The Matchup
Following a much needed bye week, the UBC Thunderbirds (18-10, 24-20), hit the road for the final series of the regular season as they face the Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls (11-17, 22-27) Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29 in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The 'Birds have already clinched a berth in next week's California Pacific Conference tournament but are still playing for all important seeding while also aiming to keep their second-half momentum going.
UBC has won 14 of their last 17 games, a fantastic stretch that began with a four-game series sweep over the Owls to open up Thunderbird Park at the end of March. The T-Birds need to split this weekend to ensure a higher seed at the upcoming conference tournament.
First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is 1:00 p.m. ET with Sunday's season finale double getting underway at 11:00 a.m. PT, all at Kiger Stadium.
Last Action
UBC took three of four against the Corban Warriors to close out the home portion of their schedule. The 'Birds are coming off a bye week having had a chance to rest and recharge for the final week of the season and the coming playoffs.
Oregon Tech picked up a single win in a five-game series against Lewis-Clark State last weekend. The Warriors snapped what had been a seven-game win streak for the Owls who were outscored 62-31 over the course of the weekend.
By the Numbers
8.57 – UBC's pitchers have amassed an average of 8.57 strikeouts per game, by far the best rate of any team in the conference.
9.11 – The average number of Thunderbird hits per game. UBC's bats have been gaining traction throughout the season as the 'Birds have also limited the opposition to 8.05 hits per game.
Players to Watch
Braeden Allemann (#41, C/RHP) – In just his second pitching start of his university career, the senior utility man set a conference season high with 14 strikeouts in a complete game win where he allowed just one earned run on eight hits. Allemann has three wins and two saves on the season with a 2.45 ERA.
John Whaley (#26, OF) – The third-year outfielder is averaging a hit per game while bumping up his batting average to .264 after a terrific series against Corban where he managed six hits, four for extra bases including a home run, with two RBI.
Coach's Take
A bye week can be cause for concern when it comes to disrupting timing and momentum, especially for a team performing as well as the 'Birds have, but UBC head coach
Chris Pritchett says the timing couldn't have been better.
"Final exams, we had a couple injuries and some illness so the good really outweighed the bad," said the third-year dugout boss. "We played on the weekend amongst ourselves and tried to keep things as normal as we could. I feel good just watching the guys hit and I'm feeling good about this weekend and the tournament next weekend."
The T-Birds want to make sure they're playing the right way heading into the conference tournament while also wanting to lock down a higher seed, but they also know the Owls will provide some stiff competition at a tough park to play in.
"It's important to keep the foot on the gas to make sure we're playing well going into the tournament," said Pritchett. "OIT is much better than their record. The series we had at home was close, and they are tough at their own park. Everybody knows this is going to be a tough series, we're trying to play well so we have some momentum going into next week. These guys are motivated and I'm looking forward to it."
