UBC Wk 4: Butler leads UBC in hits on Jeff Francis' weekend split
Coquitlam Reds’ OF Austen Butler (Port Coquitlam, BC) led the Thunderbirds on Jeff Francis weekend as UBC split a four-game series with the Corban Warriors.
University of British Columbia
Weekly Update #4
Results:
Conference
Loss 5-1 Corban (NAIA)
Win 10-3 Corban (NAIA)
Loss 6-4 Corban (NAIA)
Win 4-3 Corban (NAIA)
Overall Record: 10-11 Conference Record: 5-3
Top Pitchers:
Jr Niall Windeler 7 Inn, 2 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 1 BB, 14 K’s
So Jared Spearing 7 Inn, 4 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 2 BB’s, 5 K’s (1 Win)
Jr Jack Caswell 4.2 Inn, 6 hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 1 BB, 6 K’s
Jr James Bradwell 4 Inn, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 0 BB’s, 2 K’s (1 Win)
Top Hitters:
Fr Brandon Hupe 5-10, 4 RBI, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 BB
So Nolan Weger 5-15, 3 RBI, 4 R, 1 HR , 1 BB
So Jaxon Valcke 2-6, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB
Jr Austen Butler 6-17, 3 R, 3 RBIs
Coaches Comments:
The Thunderbirds welcomed the Corban Warriors for a four-game set this weekend. The Warriors come into the series matching the T-Bird’s record of 3-1 atop the NAIA West Conference. After two days of double header action, the standings remain the same, as the teams split both days in a competitive series.
Game 1 Starter Niall Windeler put together another impressive outing going seven innings, surrendering only two hits and one run along the way. Keeping the Birds in the game, the offence couldn’t capitalize on any chances and fell to the Warriors 5-1.
In between games, UBC honoured former Thunderbird and big league LHP Jeff Francis by retiring his No. 16. Francis was on hand as many alumni, supporters and of course current players were able to show their appreciation for what Francis has done for the UBC program. Something that has been in the works for quite some time, UBC was able to present the former first rounder with a day that was well deserved.
The Thunderbirds rode some of the positive momentum and bounced back in Game 2 putting up 10 runs on 12 hits, which was more than enough for Sophomore starter Jared Spearing in his best effort of the year. Spearing went seven scoreless as the offence was led by Valcke and Weger, each with a home run, while Austen Butler added three hits of his own.
A scary scene late in the game had 1B Jaxon Valcke down on the field for some time as he collided with a baserunner at first base. A throw up the line took Valcke off the bag and as he reached for the ball, there was a collision with a Warrior baserunner. Valcke would be out for Sunday’s game and is being re-evaluated.
Day 2 of the series mirrored that of Day 1. The Thunderbirds came out strong scoring in each of the first three innings to take a 4-0 lead behind freshman starter Garrett Hawkins. Hawkins was cruising until running into problems in the fifth where he would give up the lead allowing five runs. The T-bird offence couldn’t respond as the Warriors added one late to take the game 6-4.
In the finale of the series the Warriors got out to a 3-0 lead after four innings before the Birds would promptly tie it up in the fifth. Junior Pitcher James Bradwell came in to shut down the Warriors for three innings which set the stage for freshman Brandon Hupe who played hero on a day where he had five hits and four RBI’s, the last of which was a walk off single in the ninth helping the Birds to a series split.
Unfortunately the Birds have been hit by the injury bug this year, with many regulars out of the lineup. Since the season started, Lucas Soper, Adam Mckillican, Kyle Stubbins and now Jaxon Valcke have gone down.
Still in First place in the NAIA West, the Thunderbirds will take on the Oregon Tech Owls, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, this coming weekend.
UPCOMING:
Saturday, March 16 @ Noon vs. Oregon Tech (NAIA) DH Klamath Falls, OR
Sunday, March 17 @ 11 AM vs. Oregon Tech (NAIA) DH Klamath Falls, OR