University of British Columbia Thunderbirds

Weekly Update #3

Results:

Conference:

Win 11-5 Lewis-Clark State (NAIA)

Win 3-2 Lewis-Clark State (NAIA)

Loss 2-1 Lewis-Clark State (NAIA)

Win 4-3 Lewis-Clark State (NAIA)

Overall Record: 8-9 Conference Record: 3-1

Top Pitchers:

Fr Daniel Sereda 6 Inn, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 1 Earned, 4 BB’s, 4 K’s (1 Win)

Fr Garrett Hawkins 9 Inn, 4 Hits, 3 Runs, 3 Earned, 1 BB, 5 K’s (1 Win)

Jr Niall Windeler 7 Inn, 2 Hits, 4 Runs, 4 Earned, 3 BB’s, 15 K’s (1 Win)

Sr Patrick Van Den Brink 2 Inn, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 0 Earned, 2 K’s

TOP HITTERS:

Fr Ty Penner 5-14, 3 RBI, 1 HBP

So Nolan Weger 4-12, 3 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB’s, 1 HBP

So Jaxon Valcke 5-12, 3 RBI, 1 HBP

Sr Zach Prisciak 2-10, 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 HBP

Coaches Comments:

The Thunderbirds opened conference play at home this weekend, taking three of four games against the No. 5th ranked Lewis-Clark State Warriors. Junior Niall Windeler took to the hill Friday evening and was fantastic. Windeler took a no hitter into the eighth inning before eventually running out of steam. The Warriors were able to plate five in the inning but it wouldn’t be enough as the offence provided 11 runs in the victory. Jaxon Valcke and Ty Penner had two hits each while Zach Prisciak added a huge three run home run to put the game out of reach. Along the way Windeler fanned 15 LC hitters, tying Jeff Francis for a UBC school record for strikeouts in a single game.

The Birds and Warriors split the double header on Saturday, as UBC took Game 1 and LC took the night cap. Freshman Daniel Sereda was impressive in game one throwing six innings in relief only allowing one run and earning his first career conference win. Nolan Weger had a two-run triple to put the Birds ahead 2-1 in the fourth but LC was able to rally back in the seventh to tie the game. The Thunderbird offence promptly responded with a run of their own thanks in part to a double by Prisciak who eventually would score on a sac fly by Noah Or. The single run was all the Birds would need in the 3-2 victory.

The Warriors got to the Thunderbirds in Game 3 in a well played low scoring affair. The Birds were shut down for sixinnings by LC starter Gerald Hein and a ninth inning rally fell short as the Warriors hung on for a 2-1 win.

Going into Sunday the T-Birds had the chance to win the series and that’s exactly what they did. Riding the coat tails of freshman Garrett Hawkins, UBC pulled off a 4-3 victory to complete the four-game set. Hawkins was outstanding, going the distance on the mound, allowing three runs and striking out five in his first career conference win. The Thunderbirds scored three in the fourth and Hawkins was able to hold the lead in his complete game performance.

Conference play is off to a good start for the Birds as they try to continue the good play this coming weekend, welcoming the Corban Warriors to Tourmaline West stadium.

Upcoming:

Conference:

Saturday, March 9 vs. Corban (NAIA) DH 12:00pm Vancouver, BC

(Jeff Francis Jersey Retirement Ceremony in between games

Sunday, March 10 vs. Corban (NAIA) DH 11:00am Vancouver, BC