VANCOUVER- The UBC Thunderbirds baseball team (32-16, 18-10 NAIA W) showed they can thrive in big moments by sweeping an all-important doubleheader against College of Idaho Coyotes (30-16, 17-11 NAIA W) Saturday afternoon at Thunderbird Park. The victories move UBC into second place in the NAIA West, putting them in position to play host in the first round of the playoffs.
 
UBC used its usual recipe for success by riding a hot starting pitcher and waiting for their offence to manufacture enough runs to win. As he's been all season, Bruce Yari (Waterloo, Ont.) was the offensive catalyst for the 'Birds, collecting three hits, two runs, and an RBI in the two games.
 
On the day he would be honoured for graduating from the UBC baseball program, Alex Webb (Surrey, B.C) pitched a four hit, complete game masterpiece, that saw him strikeout thirteen Coyotes. Webb completely controlled game one, as College of Idaho could manage only four singles against the big right-hander. Webb didn't walk a batter and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed.


 
"I felt pretty good from the get-go," said Webb, who looked like he'd barely broken a sweat in post-game interviews. "I felt I was able to throw strikes most of the day. I had three pitches going and felt strong right until the end."
 
Webb got all the run support he needed in the bottom of the second when Vinny Martin (Pender Island, B.C.) scored as Anthony Olson (Edmonton, Alta.) grounded into the fielder's choice.
 
In the fifth College of Idaho starter Zach Draper balked with the bases loaded and Yari trotted home with an insurance run. Webb cruised the rest of the way and UBC had struck first blood in the series.
 
"We kept putting pressure on them," said UBC head coach Chris Pritchett. "We just didn't get any hits to break it open. But I thought the amount of opportunities we created was encouraging."


 
In game two, Thunderbird starter Connor Noble (Vancouver) took the hill and was put under pressure early. College of Idaho had at least one base runner in each of the first three innings, and it was in the third they took their first lead of the afternoon. Noble left a pitch over the plate and 'Yotes shortstop Hunter Hanson drilled it into the berm behind the right-centre fence. That pitch would be Noble's only mistake on the day.
 
The rest of the way he skilfully painted the outside corner with his curveball and pounded the inside of the plate with his heater.

In the fifth UBC would take back the lead for good. An Olson RBI single to left was followed by a Yari sacrifice fly to plate the game-winning run.
 
Tyler Gillies (London, Ont.) mopped up the eighth and threw a perfect ninth to earn the save for the TBirds who will prepare for the doubleheader rematch Sunday, with the first pitch slated for 11am at Thunderbird Field.


 
"The message is clear, there is still a lot to do," added Pritchett. "It's an early day so get your rest, come back, and be ready for anything tomorrow."
 
"Baseball is really a day-to-day thing," explained Yari. " You just try not to think about it too much and come out tomorrow with another good game plan. You almost wipe today, pretend it never happened, then come out and win tomorrow."
 
UBC Baseball Honours Graduating Seniors
 
Alex Webb, Tyler Enns, and Jeremy Newton were honoured for their years of service with the UBC Baseball program. All three are seniors and will be moving on at the conclusion of this season. They talk about their past and present expereinces at UBC, and also what the future might have in store. Watch the video below.