Paws Take Game One of Hawks' Road Trip

2026-07-28

Riverhawks see three game winning streak snapped in Kamloops

By Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—The Edmonton Riverhawks have hit a bump on their road to securing a 2026 West Coast League playoff spot. The Riverhawks opened up their final road trip of the regular season by falling to the host Kamloops NorthPaws on Tuesday night (July 28th). The Hawks saw a 1-0 third inning lead slip away and fell 9-1 to the Paws at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Staduim.

Edmonton’s three game winning streak was snapped on this night as they scored one run on five hits while committing two errors. Their record overall falls to 25-21 (11-9 in the second half). The North Paws, who have been eliminated from playoff contention, move to 19-26 (9-10 in the second half).

The North Paws-who have won three of four meetings vs Edmonton this season scored four times in the third, twice in the fourth and added singles in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. They had nine runs on six hits and had three errors.

The lone Edmonton run came in that third inning. #53 Gianluca Montanaro reached base on an error charged to the Kamloops shortstop. He scored when # 58 Omar Gonzalez singled. Gonzalez was 1 for 3 at the plate for the NorthPaws. #19 Luke Krull was 1 for 1 while #23 Justin Heffler was 1 for 4.

Kamloops was led offensively by #22 Tate Martin whose third inning double with the bases loaded brought in three runs. He was 1 for 4 with those three RBI. #7 Elijah Olaybal was 1 for 3 with an RBI. #4 Kade Crawford and #5 Jared Hall were both 0 for 2 with two runs scored. Hall contributed an RBI.

#18 Chris Demmler-the second of three Kamloops pitchers was the winner to move to 1 and 0 on the season. The Missoula, MT right hander went five innings, pitching two hits, walking two, giving up and run and striking out three.

#7 Jack Becker started for the Riverhawks. He fell to 1 and 1 on the season. Becker, a lefty from San Diego, California stuck around for three innings. He gave up four runs on one hit, striking out three and striking out two.

Edmonton utilized five pitchers in the ball game including #50 Hudson Kozicki. The Sherwood Park, AB product (via Vauxhaull Academy) pitched an inning of one hit ball. The University of Mary Maurauder (NCAA Div II) pitcher made his West Coast League debut.

The NorthPaws and Riverhawks will play game two of their three game set Wednesday (July 29) at Dearborn Field at Norbrock Stadium. Opening pitch will be 7:35 PM MDT.

The loss puts the Hawks three and a half games back of the front running Wenatchee AppleSox in the WCL North Division second half pennant race. Wenatchee was a 10-2 victor in Kelowna on Tuesday (July 28).

Edmonton will close out their roadie by going to Kelowna for three versus the Falcons starting Friday, July 31st and winding things up in Bellingham against the Bells starting the holiday Monday (Aug 3rd).