LHP Niall Windeler (Toronto, Ont.) picked up his fourth win.

Make it seven straight wins for the Thunderbirds

By Jeff Sargeant
UBC Sports Media
VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (28-10, 18-7) kept their solid late season momentum going with a pair of wins over the visiting Oregon Tech Hustlin’ Owls (16-27, 11-17) Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Park to extend their current win streak to seven games.

UBC starting pitcher Connor Noble earned his seventh win of the season pitching a complete game in a 4-2 ‘Birds win to kick-off the double-header which was finished off with a 7-1 victory on senior’s day.

The Owls kicked off UBC’s final home series of the regular season by opening scoring in the top of the first with a two-out single by Alex Poltz scoring Blake Wrotenbery from third but the ‘Birds were able to answer back in their half of the inning. Braeden Allemann was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded allowing Tyler Yorko to score his first of two runs in the game.

Oregon Tech re-took the lead with another run in the top of the second, but yet again UBC responded in the bottom half. Kyle McComb hit a one-out triple bouncing the ball off the right field fence. Austen Butler then promptly doubled to tie the game at two.

After a run scored in each of the first four innings of the game, it wasn’t until the bottom of the seventh when another run crossed the plate. With runners on second and third, Mitch Robinson singled to score both Yorko and Butler giving the ‘Birds their first lead of the game which they wouldn’t relinquish.

Robinson’s hit chased John Schultz from the mound after six and a third innings of work. The sophomore starter struck out seven allowing four UBC runs on eight hits getting tagged with the loss.

Noble, meanwhile, cruised for his seventh win on the season allowing two earned runs and just four hits while striking out five going the distance for the second time in his last three starts.

“He’s old reliable,” said UBC head coach Chris Pritchett who had nothing but praise for his ace.

“I thought at the beginning with the tough weather it was hard to hang onto the ball and a couple pitches got away from him and he got behind in some counts and they were able to put two across but once he settled down and the weather let up he was money the rest of the way.”

The second half of the double saw the ‘Birds get out to a 3-0 lead after three before the Owls scored their only run of the game in the top of the fourth to cut UBC’s lead to two.

But the ‘Birds broke the game wide open in the bottom half putting up four runs on the board. With runners on second and third, Kyle McComb got the ball to fall into left field scoring both Brendan Rose and Anthony Cusati. McComb was able to advance to second on an overthrow and then scored on a throwing error that allowed Geoff Ehresman to reach base. Yorko then hit a sacrifice fly for his second RBI of the game to give the ‘Birds the commanding six run lead.

Niall Windeler picked up his fourth win of the season for the ‘Birds allowing just one run on eight hits with four strikeouts through seven innings of work.

“Another solid start, he’s gotten better each time he’s gotten out there, we’re really thrilled with his progress,” Pritchett said.

Aiden Goodall (Nanaimo, BC) worked two scoreless innings.

Aidan Goodall pitched the final two innings for UBC allowing just one hit and striking out two.

Butler led the way at the plate for the ‘Birds Saturday going a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI while scoring three times.

UBC seniors from left to right: Tyler Yorko (Burnaby, BC), Connor Noble (Vancouver, BC), Mackenzie Parlow (Qualicum Beach, BC), Vinny Martin (Pender Island, BC), Aiden Goodall (Nanaimo, BC), Liam Stroud (Maple Ridge, BC), Tyler Gillies (London, Ont.), Brendan Rose (Calgary, Alta.) and skipper Chris Pritchett.

All eight graduating Thunderbirds were honoured between games, a group that UBC’s head coach has tremendous respect for.

“I’ve just been blown away with just how hard these kids work and what good people they are and they’ve made my job so much easier to move the culture in the way we want to go with a team first attitude,” said Pritchett.

UBC has now won 12 of their last 14 games and can earn a second straight series sweep by taking the final two home games of the season Sunday against the Owls. First pitch for game one of the double header is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. PT with the series finale set for 1:45 p.m. PT at Thunderbird Park.

“The guys are working hard, they know what’s at stake here, we really want to win this conference and host with a chance to go to the post-season and hopefully the world series,” said Pritchett after a third straight home field win.

“These are all building blocks and stepping stones and there’s still a lot of work to be done but there’s no doubt we’re heading in the right direction.”

Make it seven straight wins for the Thunderbirds

Make it seven in a row for UBC