VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds scored six times in the first two innings en route to a 7-4 victory over Vanguard University (Calif.) Tuesday night, eliminating the Lions while keeping their own hopes alive at the 2022 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round, presented by Avista, in Lewiston, Idaho.

Already up 3-1 in the top of the second, Noah Or hammered a three run homer to help the T-Birds to the early lead, while Brandon Woods improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season going seven innings strong as UBC will now face the Doane University Tigers Wednesday morning with a berth in the regional tournament final on the line.

With both teams entering Tuesday night's matchup 1-1 in the double elimination format, Vanguard's season comes to a close while UBC continues to press towards what they hope will be an appearance at the upcoming NAIA World Series.



Meeting the Lions for the first time since 2015, the T-Birds were the better rested of the two teams with UBC having last played the previous evening while Vanguard played to an 8-3 win over St. Katherine University earlier Tuesday, eliminating the Firebirds.

UBC used their fresh bats to their advantage as Ty Penner opened scoring in the top of the first with a two-out solo home run. The Lions responded in their half with an RBI triple from Tommy Rodriguez.

But when the 'Birds got their next turn to bat, they made it count big time plating five runs in the second frame, including Or's second homer of the season, to take a 6-1 lead. Junior Vanguard pitcher Dylan McDonald left following the inning, suffering the loss.

Woods continued for a full seven innings for the T-Birds, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits, striking out three.



UBC added another run in the top of the fifth on a Mike Fitzsimmons solo homer to left. The Lions tacked on one run in the bottom of the frame and another in the ninth but strong efforts from the bullpen limited any serious comeback attempt.

Adam Khan pitched a three-up, three-down eighth and Vicarte Domingo held Vanguard to two hits in the ninth with their season hanging in the balance.

The T-Birds now shift their focus to yet another must-win game Wednesday morning against Doane with the winner set to face the host Lewis-Clark State Warriors in the afternoon while the loser will see their season come to a close.

First pitch at Lewiston's Harris Field is set for 11:00 a.m. PT. The game will be streamed live HERE.