NANAIMO, BC — Series Nanaimo, and the trophy will stay with the Nanaimo NightOwls, at least until next week. As the teams meet again in a weekday series in Victoria. Jacob Hayes set up the charcuterie board and hit a Grand Salami in the top of the fourth inning, and the NightOwls pitching did the rest, holding Victoria to just four runs on eight hits.

NightOwls starting pitcher Lino Zepeda went 4 strong innings, giving up just three runs on four hits and striking out four. The relievers did the rest, as Jaedeyn Edwards went three scoreless innings with three strikeouts and got the win on the afternoon for Nanaimo.

It was the Jacob Hayes show Thursday afternoon at Wilson’s Group Stadium. Jacob, from Azusa Pacific University, put the NightOwls ahead in the fourth inning with a Grand Slam, and Nanaimo didn’t look back. Hayes also walked in a run with his great eyes at the plate and finished the day with five RBI. It also brings his hit streak up to 8 games, and he will look to continue the hot streak on Friday against the Kelowna Falcons.

Chipping in offensively were Drew Giannini, who had two singles on the day. Second basemen Talan Zenk also had two hits on the day, going two for five and also adding a run.

Brady Morse and Dalton Hanson closed out things on the mound for the Nanaimo Night Owls. Catcher Brock Wirthgen called a great game and threw out the only baserunner who tried to steal on him. It might not be best to test Brock’s arm this year.

Head Coach Cody Andreychuk spoke about the game, “The guys came out with a chip on their shoulder today after yesterdays loss and responded well. Excellent pitching and defense today by all of our guys and great at-bats led to some big-time hits.” On Jacob Hayes, “His Grand Slam really helped us get the momentum back.”

Series Nanaimo NightOwls after an all-around team win. The rivalry continues next week, so there isn’t much time for gloating, even thou I am going to do it. Trophy Stays in Nanaimo!!

The Nanaimo NightOwls continue their road trip in Kelowna for a weekend series against the Falcons. That goes Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 13th, 14th, and 15th. Nanaimo heads back to Victoria for a three-game stint before returning home on June 20th against the Port Angeles Lefties for a weekend series. Lots of action at Serauxemen Stadium, and Sunday is Family Fun Day and Nanaimo Bar Jerseys, so come with a sweet tooth.

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June 12, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Nanaimo NightOwls spoiled the school spirit day party, winning the rubber match against the Victoria HarbourCats 8-4.

The atmosphere at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park was buzzing with thousands of kids attending Mayfair Optometric’s annual School Spirit Game. The final attendance number was 3584.

The home team got off to a quick start when Logan Shepherd (Tacoma CC) hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. That was his fourth long-ball of the season and third in this series. The slugger is on a six-game hit streak and leads the team in RBIs with 12.

BOX SCORE

Hudson Lance (Coastal Carolina) made his third appearance of the season and was solid through three shutout innings. He ran into trouble to lead off the fourth, giving up a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases. Lance was given the opportunity to escape the jam but gave up a grand slam to Jacob Hayes, flipping the game on its head and giving the Owls a 4-3 lead.

Jack Finn (Illinois State) replaced Lance and got through the rest of the fourth inning unscathed. In the fifth, the NightOwls loaded the bases again and scored three runs on a walk and a pair of sacrifice flies. Finn struggled with his control in his second appearance in 2025, throwing 1-1/3 innings, giving up three runs on two hits and walking two.

WCL STANDINGS

Garrett Villa (Angelo State) completed 1-2/3 innings, giving up zero runs on one hit and striking out one. Isaiah Afework (Tacoma CC) drove in his fifth run of the campaign with an RBI infield single in the eighth inning. The Cats threatened late, loading the bases, but could not capitalize.

Tristan Thomas (West Texas A&M), Shea Lake (West Texas A&M), and Marcus Janovsky (UBC) all pitched in relief in the latter stages of the game.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Cayden Munster (Fresno State) went three for four in his second game as a HarbourCat for his second straight multi-hit game.

The HarbourCats are at home this weekend against the Bellingham Bells. The games are Friday, June 12 at 6:35 PM, Saturday, June 13 at 6:35 PM, and Sunday, June 14 at 1:05 PM. Buy tickets 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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NANAIMO, BC — It was a tough night for the Nanaimo NightOwls as they fell 14-5 in the second game of the series with the Victoria HarbourCats. On minor league jersey night at the ballpark, the kids at least got to leave with a gift. The only gift for the NightOwls fans was an 8th inning that saw them claw back a couple of runs.

The NightOwls took a lead in the bottom of the first inning, 2-1, thanks to a two-run double from Eli Watson. But three runs in the fourth inning and 5 runs in the fifth put the game out of reach.

Nanaimo had five runs on five hits with no errors. Unfortunately, they did have 4 wild pitches and a passed ball, which has been an issue to start the season for the NightOwls. Victoria had 14 runs on 15 hits with one error.

Bright spots for the Nanaimo NightOwls on the night were Eli Watson, a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana, who went two for three with a double, two RBI, and a walk. Tyler Arnold had a good night at the plate, going two for four with two singles, a walk, and an RBI as the designated hitter.

It wasn’t an excellent night on the mound, but starting pitcher Brady Pavlosky did strikeout 3 batters in the three innings he pitched. Relievers Jakin Rohne and Carter Cathers pitched scoreless innings for the Nanaimo NightOwls.

Disappointing result for the NightOwls, but not disappointing if you like offense, as Logan Sheppard hit a bomb out of the park for the HarbourCats. Unfortunately, that’s not the team we are cheering for. The worst part of the game came after, as I was tasked with delivering Panago Pizza (One of our great sponsors!) to the visiting team bus after they beat us.

The Nanaimo NightOwls have a chance to win the series on Thursday morning, as the series shifts to Victoria for the final game. First pitch will be at 11:00 a.m., so make sure you tune in to the live stream (Link above) to catch all the action. After that, the NightOwls head out on the road to Kelowna for games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 14th, 15th, 16th. Then the road trip continues with another series with our island rival, the Victoria HarbourCats.

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