Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws take two of three in Edmonton

Published

2 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.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Road warrior NightOwls battle hard in loss in Alberta

Published

4 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

EDMONTON, Alta. — The Nanaimo NightOwls have been anything but a pushover this season, refusing to make things easy on the opposition.

Five late runs by the host Edmonton Riverhawks turned a 1-0 lead by the NightOwls, that lasted for six innings, into a 5-1 victory by the Albertans on Tuesday night at Remax Field, a game played in front of a legitimate crowd count of 7,108. Edmonton is the unquestioned attendance leader in the WCL.

Outfielder Spencer Sullivan’s sacrifice fly in the first inning, scoring Trevor Goldenetz, actually looked like it might hold up as all the scoring needed — until the bottom of the sixth inning.

Dawson Schultz was masterful in his starting pitching role for the NightOwls (20-26 overall, 8-11 in second half), throwing four innings with just one hit allowed — he walked none, and used his defence with no strikeouts recorded.

Reliever Cole Carmichael was effective in two innings, surrendering one run, but had the NightOwls in position to still find a way to win. The Riverhawks scored once each in the sixth and seventh innings, and broke open a 2-1 game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Third baseman Ryder Florence was 2-4, and Goldenetz stole his fifth base of the season for Nanaimo.

The NightOwls stay in Edmonton for two more games in the Alberta capital, evening games on Wednesday and Thursday before heading home on Friday morning.

There are just three more regular season home games for the NightOwls in 2025, a weekend series against Kamloops that starts Friday (August 1-2-3), with the Friday and Saturday games at 6:35pm and the Sunday capper at 1pm. The NightOwls complete their fourth WCL regular season with a road series in Bellingham, August 4-5-6.

Those home games are the only chance to use remaining vouchers purchased at Save On Foods, or as part of 10packs.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Long ball leads the way in Cats win

Published

4 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Kamana Nahaku finished a double shy of the cycle (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

July 30, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats players gave their head coach the best birthday present he could ask for, beating the Kamloops NorthPaws in resounding fashion 10-3.

For the second game in a row the Cats scored three runs in the opening frame. After a pair of singles to lead off the game from Tanner Beltowski (Westmont College) and Jack Johnson (Tulane U), Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii) crushed a triple to the gap to plate both, making it 2-0. He then scored on a Connor Ross groundout to give the hosts an early 3-0 advantage.

BOX SCORE

Beltowski continued his hot series with a two-out RBI single in the second inning to push the lead to 4-0. The shortstop recorded three hits for the second straight game.

Solo home runs from Jake Butler (George Mason) and Nahaku in the middle innings extended the lead to 6-0. Nahaku has hits in every game he’s played in this season which is good for a .387 batting average.

Head Coach Todd Haney celebrated his 60th birthday today (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Dominic Archila (Texas Tech) drove in his first run as a HarbourCat with an RBI single in the fifth to make it 7-0.

WCL STANDINGS

Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) started his fifth game of the season for Victoria and picked a good time to produce his most impressive outing yet. The freshman threw a season high six innings giving up no runs on just three while striking out a pair.

Butler went yard again in the seventh inning for his second home run of the game and season. The second baseman recorded a season high three hits tonight.

Connor Ross (Cal Baptist) was the fourth HarbourCat to hit a homer tonight when he crushed a two-run shot over the left field fence to make it 10-0. Four home runs as a team is a season high for Victoria.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Jake Finkelstein (Georgia Gwinnett) replaced Patrick and was solid through the seventh and eighth innings, but the NorthPaws batters got to him in the ninth, scoring three runs against the lefty. Marcus Janovsky (UBC) came in to replace him and recorded the final two outs on four pitches.

Del Manak threw out the first pitch on his celebration night (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Elsewhere in the WCL, the Edmonton Riverhawks beat the Nanaimo NightOwls 7-0 which keeps them a game behind the HarbourCats for first in the North Division second half standings.

The Cats go for the sweep tomorrow night against the NorthPaws. Austin Lindsey (Hill College) is projected to start for Victoria.

VOUCHER REMINDER: The Victoria HarbourCats only have 5 home games remaining this season, so don’t forget to redeem your vouchers. You can do so at harbourcats.com/tickets, and if you have any questions or need help exchanging your vouchers, call the HarbourCats office at (778) 265 0327.

10 Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Shepherd steers Cats to victory

Published

1 day ago

July 29, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

With two hits tonight, Logan Shepherd increased his batting average to .356, which is third best in the WCL (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

July 29, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – With Logan Shepherd leading the charge, the Victoria HarbourCats cruised to a 9-3 win over the Kamloops NorthPaws to open the series.

For the third game in a row, the Cats gave up a run in the top of the first inning. A walk and single to start the game was followed up by a Kason Siguenza RBI single to give the NorthPaws the early lead.

The hosts wasted no time answering back in the bottom half when Shepherd (Mercer U) crushed a breaking ball off the scoreboard beyond the left field fence for a three-run home run to make it 3-1. It was his third straight game going yard and his eighth home run of the season. That ties him for the HarbourCats single-season home run record with Gabe Clark, Hunter Vansau, and Colton Moore, who all hit eight long balls in 2014, 2017, and 2022, respectively.

BOX SCORE

Tanner Beltowski had three hits and scored three runs (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Kamloops starter Mason Chien struggled facing the lineup the second time through the order in the third inning, giving up a pair of hits, walking three, and a wild pitch. Victoria took advantage of his lack of control, scoring runs on a bases-loaded walk, RBI groundout, and wild pitch to give starter Ryne Palmer (Cal Baptist) a solid cushion to work with. Another bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning, this time drawn by Garrett Brooks (St. Mary’s), gave the Cats a 7-1 lead.

Palmer made his fourth appearance of the campaign and first start. He pitched five innings, giving up one earned run on two hits, striking out six and walking two. In 2024, the right-hander from Peoria, Arizona, led the Cats with seven starts and 27-1/3 innings pitched.

WCL STANDINGS

The NorthPaws added a pair of runs in the middle innings, but the HarbourCats cancelled out those runs in the eighth through back-to-back RBI singles from Jack Johnson (Tulane U) and Shepherd to restore their six-run lead, making it 9-3.

Ryne Palmer has 12 strikeouts in 9-2/3 innings pitched this season (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Ben Hewitt replaced Palmer and threw a season-high four innings to close out the game for the hosts. The big right-hander struck out four while surrendering just one run on one hit.

WATCH GAMES HERE

With tonight’s win, the HarbourCats maintain their one-game lead at the top of the North Division’s second-half standings. The Edmonton Riverhawks, who sit in second, beat the Nanaimo NightOwls 5-1 Tuesday night.

The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Tyler Patrick (Fresno State) is your projected starter for Victoria.

10 Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats’ one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

Source