The Matchup
The UBC Thunderbirds (28-12, 18-9) head south of the border for the final time this regular season visiting the College of Idaho 'Yotes (19-25, 12-15) for a four-game series starting Friday, April 28th.
The T-Birds are already set to host the upcoming NAIA West Grouping Championship but are looking for the season series win over the 'Yotes while heading into the post-season with some momentum.
Prior to starting the regularly scheduled series, the two will complete the suspended series finale from March 26th when the 'Birds hosted the 'Yotes. UBC had a 4-3 lead after four innings of play after taking the first three games including a 6-5 16 inning thriller, the second longest game in UBC baseball history. That game will resume in the top of the fifth at 1:00 p.m. Friday.
First pitch in the final regular season series is set for 2:00 p.m. PT Friday with a double header Saturday scheduled for 12:00 p.m. PT and 2:45 p.m. PT. The regular season finale will go on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. PT, all at Wolfe Field in Caldwell, Idaho.
Last Action
The T-Birds won the first two games of their final home series last weekend against the Oregon Tech Owls but then saw a seven-game win streak come to an end dropping both games on Sunday. UBC is riding a four-game road winning streak after sweeping the Corban (Ore.) Warriors in their last series away from home two weeks ago.
The 'Yotes had a tough weekend in Lewiston, Idaho last weekend suffering a sweep at the hands of the Lewis-Clark State Warriors. The 'Yotes surrendered 43 runs in four games while scoring just six.
By the Numbers
.285 – The T-Birds have benefited from a solid offence all season with a team .285 batting average. UBC has managed to put up double digit runs on four separate occasions and scored 17 times in their three complete games against C of I last month.
2.87 – UBC's pitching staff continues to boast the best numbers in the conference with a 2.87 ERA while also leading in hits per game, opposition batting average, and walks.
Players to Watch
Connor Noble (#35, P) – UBC's ace continues to dominate on the mound with a conference best 1.49 ERA and a 7-0 record in 10 starts. Noble pitched a complete game in his last start on Saturday, a 4-2 UBC win.
Austen Butler (#15, OF) – The centre fielder went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate last weekend with an RBI and scoring three runs. Butler has upped his batting average to .375 and is riding a six-game hit streak.
Coach's Take
The Thunderbirds are already set to host the conference championship tournament next weekend but UBC head coach
Chris Pritchett says this weekend is still incredibly important, especially from a mental standpoint.
"We can't let off the throttle," said Pritchett who will have to manage a delicate balance between rest and refinement.
"The key and the trick is to keep our team motivated to not worry about wins and losses but to get to playing well again. The balance will be making sure that we give rest to people that are injured so they're at full strength the next weekend but still maintain a high level of intensity because that's going to be important to create that momentum going into the tournament."
The 'Yotes are an historic rival for the T-Birds which should certainly help get UBC prepared.
"This will be a really good opponent, they're very closely matched with us and last year it came down to them and us," said Pritchett. "It will be important that we're able to maintain our intensity and know that these games are meaningful games. It's important for us psychologically to be feeling confident."
