UBC bats stay scorching hot in 17-run explosion

Abbotsford Cardinals grad David Krahn (Langley, B.C.) belted two home runs for UBC on Sunday in their 17-4 win over the Corban Warriors. Photo: UBC Athletics (file photo)

March 23, 2025

Corban Warriors Communications

KEIZER, Ore.- For the third straight game, the UBC Thunderbirds put up double-digit runs in a win over Corban University, defeating the Warriors 17-4 at Volcanoes Stadium to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-four series.

A leadoff home run for the T-Birds by first-year slugger David Krahn (Langley, B.C.) on the fourth pitch of the contest lined the visiting team up for a massive day at the plate, as UBC rattled off a seven-run opening frame which was all they would need to eventually clinch the series win against the Warriors with a game still to be played on Monday morning.

Four different British Columbia hitters mashed homers, with Krahn going deep twice. The 'Birds final bomb was an inside-the-park homer, helped by a Corban outfielder tripping, with the ball ending up in deepest part of the ballpark and sending first baseman Trent Lenihan (White Rock, B.C.) flying around the basepath.

The Warriors scored runs in the fourth and ninth frames on RBI singles by sophomore first baseman Lucas Mertlich and senior third baseman Ryan Clay to avoid the shutout by the Thunderbirds' pitching staff.

Warriors' sophomore starting pitcher Avery Williamson was unable to escape the first frame in a six-earned run, five-hit, and two-walk appearance, giving way to five different relief pitchers who were all tagged for at least a single run over varying amounts of innings.

Representing the best starter ERA on the team, UBC pitcher Ryan Heppner (Point Roberts, Wash.) lowered his season totals by allowing a single earned run in five innings, striking out seven Warriors along the way with no free passes. Relievers Evan Hoegler (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Lucas Huynh (Vancouver, B.C.) each tossed a pair of innings, both of whom allowed two hits while Huynh was charged with a pair of earned runs.

From the nine-hole in the lineup, Warriors' senior left fielder Fran Gross had the best outing of any Corban batter in terms of offence, as he was 3-for-4 at the plate and scored a run. Meanwhile, the RBI base hits by Mertlich and Clay gave each of the infielders a pair of RBIs and were both 2-for-4 from the lefthanded batter's box.

With 15 combined base knocks, five UBC hitters had multi-hit performances in the third game of their four-game series in Keizer, led by third baseman Aaron Marsh (Nanaimo, B.C.) who was a single shy of the cycle with his 3-for-4 day by registering a double, triple, two-run homer, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Rightfielder Mitchell Middlemiss (Chilliwack, B.C.) matched Marsh with three hits of his own along with three RBIs and a run scored.

The two conference foes will face off one final time this season Monday morning at 11 a.m. (P.T.), as the Warriors have an opportunity to snap their losing streak while the Thunderbirds will play for the series sweep.