UBC Thunderbirds Week IX
RESULTS:
Conference Play

Win    7-6        Lewis-Clark State College (NAIA)

Loss    14-2        Lewis-Clark State College (NAIA)

Loss    16-4        Lewis-Clark State College (NAIA)

Win    2-1        Lewis-Clark State College (NAIA)

Overall Record:  21-19     Conference Record:  15-9

 
TOP PITCHERS:

So Niall Windeler                 6.2 Inn, 7 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 Earned, 4 BB, 5 Ks, (Win)

Sr Braeden Allemann    5.2 Inn, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 0 BB, 10 Ks, (Win)

So Jack Caswell        2.1 Inn, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 1 BB, 3 Ks

TOP HITTERS:

Sr Anthony Cusati        6-15, 4 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 HR

Sr Mitch Robinson        4-12, 1 RBI, 1 R, 4 BB

So Austen Butler        5-15, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 HR

Jr Jake Lanferman        5-14, 1 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB

COACHES COMMENTS:

The Thunderbirds managed to bookend a couple victories in a series split versus the three-time defending champs, Lewis-Clark State this weekend in Vancouver. 

Riding a season high nine-game win streak, the Birds extended it to 10, edging out the Warriors in Game 1 Friday afternoon. Niall Windeler went 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs -- two earned -- which was supported by a T-Bird offence that exploded for five runs in the second and held on late thanks to an Austen Butler two-run shot to seal the victory.

Games 2 and 3 of the series were owned by the Warriors who were able to take advantage of many opportunities offensively, as both games were one sided from the start.

After suffering back to back blowout defeats, the Thunderbirds would be tested again in the final game of the weekend. The senior battery of Braeden Allemann and Anthony Cusati were terrific and carried the Birds to victory. Allemann went five innings striking out nine, his only blemish being a solo home run in the first by Kyle Callahan. It was a well-played ball game by both teams and it was Cusati who eventually gave the Birds all the support they needed with a two-run, opposite field blast in the bottom of the sixth.

Jack Caswell held the Warriors off the board for 2 1/2 innings and Pat Van Den Brink shut the door to earn the save. In total, the three Thunderbird pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts on the day.

Showing the resilience that has been demonstrated at many times this year, the Birds were able to come back after two difficult defeats to split the series with a tough Warriors team.

Missing in action this weekend were two sophomore starting pitchers, Adam Mckillican and James Bradwell. Both have been experiencing arm pain and look to return soon.

Lucas Soper and Zach Prisciak were also out another week with lower body injuries and continue to progress back to good health. 

The Thunderbirds complete their four-week home stand versus Corban this coming weekend in the last home games of the year. Senior day will be held Saturday and the official unveiling of Thunderbird Stadium is scheduled for Sunday.

UPCOMING:
CONFERENCE PLAY
  
Saturday   4/14    vs Corban (NAIA) DH @ 1 PM

Sunday      4/15    vs Corban (NAIA) DH @ 11 AM
 

Austen Butler