Lincoln, Calif. – A rough first inning for the UBC Thunderbirds proved to be their undoing in their opening game at the NAIA World Series opening round with a 19-8 loss to the Judson University Eagles Monday morning at McBean Park.

The Eagles put up seven runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back while also putting up multiple run innings in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth. The T-Birds will now face elimination in the double knockout tournament when they next take the field Tuesday morning.



UBC starting pitcher Braeden Allemann settled down after the first allowing just a single hit through the next two innings. The 'Birds got on the board in their half of the fourth but the Eagles added to their lead in the bottom half putting three more across the plate, ending Allemann's day with Jack Caswell entering in relief.

The T-Birds cut into the Eagles' lead in the fifth with a five run inning. Mitch Robinson was credited with two RBI when he reached on a Judson fielding error with the bases loaded. Allemann, Anthony Cusati, and Jaxon Valcke all hit RBI singles which chased Eagles starter Dan Gerke off the mound with one away. LJ Austin sat down the next two UBC batters to end the inning with the 'Birds down 10-6.



Judson got four of those five UBC runs back in the bottom of the fifth to take a 14-6 lead. The Eagles cruised the rest of the way allowing just two more T-Bird runs in the seventh.

Judson now advances to play the host William Jessup Warriors Monday afternoon.

Robinson finished the game two-for-four with three RBI while Cusati and Valcke had three hits apiece.

The 'Birds will now face the No. 12 Middle Georgia State Knights in Tuesday's elimination game after they lost 8-6 to the Cal Pac conference champion Antelope Valley Pioneers. First pitch is 9:00 a.m. PT at Lincoln's McBean Park.