VANCOUVER – After sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday, the UBC Thunderbirds baseball team spilt with the visiting Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls on Sunday at Tourmaline West Stadium.
 
Saturday saw a no-hitter by UBC, and in Game 1 on Sunday, it was Logan Nousen of Oregon Tech (12-34, 6-22 NAIA West) who came out and nearly matched that feat, spinning a complete-game, two-hitter. The second game saw the Thunderbirds (23-17, 18-9 NAIA West) offence explode scoring six runs capped off by home runs from freshmen Jordan Dray and Ty Penner.
 
"To Nousen's credit, he was able to pitch backwards and throw a few pitches for strikes. We just didn't adjust fast enough," UBC head coach Chris Pritchett said of the first game. "When we only give up three runs over two games, I would expect us to win both games for sure."
 

Game 1

Game 1 of the doubleheader showcased outstanding pitching performances on both sides. UBC went with rookie pitcher Garrett Hawkins, who went seven strong for the Birds allowing two runs while striking out four.
 
Oregon Tech countered with Nousen, a senior, who stifled the Thunderbird hitters. He carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning until UBC's Noah Or singled through the left side.
 
The Owls opened the scoring in the sixth inning when Micah Jio flared a double down the left field line. Jio later came around to score on an Austin Zavala single. In the seventh inning, the Owls extended their lead thanks to an RBI single by Austin Florez that brought home Tristan Shea.
 
That was all the offence the Owls needed as Nousen went on to throw a complete game shutout for his first win of the season. He allowed only two hits and struck out five Thunderbird players over nine stellar innings.
 

'Birds split Sunday's doubleheader and win the series 3-1 against Oregon Tech ??

Game 1@garretthawkins_ 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, 0 BB@austen_butler 1-2

Game 2@barrycaine10 W, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB
Ty Penner 1-4, 3-run HR@jordan_dray9 1-2, 2 R, HR, 2 BB

??: @RichLamPhoto pic.twitter.com/75UbkVBI8W

— UBC Baseball (@ubc_baseball) April 21, 2019

 

Game 2

The Thunderbirds turned to the freshman southpaw Daniel Sereda in Game 2 of the doubleheader. He provided four scoreless innings for the Birds.
 
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Jordan Dray walked, was later moved over to second base and then came around to score on an Austen Butler single. Butler proceeded to steal third before scoring on a swinging bunt by Mike Fitzsimmons.
 
The 'Birds turned to Barry Caine in the fifth inning. The Douglas College transfer gave up a leadoff double to Xzavian Gonzales. Gonzales was moved over to third and later scored on a wild pitch.  
 
The 'Birds extended their lead in the sixth when Dray hit a solo home run on the first pitch he saw, putting the ball over the left field fence and again in the seventh when Penner hit a three-run shot.
 
That was all the offence the hosts needed as Sereda and Caine combined to go nine innings limiting the Owls to just one run while striking out eight.
 

"I think everyone is just trying to get right. Hitters are trying to get on time, pitchers are trying to fine tune and as a group we are trying to play in a playoff type atmosphere. I think playing a Division 1 team on Tuesday to stay sharp is a good thing. I welcome the live at-bats," Pritchett said of his team moving forward.
 
The Thunderbirds next game is on Tuesday as they head south to Bellevue, Wash., to take on the Seattle Redhawks.
 
It is a short turnaround for the 'Birds as they welcome the College of Idaho Coyotes to Tourmaline West Stadium for a night game on Friday, the first of four contests to end regular season play.