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Pandemic Forces Cancellation of NightOwls, HarbourCats 2021 Schedules

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The virus continues to win — in life, and in sports.

 

With great sadness, following extensive evaluations and consultations with Canadian West Coast League (WCL) teams in Kamloops and Edmonton, the ownership group that leads both the Nanaimo NightOwls and the Victoria HarbourCats is announcing the cancellation of their 2021 seasons due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

For the HarbourCats, this will be the second, devastating season in a row with no baseball at Wilson’s Group Stadium, while the NightOwls were gearing up and looking forward to their inaugural season in the league under the brand-new lights at historic Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo.

 

The Edmonton Riverhawks and Kamloops NorthPaws were also looking forward to their first year in the league. The Kelowna Falcons previously announced their withdrawal from the 2021 WCL season in March. The 10 U.S.-based WCL teams, thanks to more effective vaccine roll-outs and COVID-19 mitigation efforts in Washington and Oregon, will be playing a modified, U.S.-only schedule, with teams being allowed to have fans in some capacity.

 

Unfortunately for the Canadian teams, given the ongoing nature of the pandemic — the recent rise in case numbers and variants,  the Provincial Health Officer’s guidelines and current and possible future restrictions in both British Columbia and Alberta, along with the ongoing Canadian-US Border closure — ownership felt they had no other choice but to cancel the 2021 season.

 

“There are simply too many things working against us,” said Jim Swanson, currently the GM of both the HarbourCats and the NightOwls. “We certainly appreciate the efforts of the NorthPaws and Riverhawks in truly exploring all options for a 2021 season, they will be great additions to the WCL and the Canadian side of the league, now starting in 2022.”

 

“We are also very appreciative of both our fan base and our sponsorship base, who have continued to support both teams and remain patient,” added Swanson.  “The groundswell of support in Nanaimo has been nothing short of tremendous, with major partners such as Island Savings, Save On Foods, Panago on Fourth, and Mid Island Co-op to name a few, coming on board as inaugural partners. And in Victoria, we appreciate that the long-time partners we have cultivated over the last few years, are sticking by our side and will be ready to roll again in 2022.

 

“This is hard on our staff and coaches, and we now give players time to find places to develop further this summer, likely somewhere in the U.S. Make no mistake — the HarbourCats will be back at Wilson’s Group Stadium, and the NightOwls are going to get off the ground in 2022.”

 

Fans who have purchased tickets, or ticket vouchers for both HarbourCats and NightOwls 2021 games, will receive full value for their purchases. Season Ticket holders who have paid in full, will automatically have their tickets rolled over into the 2022 season.  Fans with 2020 or 2021 specific game tickets (HarbourCats) or 2020 or 2021 flex pack vouchers (both teams), will be able to redeem those for tickets into the 2022 season once that schedule is announced.  

 

With regard to the 2022 schedule, there is hope that the league makes developing that a priority over the next few weeks, despite the fact that the 10 U.S. teams will be playing in 2021.  “One of the best things that the league can do for the Canadian teams right now, in fact for all the teams, ” said Christian J. Stewart, the HarbourCats Assistant GM, Ticketing and Media, “is to develop and release a 2022 schedule as early as possible.  In that way, our teams can immediately start marketing and planning for that schedule, rather than having to wait until the late fall, when the WCL schedule is traditionally released.”

 

Both the HarbourCats and the NightOwls will continue to build to what will certainly be a celebratory return to baseball in 2022 and will find ways to add special events when allowed to do so.  Season tickets, 10-game flex packs, gift cards and merchandise will continue to be available for both teams, and new sponsors are of course welcome to join both teams and be part of that celebration.  Substantial stadium improvements will continue in Nanaimo and both teams will continue to be involved as key members of their communities.

 

“While it will be another tough summer missing our fans, the excitement of the game and the fun things we do at the park,” noted Stewart, “we know that our fans and those in Nanaimo will be back in force in 2022 and that is the motivation that we will all use to get us through this.  Opening day in 2022 is going to be one heck of a party and we can’t wait to see everyone there!”

 

Further details and updates on ticket exchanges and timing, as well as other teams updates can be found on the team’s respective websites at www.harbourcats.com and www.nanaimonightowls.com. Fans are also urged to sign-up for the e-mail lists of both teams and follow both teams on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for all the latest news.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cats comeback late to beat Hawks

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August 4, 2025

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VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats scored four runs in the sixth inning to comeback and beat the Edmonton Riverhawks 7-5 in game two of the doubleheader.

Shiryu Sato took the first pitch of the ball game yard to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. A Tanner Beltowski (Westmont College) error later in the inning allowed another run to score and it was 2-0 Edmonton early.

The Cats cut their lead in half immediately in the bottom half when Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii) drove in a run with a double to the wall.

BOX SCORE

Tristen Buehring (Whitman College) made his HarbourCats debut tonight and made his presence known, tying the game at 2-2 in the third inning with a two-out RBI single.

Beltowski gave Victoria their first lead of the ballgame in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly, making it 3-2.

Ryne Palmer (Cal Baptist) started for the Cats and lasted four innings giving up two runs on two hits, while walking four and striking out four.

Dustin Davidson (Freed Hardeman) replaced Palmer to start the fifth inning and gave up back-to-back doubles to Sato and Kyle Yip which tied the game up at 3-3. Later in the inning Connor Ross (Cal Baptist) made a diving grab at third to save a run and keep the game tied.

WCL STANDINGS

Edmonton took the lead in the top of the sixth and it was Sato and Yip again driving in the runs to give the visitors a 5-3 lead.

Time was running out for the Cats with this being a seven-inning game, but they started to rally in the bottom of the sixth. The bases were loaded for Jack Johnson (Tulane) who was hit by a pitch to bring home a run making it 5-4. Nahaku then hit a sacrifice fly to level things up at 5-5. That brought up Garrett Brooks (St. Mary’s) with two outs and he fouled off four pitches before hitting a bloop single that plated two runs and gave the Cats a 7-5 lead.

More than 3000 fans were on their feet in to watch Austin Lindsey (Hill College) get the final three outs as he induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the ball game.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Each team winning one game of the doubleheader keeps them tied for first place in the North Division second half standings. With Edmonton holding the tiebreaker the math is simple, one more win for Edmonton and they will clinch the second half title, while the Cats need to win the remaining two games to finish above the Hawks and earn home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Tomorrow is Jersey off our Backs night, sponsored by Odlum Brown, where lucky fans will receive the popular baby blues. Wednesday is the final regular-season game of the campaign and is Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Passion Sports. Get tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

BUY TICKETS HERE

VOUCHER REMINDER: If you have any remaining vouchers, don’t forget to redeem them as they are only eligible for the remaining regular-season games. 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.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cats claw past Lefties to take series

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August 3, 2025

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PORT ANGELES, WA – The Victoria HarbourCats ended their final road trip of the regular season with a hard-fought 8-6 win over the Port Angeles Lefties to win the series.

It was a back-and-forth encounter early with multiple lead changes in the first few innings. The Lefties scored two in the bottom of the first, but the Cats answered back with three runs in the top of the second to take the lead. Dillon Lopez (St. Mary’s) drove home his college teammate Garrett Brooks (St. Mary’s) with an RBI double before scoring on a Jake Butler (George Mason) single to make it 2-2. Dominic Biello (Golden Tide) continued his strong weekend with an RBI double of his own to make it 3-2.

BOX SCORE

The lead didn’t last long as Tommy Markey tied things up in the bottom half with an RBI single before Taylor Kirk’s sacrifice fly restored the Lefties’ lead, making it 4-3.

An error by Lefties’ third baseman Jett Nelson on a Lopez groundball allowed two runs to score, which gifted the visitors a 5-4 lead.

Marcus Janovsky (UBC) started for Victoria but only lasted two innings, giving up four runs on five hits while striking out a pair. He was replaced by Jack Finn (Illinois State), who was impressive through three shutout innings, striking out three.

WCL STANDINGS

While Finn shut things down on the mound, the offence went to work adding three insurance runs in the top of the sixth to extend the lead. First, Tanner Beltowski (Westmont) drove in his 25th run of the campaign with a sacrifice fly. Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii) then came up with the bases loaded and smacked a single up the middle to score a pair, extending the lead to 8-4. The Auburn, WA native has a hit in all 12 games he has suited up in this season.

Tristin Thomas (West Texas A&M) was next out of the bullpen for Todd Haney’s team and pitched the rest of the way. He surrendered a pair of runs, including one in the ninth when the Lefties were pushing for a late comeback, but was overall effective over four innings of work, striking out three and recording his second save of the season.

Victoria and the Edmonton Riverhawks continue to be tied at the top of the second-half North Division standings, as the Hawks won their sixth straight game Sunday afternoon.

Tomorrow is the start of the final series of the regular season as the Riverhawks come to town. Monday is a BC Day doubleheader starting at 4:05 PM, followed by FIREWORKS presented by Joan Wallace Driving School. Tuesday is Jersey off our Backs night, where the baby blues will be given away thanks to Odlum Brown. The regular season wraps up on Wednesday on Fan Appreciation Night, sponsored by Passion Sports.

BUY TICKETS HERE

VOUCHER REMINDER: If you have any remaining vouchers, don’t forget to redeem them as they are only eligible for the remaining regular-season games. 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.

The HarbourCats are heading back to the playoffs! Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park will host at least one playoff game during the August 8-10 weekend. Seeding is still to be determined, with the second-half North Division title up for grabs and five games to go! For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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Victoria HarbourCats – Huge seventh inning powers Cats to win

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August 2, 2025

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PORT ANGELES, WA – The Victoria HarbourCats bounced back in a huge way Saturday night after a disappointing series opener, beating the Port Angeles Lefties 15-7.

The game was scoreless through the opening three innings as both starters were impressive early, with Lefties’ starter Kole Acker striking out six batters. Victoria got to the right-hander in the fourth inning when Isaiah Afework (TAMU-CC) grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 1-0.

BOX SCORE

The visitors increased their lead in the fifth when Garrett Brooks (St. Mary’s) drove home Kamana Nahaku (Hawaii) with an RBI double. His college teammate Dillon Lopez (St. Mary’s) followed that up with an RBI single to push the score to 3-0.

Carson Burks (Hill College) has been a go-to pitcher for Todd Haney out of the bullpen, but tonight started just his second game of the campaign. The lefty produced a dominant performance, throwing a season-high five innings, giving up no runs on six hits, while striking out a pair.

He was replaced by Garrett Villa (Angelo State), who surrendered a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth to Jack Edmunds to give Port Angeles their first run of the game, making it 3-1.

WCL STANDINGS

The HarbourCats blew the game wide open in the seventh scoring 11 runs in the frame, all with two outs. Jake Butler (George Mason) got things going with a two-run single that was followed up with back-to-back RBI singles from Afework and Dominic Biello (Golden Tide). The huge inning was highlighted by a Jack Johnson (Tulane U) three-run blast, his fifth home run of the season.

The Lefties scored three runs in the bottom half which made it a 14-4 lead for the Cats. Villa allowed four runs over two innings of work.

Victoria added a 15th run in the ninth inning through Biello’s second RBI single of the night.

Jalen Sami pitched the eighth and ninth innings and gave up three runs in the final frame but was able to close out the 15-7 victory for the HarbourCats.

Brooks reached base five times tonight to increase his team-leading on-base percentage to .543.

The series finale is tomorrow at 1:35 PM as your projected starter Marcus Janovsky (UBC) and the Cats look to win their final road game of the regular season.

There are only three home dates left this season for the HarbourCats. Monday is a BC Day doubleheader starting at 4:05 PM, followed by FIREWORKS presented by Joan Wallace Driving School. Tuesday is Jersey off our Backs night, where the baby blues will be given away thanks to Odlum Brown. The regular season wraps up Wednesday on Fan Appreciation Night, sponsored by Passion Sports.

BUY TICKETS HERE

VOUCHER REMINDER: If you have any remaining vouchers, don’t forget to redeem them as they are only eligible for the remaining regular-season games. 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.

The HarbourCats are heading back to the playoffs! Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park will host at least one playoff game during the August 8-10 weekend. Seeding is still to be determined, with the second-half North Division title up for grabs and five games to go! For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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