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The Bats Come Alive For The NightOwls As They Take The Series With An 8-2 Win

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KELOWNA, B.C. — The bats came alive for the Nanaimo NightOwls in the tune of eight runs on nine hits with two home runs. The complete opposite of last night, where Nanaimo just couldn’t get things going at the plate. Tonight they had 4 extra base hits, and that combined with some great pitching led to the series win.

Starting pitcher Aiden Boice, from Holladay, Utah, had a great night on the mound, pitching five innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out four. Catcher Brock Wirthgen and Caden Petrey both went yard in the game for the NightOwls. Andrew Ivy continues to impress, going two for four with a walk and a stolen base. If feels like every game I have to mention him swiping a bag.

The Nanaimo NightOwls jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to some smart base running from Eli Watson. He stole second and was able to score on an error trying to steal third. After the Falcons tied it up with a run in the second, the NightOwls went off with a huge sixth inning, putting a four-spot on the board. After a walk to Andrew Ivy, and an Easton Mould single. Eli Watson would cash one after a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third.

Then walked up Brock Wirthgen, who cracked one out of the park to give the NightOwls the 5-1 lead. The 7th innings saw Easton Mould and Eli Watson driving in back-to-back RBI singles. Not to be outdone, Caden Petrey also got into the party with a home run in the top of the 8th inning to make it 8-1. The Falcons would claw one run back in the 9th, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Besides starting pitcher Aiden Boice, Dawson Shultz and Dalton Hanson also had great games on the mound. They combined for four innings of 2 hit ball, giving up just 1 run and preserving the win for Boice.

The Starting pitching gave the Nanaimo NightOwls a chance to find their bats. I asked head coach Cody Andreychuk about the performance of Aiden Boice after the game, “Ya, he competed and did a wonderful job for us tonight. Commanded all his pitches for strikes. Got behind some of the hitters but would always get back and get the hitters out. [The] best way to say it is he competed well tonight in a getaway game to win the series on the road.”

Some big innings for the NightOwls and some great pitching saw them take the series against the Kelowna Falcons two games to one on Sunday night. Nanaimo finished the night with eight runs on nine hits and an error. Kelowna had two runs on eight hits and three errors in the loss. The NightOwls move back above .500% with the win at 8-7.

The Nanaimo NightOwls head back to the Island but not home as they will take on the Victoria HarbourCats for a three-game series, June 17th, 18th, and 19th. The team returns home on June 20th for a weekend series against the Port Angeles Lefties. That goes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 20th, 21st, and 22nd at Serauxmen Stadium.

 

The team is on a 10-game homestand starting on the 20th of June. We have some great promotional days coming up, including Indigenous Peoples Day and Halloween in June. Make sure to get your tickets and follow the team on our website and social media when they are on the road for the latest information and updates!

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New Country, same mentality: How four UT Tyler teammates are trying to bring a winning culture back to the NorthPaws

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When the NorthPaws made Riley Jepson their new head coach at the end of last summer, he got full autonomy in constructing this season’s roster. Jepson played at the University of Texas at Tyler from 2020 to 2021 and still has excellent connections with their coaching staff since becoming a coach.

When building the roster, one of his first calls was to UT Tyler. He was able to sign infielders Drew Schmidt and Tanner Hornback, outfielder Connor Clark, and right-handed pitcher Julio Garcia. Schmidt, Clark, and Garcia were all teammates last summer with the Victoria Generals in the Texas Collegiate League.

With the Generals, they won the TCL and continued their success this past spring as UT Tyler took a huge step, going 49-13 and advancing to the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time in program history. It’s been a very successful year of baseball for those players, and they bring a unique perspective to the team, having played in very meaningful games both in the TCL and at UT Tyler.

“Last summer, we had this expectation to win in Victoria, and we did so. For us, going into the fall, we learned how to win games,” said Clark.

Collegiate Summer baseball and the NCAA have some significant differences, but Schmidt notes that winning in both settings shares some commonalities.

“I think it’s all about camaraderie, especially in the summer, you need to be a close-knit group to win games, and we certainly did that last summer as well as in the spring,” said Schmidt.

Clark and Schmidt each played 20+ games with the Generals last summer, and Garcia logged 12.2 Innings. Clark played 43 games in the spring, and Garcia made 17 appearances out of the bullpen. Schmidt, however, took the most significant strides playing 62 games and hitting a staggering .410 in the spring.

The three of them are once again on the same squad, but joining them this time around is fellow middle infielder Tanner Hornback, who, like Schmidt, played 62 games and hit .410. Coming to a new country can be difficult, but the transition has been easier.

“Tanner and I played up the middle all year at Tyler, so that’s just tremendous to have a guy you’re so close with be on the same team as you in the summer,” said Schmidt.

For all of them, the West Coast league and the country of Canada are all new, but the familiarity with each other makes it easier.

“Having buddies from home and familiar faces with me in a different country is always cool, it’s good to have them around,” said Garcia.

Injecting winners into your lineup can always be a boost to teams, especially for the NorthPaws, who have already won more games than in 2024 and are looking at making their second-ever playoff appearance.

“I feel like we walk around with the mentality of we’re not going to let people come here and push us around, we’re here to win,” said Schmidt.

The UT Tyler teammates have been instrumental in the team’s success, with Clark and Schmidt combining for 15 RBIs, Garcia cementing himself as the team’s closer, and Hornback hitting .340. Every night, one of these players has an impact on the game, and it’s all part of an effort to get the NorthPaws back to the postseason.

The team is already turning heads this season, and the “Tyler Boys,” as they’re known, are looking to continue leading the charge and building a winning culture with Jepson and the rest of the NorthPaws.

 

 

 

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The NightOwls Break The Losing Streak With a 3-1 Win Over The RiverHawks

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EDMONTON, A.B. — The NightOwls break the losing streak with a 3-1 win over the Edmonton RiverHawks. A big second inning and some amazing pitching were all Nanaimo needed to break their losing streak. Nanaimo looks to take the series in game three on Sunday.

The NightOwls only needed five hits to score their three runs, thanks to a double from Jacob Hayes, Brock Wirthgen, and Owen Wessel. They moved the runners around at a pivotal point in the game in the second inning, and the team turned things over to their pitching staff. Edmonton had one run on eight hits with an error in the loss.

https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=622689

Starting pitcher for the NightOwls tonight was Zach Horwith, and he had a great night on the mound. He went three innings, giving up just one hit while walking and striking out two batters.

NightOwls vs RiverHawks (Photo Credit: James Maclennan)

Dawson Schultz was the pitcher of record on the night, going two innings, giving up no runs and no hits while striking out two RiverHawks. Jaedeyn Edwards went two innings, allowing one run on two hits.

https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

I mentioned the NightOwls only had five hits on the night, and two of them were thanks to Catcher Brock Wirthgen. The newly Hawai’i Pacific University commit, went two for four with a double, a single, and a run.

Jacob Hayes continues to wield a hot bat and had a double and walk for the NightOwls. Owen Wessel went one for three but had the big double in the second inning for two RBI, he also scored a run. Spencer Sullivan had the only other hit for the NightOwls.

http://Nanaimonightowls.com/tickets

It’s an early start on Sunday morning as the NightOwls and Riverhawks get back at it at 11:30 am PST. Make sure to stream the game with the link above.

The NightOwls will have a well deserved day off after 10 straight days of games. Them Nanaimo returns home with a three game series against the Kelowna Falcons in a mid week matchup. That starts Tuesday July 8th at 6:35pm and continues Wednesday and Thursday at the same time. Make sure to follow us on social media for the latest NightOwls news and use the hashtag #IlluminateTheDark!

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cats drop series finale to Raptors

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July 6, 2025

For immediate release

RIDGEFIELD, WA – The Victoria HarbourCats’ win streak was snapped at five games Sunday Afternoon by the Ridgefield Raptors, who came out on top with a 7-2 win.

The visitors got on the board first when Hudson Shupe (Gonzaga) scored on a wild pitch in the third inning.

Logan Rumberg (George Mason) started his fourth game of the season and was perfect through three innings, retiring nine straight batters to start the game. He ran into trouble the second time through the Raptors’ order when Taylor Takata and Jackson Waller hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the bottom of the fourth to tie the game up 1-1.

BOX SCORE

Rumberg struck out the next two batters, but with two outs, Christian-Mateo Hoffman hit a two-run home run to make it 3-1 and give the hosts their first lead of the series. Rumberg completed four innings, giving up three runs on four hits, while striking out a season-high seven batters.

Andrew Carter (TCU) pitched the final four innings of the game for the HarbourCats and gave up a pair of runs in the sixth inning, then a two-run home run in the eighth to the Raptors’ danger man, Noah Karliner, his 12th of the season.

WCL STANDINGS

Dillon Lopez (St Mary’s) scored on an error in the top of the eighth inning. Ryan McClaskey pitched the final two innings for the Raptors to close out the 7-2 victory.

JC Allen (UC San Diego) and Curtis McKay (Niagara) had a pair of hits each, while Jack Johnson (Baylor) extended his on-base streak to 25 games with a second-inning double.

The HarbourCats begin a series in Port Angeles tomorrow against the Lefties. Games are on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 6:35 PM and can be watched here.

The HarbourCats are back home for an exciting weekend series against the Kelowna Falcons Friday, July 11 at 6:35 PM. Friday is Harvey’s Birthday, Saturday is a Fireworks night, and Sunday’s matinee is the always popular Bark in the Park game, where all dogs are welcome! Get tickets at harbourcats.com/tickets.

10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are on sale for all home games and “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.

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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