VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds baseball team swept all three of its California road games this week, capping the trip off with a 5-0 win over Chapman University, the defending NCAA Division III runners-up.
“Great pitching today as Tavis, Luke, and Conor really set the tone,” said UBC head coach
Terry McKaig after the game. “That and scoring again in the first inning really set the tone for this one. Great way to end the trip with five wins in a row now sending us into conference play on a high note.”
The Thunderbirds scored three times in the first inning, which was more than enough for UBC starter
Tavis Bruce.
He gave up just a hit in his six innings of shutout ball, which included three strikeouts.
Conor Lillis-White (two innings) and
Luke Webster (one inning) maintained the shutout in relief of Bruce.
Third baseman
Andrew Firth went 2-4 from the plate, including a home run to end his day with two runs batted int.
Centre fielder
Blake Carruthers also went 2-4, scored a run and recorded an RBI to go along with a stolen base.
Right fielder
Jerod Bartnik drove in the other UBC run while the other T-Birds hits came from designated hitter
Sebastian Wong and second baseman
Ryan Taylor.
On Wednesday, UBC pounded out 22 hits to crush Whittier College 12-2.
“Anytime you get 22 hits in a game, you are usually going to win,” said McKaig. “Great job by the top of the order with
Matt Spillman,
Andrew Firth, and
Nick Senior, each having four hits. You add our No. 5 hitter
Blake Carruthers getting five hits and it was a big win with our offence leading the way.”
Carruthers also scored a run, drove in two and stole two bases.
Shortstop
Matt Spillman's 4-6 day at the plate included two doubles.
Senior also had two doubles and a home run, en route to a two-RBI day.
Firth, Wong and Taylor all had two RBI's while Bartnik drove in the other UBC run.
Pitcher
David Otterman gave up just two runs over six innings for the win.
UBC's run of good pitching started on Tuesday, in an 8-2 win over Redlands, the No. 15-ranked team in the NCAA's Division III.
Starter
Danny Britton-Foster surrendered just a run and four hits over seven innings. He also recorded four strikeouts.
Reliever
Markus Fergusson continued his dominance going the final two innings without giving up a hit, while striking out four.
“A real solid effort putting together our hitting, pitching, and defense today against a quality opponent,” said McKaig. “We haven't had the pitching yet this year we have expected in the past but the last two games our starters and relievers have thrown well. Again, scoring this many runs as an offence is taking the pressure off early which is key with a young team.”
UBC went ahead early, with the winning score coming as part of a four-run third inning.
Left fielder Senior had a big day going 3-3, with four runs, two RBI's, a home run and a stolen base.
First baseman
Mike Hole nailed a three-run homer while Carruthers drove in two runs.
UBC is now preparing for conference play, which will begin with a four-game set against Menlo College in Vancouver.
The first game will take place on Friday, March 2 at Nat Bailey Stadium, weather permitting. The game location will change to Thunderbird Park on campus if Nat Bailey is unplayable.
