VANCOUVER – It was an historic night for
Sean Heppner who struck out 16 batters to set a new Cascade Collegiate Conference single game record while picking up the 11-5 win for the UBC Thunderbirds (12-8) over the College of Idaho Yotes (9-14) Friday night at Tourmaline West Stadium.
The script for UBC's home opener couldn't have gone any better as Heppner – who went six-and-a-third innings allowing just one run on one hit with a walk – got plenty of support by way of an eight run T-Bird fourth inning.
"He set the tone. It was really nice to see, he had a rough week last week, maybe one of the worst starts he's had here and then to follow it up with one of the best I've ever seen at this field," said UBC head coach
Chris Pritchett following Heppner's historic performance. "I've never seen a kid that focussed, he was dominant. It was fun to watch and he was smiling the whole time so he was really loose and I think everyone fed off that."
Setting that tone fanning his first three batters, Heppner got some immediate offensive support in UBC's half when
Russell Young hit a leadoff double and was promptly brought into score by
Aaron Marsh.
Young doubled UBC's lead in his next at bat with his first home run of the season.
The fourth was when the 'Birds really took command of the game, scoring eight times, all on two outs. With two on, a pair scored off a Yotes fielding error that opened the floodgates on a play that should have ended the inning.
Trent Lenihan unleased a three-run bomb to get the UBC lead up to 7-0 and two batters later,
Mitchell Middlemiss hit a two-run homer.
Jaden Lamothe capped off the explosive inning with a solo shot that spelled the end of College of Idaho starter Nick Eliason who finished with two earned runs on eight UBC hits, striking out four.
"I think we have a good hitting team and they gave us an extra out and our guys capitalized on it," added Pritchett. "It was kind of an unassuming inning and Aiden Rose just kind of battled there and got a two-out hit and the next thing you know we put up eight runs. That's how quick it can happen so I just appreciate the way we were battling that inning with two strikes especially, we put some balls in play. It was nice to see the guys get in a couple too, especially some guys going the opposite field which I think it really means they're locked in so it was good to see."
Heppner's amazing night saw the sophomore hold a no-hitter into the seventh. Austin Moon ended Heppner's no-hit bid that also scored the Yotes' first run of the night.
Kellen Bourne spelled off Heppner and limited the damage striking out two of his first three batters to end the inning.
The Yotes staged a comeback bid in the eighth, loading the bases with none out. Alex McFarland doubled off the left field wall to drive in two more runs. The Yotes added another pair but the deficit was too great and the game too deep to overcome.
While not a save situation,
Oliver Duthie pitched a strong final two innings for UBC allowing just one hit and striking out a pair.
The Yotes will look for a bounce back of their own Saturday when UBC hosts a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. The series finale at Tourmaline West Stadium is set for Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
