Need to Know
The UBC Thunderbirds baseball team (29-14, 15-8) will look to make a statement this weekend, as they prepare to take on the reigning NAIA champion Lewis-Clark State College Warriors (34-5, 20-3), currently ranked second in the country.
 
With all four of the weekend's games being played in Lewiston, Idaho, the 'Birds and Warriors are first set to clash this Friday, April 15, at 5:00 p.m. (PT). The two sides will then move into a doubleheader the next day, with the first contest scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (PT) before finishing off the series on Sunday, April 17, with a 2:00 p.m. (PT) showdown.
 
Last Week
The Thunderbirds are looking to get back on track after a weekend that saw them win their first two games against the Corban Warriors 2-1 and 4-1 before dropping the final two contests of their four-game set (scores of 1-0 and 5-2).
 
By the Numbers
2.31 – With a starting rotation of Alex Webb, Curtis Taylor, Conor Noble, Jeremy Newton, and Brad Smith, the 'Birds boast a pitching staff with the lowest ERA among NAIA teams across all competitions, coming in at 2.31.
 
0.193 – The T-Birds pitchers' aren't just holding opposing teams from scoring, they're also nearly impossible to hit off of. With opponents having a batting average of just 0.193 against UBC, the 'Birds sit second in the category in the NAIA, (Bellevue 0.163).
 
The Matchup
The 'Birds had a mixed showing when they last took on Lewis-Clark State back in mid-March – after winning the first of the three-game set, UBC dropped the next two 5-2 and 5-1.
 
However, that first win was spectacular. A 12-1 drubbing by the T-Birds, the loss represented Lewis-Clark State's worst defeat since they fell 14-4 to Menlo College on March 22, 2014.
 
The class of NAIA baseball in recent years, this season is no different in Lewiston. The Warriors are loaded with offensive talent – Jacob Zanon (#1 – 0.400), J.J. Robinson (#5 – 0.375), and Robert Smith (#10 – 0.356) all come in the top 10 on the conference's batting average leaderboard. Moreover, Zanon (34), Smith (31), Robinson (27), and teammate Cabe Reiten (22) rank one through four in the NAIA West for runs scored.
 
Lewis-Clark State is particularly deadly in their home park, as they sit at a perfect 19-0 within the confines of Harris Field.
 
Coach's Take
"We know that they're a great team, and they keep improving as the season goes on," said UBC head coach Chris Pritchett said of the Warriors. "They are going to be tough to beat at home, where they play so well, so we're going to have to bring our 'A' game this weekend if we want to win anything."