VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds couldn't overcome a six-run first inning by the Vanguard (Calif.) Lions and fell 8-2 in the semifinal of the NAIA Baseball Championship's Santa Clarita Bracket on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The loss means UBC (39-18) needs to win three straight games over the next two days to win the tournament and advance to the Avista-NAIA World Series. The team's next outing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Thursday against Northwestern Ohio, the squad they beat 4-2 on Tuesday. Another defeat would knock the third-seeded Thunderbirds out of the double-elimination bracket and end their season.
 
UBC opened strong on Wednesday with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.
 
Left fielder Tyler Enns (Winnipeg) led off with a single. Two batters later, first baseman Bruce Yari (Waterloo, Ont.) reached on a misplayed grounder by Vanguard second baseman Dylan Ramie. After a pop up was caught in foul territory for the second out of the inning, UBC catcher Cam Firth (London, Ont.) delivered a clutch single through the hole at shortstop, scoring Enns.
 
Lions left fielder Brandon Sandoval misplayed the ball, giving time for Yari to cross home plate as well, to give the Thunderbirds a 2-0 advantage.
 
Vanguard hitters struck back decisively in their first time up to bat, hitting two home runs off UBC starter Jeremy Newton (Toronto) en route to a six-run inning. Brock Eissman hit a three-run shot while Taylor McKnight drove in two with his round-tripper. The Lions held the Thunderbirds off the scoreboard the rest of the way, while adding two more tallies themselves.
 
Designated hitter Mackenzie Parlow (Qualicum Beach, B.C.) went 2-for-4 for UBC.