UBC Week 10: Hawkins, Hupe, Sereda, Spearing, Weger lead sweep

Former North Shore Twins OF Brandon Hupe (Vancouver, BC, No. 26) crosses the plate and bumps helmets with former iCase Huskies Jaxson Valcke (St. Marys, Ont.).

UBC Week 10: Hawkins, Hupe, Sereda, Spearing, Weger lead sweep

University of British Columbia update Week #10

Results:

Conference

Win 3-1 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Win 1-0 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Win 9-1 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Win 7-2 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Overall Record: 27-17 Conference Record: 22-9

Top pitchers:

Jr Niall Windeler 6 Inn, 6 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 0 BB, 6 Ks (Win)

Jr Barry Caine 3.1 Inn, 1 Hit, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 4 BB, 2 Ks, (Save)

So Jared Spearing 6 Inn, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 1 BB, 7 Ks (Win)

Fr Daniel Sereda 6.2 Inn, 4 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 3 BB, 6 Ks (Win)

Fr Garrett Hawkins 7 Inn, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 1 BB, 5 Ks (Win)

Fr Brett Corbeth 2 Inn, 1 Hit, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 0 BB, 4 Ks (Save)

Top hitters:

Fr Brandon Hupe 5-14, 5 RBI, 5 R, 2 HR, 4 BB, 2 SB

So Nolan Weger 5-13, 5 RBI, 3 R, 2 HR, 1 BB, 2 SB

Fr Ty Penner 5-18, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 HR

So Jaxon Valcke 6-16, 3 R

Fr Liam Vulcano 3-8, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Coaches’ comments:

The Thunderbirds concluded the conference schedule with a four-game sweep of the College of Idaho Yotes on the last home weekend of the season. Junior Niall Windeler was pitching Friday night, one week removed from his no hit performance against Oregon Tech. Windeler scattered six hits and one run over six innings of work while fanning six batters in the 3-1 win. UBC got out to an early 2-0 lead and added one more late to secure the victory. Freshman Brett Corbeth came in late to earn the save. The offence was led by Nolan Weger and Zach Prisciak who both went 1-3 with an RBI each.

Freshman Garrett Hawkins started Game 2 on Saturday and was outstanding through seven scoreless, only allowing two hits. The outing was exactly what the Birds needed in a game where Nolan Weger’s solo blast accounted for the entire offence for both sides. Barry Caine earned the two-inning save to preserve the 1-0 victory.

In between games the Thunderbird family honoured three seniors who would play their final home games of their careers. All four-year Thunderbirds, C Zach Prisciak, OF Lichel Hirakawa-Kao, and RHP Patrick Van den Brink were joined by family on field in the celebration.

In the back end of the double header, Jared Spearing took to the hill to try and repeat his best outing of the year versus Seattle U. Spearing did just that, allowing just one hit through six scoreless, striking out seven. The offence caught fire in the 4th with 3 runs and proceeded to score in each of the following 4 innings. Relief pitchers, Caswell, Van den Brink and Corbeth finished off the Yotes in the 9-1 victory. Brandon Hupe had a big game at the plate going 3-for-4 with three runs, and five RBIs including two home runs. The freshman’s two long balls brings his team leading total to seven while fellow freshman Ty Penner also added his sixth of the year.

Going into the series finale on Sunday the Birds were looking for their third sweep of the year and some added momentum heading into the playoffs. Freshman Danny Sereda got the ball and was great through 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run. The bats stayed hot for the Birds who tallied seven runs on 11 hits in the 7-2 win. Nolan Weger hit his second home run of the weekend and Jaxon Valcke went 3-for-3 as the Birds completed the sweep of the Yotes.

With the four wins, UBC finishes in second place in the NAIA West, one game behind Lewis-Clark State to earn a trip to the Conference tournament. The Cal Pac championship takes place in Mesa, AZ, April 5-7.

Upcoming:

Cal Pac Conference Championship

Sunday May 5th (Time TBA) vs Benedictine-Mesa (NAIA) Mesa, AZ

Follow along @ http://www.calpacathletics.com/sport/0/11