LEWISTON, ID - After securing a berth to the opening round of the NAIA World Series with yesterday's evening victory, the UBC Thunderbirds fell 15-7 to the Lewis-Clarke State Warriors in the Cascade Collegiate Conference's championship final Wednesday morning at Harris Field.

Mike Fitzsimmons connected on an infield single to open the early attack on LC State's starter Drake Borschowa, who struggled with control from the start by walking Ty Penner, then throwing a wild pitch to advance runners to second and third base. Noah Or drove a sacrifice fly to centre field for the first run of the game, followed by a Brandon Hupe RBI double to left-field to give UBC the 2-0 lead.


 
The Warriors drew three-straight walks to open the bottom half of the inning as UBC's Oliver Duthie struggled to locate the zone against an aggressive LC State offence that put up five runs on just one hit to take the 5-2 lead.
 
The 'Birds pressed to bring the game closer in the third inning as a single and back-to-back walks loaded the bases, but a foul-out closed the inning leaving three men on base.


 
LC State exploded for six runs in the bottom half of the third inning as Aidan Nagle's two-run home run forced a T-Birds pitching change. Duthie's day came to an end as second year Sam Van Snellenberg entered the game to force a foul out and close the inning with the Warriors up 11-2.
 
Justin Mazzone homered to deep right centre in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend the Warriors lead to 12-2.


 
The T-Birds trimmed into the ten-run deficit in the top of the sixth inning as Nolan Weger started the surge with an RBI single. Hilo Yamamoto then connected on a sacrifice fly and Fitzsimmons hit an RBI single before the Warriors looked to their bullpen for a pitching change. Lucas Gregory took the mound and won the battle as the 'Birds were able to get closer to the Warriors 12-7 lead.
 
LC State extended their lead by three in the bottom half of the inning after capitalizing on a few UBC wild pitches, 15-7 Warriors.


 
The T-Birds attempted to mount a comeback in seventh inning but were unable to bring home their runners on second and third base as a ground out ended the inning.
 
Harrison Grow closed the game and secured the Warriors the CCC Championship as the 'Birds were unable to connect enough hits to complete the comeback.

UBC now have their sights on the opening round of the NAIA World Series beginning on Monday, May 16th with the location still to be determined.