LEWISTON, Idaho – The UBC Thunderbirds were held to one run for just the third time this season as they now face a do-or-die battle Sunday at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship following a 2-1 defeat to the host Lewis-Clark State Warriors Saturday afternoon at Harris Field.
A game which featured tremendous pitching and clutch defence, the 'Birds held a 1-0 lead into the sixth when the Warriors tied the game before going ahead the following frame.
UBC loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a double steal by Braeden Scott and Stephen Waters and an intentional walk to Kellen Bourne. But with two down and no more margin for error, LC closer Zach Elsos got the critical ground out to push the defending conference champions into Sunday's final while the 'Birds will now need a win earlier Sunday to keep their season alive.
UBC starter Will Anderson did his Saturday, going 5.2 innings allowing just one run on five hits.
The 'Birds got on the board in the bottom of the second when Matt Vanslyke hit a two-out single to left field, scoring Calvin Warrillow from second for the early lead.
The two long-time conference rivals combined for five hits in the first two innings but tremendous work by both starting pitchers saw just two more base hits – both from LC State – over the following three frames.
Jordan Justice doubled on two outs in the top of the fourth for the Warriors but with two runners in scoring position, Anderson got Ryan Prescott to fly out, keeping UBC's tenuous 1-0 lead intact.
The Warriors finally found the tying marker in the top of the sixth when Jackson Reed's sac fly plated Izzy Madariaga. Owen McConnell got the call out of the bullpen and struck out Justice to end the inning.
LC State scored the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh on a fielder's choice with one down. The 'Birds prevented any further damage by catching Sam Weber on an attempted steal of second followed by McConnell fanning Jackson Jaha.
After surrendering the game's opening run, Warriors starter Mason Goodson continued to deal, throwing four innings of no-hit ball. Braeden Scott singled in the bottom of the seventh, UBC's first base runner since Warrillow earned a walk in the fourth. But Goodson struck out his next two batters to keep the hosts in front by one.
The 'Birds finally got a look at another pitcher when Jackson Cloud spelled off Goodson in the bottom of the eighth. Vanslyke opened promisingly with a leadoff single but UBC couldn't cash in, down to their final three outs to try to remain on the winner's side of the bracket.
After Mason Chien pitched a solid, two-strikeout top of the ninth to keep it a one-run game, the 'Birds loaded the bases in the bottom half with two out, but once again couldn't manage to cash in as UBC now faces a must-win game Sunday morning to keep their conference tournament alive.
The T-Birds will face the winner of Saturday's late contest between Bushnell and Oregon Tech. The winner will advance to both the conference final vs the host Warriors while also earning a berth at the upcoming NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round.
First pitch for the 'Birds Sunday is set for 11:00 a.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.
