Summer Collegiate

RiverHawks take two of three against NorthPaws

Published

3 years ago

July 14, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—Fans saw a little bit of everything as the Edmonton RiverHawks took the host Kamloops NorthPaws 2-1 in a three-game set at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium. The two teams evened their six game West Coast League regular season series at three a piece.

This time: Edmonton won the opener 5-2 on Tuesday (July 11), The NorthPaws needed extra innings to snap their seven-game losing streak winning 5-4 in 10 innings Wednesday (July 12). Edmonton rallied from a 4-0 deficit to score twice in the fifth and seven times in the sixth inning en route to a 9-5 win on Thursday (July 13).

Edmonton moves to 3-4 in the second half and has an overall record of 10-23. Kamloops falls to 2-8 in the back half with an overall record of 8-28.

The Paws will have five days off before their next series. They don’t play again until Tuesday, July 18th when they visit the Lefties in Port Angeles.

Edmonton is moving down Highway 97 to play the Falcons in Kelowna. That three-game set at Elks Stadium will begin tomorrow (July 14).

All West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Tuesday, July 11, 2023: RiverHawks 5 NorthPaws 2

The NorthPaws saw their winless streak extend to seven as they fell to Edmonton by three. The RiverHawks scored two in the second and third innings and added one in the fourth. Kamloops scored both their runs in the seventh.

The 661 fans on hand saw Kamloops have a chance to close the gap in the bottom of the eighth when they loaded the bases but couldn’t push anything across.

Catcher Nico Libed (Chula Vista, CA) was 1-3 with two runs batted in. Will Gardner (St Albert, AB) was 1-4 with a run scored and an run batted in for the RiverHawks. Halen Knoll (Edmonton, AB) started and was the winning pitcher going seven innings surrendering three hits, two runs, striking out four and walking one. He is 4-3 on the year in his seven starts. Shaun Atamanchuk (Beaumont, AB) pitched the last inning and two thirds for his third save.

Kamloops starter Griffin Almond (Thornbury, ON) went seven and two thirds for the loss (2-3). He gave up four hits, four runs and walked three.

Offensively, Tommy Green (Courtenay, BC) and Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) were both 1-3. Green had two runs batted in. Neville scored a run.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598686

Wednesday, July 12, 2023: NorthPaws 5 RiverHawks 4 (10 innings)

The NorthPaws battled back in this one as the snapped a seven-game losing skid and their third victory in five meetings with Edmonton this year.

Kamloops scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to erase a 4-1 deficit. In the 10th, Phoenix Sommay (Temecula, CA) led off with a walk. The NorthPaws loaded the bases before Bennett Freiter (White Rock, BC) hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Sommay with the winning run.

David Jeon (Coppell, TX) pitched the last inning to get the win for Kamloops. He struck out two as he moved to 2-2 on the year. He was the third of three Paws pitchers. Noah Bourqouis (Surrey, BC), the third of three RiverHawks pitchers took the loss. He is 0-2 on the year as he went two and a third innings, giving up a hit, a run, walking four and striking out two.

Joey Baran (Austin, TX) was 2-5 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Sommay was 2-5 with a run scored and an run batted in while Neville scored a run and was 2-3.

For Edmonton, Gardner was 2-3 at the dish with two runs batted in.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598687

Thursday, July 13, 2023: RiverHawks 9 NorthPaws 5

Kamloops opened a 3-0 lead after the first inning and were up 4-0 until Edmonton scored twice in the top half of the fifth. After the NorthPaws make it 5-2, The RiverHawks sent nine men to the plate and spit out three Kamloops pitchers en route to a seven run sixth inning. That inning included two home runs—by Mark Mossanna (Chandler, AZ) and Jakob Poturnak (Vancouver, BC).

Edmonton had 11 hits in the ball game along with six errors. Kamloops had only four hits and left 14 men on base.

Brendan Lopeppky (Calgary, AB), the fourth of five RiverHawk pitchers earned the win. He pitched three innings, giving up three walks, one hit and had three strikeouts. Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA) was tagged with the loss, responsible for all nine runs through an inning of work.

Offensively: Poturnak was 3-4 with a run scored. Mossanna was 1-5 with two runs batted in and a run scored while Jonny McGill (Richmond, BC) was 1-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored as well for Edmonton.

Neville was 0-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Sommay was 0-4 with two runs batted in. Green and Tyler Glowacki (San Diego, CA) were both 1-5 with runs scored.

Green was playing his last game with Kamloops as he joins NCAA Div I Purdue this fall.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598688

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS on Thursday’s loss:

“We had the lead with one hit. They had made several errors and gave us many opportunities to put the game away and we didn’t take advantage of it. We had guys in scoring position again but couldn’t get that hit. We can’t when it counts and it comes back and bites you. Baseball Gods have a way of turning against you if you don’t score when you have to.”

On the seven-run inning: “Did he leave Manuel in too long?” “I did a horrible job. I told the team that too. I thought that was the worst job I have done all year with my pitching staff. It’s on me. I should have done better.”

SHORTSTOP TOMMY GREEN (COURTENAY, BC) on Edmonton Series: “We lost a close one on night one. Night two the walk off crew did it again. We gave it to the fans. Good crowd tonight, we were hanging in there but one tough inning did us in. It was very symbolic of how this season has gone for us. There is still time for the guys to turn it (the season) around.”

OUTFIELDER CASEY WAYNE (PHOENIX, AZ):

“I thought we played hard in this series. Our energy was there in comparison to our previous two series. Playing at home really helped. The fans were amazing. They did a great job of keeping us involved. We did a lot better on the field and in the dugout to keep the energy high. Sometimes it doesn’t roll our way.”

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

After their break and a three game set in Port Angeles, the next home game for Kamloops is Friday, July 21st against the Bellingham Bells.The teams met in Washington State July 4-6th.

Opening pitch on Friday, July 21st will be 6:35 PM at Dearborn Ford field at Norbrock Stadium.

If you can’t make the home 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).

NEW FAN PROMOTION:

The NorthPaws are looking for their newest fans. The team is running a promotion right now which sees you capture a $15 ticket for any home game for the remainder of the season. There are only 100 of these tickets avvilable. Visit tickets.northpawsbaseball.ca and click “Find tickets” on the game you would like to attend. Enter “NEWESTFAN’ into the promo code box and the tickets are unlocked!.

TAILGATE PARTY:

The Molson’s Tailgate Party is hoppin’ 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.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Former HarbourCat Austin Russell, a WCL all-star, hired to coach Collegiate Cats program

Published

3 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

July 5, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Former HarbourCat and WCL All-Star Austin Russell has been handed the reins of Victoria’s year-round collegiate baseball program.

The local product has been hired to lead the Victoria Collegiate Cats of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), effective August 1. The team formerly called the Golden Tide will enter its sixth season this fall, based primarily out of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to help build a Victoria Collegiate Cats program that the players, alumni and community can be proud of,” said Russell, who played with his brother Ty on the 2013 HarbourCats team. “My time playing college baseball had a tremendous impact on my growth as a person, both on and off the field, and my priority is to provide these young men with that same opportunity — an experience they can look back on with pride and one that helps prepare them for success as they move forward in life.”

Russell, 34, was a member of the inaugural HarbourCats team and the outfielder was selected to play in the WCL all-star game in 2013. He also played summer collegiate baseball in Moose Jaw, and played collegiately at Colby Community College, Southern Polytechnic State, and MacPherson College.

Russell won conference awards as a player at Colby and MacPherson, and still plays in the Mavericks League locally. He represented Victoria in the 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s Nationals on home soil, earning a silver medal.

Russell (left), along with Nick Pivetta (centre) and Connor Russell (no relation)(right) were three of the first HarbourCats players to be signed for the 2013 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

He coached for many years in the Victoria Mariners youth system, and is excited to return to the college level. Pitching Coach Darius Opdam Bak and Assistant Coach Colton O’Brien will return and round out the coaching staff.

Russell will also join Opdam Bak and other WCL HarbourCats coaches in taking an active role with community development initiatives and youth camps.

“This is an exciting announcement for us and we could not be happier to put Austin into the leadership role with the Collegiate Cats as Head Coach,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that owns the Collegiate Cats, the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls (West Coast League), and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) indoor facility.

“Austin is well-known and respected in the baseball world, especially locally, and we know he will put tremendous effort and skill into the role as we continue to grow the Collegiate Cats. He’s excited to get started.”

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Drop Third Game of Kelowna Series

Published

1 day ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Kelowna, B.C. – The HarbourCats took on the Kelowna Falcons for the third game a row this afternoon, losing the final matchup by a score of 9-2.

The Falcons were the first side to find purchase on the offensive side in a long third inning. Cats starter Daniel Tovar (Northern Kentucky) allowed a couple of baserunners on a walk and an error, and was swapped out for right-hander Houston Tomlinson (Arkansas State). Kelowna strung together a few singles together on Tomlinson over the course of the inning, taking a 3-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

The home team followed that up with an uppercut in their next trip to the plate, smashing a three-run homer off of Tomlinson in the fourth to blow the game wide open.

Tate Collins (Arkansas State) took over for the fifth and pitched a clean inning, but was accosted for another scoring trio in the home half of the sixth. A single, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly gave the Falcons a daunting 9-0 lead.

The Cats at last found life in the seventh frame, kicked off by a solo bomb off the bat of Fresno State outfielder Marcus Nolen. Matthew Westley (George Mason) followed that homer up with a fine job of manufacturing a run. The Virginia product drew himself a walk, stole two bases, and advanced all the way home on a wild pitch to continue cutting a chunk out of that mountainous lead.

Carson Ackermann (Tacoma) took to the pitcher’s mound in the seventh and only allowed two baserunners across his two innings of work, but in the end the lead proved insurmountable and the Falcons secured a 9-2 win on home turf.

WCL STANDINGS

The HarbourCats will now travel back to Victoria and look to rebound on Tuesday night in the first matchup of a three-game mid-week series versus the Bend Elks.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought online or by stopping by the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

GET YOUR ALL-STAR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Tickets for the 2026 WCL All-Star Home Run Derby (featuring former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar) and the West Coast League All Star Game on July 14-15 are selling fast. Get yours today! Each event is now on sale separately, or grab the package deal for both and save a few bucks at http://harbourcats.com/tickets! Or call the office at 778-265-0327 to order by phone.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Two major events announced with Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Legendary scout Marti Wolever to speak at luncheon

July 4, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Having the West Coast League all-star festival in Victoria brings tremendous extra opportunities — like hearing from some of the best in the game.

The organizers of the Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game, presented by Canadian Club, are proud to announce two signature pieces of the two-day festival, and they are sponsored by valued partners of the Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club — The Wilson’s Group of Companies, and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

“Sponsors like Wilson’s and The Chamber make events like this possible — and with the big names and details, will get people fired up to attend,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats.

Both events are also held at the Studio 919 thanks to partnership with the Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas Street).

HOT STOVE PANEL, presented by The Wilson’s Group of Companies
Tuesday, July 14 — 9pm-11:30pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Admission — $10
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

A soiree on baseball following the WCL All-Star Home Run Derby, fans are urged to keep the evening going with a social, relaxed, panel-style discussion of baseball and tons of stories — headlined by Kevin Pillar and legendary baseball scout Marti Wolever, and including HarbourCats head coach Todd Haney, himself a five-year MLB player, the dean of pitching coaches, Gorm Heimueller, who is celebrating his 50th year in the game, and legendary local baseball scout Walt Burrows.

Food and refreshments will be available for attendees to purchase.

OFFICIAL ALL-STAR LUNCHEON, presented by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, July 15, 11:30am-1pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Tickets — $25 (Limited quantities available to the public).
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

All of the all-stars and coaches will be there to hear a welcome from John Wilson, a member of the HarbourCats ownership group and also the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, from WCL commissioner Rob Neyer, and then keynote speaker Marti Wolever, who has been enshrined in the MLB Scouts Hall of Fame, and now is senior amateur scouting advisor for the Miami Marlins.

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