Summer Collegiate

Smart hitting, aggressive baserunning and stellar pitching on display in opening-day victory

Published

5 days ago

June 1, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops NorthPaws started their 2025 campaign off strong with a 8-0 victory over the Port Angeles Lefties. Notable performances from designated hitter Keegan Drinkle and right-handed pitcher Kaden Douglas-Pluff helped the NorthPaws cruise to win on Friday night.

Kamloops came out of the gates swinging, scoring one run in each of the first three innings courtesy of singles from Drinkle and catcher Matt MacDonald, along with a sacrifice fly from shortstop Anthony Setticassi.

Right-hander Owen Fernandez got the opening day nod and didn’t disappoint, going three shutout innings while allowing only three hits and striking out a pair of hitters. Lefty Kaden Douglass-Pluff was first out of the bullpen and pitched a gem. He threw five shutout innings, giving up three hits and striking out five while not allowing a walk.

“You couldn’t have drawn it up and better,” Said pitching coach Jack Slominski. “That’s one thing I’ve preached to them: if we are going to get beat, they going to have to hit their way on.”

Douglas-Pluffs’ brilliance on the mound allowed the offence to keep attacking. In the fifth, a hit-and-run attempt was perfectly executed as Matt MacDonald broke for second while Drinkle sent a double to the gap, scoring the fourth run of the game.

In the sixth, some aggressive baserunning put another run on the board as both runners on base attempted the double steal. The Lefties catcher threw the ball over his second baseman’s head, allowing Ethan Kodama to score. The NorthPaws were aggressive all night, creating chaos on the basepaths.

“I think we’re really athletic one through nine and have seven or eight guys who can run at all times, so we’re going to do that a lot and put pressure on teams,” Said Assistant Coach Trey Newman.

In the seventh inning, after yet another double steal, Keegan Drinkle drove in his third run of the ball game, this time via a sacrifice fly. He and Matt MacDonald were all over the bases, combining for seven hits and four RBIs. It’s noteworthy that of those hits, only one was for extra bases.

“This is what I expect from him (Drinkle). The guys in front of him did a great job setting the table, and he cashed in,” said head coach Reily Jepson.

In the ninth, second baseman Joey Marino had runners on second and third and sent a single up the middle that scored the seventh and eighth runs of the ballgame for the NorthPaws.

To round out the performance, there were a few nice defensive plays. In the bottom of the first, Kalen Applefield couldn’t get to a fly ball on the right field line but quickly threw a missile to second base to record the out. A pair of nice double plays were turned in the middle infield, and the defence was capped off by a heroic catch by center fielder Ethan Kodama, who ran down a ball and then slammed into the wall and hung on to secure the catch.

The NorthPaws will look to build on Friday’s performance in game two against the Lefties on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35. You can watch on West Coast League TV or listen on the Kamloops NorthPaws Mixlr.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Riverhawks complete sweep of Cats with 7-1 win

Published

2 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

June 5, 2025

For immediate release

EDMONTON, A.B. – The Edmonton Riverhawks remain perfect on the season, winning their third straight and sweeping the HarbourCats with a 7-1 win Thursday night.

Robert Sanford (Paris JC) started for the Cats and was solid early until he ran into trouble in the third inning. A pair of two-out walks and a single loaded the bases, signalling the end of the sophomore’s night. Dustin Davidson (Brookhaven) was given the task of getting out of the jam but failed to do so, throwing a wild pitch allowing a run to score, then surrendering a three-run home run to Jason Green to give the hosts a 4-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

Oliver Mabee (Nebraska Omaha) made his Cats debut pitching the fifth, however, it was not a debut to remember as he gave up a towering two-run double to the returning Trent Lenihan to extend the Hawks’ advantage to 6-0.

The visitors had a chance to cut into the deficit in the seventh inning by loading the bases, however, they could only tack on one run through a Bobby Filler Jr. (Niagara) bases-loaded walk.

WCL STANDINGS

Dillon Dibrell (Central Oklahoma) pitched a scoreless sixth inning, striking out one batter, and Ethan McNish-Heider (Niagara) completed the final two innings, giving up one run on zero hits, walking four, and striking out three.

Victoria was held to just three hits tonight and was outscored 29-5 in total over the three-game series. They will need to hit their stride quickly as they welcome the Port Angeles Lefties to Victoria for a three-game set.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Tomorrow is the HarbourCats’ home opener! First pitch is at 6:35 PM against the Port Angeles Lefties. Saturday, June 7th, is our first of four FIREWORKS nights of the season! Don’t miss out! Grab tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

WATCH HOME GAMES HERE

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.

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Summer Collegiate

Walks turned into runs: NorthPaws drop game two in Bellingham

Published

23 hours ago

June 5, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops NorthPaws lost game two in Bellingham on Wednesday night 8-2 as the Bells have won back-to-back series to start their season. The NorthPaws scored the first run of the game, but the Bells hitters stayed patient as the NorthPaw pitchers walked 11 batters en route to the loss.

Kamloops would get back to their aggressive ways following a flyout and a strikeout. The NorthPaws had runners on the corners when catcher Kalen Applefield took off for second base and reached safely. While Applefield was on his way to second, his UC Berkley teammate second baseman Elijah Clayton made a mad dash for home and beat the throw, scoring the team’s first run of the game.

In the bottom half, the NorthPaws turned to JM Harduval, a righty from UC Berkley, to make his first start in almost two years. Harduval red-shirted during his freshman season at CAL and was rehabbing an injury in the spring, making Wednesdays start a night that had been many days in the making. Unfortunately for the righty, he struggled with command. Three walks in his first four batters faced loaded the bases for the Bells. A pair of flyouts gave Harduval some hope, but he couldn’t find the strike zone, throwing 12 straight balls and walking in three runs.

Lefty Kaden Douglas-Pluff came in and walked the first batter he faced, adding a fourth run on the board for the Bells. In the second inning back to back-to-back walks and a single loaded the bases when a wild pitch made it 5-1 Bells. Bellingham scored all five of the runs without recording an RBI.

In the fifth, Bellingham would pad their lead with a hit by pitch and two singles to score run number six, while a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat made it 7-1. Kamloops would respond in the top of the sixth when left fielder Cade Palkowski hit the only extra-base hit for the NorthPaws. Centerfielder Ethan Kodama drove him in with a base hit to left field.

That would be all the NorthPaws could muster offensively as the Bells added one more run in the bottom of the eighth. A bright spot at the plate for Kamloops was Cade Palkowski, who had a pair of singles and a double after starting the season with just one hit in his first ten at-bats.

The rest of the offence will look to find themselves again in game three when the Bells and NorthPaws conclude their series in Bellingham at 6:35 on Thursday night. You can find the game on West Coast League TV or listen on the NorthPaws Mixlr.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Tons on tap for HarbourCats opening weekend

Published

1 day ago

June 5, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

OPENING WEEKEND — So much action planned! HarbourCats open at home Friday, Saturday, and a matinee Sunday vs Port Angeles.

June 4, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Music, including a renowned international rock star and a local country music artist.
Skydivers.
Food trucks.
Fireworks.
A Sunday matinee to end it off.

There couldn’t be more going on with the Victoria HarbourCats home opening weekend if we tried.

The HarbourCats, known for their creative family sports entertainment package since the first season in 2013, have a LOT on the go this weekend — and it deserves a full listing.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6 — 6:35pm (gates at 5:30pm)
– It’s the Home Opener presented by Wilson’s Group of Companies. Save On Foods is doing the 50-50 draw with proceeds going to BC Children’s Hospital on their behalf.
– It’s a GALAXY MOTORS FORCES FRIDAY game with special pricing for military and first responders.
– Before the game, Luke Lampard will be singing on the field as people enter the park.
– Skydivers will drop in right before game time, so don’t arrive late!
– The anthems will be performed by MEN WITHOUT HATS vocalist and co-founder Ivan Doroschuk, with flag presentation by the Sooke Cadets.
– The UPPER DECK EXPERIENCE double-decker bus will have The Wilson’s Group, while the STRATHCONA/ROOFTOP PARTY DECK will have Thrive Agency folk enjoying that front row view.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7 — 6:35pm (gates at 5:00pm)
– It’s the first FIREWORKS game! Brought to you by Wilson’s Group of Companies, who will also be on the UPPER DECK EXPERIENCE, joined by the Malahat Skywalk. EA Sports will be on the STRATHCONA/ROOFTOP PARTY DECK.
– Don’t leave early! The best fireworks show in town starts approximately 15 minutes after the game ends! It’s an absolute fan favourite, the first of FOUR fireworks nights (others are June 30, July 12, and August 4).
– On the concourse, there will be many activations, including Victoria Wheelchair Sports for all fans to participate in!
– Stacy Ross from CHEK will be singing the anthem!
– 50/50 is for Layritz Little League

SUNDAY, JUNE 8 — 1:00pm (gates at noon)
– Matinee baseball! The Strathcona Hotel people will have the party going in the sunshine on the STRATHCONA/ROOFTOP PARTY DECK
– It’s an ICE CREAM SUNDAY with Sub-Zero Ice Cream, special offers!
– Anthems performed by our good friend Al Ferraby from CFAX!
– Meet the HarbourCats players after the game, and kids can run the bases.

You will not want to miss any of it! Buy your tickets now by clicking HERE.

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

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