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Victoria HarbourCats | Victoria Golden Tide Announce 2021-2022 Coaching Staff

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Victoria native and former LA Dodger prospect Kyle Orr highlight elite group of assistant coaches that will work with Golden Tide Head Coach Curtis Pelletier (above)

For Immediate Release

Friday, August 13, 2021

Victoria, BC – Victoria Golden Tide Head Coach Curtis Pelletier is pleased to announce today the full coaching and training staff that will guide the team during their inaugural season of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), which begins fall play this September.

Of note is the addition of Victoria native and former Los Angeles Dodger pro Kyle Orr, who will serve as Hitting Coach. Joining Orr is Pitching Coach Ethan Fox, Third Base Coach Aaron Witzke, Assistant Coach Shawn Loglisci, Assistant Coach Ryan Haines, Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeremy Cordle and Athletic Therapist Tanner McGaw.

Orr was an all-star player in the BC Premier Baseball League and enjoyed success with Team BC at the 2004-2005 Canada Cups and with the Junior National team, winning bronze at the Worlds in 2006. He was offered a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky, but turned that down when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected him in the 4th round of the 2006 MLB entry draft. Orr spent five years as a position player in the Dodgers organization and then played a year for the Victoria Seals in the independent Golden League. In 2021 he signed as a pitcher with the Minnesota Twins and finished his pro playing career as a player/coach of the Montpellier Baracudas of the French Elite League.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Golden Tide coaching staff for the inaugural season,” says Orr. “This program will play a vital role in developing the next generation of baseball talent, and will create endless opportunities for its players. I’m ready to get to work with our athletes and coaching staff and look forward to building an elite level program dedicated to the development of its players.”

Pitching coach Ethan Fox will be familiar to Victoria fans as he played for the Victoria HarbourCats in the 2017-2019 seasons. From Campbell River, BC, Fox played for the Parksville Royals (PBL 2013-2015) and Douglas College Royals (NWAC 2015-2017), before heading to the Avila University Eagles of the NAIA for the 2017-2019 seasons. He is the Pitching / Arm Care Coordinator of the HarbourCats Players Club and is currently completing his BSc in Kinesiology at the University of Victoria.

Third base coach Aaron Witzke played three years of college baseball at Vancouver Island University where he received a Diploma in Physical Education and then completed is Bachelor of Education at the University of Victoria and will begin the Masters of Education program there this fall. He is currently a teacher at Esquimalt High School and the Director of a Baseball Operations at the HarbourCats Players Club.

Another Victoria native, Assistant Coach Shawn Loglisci caught the eyes of the scouts in 2005 when he was drafted in the 34th round by the Dodgers, but chose instead to go to college where he played at Vancouver Island University, College of Southern Idaho and Indiana Tech University. He played for the Victoria Royals during their brief pro stint here and for a number of senior men’s teams including the Langley Blaze, Victoria Mavericks and Regina Red Sox and has coached the Victoria Eagles in the BCPBL from 2010-2015. He is now also working as the Junior Coordinator of the HarbourCats Players Club.

Assistant Coach Ryan Haines grew up in Calgary where he played at the Alberta Baseball Academy and at the Babe Ruth level during high school. He played college ball at the Prairie Baseball Academy in Lethbridge and Mayville State University and was a member of Team Alberta in 1997, where he won a bronze medal at the Canada Summer Games. He also won a summer league National Championship playing for the St. Albert Tigers.

Originally from Cardiff, Wales, Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeremy Cordle is a graduate of St. Michaels University School in Victoria where he was the Island’s top Male athlete in 1991 and was runner up for the same award at Provincial level. Jeremy has been part of multiple city, Island and provincial tittles in Basketball, Track and field , Cricket and Rugby as an alum of the Castaway Wanderers Rugby Club where he was a member of 4 provincial championship winning squads and a National Champion with the Vancouver Island Crimson tide (VIRU). Jeremy has worked as a private athletic trainer for the last 11 years , working with athletes at elementary, high school, university, professional and masters level.

Another face familiar to HarbourCats fans is Athletic Therapist Tanner McGaw. McGaw is part of the Camosun College Athletic and Exercise Therapy clinic (AET) and has been the lead Athletic Therapist for the HarbourCats for the past six years. He will be joined and assisted by student Athletic Therapists over the course of the season.

The Canadian College Baseball Conference, is an eight-team domestic league for university students that in addition to Victoria, has teams in Nanaimo (Vancouver Island University), Kelowna (Okanagan College), Kamloops (Thompson Rivers University), Chilliwack/Abbotsford (University of the Fraser Valley), Calgary (University of Calgary), Lethbridge (Prairie Baseball Academy) and Edmonton (Edmonton Collegiate Baseball Club).

The Golden Tide begin their fall exhibition season on September 11, with 11 home games, plus inter-squad games at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. The fall home opener is on Friday, September 17th at 6:00 pm against Thompson Rivers University.

Tickets are $10 for Grandstand seating (Section 10) and $5 everywhere else (all rush seating) and are available at the gate or in advance at the HarbourCats office (101-1814 Vancouver Street) or by calling 778-265-0327.

FULL FALL SCHEDULE AVAILABLE HERE

BECOME A TIDE BOOSTER!
Fans who wish to enjoy priority seating in the Diamond Club or Campbell Club seating areas for all games may now join the Golden Tide Booster Club, where a $200 fee secures a spot, gets one a Golden Tide hat and t-shirt and access to other Booster Club perks and benefits. E-mail chris@harbourcats.com or call the office at 778-265-0327 for details.

 

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Summer Collegiate

Hager returns, exciting bats added to NightOwls roster

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May 12, 2026

 

NANAIMO, BC — Once players have landed in Nanaimo, they definitely want to come back.

 

Right-hander Blake Hager has signed to return to historic Serauxmen Stadium— celebrating its 50th year — and pitch for a coach in Gorm Heimueller who is now in his 50th year in the game.

Hager is a NCAA Division 1 starting pitcher and brings immediate experience and stability to the pitching staff.

Hager, Parker King of Campbellsville and Damian Pasillas have been signed as pitchers, along with and exciting group of position players by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk:

 

RHP Damian Pasillas, Azusa Pacific, 6-1/195, San Diego, CA

RHP Blake Hager, Morehead State, 6-3/205, Pikeville, KY

SS Beau Musser, University of Hawaii, 5-9/150, L/R, Los Gatos, CA

C Blake Helsper, Hawaii Pacific, 5-8/175, L/R, Irvine, CA

RHP Parker King, Campbellsville, 5-11/160, Anaheim, CA

OF Diego Escandon, Columbia Basin, 5-10/170, R/R, Edmonds, WA

 

Hager previously pitched for the NightOwls in the 2025 season, 2-1 with a 7.71 ERA in six appearances, one of them a start.  He’s started five games this spring for Morehead State, going 2-0 with a 6.84 ERA.

Pasillas has 45 innings this spring for Azusa Pacific, with two wins.

Musser is a highly-regarded, lefty-swinging shortstop signed to be a freshman at UH in fall. Described as a Brett Gardner type who plays a strong shortstop. Is being groomed to take the role at UH when former NightOwls star and Texas draft pick Elijah Ickes moves to the pro level.

Helsper handled the majority of the catching duties for Div2 Hawaii Pacific this season, especially down the stretch — a tough, scrappy hitter and hard worker behind the plate, he struck out just nine times and walked 12 times, hitting .328, in 112 at bats over 39 games. He started 30 games and had 38 hits, five of them doubles, and stole four of five attempted bases.

King was at Orange Coast in junior college before landing at Campbellsville, where he is 3-0 with a 4.28 ERA this season over 14 appearances. He has a save and 26 punch-out’s with just nine walks in 33.2 innings for a very good NAIA school.

Escandon has identical .291 averages the last two seasons, and has an exciting mix of power and speed — seven home runs and 51 stolen bases combined.

 

 

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Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing and Victoria HarbourCats unveil the Islander FanZone

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New taproom patio experience brings great local beer and a relaxed summer energy to a brand new gathering space at the ballpark.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, B.C., May 12, 2026 — Vancouver Island Brewing and the Victoria HarbourCats are excited to share new details about the Islander FanZone, a new in-park activation debuting this season at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Building on the recently announced partnership between Vancouver Island Brewing and the HarbourCats, the Islander FanZone will bring a true taproom patio experience to the ballpark; a new experience for fans of the HarbourCats to enjoy the game, and a physical footprint for fans of Vancouver Island Brewing to enjoy their products.

Designed to capture the laid-back spirit of a Vancouver Island summer, the space – located on the first base concourse behind Section 6 reserved seating – will feature high-top seating for up to 40 in different formats (a total capacity of 50), umbrellas, patio games, and artificial turf, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere for fans to gather, relax, and enjoy the game on Islander time.

The hybrid ticketed and VIP space will be ideal for a wide range of social occasions, from casual outings with friends to group gatherings and summer celebrations at the ballpark.

Fans visiting the Islander FanZone will be able to enjoy a lineup of Vancouver Island Brewing favourites, including Islander Lager, Broken Islands Hazy IPA, Breakpoint Pilsner and Seadog Amber Ale, a selection that brings some of the brewery’s most approachable and easy-drinking beers to the ballpark.

“We couldn’t be more excited to build this space and share a genuine craft beer experience at the ballpark with the Islander FanZone,” said Zach Van Der Ende, Director of Sales and Marketing, Vancouver Island Brewing. “Great beer and baseball have always been a perfect match, and we’re excited to help create a space where fans can come together, relax, and share great experiences all summer long.”

“The Islander FanZone is going to be a fantastic addition to the fan experience,” said Christian Stewart, General Manager of the Victoria HarbourCats. “It gives both loyal fans and newcomers an exciting way to take in a HarbourCats baseball game, whether they’re coming with family, meeting up with friends, or hosting a group event.”

The Islander FanZone reflects the shared vision behind the Vancouver Island Brewing and HarbourCats partnership: creating experiences that feel local, memorable, and made for summer. As the season gets underway, the new space will offer fans another reason to arrive early, stay longer, and take in everything that makes a night at the ballpark special.

Visit www.harbourcats.com/groups to find available game days for booking the Islander FanZone, or simply head to the HarbourCats.com/tickets to purchase individual tickets.

About Vancouver Island Brewing
Vancouver Island Brewing has been crafting beer on the Island since 1984, rooted in the community and landscapes that inspire every pour. Vancouver Island Brewing makes award-winning beers, from classic lagers to innovative ales, using quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods inspired by the island it calls home. Learn more at vibrewing.com.

About the Victoria HarbourCats
The Victoria HarbourCats are a member of the West Coast League, a summer collegiate baseball league featuring top NCAA talent from across North America. The HarbourCats play their home games at Wilson Group’s Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. Learn more at www.harbourcats.com.

Media Contacts:
Zach Van Der Ende, Director Sales and Marketing Vancouver Island Brewing zach@vibrewingcom | 778-938-8220
Christian Stewart, General Manager Victoria HarbourCats chris@harbourcats.com | 778-265-0327

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Victoria HarbourCats – Shea Lake Returns for Third Season with HarbourCats

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By Norm LeBus

Victoria, BC – He works fast and he likes a crowd. That makes third-year pitcher Shea Lake a hit with his teammates – and even former coaches.

In the relative pressure cooker of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, there’s an electricity on good summer nights that’s not coming from the overhead lights.

“It’s kind of like that white line fever,” former pitching coach Scott Anderson tells me from Portland. Scott spent three seasons mentoring the ‘Cats mound prospects. “Some of those guys when they come out across the foul lines and they get 3,000 people in the stands it’s a little bit different story.”

But at 6-3, Shea Lake stands tall on the mound.

“First off, when we’re in Victoria it’s a much better crowd than anywhere else,” he says.

“I just think the way that RAP kind of fits – all those people packed in close together, the energy just fills the room, especially playing night games, firework nights, all the stuff like that.”

Lake is one of the rare three-year players with Victoria. And like many of the ‘Cats, he’s had a nomadic path to BC’s capital.

In his case, ‘Cats fans can thank the U.S. Department of State.

After his freshman year at Hawaii Pacific the coaching staff placed Lake with the Swift Current 57s of the Westen Canadian Baseball League. But Lake’s passport did not arrive in time to play summer baseball. Instead, he’s in town for a trifecta: ’24, 25 and now 2026.

And the 2025 campaign was a busy one: Lake appeared in nine games and pitched 34 innings, compiling a 2-2 record and 3.20 ERA. And both fans and teammates appreciated his efficient pace on the hill. Lake works quickly.

“It’s one of the more underlying things in baseball that people don’t really see,” Lake says. “When your D is out there for a while, it kind of wears them out throughout the game. Getting them off the field and staying on their hitting side, it’s always good for the offense and the fans kind of like it — especially when you have an offense like us.”

And how would he describe himself on the hill?

“I’ve never been a big velocity guy,” he says.  “It’s kind of just playing with the hitter and keeping them off balance, control the count and generating ground balls. The longer I’m out there the more it becomes like work, so keeping the pitch count low and trying to get the guys off the field as fast as I can.”

“He’s a pitcher that can pitch,” Anderson says. “Shea’s a solid guy that works with a good tempo and he changes speeds really well. He’ll be a good leader to the team. He’s a smart kid.

Lake is a mechanical engineering student at West Texas A &M near Amarillo.  When it comes to his baseball future he thinks like an engineer – sound, fundamental concepts built on proven principles. About 10% of NCAA baseball players are drafted, but a much, much smaller percentage make it all the way to Major League Baseball.

“Of course there’s that chance,” he says. “If a big jump happens, that’s great; I think I have the ability, the capabilities to do it, you never know.

“I just keep my head down and work hard and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t say nothing’s really changed: I think just being the best version of myself every day and working as hard as I can is all I can really do.

“As long as I do that, I’m happy with myself.”

It’s a winning attitude.

Before he even crosses those white lines.

The HarbourCats season begins May 29th on the road versus the Portland Pickles, before returning to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.

Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

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