SANTA CLARITA, CA - The no. 13 UBC Thunderbirds improved to 3-1 on the season following a pair of 4-3 victories over the Master's College on Friday and Saturday in Santa Clarita.
T-Bird starter
Brandon Kaye was the star in Friday's win, going seven strong innings in his first start for UBC giving up three hits and one run.
Master's made it close with a pair of runs of T-Bird closer
Shawn Hetherington, however, the 2009 NAIA West all-star did enough to preserve the win for Kaye.
Nic Lendvoy led the 'Birds with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate, knocking in an RBI.
Sammie Starr, batting in the six hole, had a pair of RBIs in the win with
Jordan Pandoff also driving in a run.
Despite an identical scoreline in Saturday's game, it was a much better offensive performance by both squads.
The Master's College picked up 13 hits, however, T-Bird start
Eric Brown was able to scatter the base runners, holding the hosts to only two runs in seven innings despite giving up 10 hits.
Taylor King came into finish the game, giving up three hits and one run in the ninth but Master's comeback effort fell short for the second straight game.
UBC started the game strong offensively, scoring a pair of runs in the second and third innings to take a 4-0 lead.
They tallied 10 hits in the game, led by rookie
Blake Carruthers who was 3-of-4 at the plate with one run batted in. Lendvoy had a UBC best two RBI in the game with
Nic Lindsay picking up the other RBI.
The T-Birds continue their road swing through California with three more pre-season games against Concordia-Irvine, the University of Redlands, and Whittier College.
UBC opens conference play against Simpson University in Redding, CA on February 26 and 27 with a pair of double headers.
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