Six NorthPaws Earn All-WCL Nod

by | Aug 18, 2022 | West Coast League

Six members of the inaugural Kamloops NorthPaws have earned accolades in the end of season All-WCL teams for the 2022 season.

Outfielder Félix Chénier-Rondeau, starting pitcher Sean Heppner and relief pitcher Kolby Lukinchuk were named to the Second Team All-WCL.

Slugger Zack Beatty, infielder Tommy Green and relief pitcher Ben Polack were named as All-WCL Honourable Mentions.

The six players listed is the most of any 2022 West Coast League expansion team.

Chénier-Rondeau, heading into his junior season at Oklahoma City University, hit the first home run in franchise history at the beginning of June and went on to finish third in the league with nine home runs. He finished the season with a .241 average, 21 RBIs and 14 stolen bases often hitting leadoff or second for the NorthPaws.

Félix Chénier-Rondeau hits one of his nine home runs this season.

Heppner, a right-hander from the University of British Columbia, finished second in the league with a 2.64 ERA, tied for seventh with 43 strikeouts and tied for 10th with 44.1 innings pitched. His strong performance earned him the nod as the first playoff starter in franchise history.

Sean Heppner had the 2nd best ERA in the West Coast League this season.

Lukinchuk finished tied for third in the league with four saves this season. He emerged as a strong option at the back of the bullpen, posting a 1.12 ERA with 24 strikeouts through 32 innings. He is the only NorthPaws player who will keep playing at Norbrock Stadium as he enters his sophomore season with Thompson Rivers University.

Beatty entered the West Coast League season as one of the best home run hitters in the NJCAA junior college ranks, and continued that prowess with the NorthPaws. He finished second in the WCL with 10 home runs, and led the expansion team with 31 RBIs. He will join Kansas Wesleyan University for his junior season.

 

Green finished the season second in the league with 29 steals, tied for sixth in the league with 12 doubles and added two triples, good for a tie of ninth in the league ranks. He led the NorthPaws with 31 walks and 48 games played. He finished with a .234 average and 26 RBI. He is entering his senior season at Oakland University.

Tommy Green was one of the best doubles hitters and base stealers in the West Coast League.

Polack finished tied for third in the league with five wins. The lefty from California finished with a 1.97 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 27.1 innings this season. He is entering his senior season with San Jose State University.