University of British Columbia Weekly Update #2

Results:

Win 3-0 Concordia (NCAA DII)

Win 7-5 (12 Inn) Concordia (NCAA DII)

Win 10-8 Concordia (NCAA DII)

Overall Record: 5-8 Conference Record: 0-0

TOP PITCHERS:

Jr Barry Caine 4.2 Inn, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 0 Earned, 3 Ks, (1 Win)

Fr Daniel Sereda 4 Inn, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 3 BB’s, 2 Ks (1 Save)

Fr Garrett Hawkins 5 Inn, 2 hits, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 1 BB, 3 Ks (1 Win)

Jr Niall Windeler 7.1 Inn, 5 Hits, 4 Runs, 4 Earned, 2 BB’s, 11 Ks

TOP HITTERS:

Fr Noah Or 8-10, 4 RBI, 2 R,

Fr Mike Fitzsimmons 3-13, 2 RBI, 6 R, 1 HR , 3 BB’s,

So Jaxon Valcke 5-13, 6 RBI, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 BB

Jr Austen Butler 5-11, 1 R, 3 BB

COACHES COMMENTS:

Home sweet Home! The Thunderbirds made their 2019 Tourmaline West debut this past weekend, and did so in fine fashion. The Birds swept former NAIA West rival and current NCAA D2 Concordia University in the three game set. Freshman Garrett Hawkins got the ball in Game 1, going five scoreless before handing it off to fellow freshman Daniel Sereda who was able to complete the shutout with four scoreless of his own. The offence put up 10 hits and were able to push three across for the 3-0 victory. Jaxon Valcke was 2-for-4 with two RBIs while Ben Mitchel went 2-for-5, scoring a run, and tallying an RBI.

In the second game of the Saturday double header, the Thunderbirds carried a 5-1 lead into the eighth before the Cavaliers put up a four spot to tie the game. Junior transfer Barry Caine was able to hold the Cavs off in extra innings, setting the stage for a 12th inning two-run walk off home run by Jaxon Valcke. Niall Windeler got the start, pitching seven innings allowing only one run before getting into some trouble in the eighth. Windeler ended the day with 11 strike outs in a strong outing on the mound. Valcke finished with three hits and four RBIs, while Noah Or was a home run shy of the cycle, going 4-for-5 adding an RBI.

In the final game of the series, the UBC bats stayed hot pushing across 10 runs in a 12 hit effort. Adam Mckillican and Jared Spearing combined for seven strong innings allowing five runs but only two earned. The Cavs got out to a 3-1 lead after three complete, but a four spot in the fifth by the Birds gave them the lead that was never given up. Concordia threatened with a late rally scoring in each of the last three innings, but the Birds were able to hang on to secure a 10-8 victory and a series sweep of the Cavs.

Ty Penner was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI while Noah Or pitched in with his second consecutive four-hit game, adding three RBIs and a run scored. Mike Fitzsimmons blasted his first career homerun knocking in two runs to help the cause.

A good start the home schedule set the Birds up to open conference play this Friday against No. 5 ranked Lewis-Clark State.

UPCOMING:

Friday, March 1 vs. Lewis-Clark State Vancouver, BC

Saturday, March 2 vs. Lewis-Clark State (NAIA) DH Vancouver, BC

Sunday, March 3 vs. Lewis-Clark State (NAIA) Vancouver, BC