The UBC Thunderbirds were sharp at the plate and on the mound making a statement in the first game of the 2022 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round, presented by Avista, with a 15-2 victory over fifth-seeded Saint Katherine (Calif.) Firebirds on Monday afternoon.
Five different T-Birds registered two hits and two RBI during the dominant offensive display en route to the victory which sees fourth ranked UBC advance to play later this evening against top-seeded Lewis-Clarke State in the 6 p.m. game.
The Firebirds got on the board first thanks to a first inning home run but the 'Birds responded in the bottom half of the inning to even things at one each and didn't look back the rest of the way. T-Birds starting pitcher Shane Laforest went seven strong innings allowing seven hits but just two runs while striking out five Saint Katherine batters.
Noah Or, Ty Penner, Brett Corbeth, Trent Lenihan and last week's Cascade Collegiate Conference player of the week Brandon Hupe led the hit parade for the T-Birds all registering two hits in the contest while all but Penner had two RBI each to show for their day at the plate. Aidan Rose was the fifth UBC player to register two RBI, his counting to cap off a breakout seventh inning for the 'Birds who scored eight runs in the frame to extend their lead from 6-2, to 14-2.
The T-Birds will attempt to replicate some of their morning explosiveness when they meet the number one ranked Lewis Clark State Warriors at 6:00 p.m. PT.