VANCOUVER - After dropping an 18-inning marathon by a run in game one, the UBC Thunderbirds bounced back to take game two from the Corban College Warriors 5-0 on Saturday, earning a split in the second of three doubleheaders between the teams this weekend at Thunderbird Park.
After
Austin Fruson's RBI groundout in the seventh inning brought UBC level with Corban at three, a more than 10-inning offensive drought set in over the clubs that saw them combine for just four hits during that stretch.
In the top of the 18th, a Nate Hiebert double, one hit batter and an intentionl walk loaded the bases with two outs for Corban's Kris Bos. He was also hit by a pitch to drive across what would be the winning run, as two UBC got two runners on base but couldn't tie it up in the bottom of the inning.
"That was not what either team needed or wanted given that we are playing six this weekend," UBC head coach
Terry McKaig said of the lengthy contest. "It's obviously a disappointing loss as the home team when you have so many opportunities like that to just get one run and win it, and you can't get it done."
Trevor Winsor got the win for Corban, allowing three hits and no runs over five innings of relief work.
Tavis Bruce took the loss for UBC despite also turning in five solid innings in relief. He allowed just one run and one hit while striking out three.
Andrew Ledger threw 5.2 innings of one-hit shutout ball after replacing T-Bird starter Miles Verwheel, who went 7.1 innings, eight hits and three earned runs.
Andrew Firth and
Blake Carruthers both reached base four times in game one for the 'Birds. Firth had two walks and two hits, including a double, while Carruthers had three singles and a walk.
Game two saw the UBC offence reawaken early on to set the pace, and
Brandon Kaye threw a complete game-shutout in the seven-inning affair.
Sebastian Wong set the tone with a leadoff single to start the game for the 'Birds, who posted nine hits in the game - just one less than they had in game one, in fewer than half the amount of at-bats. Carruthers cashed in Wong with a sac fly, and an error allowed the 'Birds to tack on a second run in the opening frame.
UBC added two more in the third, when another Carruthers sac fly brought Firth home after his leadoff double, and
Greg Densem picked up an RBI single after
Kevin Nickel also doubled.
Wong rounded out a nice day at the dish for himself with a sac fly in the fourth to make it a 5-0 game. He finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Kaye got the win, allowing just three hits in seven scoreless innings, adding three strikeouts.
"The bright spot in game two was getting a good start with our hitting. That's what we expect from Brandon - to do a good job, and he really did, but it was nice to see the guys swinging the bats better," said McKaig.
The 'Birds are now 19-7 overall and 15-2 in conference action. The Warriors have their first conference win and now sit at 1-10 on the year, and 6-20 overall.
The teams wrap up their six-game series with two more on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. at Thunderbird Park.
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