LEWISTON, ID - The no. 13 ranked UBC Thunderbirds (20-6, 14-2) proved they could hang with one of the best in the NAIA this weekend, however, a pair of close loses to the no. 6 ranked and perennial powers Lewis-Clark State Warriors will serve as little consolation to
Terry McKaig and his 'Birds.
After dropping two games on Saturday (8-7, 8-1) the T-Birds fell just short on Sunday, losing 7-6 in 11 innings in Lewiston, ID.
"It was a tough loss today as we took leads in both the top of the tenth and eleventh innings," noted McKaig, who was steered the UBC program since it's rebirth in the late 1990s. "Other than that, it was a pretty darn good effort."
LC State tied the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth to round of scoring in regulation.
Blake Carruthers got UBC off to a good start with a walk in the top of the tenth and he eventually scored to put the T-Birds ahead after some good small ball and an error by the Warriors.
The hosts got right back into, however, taking advantage of a pair of free passes from T-Bird pitcher
Taylor King to get runners on first and second before a single tied the game. King got out of the jam, however, as he was able to induce the inning ending double play.
Two quick outs for the 'Birds in the top of the 11th put UBC off to a slow start but a pair of walks, followed by a Carruthers single had the visitors ahead by a run once again.
This time, the Warriors made sure to come all the way back and end the game, scoring once on a sacrifice fly before taking the win on a squeeze play.
UBC ace
Mark Hardy was solid, going seven innings giving up four runs while striking out six. King went three and 1/3 innings in relief and was tagged for a pair of runs with
Shawn Hetherington on the mound for the loss.
Mike Elias and
Nick Senior paced UBC with a pair of RBIs each with Carruthers tallying one.
The T-Birds stay on the road Monday with a game against NCAA Division I Washington State (3:00 PM).
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