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Summer Collegiate

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

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12 months ago

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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 – Haney Adds Big-Time Arms to 2026 Roster Alongside Two More Hitters

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2026

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Jeremiah Arnett (Rice University) (above) brings a veteran presence to the HarbourCats pitching staff. (photo courtesy of Rice University Athletics)

VICTORIA, B.C. — Big name schools are all over the latest group of Victoria HarbourCats player signed by Todd Haney.

The recruiting network of the head coach has unearthed power arms from Rice, Arkansas State and UC-San Diego, along with an outfielder from Fresno State and another from Hill College,

“Todd works very hard at putting a winning product on the field for our fans,” said Christian Stewart, GM of the HarbourCats. “We know these guys will compete in our environment, and in a very good league like the West Coast League. These guys also have a shot at being added to the list of eight players to play for us and go on to the MLB level.”

Announced today:

RHP Tate Collins, Arkansas State, 6-3/215, Little Rock, AR
RHP Houston Tomlinson, Arkansas State, 6-0/200, Spring, TX
RHP Jeremiah Arnett, Rice, 6-4/215, Waco, TX
RHP Quincey Brown, UC San Diego, 6-2/175, Seattle, WA
OF/1B Dryden Fuoco, Hill College, L/L, 6-1/205, Vancouver, BC
OF Marcus Nolen, Fresno State, R/R, 6-3/220, Fresno, CA

Collins is a sophomore who was previously at Central Arkansas, and teammate his Tomlinson has started one game for Arkansas State as a redshirt freshman.

Arnett is a junior who will be expected to anchor the staff as a veteran pitcher. He’s 2-2 with a save over ten appearances, including six starts at Rice.

Brown, from Seattle, has made 14 appearances as a freshman and is striking out a batter per inning. He earned his first college win on Feb. 24 in a victory over rival University of San Diego.

Fuoco is from Vancouver and is having a strong junior college season — batting .307 with six home runs, 42 RBIs and four stolen bases in 53 games.

Nolen is a physical specimen who has nine home runs and 12 doubles through 47 games as a freshman, batting .246.

The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.

Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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Summer Collegiate

Hager returns, exciting bats added to NightOwls roster

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4 days ago

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May 13, 2026

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May 12, 2026

 

NANAIMO, BC — Once players have landed in Nanaimo, they definitely want to come back.

 

Right-hander Blake Hager has signed to return to historic Serauxmen Stadium— celebrating its 50th year — and pitch for a coach in Gorm Heimueller who is now in his 50th year in the game.

Hager is a NCAA Division 1 starting pitcher and brings immediate experience and stability to the pitching staff.

Hager, Parker King of Campbellsville and Damian Pasillas have been signed as pitchers, along with and exciting group of position players by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk:

 

RHP Damian Pasillas, Azusa Pacific, 6-1/195, San Diego, CA

RHP Blake Hager, Morehead State, 6-3/205, Pikeville, KY

SS Beau Musser, University of Hawaii, 5-9/150, L/R, Los Gatos, CA

C Blake Helsper, Hawaii Pacific, 5-8/175, L/R, Irvine, CA

RHP Parker King, Campbellsville, 5-11/160, Anaheim, CA

OF Diego Escandon, Columbia Basin, 5-10/170, R/R, Edmonds, WA

 

Hager previously pitched for the NightOwls in the 2025 season, 2-1 with a 7.71 ERA in six appearances, one of them a start.  He’s started five games this spring for Morehead State, going 2-0 with a 6.84 ERA.

Pasillas has 45 innings this spring for Azusa Pacific, with two wins.

Musser is a highly-regarded, lefty-swinging shortstop signed to be a freshman at UH in fall. Described as a Brett Gardner type who plays a strong shortstop. Is being groomed to take the role at UH when former NightOwls star and Texas draft pick Elijah Ickes moves to the pro level.

Helsper handled the majority of the catching duties for Div2 Hawaii Pacific this season, especially down the stretch — a tough, scrappy hitter and hard worker behind the plate, he struck out just nine times and walked 12 times, hitting .328, in 112 at bats over 39 games. He started 30 games and had 38 hits, five of them doubles, and stole four of five attempted bases.

King was at Orange Coast in junior college before landing at Campbellsville, where he is 3-0 with a 4.28 ERA this season over 14 appearances. He has a save and 26 punch-out’s with just nine walks in 33.2 innings for a very good NAIA school.

Escandon has identical .291 averages the last two seasons, and has an exciting mix of power and speed — seven home runs and 51 stolen bases combined.

 

 

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing and Victoria HarbourCats unveil the Islander FanZone

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4 days ago

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May 13, 2026

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New taproom patio experience brings great local beer and a relaxed summer energy to a brand new gathering space at the ballpark.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, B.C., May 12, 2026 — Vancouver Island Brewing and the Victoria HarbourCats are excited to share new details about the Islander FanZone, a new in-park activation debuting this season at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Building on the recently announced partnership between Vancouver Island Brewing and the HarbourCats, the Islander FanZone will bring a true taproom patio experience to the ballpark; a new experience for fans of the HarbourCats to enjoy the game, and a physical footprint for fans of Vancouver Island Brewing to enjoy their products.

Designed to capture the laid-back spirit of a Vancouver Island summer, the space – located on the first base concourse behind Section 6 reserved seating – will feature high-top seating for up to 40 in different formats (a total capacity of 50), umbrellas, patio games, and artificial turf, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere for fans to gather, relax, and enjoy the game on Islander time.

The hybrid ticketed and VIP space will be ideal for a wide range of social occasions, from casual outings with friends to group gatherings and summer celebrations at the ballpark.

Fans visiting the Islander FanZone will be able to enjoy a lineup of Vancouver Island Brewing favourites, including Islander Lager, Broken Islands Hazy IPA, Breakpoint Pilsner and Seadog Amber Ale, a selection that brings some of the brewery’s most approachable and easy-drinking beers to the ballpark.

“We couldn’t be more excited to build this space and share a genuine craft beer experience at the ballpark with the Islander FanZone,” said Zach Van Der Ende, Director of Sales and Marketing, Vancouver Island Brewing. “Great beer and baseball have always been a perfect match, and we’re excited to help create a space where fans can come together, relax, and share great experiences all summer long.”

“The Islander FanZone is going to be a fantastic addition to the fan experience,” said Christian Stewart, General Manager of the Victoria HarbourCats. “It gives both loyal fans and newcomers an exciting way to take in a HarbourCats baseball game, whether they’re coming with family, meeting up with friends, or hosting a group event.”

The Islander FanZone reflects the shared vision behind the Vancouver Island Brewing and HarbourCats partnership: creating experiences that feel local, memorable, and made for summer. As the season gets underway, the new space will offer fans another reason to arrive early, stay longer, and take in everything that makes a night at the ballpark special.

Visit www.harbourcats.com/groups to find available game days for booking the Islander FanZone, or simply head to the HarbourCats.com/tickets to purchase individual tickets.

About Vancouver Island Brewing
Vancouver Island Brewing has been crafting beer on the Island since 1984, rooted in the community and landscapes that inspire every pour. Vancouver Island Brewing makes award-winning beers, from classic lagers to innovative ales, using quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods inspired by the island it calls home. Learn more at vibrewing.com.

About the Victoria HarbourCats
The Victoria HarbourCats are a member of the West Coast League, a summer collegiate baseball league featuring top NCAA talent from across North America. The HarbourCats play their home games at Wilson Group’s Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. Learn more at www.harbourcats.com.

Media Contacts:
Zach Van Der Ende, Director Sales and Marketing Vancouver Island Brewing zach@vibrewingcom | 778-938-8220
Christian Stewart, General Manager Victoria HarbourCats chris@harbourcats.com | 778-265-0327

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