Summer Collegiate

RiverHawks take two of three against NorthPaws

Published

2 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

NorthPaws fight off a late Riverdog rally to secure Exhibition victory

Published

7 hours ago

May 30, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Kamloops Riverdogs 18U squad 4-3 in a game that came down to the wire. The NorthPaws scored four runs in the first three innings before the bats went silent. The Riverdogs, however, scored their three runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Paws got their offence from Many Recchi, Austin Coyle and a solo home run in the bottom of the first from former Riverdog Matthew MacDonald. The Kamloops native got the start behind the plate and went two for two with a base hit in his second and final at-bat of his night, earning him player of the game honours.

The Riverdogs threatened several times in the later stages of the game, including loading the bases with one out in the fifth inning and coming up empty-handed. They later faced the same situation in the eighth but only mustered one run.

The ninth inning saw the Riverdogs put up a pair of runs off RBI doubles and had runners at second and third with two outs. Reid Williamson hit a ball to the warning track in left field that was caught on the run by Recchi to end the game and secure the win for the NorthPaws.

Paws Head Coach Reily Jepson is also a former Riverdog and got his first taste of coaching against his old youth program.

“It’s different coaching against them; they had me on my toes for sure,” said Jepson.

For many of the players in the Northpaw lineup, this was their first game action in a couple of weeks, providing an excellent opportunity to get game experience before the regular season begins.

“Tonight was all about shaking off the rust for guys who haven’t played in a while and getting their feet under them – This was also the first time they were playing under us as a coaching staff, so they’re all a little nervous, so it’s just to get warm and get ready for the weekend,” said Jepson.

With both teams being local, the fans showed up and cheered on their beloved squads throughout the night.

“It was great to see people in the seats even though there may have been more RiverDogs fans, but it’s great to get the community involved,” Said Jepson.

The NorthPaws will hit the road for six games starting Friday in Port Angeles for a three-game series before heading back south of the border for three more to play the Belling Bells beginning Tuesday. The NorthPaws will be back at Norbrock Stadium for the home opener on Friday, June 6, where they take on their Interior rival, the Kelowna Falcons. The first pitch is set for 6:05; we hope to see you there!

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – You’re invited! HarbourCats to host pre-season mixer, May 27th!

Published

1 week ago

May 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Join HarbourCats players, coaches, staff and Harvey the HarbourCat this coming Tuesday at Mayfair Optometric clinic for the HarbourCats annual pre-season mixer!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE

May 23, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats would like to invite all fans, season ticket holders, host families, partners and sponsors to our annual pre-season mixer, this year hosted by our fine friends at Mayfair Optometric Clinic, on Tuesday, May 27th at 5:00 pm.

Join us as we celebrate the start of another great season of West Coast League baseball and meet some of the players and coaches, grab some merchandise and enjoy a beverage and snack on us!

Red Arrow Brewing will be providing some of our signature Ballpark Blonde Ale, Ooh La La Cupcakes will be providing some tasty treats, various other food and snacks will be available and Samuel the Bartender will be on hand to help with serving drinks.

HarbourCats merchandise will also be available and we will have some door prizes to give away too!

Please be sure to join us and kick-off another great season of HarbourCats baseball!

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and 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.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com. Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided. More details HERE

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – CHEK and HarbourCats combine for broadcast home run

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

HarbourCats in 30 to air throughout the summer

May 22, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Vancouver Islands’ local television station and Victoria’s top summer sports team are joining forces.

CHEK TV will air “HarbourCats in 30” after all home games played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this season. As the name suggests, it’s a 30-minute highlight package that will follow the popular CHEK News at 10pm, with HarbourCats in 30 slated to start at 10:30pm.

This follows in the shoes of the popular “Royals in 30” that CHEK has aired during the winter WHL season.

“The HarbourCats are such an important part of summer on the Island, and we’re proud to share that experience with an even wider audience,” said Rob Germain, General Manager of CHEK Media. “HarbourCats in 30 captures all the excitement of the game and the spirit of the fans—delivered after every home game on CHEK TV, CHEK+, and CHEK’s YouTube channel.”

The HarbourCats play nearly every day in summer, this year starting on the road in Kelowna on May 30. The home opener is June 6, vs the cross-strait rival Port Angeles Lefties — the HarbourCats, before the playoffs, will play 60 games in 68 days, with 33 of those at home in Victoria, the familiar stadium on the corner of Caledonia and Vancouver.

“We are beyond excited to team up with our longtime friends at CHEK for these highlight shows, so more people can see our players perform and work to make the highest level,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “We are proud of the events we put on, and also our success on the field. Having eight of our players reach the Major Leagues in just 10 seasons is a credit to the community, our coaches and our staff.”

CHEK was the first private television station in B.C. and is the first and only employee-owned TV station in North America, now celebrating nearly 70 years in the community and 15 years of being independently owned.

The HarbourCats debuted in 2013 and are the longest-operating baseball club in Victoria’s history. Three times the team has made it to the final WCL playoff game, and in 2016 set the WCL record with a 19-game winning streak.

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

PRE-SEASON MEET AND GREET! – The HarbourCats invite all fans to their 2025 Pre-Season Mixer on Tuesday, May 27th, from 5pm to 7pm at Mayfair Optometric Clinic at 3196 Douglas Street just opposite the intersection with Tolmie Avenue. Meet some of the players, coaches and our staff, grab some merchandise, high five Harvey and enjoy some beverages and snacks on us!

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