Santa Barbara, CA - The UBC Thunderbirds improved to 3-2 on the season with a 5-3 victory over Westmont College Wednesday afternoon in Santa Barbara, California. Sebastian Wong drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to give the Thunderbirds the victory in the first of two games this week against Westmont.
Tied at 3-3 in the ninth Tyler Enns earned a free trip to first after being hit by a pitch. After Enns was sacrificed over to second by Vinny Martin, Sebastian Wong stepped up and ripped a single, driving in Enns and putting UBC in front 4-3. Tyson Popoff would provide the insurance as he singled to right to score Wong to make it a two run game heading into the bottom of the inning.
After allowing back to back singles to start the bottom half of the ninth, Curtis Taylor was pulled in favour of Conor Lillis-White who wasted little time recording three outs. He would pick off a runner at second, induce a fly ball to centre field, and finish it off with a strikeout to earn the save and secure the 5-3 victory.
UBC got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Enns was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Warriors responded in the bottom half of the inning when designated hitter David Gabel belted his second home run of the season off Sean Callegari with a runner on to put Westmont in front 2-1 through four innings of play.
The 'Birds would tie it up in the seventh. Enns started the inning off with a double and would later score on a fielder's choice. Wong was credited with the first of two RBI on the day.
Both teams would trade runs in the eight inning. Kevin Biro drove in Tyson Popoff to give UBC its first lead of the game, 3-2, but it wouldn't last long. A sacrifice bunt by William Barring scored Brent Fukushima from third base to tie the game at 3-3.
Callegari had a solid outing for the Thunderbirds going six strong innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits, while striking out four and walking two. Curtis Taylor would pick up the victory and Lillis-White got the save.
Westmont's Casey Schapper was strong as well on the bump, going seven innings and like Callegari allowing two earned runs on five hits.
Popoff, Biro, and Bruce Yari each had a pair of hits a piece for UBC.
The Thunderbirds and Warriors will be back in action tomorrow afternoon with first pitch at 2:00 pm PST.
