November 13, 2026
NANAIMO, B.C. — Serauxmen Stadium is an intoxicating place to play and watch baseball.
The Nanaimo NightOwls program has become known for players wanting to return to play collegiate summer baseball — and three players have already signed to spend another season on Vancouver Island.
Since the 2022 debut WCL season, players have trekked back for encore appearances and the 2027 roster will be no different.
Aiden Nykoluk and Davis Downer are back for a second season, and local product Carter Cathers will spend a third season in Nanaimo when the summer of 2027 arrives on June 1. All three are right-handed hitting outfielders, with Cathers also able to play first base.
“These are guys who improved as NightOwls and understand the standards and goals of this organization, highlighted by making the playoffs in 2026,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk, who enters his third season at the helm.
Nykoluk and Cathers play for Andreychuk at NAIA University of Pikeville. Downer is in his first season in Div1 as a Huskie at the University of Washington.
Nykoluk, a California native who followed his brother Andrew’s footsteps by landing in Nanaimo last summer, was a standout who played in 41 games and had nearly 200 plate appearances — batting .318 with 47 hits and 32 RBIs, mostly playing left field.
Cathers had four home runs and seven stolen bases, including a memorable game in Corvallis as part of a sweep of the Knights, playing in 31 games overall and handling first base down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Downer, the NWAC player of the year for Everett CC, graduated to UW after spending 14 games as a NightOwl and registering seven extra base hits and 16 runs driven in.
Andreychuk and the front office are working on more player signings for 2027, with further announcements to come.
NightOwls Baseball Makes the Perfect Christmas Gift!
With familiar faces returning and another exciting season on the horizon, there’s no better time to secure your seats for 2027!
Single-game tickets go on sale December 1, 2026 — just in time for Christmas! Give the gift of summer nights, exciting baseball, and unforgettable memories at Serauxmen Stadium.
Skip the wrapping paper this year and put NightOwls baseball under the tree!
