VANCOUVER — The UBC Thunderbirds (4-2, 9-10) got another pair of very strong performances from their starting pitchers as they split a Saturday doubleheader against the Corban Warriors (4-2, 6-12-1) at Tourmaline West Stadium.
Following a 5-1 UBC loss despite a 14 strikeout performance from
Niall Windeler, the 'Birds bounced back with a 12-hit second game for a 10-3 win.
It was appropriate both Windeler and sophomore
Jared Spearing both had solid days on the mound as between games, the T-Birds honoured former UBC great Jeff Francis, officially retiring his number 16 jersey in a ceremony that was a very special moment for everyone at the park.
"He's such a big part of what's going on here," said UBC head coach
Chris Pritchett. "I think what's most impressive is just how humble he is, which to his credit is pretty amazing for what he's accomplished."
Prior to his stellar MLB career, Francis spent three memorable years with the Thunderbirds starting in the 1999-2000 season following his graduation from North Delta Senior Secondary. During his three years with the Thunderbirds, Francis set 11 new team pitching records and was twice named an NAIA first team All-American. A star in the classroom as well, Francis was named an Academic All-Canadian three times.
Francis spent a total of 11 years playing professional baseball including stints with the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and, most notably, the Rockies. Francis won 17 games with Colorado in 2007, pitching over 200 innings while helping the Rockies all the way to the World Series. With an NLDS victory over the Philadelphia Phillies that year, Francis became the first Canadian starting pitcher to win a postseason game, and later entered the history books as just the second Canadian to start a World Series game.
"It's hard to put into words," said Francis when trying to describe what his jersey retirement means to him. "The three years I spent here are UBC were some of the best of my life. The program means a lot to me and continues to mean a lot to me to this day. I follow the team, I support the program and to see where it is today, it means a lot and for them to retire my number, I'm not sure I have the words to express my gratitude."
GAME ONE
Windeler was stellar for his second straight conference start, lasting seven strong innings allowing just one earned run on two hits with one walk and his 14 strikeouts.
The series began with quite the pitching duel between Windeler and Corban starter Jonathan Russomano who earned his second win of the season.
UBC threatened to open scoring in the bottom of the second with the bases loaded and none out. But Russomano got
Zach Prisciak swinging and ended the inning when
Liam Vulcano grounded out into a double play.
Corban scored the game's first run in the top of the sixth when Josh Ebert plated Jared Bell from second.
Still up a run in the top of the seventh, Warriors' catcher Nate Cantonwine doubled to the right field wall with one down, but Windeler struck out his next two batters to end the threat.
The top of the ninth did the 'Birds in when Corban scored four runs on two hits including a Brendan Yawn three-RBI double.
UBC got one run back in the bottom half with a Vulcano sacrifice fly but the home side wasn't able to close the gap any further.
GAME TWO
Spearing gave UBC seven strong innings in the second half of the doubleheader, allowing just one earned run on four hits striking out five batters.
The 'Birds got things rolling offensively in the bottom of the second when designated hitter
Austen Butler hit a two-out stand-up double to bring
Nolan Weger to the plate. UBC's second baseman then launched his first home run of the season to give the T-Birds a 2-0 lead.
With two down in the bottom of the third,
Jaxon Valcke hit UBC's second homer of the game, just over the left field wall, nearly identical to Weger's shot to put the 'Birds up 3-0 with his third long ball of the season. A throwing error and a Butler single put runners on the corners with UBC looking for more, but Corban starter Zach Filos got Weger to fly out to end the inning.
The Warriors put runners on the corners to start the seventh. Spearing was able to limit the damage to a single run which came courtesy of a Bell single, scoring Justin Tow from second as the 'Birds held a 3-1 lead through six and a half innings.
UBC broke things open in the bottom of the eighth scoring seven runs starting with back-to-back RBI singles from Butler and Weger which chased reliever Drew Scherrer off the mound. Jacob Bowser didn't fare any better as his first batter, pinch hitter Nathan Shute, hit an RBI single to centre, and the rout was on.
The Warriors got two runs back in the top of the ninth but couldn't manage to get any closer as the two NAIA West rivals split the series opening doubleheader.
"We didn't have much to show for that first game but I thought in the second game we were able to grind some at bats out," added Pritchett. "We hit a couple balls out of the park and I think the guys then felt a little bit better about getting results and then I think they loosened up a bit and we put some more runs on the board."
Spearing picked up his first conference win of the season and earned solid praise from his head coach.
"He was really good in game two and really we needed him to be, that was his best start of the year and to be able to salvage the split is good."
Filos took the loss allowing three earned runs on six UBC hits with six strikeouts through six innings of work.
Weger had a tremendous day at the plate for UBC going a combined 4-for-8 with three RBI and three runs. Butler finished the second game with three hits and an RBI.
The 'Birds will look to make it two straight series wins to start the conference season with Sunday's doubleheader at Tourmaline West Stadium. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. PT.
