Summer Collegiate

Offers they couldn’t refuse: How a pair of Scottsdale natives ended up in interior B.C.

Published

3 weeks ago

May 31, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Ahead of the 2025 season, Head Coach Reilly Jepson has brought in a set of best friends from Arizona to round out his coaching staff. Trey Newman will serve as the assistant coach, and Jack Slominski will be the team’s pitching coach.

It won’t be the first time these two friends are on the same coaching staff. Last summer, the two friends coached in the Arizona summer league, and it offered them a chance to build a special dynamic beyond playing the game they love.

Newman’s name may sound familiar to fans, and that’s because he was the first player signed in franchise history. Trey spent the 2022 season as a NorthPaw, where he hit .218 in 16 games.

“It’s cool to see how far this place has come with the money being put into the team and the players were getting as well as the support from the community,” said Newman.

Newman started his Collegiate career at Utah Valley State. After a sophomore season in which he hit .230 in 23 games, the catcher decided to return to his home state. Still, he didn’t play Division I baseball. Instead, Newman transferred to Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Arizona, to play Junior College Baseball. He would play 54 of the team’s 55 games en route to an NCJAA World Series crown.

From there, Trey would receive the call from Arizona State and head back to the valley where he was born. As a Sun Devil, he would appear in 26 games of two seasons, with 18 of those being starts. After the 2024 season, Newman decided Coaching was his calling, but based on his upbringing, many weren’t surprised.

Trey’s Grandfather, Jeff, was a nine-year MLB veteran with the Oakland A’s and Boston Red Sox. After his career ended in 1984, he quickly returned to Oakland as the bullpen coach. In 1986, when Manager Jackie Moore was fired, Jeff Newman was named interim manager, where he guided the A’s to a 2-8 record.

He remained with the organization at the minor league level until 1991. From 1992 to 1999, he was the third base coach for the Cleveland Indians and eventually landed in Seattle, where he retired from Coaching in 2005.

Trey Uncle Ryan Newman also has plenty of coaching experience, having served as a manager in various independent professional leagues. Today, he serves as the infield coordinator for the Chicago White Sox.

“Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the coach’s office, and I started to think from a young age that this is what I wanted to do,” Said Newman

Today, Newman serves as the Offensive Strategy and Analytics Director at the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up around Coaching planted the seed, but Newman says being behind the plate opened his eyes to Coaching.

“You look at the game in a different way when you are behind the plate. You start to think about the other eight guys as well as yourself and what the other team is trying to do, so it definitely got me into more of a coaching mindset as my career went on”, Said Newman.

Joining Trey this summer is long-time friend Jack Slominski. Despite going to rival high schools in Scottsdale, the two have been close friends since they were 14. Slominski is excited for the opportunity and said it was one he couldn’t pass up.

“He’s one of my best friends in the world, so to have someone like that here, it was a no-brainer to come up,” said Slominski.

Like Trey, Jack’s career took a couple of turns. After graduating from high school, he got recruited to attend Grand Canyon University, located across town in Phoenix. In two seasons there, he made only nine appearances, so he also decided to pursue the Junior College route, moving back across town to Scottsdale Community College.

Like Newman, the 2022 season was a huge bounceback for Slominski, during which he made 13 appearances, 11 of which were starts. He carried a 4-3 record with a 3.75 ERA over 57 and two-thirds innings pitched. The following season, he moved out of state to attend the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

In his final two seasons of eligibility, Slominski appeared in 30 games, making 27 starts. His record was 15-7, and he logged 149 innings, striking out 133 hitters over that time. After finishing his career, he accepted an assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Scottsdale Community College. After just one season of Coaching, Slominski has been promoted to the team’s pitching coach and is excited to build his skills.

“This will be a time where I can start brainstorming my own ideas and philosophies around pitching; I feel like having more responsibility this year will be a great opportunity for me to grow as a coach,” said Slominski.

Being a pitching coach in Summer Baseball can be difficult at times, managing players’ innings limits and the health of pitchers going back to school in the fall. This mentality can sometimes take the competitive spirit out of the game, but Slominski’s message to his staff was simple.

“We’re going to have fun and give you guys innings, but I want to win,” said Slominski.

Slominski believes that a skill that can be developed is learning how to win, something often not talked about by Summer Baseball coaches.

“Winning is fun, and knowing how to win is a great skill to take back to school with you,” said Slominski.

Away from the ballpark, the two friends have been known to take their competitive spirit to the golf course. With both being from a premier golf destination, they’re excited to spend a summer surrounded by great courses. However, Newman is also eager to learn a thing or two from his friend.

“Jack is really good, so hopefully, he gives me some swing lessons this summer,” said Newman.

When asked about this, Slominski took the humble road.

“I think my schedule allows me to play more, so maybe that’s why I’m a little better.”

With these two long-time best friends, their competitiveness has served them well in their short coaching careers and will be welcomed additions this summer as the NorthPaws embark on another season.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats drop series finale to NorthPaws

Published

14 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2025

Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops NorthPaws pushed across a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a 5-4 deficit and hand the Victoria HarbourCats a 6-5 loss Sunday afternoon at Norbrock Stadium in Kamloops.

The win gave the NorthPaws the series win after the teams split a double header on Saturday with identical 1-0 scores and overshadowed a grand slam by the HarbourCats Jai Berezowski in the second inning that gave Victoria an early 5-2 lead.

BOX SCORE

HarbourCats pitchers deserved a better fate on the day. Starter Julian Orozco gave up just one hit on the day in his almost three innings of work, but gave up four walks and a hit batter, with four of those “free passes” coming in to score, the first two on a throwing error by Berezowski in the first and the other two on that lone hit, a third inning, two-RBI triple by Jared Hall cutting the lead to 5-4.

Dustin Davidson then came in for relief and he was solid over his three and one-third innings, allowing just a hit and keeping the ‘Paws off the board. Cade Rusch would then come in and pitch himself into and then out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh, but that would catch up with him again in the eighth, when an error and a single, would lead to the tying and game-winning runs scoring on a double by Cade Palkowski.

To their credit, Kamloops bullpen did their best to hold down the HarbourCats, who could muster only one more hit, a JC Allen double, after Berezowski’s grand slam in the second.

The HarbourCats will now lick their wounds and get ready to come back home for a crucial first-half series with the Edmonton Riverhawks, beginning on Tuesday night, a $12 Tuesday at the park. The ‘Cats will have revenge on their minds as the Riverhawks swept Victoria in the first week of the season in Edmonton.

They will then head to Wenatchee next weekend for their first look this season at the AppleSox, before returning home on Monday June 30th for a game against the Redmond Dudes, and their annual Canada Day Fireworks celebration.

Tickets for the games against Edmonton, as well as the Canada Day fireworks game against Redmond, can be purchased on-line at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Tickets are also available at the Wilson’s Group Stadium box office starting one hour before game time.

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Summer Collegiate

Sunday scaries avoided as the NorthPaws earn comeback victory to win the series finalie

Published

15 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Victoria HarbourCats in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon by a score of 6-5. The HarbourCats scored five runs in the second inning, including a grand slam, but the NorthPaws bullpen shut the door, not allowing a hit through the final six innings. Clutch hits from right fielder Jared Hall and left fielder Cade Palkowski came up with timely hits, securing yet another series victory on home soil. The win also marked another game decided by one run.

“It’s always nice to win a series’ it would’ve been tough after this week to lose three games by one run. It’s good to be on the other side of it,” said Head Coach Riley Jepson.

The NorthPaws struck first as center fielder Connor Clark and third baseman Drew Schmidt each walked. Two runners on the NorthPaws got aggressive and attempted the double steal. A throwing error from HarbourCats catcher Tai Berezowski allowed both Clark and Schmidt to score.

Berezowski and the HarbourCats would answer in a big way, however. Three straight singles in the top of the second got Victoria on the board. Following a walk, Berezowski came to the plate with the bases loaded and no one out. The catcher got a first-pitch fastball and drove it over the fence in left field for a grand slam, putting Victoria up 5-2.

In the third, Kamloops responded with second baseman Tanner Harnback and Drew Schmidt on base. Jared Hall was at the plate with one out. The HarbourCats outfielders were shading the lefty to his pull side, and it proved to be costly as Hall sent a ball to the gap in left-center, scoring both runners and earning himself a triple.

The pitchers dominated the middle third of the ballgame. Neither team could get hits and struggled to obtain base runners until Victoria managed to mount a two-out rally in the sixth inning, loading the bases after righty Nolan Austin walked back to back and hit a batter. Austin would get a strikeout as Victoria left the bases loaded.

In the seventh, the NorthPaws also would find themselves in a bases-loaded one-out situation with Schmidt at the plate. The third baseman lined out, bringing up Hall, who once again could add to his two RBI afternoon. The right fielder sent a fly ball to left field that was caught as Kamloops left the bases juiced this time around.

In the eighth, the NorthPaws were trying to mound a two-out rally as shortstop Anthony Setticassi singled, putting a pair of runners off base. Lefty Cade Palkowski was up to bat, and Victoria brought in a left-handed pitcher to counter. The left fielder took the third pitch of the at-bat down the right field line for a stand-up double, scoring both Joey Rico and Setticassi, giving the NorthPaws the lead.

“Happy for him to have a big hit. He’s a guy who’s pinch hit in those situations before, and it was cool to see him come through,” said Jepson.

Righty Daxton Vanderkooi shut the door, securing the victory, moving the team to 12-9 on the season and fourth in the North Division, just two games back of the Bellingham Bells for the division lead.

After Saturday’s offensive woes for both teams, the runs were a welcomed sight, especially for the NorthPaws, who gave themselves more chances to score runs on Sunday.

“We would’ve liked to have scored runs when we had no outs or one out, but I’m glad we did it with two outs. Hopefully, it prepares us for more meaningful games down the stretch,” said Assistant Coach Trey Newman.

The NorthPaws will start the week at home for the first time this season, playing a three-game home series against the Kelowna Falcons. The series will feature games on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Norbrock Stadium. Seven of the team’s next eight games will be played in Kamloops after a gruelling road schedule.

“We’ve had a pretty tough schedule being on the road a lot, so it will be nice to let the guys relax and get into a bit more of a routine,” said Jepson.

There are lots of chances to get out to Norbrock stadium and see the NorthPaws battle the Falcons, Bells and Apple Sox to close out the first half of the season. If you can’t attend a game, all the action is available on West Coast League TV.

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Summer Collegiate

Huge Win For The Nanaimo Bars To Close Out The Series

Published

15 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

NANAIMO, B.C. — It was a huge win for the Nanaimo Bars to close out the series against the Port Angeles Lefties. Sunday afternoon saw them come away with an 11-1 victory thanks to some great pitching and a big sixth inning. Nanaimo did not disappoint in front of 1082 excited fans ready to see their team get back to winning ways.

It was an all-around effort from the Nanaimo Bars as five pitchers combined for just one run on seven hits and striking out seven. On the other side of the ball, seven Nanaimo players had hits against the Lefties. Nanaimo finished the afternoon with 11 runs on 11 hits and one error. Port Angeles had one run on seven hits and committed two errors.

Starting pitcher for the Nanaimo Bars didn’t factor into the decision but pitched a fantastic four innings of scoreless baseball. Teague Van Dyke, right handed pitcher from Flagstaff, Arizona, went four innings giving up no runs and just two hits, while also striking out two. Trey Langan came into the game in the fifth inning and picked up the win. He went two innings, also giving up no runs and two hits while striking out two.

It was a scoreless pitchers’ duel until the Nanaimo Bars broke out in the 6th inning. After both Talan Zenk and Caden Petrey were hit by pitches, Spencer Sullivan knocked in Zenk with a single to make it 1-0. After a walk to load the bases, Catcher Nathan Davis stepped and drove in another two runs with a single to make it 3-0. Things didn’t get any better for the Lefties as they had two outs but couldn’t get out of the inning.

Ryder Florence and Andre Ivy each singled in a run, and Talan Zenk walked to load the bases. Drew Giannini would step up and clear the bases with a three-RBI double to give the Nanaimo Bars an 8-0 lead. Nathan Davis would add his third RBI on the night in the seventh inning before Spencer Sullivan and Andrew Ivy brought the total up to 11-1 in the eighth inning.

It was a great night at the plate for Spencer Sullivan once again for the Nanaimo Bars. He went two for three with two singles, two RBI, and two walks. That brings his hit total up to 9 in his 5-game hit streak. Drew Giannini had a pivotal double to score three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Talan Zenk didn’t have any hits on the day but did score three runs for Nanaimo. Andrew Ivy snagged his second stolen base of the season and went two for four with a walk and a run.

I mentioned it was a team effort and the bullpen shut the door after the Nanaimo Bars got the lead. Brennan Kettle, Moosa Nonomiya and Jaeyden Edwards combined for three innings of two hits and one run over their three innings to close out the game.

The Nanaimo NightOwls continue their 10 game home stand after a day off Monday, and welcome in the Redmond Dudes on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24th and 25th. Then we take on the Edmonton Riverhawks for a weekend series that goes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday June, 27th, 28th and 29th.

We have some great promotions coming up at Serauxmen Stadium, Tuesday is MLB Jersey night at the ballpark so support your favorite team. I have a Yankees, Mariners, or Braves jersey to choose from despite being a Blue Jays Fan. Then on Wednesday we have Valentines in June, hey we don’t play during these holidays so bring your sweetheart down to the ballpark for a great time. Make sure to check out the Nanaimo Bars (NightOwls) on all social media platforms and make sure to tag us in your photos using the #IlluminateTheDark so we can feature you on gameday!

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