas City CC, while Whaley is another lefty and a product of power junior college program Iowa Western.

Schroeder and Morrison will be counted on for quality bullpen innings, and Reynolds is a versatile fielder with a bat that finds gaps.

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