KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – The UBC Thunderbirds (16-8, 6-5) dropped their final three games against the Oregon Tech Owls in Klamath Falls, Ore., Sunday, losing a series for the first time this season.
 
The 'Birds got some excellent work from the bullpen but couldn't come up with hits when they needed them losing the final two games by a single run, both shortened to seven innings.
 
The marathon day began with a continuation of the second half of Saturday's double header, which had been suspended in the fourth inning due to heavy rain. The T-Birds were down 6-2 when the game was suspended but were unable to take advantage of the overnight break falling 6-3.
 
Game 3 of the series saw Tyler Gillies take the mound for UBC in what would turn into a bit of a pitcher's duel with OIT's Adam Kandra. It didn't start out that way for Gillies, however, as the right-hander allowed three straight singles in the bottom half of the first, the last of which scored Michael Kilpatrick to get the Owls on the board. But Gillies recovered getting Alexis Paz to ground out into an inning-ending double play to escape further damage.
 


Gillies then retired his next six straight batters keeping the Owls to their single run lead while UBC had some trouble at the plate until the top of the fourth when Nick Spillman earned a lead-off walk. After Mitch Robinson popped out, Vinny Martin singled to advance Spillman to third. Mackenzie Parlow then walked to load the bases with one out but Geoff Ehresman hit into a double play as the Owls kept the 'Birds off the board while clinging to their 1-0 lead.

OIT doubled that lead in the bottom of the fourth as Louis Wolf was able to score on a wild pitch.
 
The Thunderbirds finally managed to score in the top of the fifth. With two out and none on, Kyle McComb reached base on a bunt single. Austen Butler followed with a single of his own and both runners advanced thanks to an overthrow at first. McComb then scored after Gillies threw a wild pitch but the 'Birds couldn't get the tying run before the inning was out. Despite UBC's collective hitting troubles, McComb had an excellent series with six hits in 11 at bats with a grand slam Friday night.
 
Liam Stroud entered the game to pitch the fifth for the T-Birds striking out his first batter. DJ Harryman was walked but Stroud got Blake Wrotenberry to ground out with UBC turning the double play.
 
UBC stranded a pair of runners in the top of the sixth but Stroud's good work on the mound continued with a three-up, three-down bottom half to keep the 'Birds within a run heading to the final inning. Once again UBC threatened as Anthony Olson singled and was advanced to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt from McComb, but the 'Birds couldn't close the deal dropping a second straight game for the first time in conference play this season.
 
Hoping to avoid their first series loss of the year, the T-Birds found themselves down 3-0 after two innings in the finale. With Brad Smith on the mound, Evan Johnson earned a walk to kick off the bottom of the second. Paz proceeded to hit the ball out of the park for a two-run shot to get the Owls on the board. OIT tacked on another run later that inning to increase their early lead.
 
For the second straight game, the T-Birds took until the fifth inning to cross the plate for the first time. Butler came through in the clutch with a two RBI single to centre field forcing OIT to their bullpen as Ben Hood came in to halt UBC's rally in its tracks.
 


UBC's pen did its job as Adam McKillican entered to start the bottom of the third going three and a third strong allowing four hits but no runs. James Bradwell came in during the bottom of the sixth with runners on first and second but got the only batter he faced, Alex Poltz, to hit into a double play to end the inning.
 
Hood retired three straight UBC batters in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the lead for Oregon Tech's second straight one-run win.
 
While the T-Birds were able to put up 14 runs in the first game of the series, they managed just six combined in the final three games falling to 6-5 in conference play.
 
UBC returns to Thunderbird Park next Friday to kick off the first of two straight home series starting with the College of Idaho 'Yotes for a four-game set. First pitch Friday, March 24 is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.