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Victoria HarbourCats – Team Black prevails in Game 1 of Golden Tide Intersquad World Series

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4 years ago

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Above: Team Black’s Zeke Holt celebrates scoring one of six runs in the second inning against Team Gold Wednesday.

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

October 28, 2021, Victoria, BC – Team Black jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but then had to hang on for an exciting 14-13 win over Team Gold in Game 1 of the Victoria Golden Tide Inter-squad Wold Series on Wednesday afternoon at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria.

Team Black shortstop Brandon Green puts the tag on Team Gold baserunner Tyler Burton during this first inning rundown on Wednesday.

The World Series, the first for the inaugural year of Golden Tide baseball, pits Team Gold (coached by Ethan Fox) against Team Black (coached by Kyle Orr) in a best of three series. The winning team not only gets bragging rights, but will be awarded with a night in the Wilson’s Transportation Group suite at a Victoria Royals game.

Team Gold’s Brody Alexandre had two hits, a walk and two runs scored in the loss to Team Black Wednesday.

The Series is being played under some unique rules, designed to speed up game play and keep the games exciting, as due to other events scheduled in the evenings at the stadium, games have to be completed by 6:30pm.

As such, pitchers are required to pitch within 10 seconds and teams have to hustle on and off the field between innings. Any delays or infractions will warrant a warning from Head Coach Curtis Pelletier and if a team is notified a second time, a run is granted to their opponents.

Team Black left-handed slugger Ryan Deagle had two singles, a double a walk and two RBI to lead the Team Black offence Wednesday.

Batters are also not allowed to call time outs, or a strike will be called, catchers have pinch runners at all times and in all the even numbered innings, teams begin the inning with a runner on second base.

While there were a few warnings in Wednesday’s game, there were no penalty runs awarded under the rules, however the runner at second in the even innings had a dramatic impact on the game, with seven of those eight runners ultimately scoring.

Team Gold’s Daniel Sawchyn, here celebrating a score, would have three hits and two RBI to pace the Team Gold offence.

This aspect came into effect immediately Wednesday, as Team Black would jump on Gold starter Brady Wilson for six runs in the top of the second inning, thanks to five five consecutive base hits, one of which, by high schooler Ryan Deagle, scored Alex Mclauchlan, the special runner, with the first run of the game.

Team Black’s Brett Paterson would be credited with the win in relief on Wednesday.

Team Gold would get one of those runs back in the second, when special runner Brody Alexandre scored despite a 1-2-3 inning and then they would jump into a brief 7-6 lead in the third, when they finally got to Black starter Ethan Dean for six runs on the strength of six hits.

A three-run fourth inning, keyed by an RBI single from Jaxson Cordle, would put Team Black back in front 9-6 and they would extend that lead to 14-9 heading to the bottom of the eighth (the agreed upon final inning due to curfew).

Team Black’s Jaxson Cordle slides safely into second base ahead of the throw to Team Gold second baseman Myles Wall.

Team Gold would not go down without a fight however and after a pair of walks and singles from Parker Harris, Daniel Sawchyn and Alexandre, they had closed the gap to 14-13 with the tying run sitting on second base. Reliever Haldon Craig would not be fazed however and struck out Jordan Bond to end the game and preserve the crucial game one win.

Team Gold’s Will Podmoroff hustles to third base during action Wednesday against Team Black.

For Team Black at the plate, Parksville Royal product Deagle had a great night, slashing two singles, a double, two RBI and scoring twice. Zeke Holt also had a three hit night with two runs scored, while Cordle, Ryan Whelan and Witt Nevins all had RBI base hits.

On the hill, Dean was picked up with some solid middle-inning relief by Brett Paterson, who gets credit for the win, going three innings and surrendering two runs on one hit and two walks. Nate Major pitched the seventh and part of the eighth innings and Craig would get the save.

Team Gold’s Jayden Puri would provide four innings of solid relief in Wednesday’s game.

For Team Gold, Sawchyn would lead the offence with three hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Alexandre would chip in with two hits a walk and two runs scored. Tyler Burton was his usual instigator in the leadoff spot, with a single, walking three times and scoring twice, while Victoria Eagle product Ryder Green would single, walk and score three times in the losing effort.

Team Black’s Zeke Holt would make a valiant effort to catch this foul pop-up in Wednesday’s game.

On the mound, Wilson would pitch through the fourth, taking the loss. Jayden Puri would take over in relief, finishing the game and giving up five runs on five hits and three walks in his four innings of work.

Game two in the series was scheduled for 4:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, but has now been cancelled because of extreme rain and weather. It will now be played Friday at 4:00 pm. Game three then (if needed), would likely then be held Sunday afternoon, with a time to be determined.

Tam Gold’s Jordan Bond slides safely into second, ahead of the throw to Team Black second baseman Austin Gurney.

The Golden Tide will also be in action on Saturday for their last formal game of the fall season, when they take on the Ontario Giants at 3:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium in a single nine-inning game. Tickets are available at the gate. That game will be preceded by a game at 12 noon between the HarbourCats Players Development Club and the Giants U16 club. That game is included with the ticket for the Tide game at 3:00pm.

Team Black catcher Andrew Baxter puts the tag on Team Gold’s Jordan Bond on this play at the plate Wednesday.

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Summer Collegiate

Nanaimo NightOwls unveil VIDEOBOARD, elevating game-day experience at Serauxmen Stadium

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12 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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The Nanaimo NightOwls are raising the bar for fan engagement with the introduction of a brand-new videoboard ahead of the club’s highly anticipated fifth West Coast League season.

This major addition to historic Serauxmen Stadium will transform the in-game experience, delivering dynamic replays, interactive features, contests, live broadcast integration, and enhanced entertainment that brings fans closer to the action than ever before.

The videoboard is being delivered in partnership with Chris Jaycox Productions, led by Chris Jaycox — the creative force behind the NightOwls’ live streaming broadcast seen on www.NightOwls.TV

His team will oversee both production and execution, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience from first pitch to final out.

“I’m excited to be part of such a great team and to help bring another level to the in-game experience for fans,” said Jaycox. “The videoboard will create new energy in the ballpark, featuring interactive promos, replays, contests, and the live broadcast, and really accentuate every moment of the NightOwls experience.”

The installation has been made possible thanks to the unwavering support of anchor sponsor Chinook Scaffolding, a stellar Island company whose contribution has been instrumental in bringing the project to life.

The NightOwls also extend sincere thanks to the City of Nanaimo for its collaboration and commitment to helping turn this vision into reality.

“This is a defining step forward for our organization and our fans,” said Tina Baker-Cornett, General Manager of the Nanaimo NightOwls. “We’re always looking for ways to elevate the experience at the ballpark, and this videoboard allows us to create something more immersive, more engaging, and more memorable for everyone who walks through our gates.”

Serauxmen Stadium, which opened 50 years ago, has never had a videoboard in its proud history.

The videoboard will make its debut on Opening Day of the NightOwls’ fifth WCL season on June 2, setting the stage for an exciting new era of baseball in Nanaimo.

Don’t miss out on the excitement as we raise the bar even higher!

Secure your Single Game, 10 Game Flex Passes, and limited Season Tickets now at

www.NanaimoNightOwls.com/ticketinfo

 

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Victoria HarbourCats – Superman landing — former Blue Jays star Kevin Pillar to headline unique Home Run Derby event at WCL All-Star Festival

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3 days ago

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April 18, 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s all the excitement of a HOME RUN DERBY with fun and unique twists… including points on defence.

And — with former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar, known as “Superman” for his fence thievery as well as his bat, as the star attraction.

Pillar, 37, who recently retired after a stellar 13-season, 1234-game career spent mostly as a Blue Jay, will be one of the West Coast League (WCL) Home Run Derby participants — he and his family are excited to be in Victoria for the event.

Pillar, a former Vancouver Canadian who also played for nine other MLB teams over his final seasons and is now doing some broadcasting on Sportsnet, hit 114 MLB home runs and was a fan favourite for how hard he played the game — and of course his memorable home run robbing catches at Rogers Centre.

Yes, the format will showcase a HR derby with gloves and sliding catches, even fence robberies, and an altered field configuration.

Intrigued? You should be — and no one should miss this.

The host committee of the 2026 WCL All-Star Game is excited to announce it will use the groundbreaking format/rules of Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X as part of the WCL All-Star Game Festival, July 14-15.

It will be the first time that a Canadian site will use the format, which MLB has successfully showcased in the US and overseas over the last few summers.

This event will be an important Day 1 aspect of the overall All-Star Game festival, Tuesday, July 14, 6:35pm.

“The West Coast League has a working relationship with Major League Baseball, so the fans will see something special on that Tuesday at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP,” said ASG co-chair Brenda MacFarlane. “This is all about the home runs, but the twists on defence make it an absolute blast — pardon the pun.

“Having Kevin Pillar as one of the players in this, wearing a Blue Jays uniform, will be a must-attend for any Jays fan, any sports fan.”

The rules involve a three-on-three, three-inning competition in which hitters have two minutes, thirty seconds during their time at the plate. The opposing team of three grab their gloves and can steal points in the “catch zone” near the fence, while hitters aim for a double-point target zone and use strategy to add “hot streak” bonus points.

With a unique defensive component in the 2026 WCL Home Run Derby, fans may get to see Kevin Pillar make some of the amazing catches that were a signature of his time with the Blue Jays.

“It’s a creative way to bring more of the game into a home run derby, and fans have loved it,” added MacFarlane.

The home run derby, which will start at 6:35pm on that Tuesday, July 14, is just part of the overall WCL All-Star Game Festival, which will take over so many locations on the Lower Island — more announcements to come. The main spot will of course be Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Tickets for the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14th are currently available in a package that also include tickets for the WCL All Star Game that will be held on Wednesday, July 15th and feature the top players in the league.  Prices for the package start at $40 for General Admission seats to $85 for field level Diamond Club Seats, and can be purchased ON-LINE, or by visiting the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, just around the corner from the stadium.

 

 

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Booming bats and a promising right-hander sign with NightOwls

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6 days ago

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April 16, 2026

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There’s no better formula than finding hungry baseball players who are driven to prove they can battle with the best in the West Coast League.

The Nanaimo NightOwls have worked hard this off season to further connect with programs that have sent strong players to Serauxmen Stadium the last few years.

Case in point — Everett Community College, as the Trojans program has previously sent all-stars Adison Mattix and Talan Zenk to Nanaimo. Or Scottsdale CC, which sent Ryder Florence and Dalton Hanson.

Now, Everett is returning Zenk to Nanaimo but also has big bats in Davis Downer and Lukas Cheha headed north in late May, while Scottsdale CC is placing raw power arm Jackson Roybal with the NightOwls.

“Not only have their players been good for us on the field, they have fit with the coaching staff, the organization and in the community,” said GM Tina Cornett. “We know they will come here prepared and be up to the challenge of a very strong league like ours.”

Announced as signed today by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk:

IF/OF Lukas Cheha, Everett CC, R/R, 6-4/190, Seattle, WA
OF Davis Downer, Everett CC, R/R, 6-0/205, Mukilteo, WA
OF Preston Harrison, Dodge City CC, R/R, 6-1/190, Allen, TX
RHP Jackson Roybal, Scottsdale CC, 6-0/155, R/R, Rio Rancho, NM
C Damon Valdez, Long Beach State, R/R, 6-3/185, Long Beach, CA
C Kaleb Ceola, Central Missouri, R/R, 5-7/150, Springdale, AR

Roybal is a freshman righthander who is fairly new to pitching but is topping out at 94, with an opportunity to learn under veteran pitching coach Gorm Heimueller, who will be celebrating 50 years in the game this summer. Roybal is 2-3 this spring in 17 appearances.

Cheha has been a breakthrough freshman at Everett CC, teaming with Downer, a sophomore, to lead the Trojans offense and support Zenk. Cheha leads the team in hits (44) and average (.373), ahead of Downer (41 and .315), who sits second. Both are piling up the extra base hits as well.

Harrison is putting up big numbers for Dodge City CC, batting .336 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases, playing mainly right field.

In Valdez and Ceola, the catching position will be in strong hands. Valdez is getting good playing time at D1 Long Beach State because of his strong arm, starting 15 games as a freshman and recording six RBIs so far. Ceola is batting .435 with 40pct of his hits going for extra bases at Central Missouri, with just one strikeout this season.
Single Game, 10 game Flex Passes, and limited Season Tickets, available now.

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