The Matchup

The UBC Thunderbirds (4-7, 10-17) open up the brand new Thunderbird Park this weekend as they host the Oregon Tech Owls (4-7, 12-18) for a pair of double headers Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25.
 

#BASE: It's a new era for the @ubctbirds and the NEW UBC Baseball Stadium! The home opening weekend is on March 24th and 25th, so get your tickets TODAY at https://t.co/C9uqB6RATO  #ubc #baseball #canadascollegeteam pic.twitter.com/fGwlrkkGfx

— UBC Baseball (@ubc_baseball) March 16, 2018

It's the first time the 'Birds will play at home this season after 27 straight road contests. Last year the T-Birds went 3-5 against Oregon Tech in the regular season including a 2-2 mark at home. UBC last faced the Owls in the NAIA West Grouping Championship with the Thunderbirds posting a 5-0 win.

Both the 'Birds and Owls are hungry for a series win after a bumpy start to conference play as both hold identical 4-7 records, 4.5 games behind the Corban Warriors.

First pitch at the shiny new Thunderbird Park is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT Saturday with game two set for 3:30 p.m. PT. Sunday's doubleheader begins at 11:00 a.m. PT.
 

Last Action

The T-Birds are home from a three game non-conference trip across the Pacific Northwest. UBC dropped a 4-2 decision to Seattle University before a decisive 11-2 win over Concordia in Portland. The 'Birds finished up their trip with a 7-3 loss to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.



Oregon Tech suffered a three-game series sweep by the Lewis-Clark State Warriors last weekend. The Owls lost by a combined 37-10 margin and enter this weekend having lost four in a row.
 

By the Numbers

217 – The number of batters struck out by UBC's pitching staff so far this season to top the NAIA West Grouping. The 'Birds' 8.04 strikeouts per game average is the highest in the entire conference.

.253 – The 'Birds are aiming for consistency at the plate, among other areas, with a .253 team batting average so far this season.
 

Players to Watch

Mitch Robinson (#44, 3B/OF) – The fourth-year slugger went 3-for-5 in Tuesday's win over Concordia driving in three runs while scoring twice himself. Robinson leads the 'Birds with a .317 batting average and a .485 slugging percentage.



Patrick van den Brink (#13, RHP) – The junior reliever has been putting up some impressive numbers for the 'Birds with a 0.57 ERA while holding the opposition to a .122 batting average. The Surrey, B.C. native has given up just six hits and a single earned run through 15.2 innings picking up two saves along the way.
 

Coach's Take

It's an exciting time for the entire team to be able to open up their new park, and UBC head coach Chris Pritchett is hoping some home cooking can help find the consistency they need.

"Pitching, defence, and hitting, we've had all of those areas be good at times but all three of them working together on a regular basis has been eluding us so far," said Pritchett who will oversee his third home opener at the helm of the 'Birds. "It's just continuing the fundamentals to try and get them to show up on a consistent basis on the weekends. I know that sounds simple, but that's what we're working on."



The Owls and 'Birds enter with identical conference records making this four-game series all the more important when it comes to the standings, and the playoff picture.

"They're a hungry group, it's a group that's trying to get over the hump, last year they almost made it to the post-season and they're going to be fired up," said Pritchett. "They're right in the mix so they're looking at this as a possible turning point in their season and it is for us too, it's huge. We're trying to balance keeping everything in perspective. Yeah it's a big series, but we got to concentrate on those little things that help us win and that's what we're focussing on in practice."