Monstrous fifth inning propels T-Birds to series sweep

Okotoks Dawgs alum Kaden Zarowny (Strathmore, Alta.) belted two home runs for UBC to help them to a 9-5 win - and series sweep - over Corban on Monday. Photo: UBC Athletics

March 24, 2025

By Jake McGrail

UBC Communications

SALEM, Ore. – As has been the case repeatedly throughout this season, the bats were alive and kicking for the UBC Thunderbirds as they took down the Corban Warriors 9-5 for a fourth road win in three days.

Just a day after the T-Birds mashed five home runs in a blowout victory, the blue and gold went yard three more times in a rare Monday game. Kaden Zarowny (Strathmore, Alta.) was responsible for two of them as he brought home three of UBC's eight RBIs. One of those deep shots came in the fifth inning, when the T-Birds scored six runs in 11 at-bats to shoot themselves into an insurmountable lead.

Before those fireworks, however, it was the Warriors who went up 3-1 as they tried to avoid the series sweep. After a Mitchell Middlemiss (Chilliwack, B.C.) RBI single in the first, Corban struck back with an RBI single of their own and a pair of sacrifice flies between the second and third innings to hold the early lead. A Zarowny solo shot to left in the top of the fourth served as an omen of what was to come, as the T-Birds entered the fateful fifth down 3-2 on the scoreboard.

Jonny McGill (Richmond, B.C.) began the proceedings with a single to get himself on base, followed soon after by consecutive walks that loaded the bases with just one out. The onslaught began there, as the T-Birds scored on four straight at-bats.

First, Kyle Yip (Calgary, Alta.) hit the ball to left field, bringing home McGill. Then, David Draayers (Abbotsford, B.C.) was hit by a pitch which put the Thunderbirds up 4-3. An Aiden Rose (Calgary, Alta.) sacrifice fly looked like it would score another run, but a throwing error from the Warriors' centre-fielder turned it into two with Yip scoring all the way from second base. Zarowny then stepped up and cleared the bases with a two-run shot to put UBC up 8-3.

Aaron Marsh (Nanaimo, B.C.) put the cherry on top with a solo homer of his own the following inning, and though the Warriors pushed hard and mustered a couple more runs, they could not get close as the Thunderbirds pulled out the win for the 13th time in their last 14 games.

The 'Birds will hope to keep their heater going once again this coming weekend as they head to Portland to take on Warner Pacific in a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29.