Need to Know
UBC did a lot of the heavy lifting over the weekend in their quest to host a home playoff series. The TBirds used some dominant pitching and timely hitting to take three of four games from College of Idaho at Thunderbird Park, putting them two games ahead of the 'Yotes in the NAIA West standings. Winning three of four on the road at Oregon Tech this weekend will seal the deal.
 
UBC's ace Alex Webb (Surrey, B.C.) is having a storybook season in his final year as a TBird. He picked up his first career NAIA National Pitcher of the Week honor earlier this week.


 
Last Week
The Thunderbirds pitching staff was lights out against College of Idaho in their all-important four game series. Webb, Connor Noble (Vancouver), and Curtis Taylor (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) were virtually unhittable in their starts. Jeremy Newton (Toronto, Ont.) was carrying a no-hitter through seven innings in his turn, before College of Idaho exploded for a five run eighth inning and stole the game from the 'Birds. If the quartet deals like that this weekend, UBC will be just fine.
 
Oregon Tech was swept in a four games series against cross state rivals Corban last weekend. They should be in a snarly mood and looking to play spoiler against UBC. The Hustlin' Owls play close to .500 ball in Klamath Falls (7-9) and will be motivated to close out their season with a good effort in front of their supporters.
 
By the Numbers
2.26 / .968 – the ERA and fielding percentage of the UBC Thunderbirds. It's difficult not to harp on the 'Birds propensity for winning games with great pitching and defense. The team ERA is by far the best in the NAIA West while their defense is ranked second.
 
70 / 25 / 31 – the numbers of stolen bases, sacrifice flies, and sacrifice bunts UBC has racked up this year. UBC Head Coach Chris Pritchett knows his team can manufacture a run in the pinch. The 'Birds don't hit a ton, but their offence is opportunistic and has a penchant for making opponents pay for their mistakes. 
 
The Matchup
UBC pummeled Oregon Tech over a three game series in Point Grey at the end of March. They outscored the Hustlin' Owls 20-2 in a three game sweep.
 
Oregon Tech has a slightly higher team batting average of .266 to UBC's .260, but the TBirds pitching is in a different universe than the Hustlin' Owls. UBC gives up nearly four fewer runs per game.


 
Coach's Take
"They've been really tough at home and it's a long trip down there so it will be a tough trip," says Pritchett. "This is a hitter's park were going to, so we know we have to be a bit more efficient and put up some more runs then maybe we would at home. We know we can't rely on our pitching every time. We're ready for anything and we'll say that from the minute we get on the bus until we're done and take our shot"