UBC Week 6: Bradwell, Hupe, Penner, Spearing, Valcke, Windeler

Former Vauxhall Academy Jet and Team Saskatchewan RHP Garrett Hawkins (Biggar, Sask.) threw eight scoreless for UBC against the College of Idaho.

University of British Columbia

Weekly Update No. 6

Results

Conference

Win 4-2 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Win 15-3 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Win 3-0 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Win 7-5 College of Idaho (NAIA)

Overall Record: 18-11 Conference Record: 13-3 (1st)

TOP PITCHERS:

Jr Niall Windeler 8 Inn, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, 1 Earned, 4 BB, 7 K’s (1 Win)

So Jared Spearing 6 Inn, 7 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 Earned, 3 BB’s, 6 K’s (1 Win)

Jr James Bradwell 6.1 Inn, 3 Hits, 1 Runs, 1 Earned, 2 BB, 9 K’s (1 Win, 1 Save)

Fr Garrett Hawkins 8 Inn, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 1 BB’s, 12 K’s (1 Win)

TOP HITTERS:

Fr Brandon Hupe 6-17, 3 RBI, 5 R, 2 HR, 1 BB, 1 SB

So Jaxon Valcke 7-18, 6 RBI, 4 R, 1 HR, 1 SB

Fr Ty Penner 6-17, 3 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB

Fr Mike Fitzsimmons 5-17, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SB

Coaches Comments

For the second consecutive week, the Thunderbirds took to the road and returned with four wins. Back to back weekend sweeps have put the Birds all alone in first place of the Cascade Conference.

Niall Windeler got the ball in Game 1 against College of Idaho, and after surrendering two early runs, was able to settle down to keep the Birds in it. Windeler went on to throw seven straight scoreless innings and a late rally by the offense gave UBC the lead. James Bradwell went a scoreless ninth for the save as the Birds edged out the Coyotes 4-2 in the Friday night opener. Brandon Hupe was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Jaxon Valcke drove in the winning run.

On Saturday, the Birds came out hot putting up 15 runs in a shortened seven-inning win, 15-3. Brandon Hupe led the charge with two home runs and three RBIs, while Valcke was 4-for-5 with three RBIs of his own. Jared Spearing had all the support he needed, surrendering three runs over six innings in the win.

The second game of the Saturday double header saw Garrett Hawkins deliver his best performance of the year. The freshman Starter went eight scoreless, scattering two hits and struck out 12 Coyote hitters. The UBC offence was able to push across three runs late to secure the victory.

In the series finale on Sunday morn the Thunderbirds were able to complete the sweep, beating the College of Idaho 7-5. The Birds were up all game, getting out to a 7-1 lead behind James Bradwell who gave up one through 5 1/3 innings. The Coyotes did threaten late, scoring four in the eighth, but Pat Van Den Brink was able to shut the door in the ninth, giving the Birds a victory and the four-game sweep. Jaxon Valcke was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and catcher Zach Prisciak knocked in two runs to lead the offence.

The Thunderbirds are now riding a nine-game winning streak into their BYE week and will continue action the following weekend with a trip down to Lewiston, ID to square off against LC State.

Upcoming:

Friday, April 5th @ 3:30 PM @ LC State (NAIA) DH Lewiston, ID

Saturday, April 6th @ 12 PM @ LC State (NAIA) Lewiston, ID

Sunday, April 7th @ 12 AM @ LC State (NAIA) Lewiston, ID