The hottest team in Cascade Collegiate Conference baseball is back on home turf for the first time in three weeks as the UBC Thunderbirds (8-1, 14-6) host the Corban University Warriors (6-4, 10-12) for a four-game series starting Friday afternoon at Tourmaline West Stadium.
Riding a seven game win streak and coming off back-to-back road series sweeps over Bushnell and Warner Pacific, the T-Birds face their biggest test of the conference schedule since earning a season opening series win over the LC State Warriors in late February.
While UBC has every reason to be a confident group having outscored their opponents by a combined 54-13 over the course of their current win streak, the Warriors are starting to heat up themselves, winning four of their last five and earning a convincing series win over Eastern Oregon last weekend.
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"We haven't seem them this year but based on what they've done so far in conference, they're clearly a lot better than they were last year and they've been winning a lot of games," said UBC head coach,
Chris Pritchett. "I think early on they've struggled and they've been really good lately so we expect this to be a really tough test."
Leading the conference in RBI (57), batting average (.290), team ERA (2.39) and with a CCC low two fielding errors, the T-Birds are enjoying one of their most complete starts to a campaign in recent years and a marked improvement from the team's non-conference trip to Arizona early last month.
"At the beginning of the year you're so amped up to get started, and I think now the guys are starting to settle into the season and that's good. They're starting to relax," Pritchett said. "As long as they're working trying to get better each day I think we have a chance and so far that's been the case."
"We definitely have some hitters we think are going to be very good, I think it's more the process right now. We're continuing to try to dial in on what's going to really help this team go offensively. As far as the defence goes, they really recommitted after our first trip to some basics and we'll continue to work on that. And the group is really starting to gel, they're really supporting each other and it's a good vibe. They're working their tails off so there's not much more we can ask for as coaches."
Of all the positives for UBC right now, the squad's pitching staff has been the most impressive.
Tied for the conference lead with four wins, senior James Brock has a CCC best 2.00 ERA. Fellow starter Will Anderson boasts a 3.08 while both are in the Cascade's top three for strikeouts.
The 'Birds' relievers have also been on point. Sophomore Lucas Huynh has a Cascade Conference leading three saves while Kaden Douglas-Pluff is the reigning conference Pitcher of the Week, earning his first win as a T-Bird while racking up a season-high seven strikeouts in a perfect three innings of work vs Warner Pacific.
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"Our starting pitching, those guys have all left with very close games or a lead which means we're in the game and have a chance to win it, so that's definitely been a strength. I think the bullpen, especially the back end, guys that weren't necessarily in that role last year, have gotten very comfortable being put in situations that are very tough and being able to work out of some things. And when that's going well, you're going to be in a good spot and that's definitely something we've leaned on. So if we can stay healthy there and keep getting better in other areas, I think we'll be in good shape."
First pitch for Friday's series opening doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m. at Tourmaline West Stadium. Saturday's double dip begins at 12:00 p.m. Admission is free and all games will also be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.
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