The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Kelowna Falcons 6-2 in the series finale at Norbrock Stadium on Thursday night, winning the series. Righty George Hobbins was excellent on the mound, going five innings, giving up one earned run, and striking out eight hitters. The NorthPaws bullpen got the job done in the final four innings, not allowing a run. The NorthPaws had 10 hits, including two from third baseman Chris Tampoya, who had three RBI’s as well as designated hitter Joey Rico, who launched his fifth homerun of the season over the right field wall.
“I think the big thing is that we responded, last night was tough, and for us to come out tonight with a great team win means a lot,” said Head Coach Riley Jepson.
The Falcons were the ones who got on the board first and scored twice in the first two innings. In the first, an error allowed a man on base, a stolen base, and a single made it 1-0, and in the second, three singles made it a 2-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the second, Kamloops responded. Second baseman Tanner Hornback doubled with one out and later stole third. Tampoya drove him in with a single. Left fielder Cade Palkowski and shortstop Dylan Dekker both reached base with two outs. Center fielder Ethan Kodama was at the plate and reached base off a throwing error, allowing the tying run to score.
In the bottom of the third, the NorthPaws loaded the bases with Hornback, Rico and MacDonald all reaching safely. Tampoya was up yet again and sent a ground ball up the middle that was good enough to score the go-ahead run despite being thrown out at first.
The middle third of the game was scoreless, highlighting George Hobbins’ great night. When the righty threw his last pitch in the fifth, he had already recorded a season team high of eight strikeouts while only surrendering one earned run.
“His slider was great tonight, and I think he and Matty (MacDonald) worked well together and mixed pitches effectively,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.
When Hobbins exited, the NorthPaws were clinging to a one-run lead, and righties Michael Riley and Cade Webber both got the job done on the mound. In just his second appearance as a NorthPaw, Riley impressed the home crowd with two clean innings, giving up just one hit. Webber came in the eighth and did his job, facing four batters and putting a zero on the board.
At the plate, the offence gave their staff some run support in the bottom of the seventh, mounting a two-out rally. MacDonald walked and stole second, setting up Tampoya, who singled and recorded his third RBI, giving the Paws a two-run cushion. Singles by Palkowski and Dekker drove in Tampoya, making it a 5-2 game.
In the bottom of the eighth, once again facing two outs, Joey Rico hammered the 2-0 offering over the right field fence for his second homerun of the series and fifth of the season, putting Kamloops up by four. Righty Julio Garcia came in and sealed the victory with a pair of strikeouts.
That was the ninth and final time the two teams would play in 2025, with Kamloops winning six of nine and five of the six games at home. The NorhPaws successfully avenged Wednesday’s loss in Kelowna, giving the team hope heading into the weekend against Nanaimo.
“We want to find a way to play the same game every night, that’s the biggest thing for us right now, we’ve been streaky at times, so I’m looking for a consistent effort all weekend,” said Jepson.
The team will kick off the weekend with Stingray Night at the ballpark, where upwards of 1,100 fans are expected to attend, hoping to see the NorthPaws start the series with a win. Friday’s first pitch is set for 6:35.
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