Author: Larry Read

KELOWNA, BC—The saying “home sweet home” means more to the Kamloops NorthPaws than ever before.

The Paws ended their longest road trip of the 2023 West Coast League season on Friday night (June 30) as they fell 14-4 to the host Kelowna Falcons.  The game was played at Elks Stadium and is the beginning of a three game weekend series between the two geographical rivals.  The NorthPaws have played their last seven games away from home.

Kamloops led 2-0 after a half inning.  It was the only time they would lead in the contest.   Kelowna scored five times in the first, added two more in the second, two in the sixth inning and added four more runs in the seventh inning as they moved to 13-11 on the year.

JP Smith (West Sacremento, CA) led the offence for the Falcons. He went 4-5 with five runs batted in and two runs scored. He smashed a two run homer off reliever Wyatt Hardy (Parker, Colorado) in the sixth inning.  It was his second home run of the season.

Jonas Salk (Fairfax, CA) was 3-6 with three runs batted in and two runs scored for the Falcons. Jacob Deveny (Prosper, TX) was 3-6 with four runs scored. Trey Duffield (Houston, TX) was 3-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored.

For Kamloops, Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC) was 2-4 with a run scored and a RBI.  Jude Hall (Chilliwack, BC) was 2-5 with two runs batted in.

Nolan Patterson garnered his first win of the year for Kelowna. Sarting his fifth game of the year, the Henderson, Nevada pitcher went two innings giving up four hits, striking out three, giving up four runs and walking three.

Christian Spitz (Overland Park, Kansas) was tagged with the loss for the Paws.  He is 1-2 on the year. Spitz started and gave up seven hits, seven runs walked one and struck one in an inning of work.

Kamloops has lost their last seven outings and fell to 5-20 on the season.  They managed six hits and committed four errors while Kelowna had 19 hits and no errors.

The NorthPaws debuted two players in this contest: second baseman Phoenix Sommay and outfielder Casey Wayne.  Wayne was 0-1 with a run scored while Sommay was 0-2 Sommay was recently picked up after being released by the Victoria HarbourCats.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598567

Kamloops and Kelowna head north for games tomorrow and Sunday. Opening pitch Canada Day is 6:35 PM.  Sunday’s tilt has a 2:05 PM start time. There will be Canada Day celebrations at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium on Saturday.  Sunday’s game will be “Family Day” at the park.  It is sponsored by Save On Foods.

All West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

I Some NorthPaws home games will also be shown on Shaw TV in Kamloops (Cable 10 or 105 with Blue Curve).

TAILGATE PARTY:

The Molson’s Tailgate Party is hoppin’ before every NorthPaws home game.   It runs Tuesday through Saturday 5-630 PM.  The Party runs Sundays noon-1 PM.  Hotdogs and a Pilsner are sold for $ 12.00 plus tax.