The UBC Thunderbirds (18-9, 23-18) face a long-standing rival for the final series of the NAIA West season as they host the College of Idaho 'Yotes (10-18, 16-31) for a four-game set starting Friday night at Tourmaline West Stadium.
The 'Birds have already locked up a berth at the upcoming California Pacific Conference Championship, but they also want to ensure they keep the pedal down and head into the playoffs with a high level of intensity.
UBC can certainly expect a formidable opponent in the 'Yotes this weekend despite the fact C of I has already been eliminated from post-season contention. The 'Birds took all four games against the 'Yotes in Caldwell, Idaho last month by a 29-10 margin. There's little doubt C of I will be looking for redemption while also aiming to end their season on a high note.
This weekend will also be a bittersweet time for three graduating UBC seniors in catcher
Zach Prisciak, outfielder
Lichel Hirakawa-Kao, and pitcher
Patrick van den Brink who will also play at Tourmaline West Stadium for the final time in the blue and gold.
First pitch for the season-ending series opener is set for 6:00 p.m. PT Friday, April 25. A Saturday doubleheader gets underway at 12:00 p.m. PT and the series finale goes Sunday at 11:00 a.m. PT.
Last Action
UBC took three out of four games against the Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls at home last weekend which included
Niall Windeler's no-hitter, the first solo nine inning no-no by a Thunderbird. The 'Birds travelled to Washington State Tuesday for a non-conference meeting with Seattle University, dropping a 2-1 decision in 10 innings.
The 'Yotes enter their final series of the year on an eight-game losing streak, still looking for their first win in April. C of I suffered a sweep at home last weekend by the Corban Warriors.
Players to Watch
Niall Windeler (#49, LHP) – Earning NAIA Pitcher of the Week for his no-hitter effort, Windeler leads the entire conference in both strikeouts (91) and opposition batting average (.167). The junior from Toronto boasts a 4-3 record and a 3.27 ERA.
Jordan Dray (#9, OF) – The sophomore outfielder had a combined six hits with four RBI and five runs against the Owls last weekend including two home runs. The White Rock product is batting .270 on the season and sits second on the roster with 21 RBI, and third with 34 hits.
Coach's Take
The 'Birds have already locked up the top NAIA West seed for the upcoming conference championship, but that's hardly any reason to be letting off the gas against a tough opponent in the 'Yotes.
"We've stressed to the guys there's no on-off switch, there's really only one speed you can play at and so to go out and compete this weekend is important and that's all we're really concerned about," said UBC head coach
Chris Pritchett. "We're looking for the effort, the intensity, and all those things that would be exactly what they will experience the next week and I wouldn't expect anything less."
If not for a blip the last couple weeks, the 'Yotes would have been right in the post-season mix. Combine that with their appetite for vengeance for UBC's sweep in Caldwell last month, and the 'Birds need to be ready for a hard-fought series.
"You better come ready to play for sure when C of I comes to town," warned Pritchett. "They're a good team, it didn't work out for them at the end of the year but we expect them to be competitive games for sure."
It's not quite goodbye yet for UBC's three graduating seniors, but Hirakawa-Kao, Prisciak, and van den Brink will all be officially honoured between games Saturday in what will be an emotional send-off.
"They're such unselfish players. Those are all guys that have been in and out of the starting lineup but it's never affected them and how they were as a member of the team. They've all developed into team leaders and positive role models, I can't say enough about them. They've impacted the team in different ways this year and they're tough guys to replace. We're not in the post-season without them."
