NANAIMO — The boys of summer are back at Serauxmen Stadium.
The Nanaimo NightOwls return for their second West Coast League season, opening at home on Friday, June 2 against the Walla Walla Sweets. Games will go 6:35 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, with an afternoon matinee on Sunday.
General manager Jim Swanson said the team feels they made inroads during their first season, both on and off the field. The team narrowly missed the post season with a 22-32 record, but finished on a five game winning streak.
“We feel like we have the pitching depth that was our achilles heel in the first season. We’re going to throw more strikes, we’re going to put our defense into play, we’re going to have more strikeouts and we’re going to have more guys we can go to.”
It’ll be the pitching depth which the team will rely on to improve their record and take a big step forward on the diamond.
Swanson said their record at Serauxmen Stadium wasn’t great last season and it’s something they’ve actively gone out to improve.
“We’re stronger with left handed pitchers than we were last year, there’s no question about that. In Serauxmen Stadium with that tight right field and that monster out there, controlling left handed batters is important to winning ballgames at home.”
Despite a high turnover of players, which can be typical at the West Coast League level, the NightOwls have retained some familiar faces.
Nanaimo product Tim Holyk, a first team all-star returns to the team, as does Cody Hendricks and Aaron Marsh. Brandon Hupe will also don the jersey once more in the outfield.
Swanson is also high on several new faces like left handed pitchers Riley Paulino and Conner Gleissner as well as righty Payton Robertson.
“On the offensive side I’m extremely excited to see a catcher who plays first base and DH Ethan Rivera. Then there’s Brandon Nicoll from the Coombs, Parksville area and he’s been one of the top bats in all of Division 2 baseball for a couple years now.”
The team has already hit the field for an exhibition game ahead of the season start, taking on the Mid-Island Pirates on Wednesday, May 31 in which the NightOwls lost 3-0.
Focus however is firmly on the season ahead and Friday’s home opener.
Swanson said in addition to a revamped and stronger lineup on the field, the team has worked through last season and the winter months to better solidify corporate relationships and grow the team’s footprint in the community.
He added local recording artist Darcy McBride, better known as ‘Details’ will be performing during the weekend.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun to hear the music that’s setup on a temporary stage for the entire opening weekend, with Save-on-Foods putting on a major barbeque on opening night.”
For fans who make it to the second NightOwls game on Saturday, they’ll be treated to skydivers descending on the field at the start of the game.
Fans are advised to get to the ballpark early to secure parking and their seats ahead of the scheduled opening pitch Friday night.
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