It's year four for the Nanaimo NightOwls, with the team firmly focused on a first playoff appearance after laying groundwork in past seasons. (Nanaimo NightOwls)

By Alex Rawnsley

swinging for the fences

‘Guys have got to perform:’ Nanaimo NightOwls open season with eyes on playoffs

May 30, 2025 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — After solid growth over the last few years, the Nanaimo NightOwls hope season four represents a big breakthrough year for the West Coast League club.

The team opens up their new season at home on Friday, May 30, hosting Bellingham at Serauxmen Stadium, with a first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

New head coach Cody Andreychuk, who was born and raised in the Harbour City, said they’re looking to play an exciting brand of baseball with some solid offence, complemented by a deep bullpen.

“We’ve got a couple first baseman with 20-plus home runs…those guys are going to be explosive players. We’ve got a couple Division One and NAI (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) outfielders that have put up really good numbers throughout this year that run really well.”

Andreychuk said the athleticism will be key as batters can find plenty of gaps in the expansive Serauxmen outfield.

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The team’s offence overall is expected to be led by Caden Petrey who has a .336 batting average, 57 home runs and 192 RBI’s (runs batted in) through his collegiate career to date with the University of the Cumberlands.

Defensively, an approximately 20-man bullpen will work together, with Andreychuk saying returning right armer Adison Mattix will be the opening night starter.

Mattix has proven himself in the league, Andreychuk said, pitching 41.1 innings in 10 starts for the NightOwls last season.

“There’s a lot of experience with some guys, some senior college guys we’re bringing in that have had really good campaigns and are looking to move on to Division One. We’ve got some Division One arms that need a little bit more reps, and they’re going to be in.”

A major challenge for the NightOwls will just be getting the squad together and on the same page.

Due to college commitments in the United States, a many players and coaches were still arriving in Nanaimo as late as Wednesday, May 28.

“You’ve got to get them all on the same page quick and understand what the common goal is, obviously to make the playoffs, which we haven’t done here,” Andreychuk said. “It’s just making them understand that, one, they’re trying to get better…but two, there’s a city that supports this team and the goal is to bring a playoff team to the city.”

Andreychuk is confident recruitment efforts through the off-season will pay dividends.

“I think we’ve done a really good job of putting ourselves in a good position, but at the same time, guys have got to perform. It’s a game of failure and some guys are going to be hot and some guys are going to be cold, and I think it’s really just going to come down to when we get here and we see what we got.”

Nanaimo continues against Bellingham on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 before heading out on the road to visit Port Angeles early next week.

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