LEWISTON, Idaho – The UBC Thunderbirds' bats stayed hot, but unfortunately their opponent's came alive as the LC Warriors closed out the NAIA West conference opening series with a 15-7 win Sunday afternoon at Harris Field.
Ty Penner had a career high four RBI, finishing a triple shy of the cycle to lead the 'Birds who totalled 11 hits in the series finale. But the Warriors managed 10 runs in the final four innings to earn the weekend split.
The T-Birds had another strong start, quickly staking out a 3-0 lead in the opening frame thanks to a Jake Lanferman lead off home run and a Penner two-RBI single.
LC tied the game in the bottom of the third and took their first lead the following inning with a pair of scoring hits from Zach Needham and Dalton Harum.
The T-Birds answered back in the top of the fifth when Lanferman and Jaxon Valcke both scored off wild pitches, tying the game 5-5. But in their half, the Warriors scored five, helped by a pair of two-RBI triples from Riley Way and Jack Sheward and the home side never looked back.
Brendan Logan took the loss for the 'Birds after allowing five earned runs in less than an inning of work. James Bradwell started the game for UBC and pitched the first four innings allowing five earned runs on six hits with four strike outs in the no decision.
All in all it was a strong weekend for the T-Birds in Lewiston, earning the split at one of the toughest ball parks to win anywhere in the conference.
UBC returns home to Vancouver to prepare for their home opening series against the Oregon Tech Owls next weekend with a pair of doubleheaders set for Saturday, Feburary 29th and Sunday March 1st.
