Oregon Tech's McKinnon Bennett had three hits in game 1. The Owls dropped a doubleheader to UBC, 11-6 and 13-1. (photo by Kelly Caleb)
UBC gets by Oregon Tech, 11-6 and 13-1, in NAIA West Doubleheader
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – A late rally by Oregon Tech fell short in the opener, while Jeremy Newton went the distance for University of British Columbia in the nightcap, as the Owls fell to the Thunderbirds, 11-6 and 13-1, in a NAIA West doubleheader today at Kiger Stadium.
Oregon Tech (16-37, 7-26 NAIA W) concludes their season Sunday with a pair of games versus UBC (36-17, 22-11 NAIA W) at Kiger Stadium beginning at 11 a.m.
Game 1 (UBC 11 vs OIT 6)
Tech trailed 11-2, but momentum late pulled the Owls to 11-6. A bases loaded double play, however, killed the rally and any hopes of a comeback.
Tyler Bennett’s sacrifice fly scored the Owls’ first run in the ninth inning comeback effort, while Alex Antonaras, in a pinch hit role, drove in a pair on a double. Danny Topps singled in the final run of the inning with the double play ball ending the threat.
Evan Johnson, Matthew Moorehead and McKinnon Bennett recorded two hits each for Tech in the opener. Moorehead, Louis Wolf and Antonaras doubled for the Owls.
Bruce Yari was the tough out all day, going 4-for-5 with four RBI and a homerun. Anthony Olson doubled and tripled with Tyler Enns adding a pair of doubles in the win. Vinny Martin and Braeden Allemann added doubles with Connor Noble picking up the win to move to 9-4 on the season.
Game 2 (UBC 13 vs OIT 1)
The Owls gave up a run in UBC’s first at-bat and trailed 1-0 after three innings. The Thunderbirds would strike for three runs in the fourth and sixth innings, while a five-run eighth inning put the game out of reach.
Evan Johnson singled to left field in the eighth inning to drive in the Owls’ lone run in the nightcap, with the game ending via the 10-run rule, 13-1.
Johnson and Grant finished the game with two hits, both singles, for the Owls.
UBC recorded 16 hits in the nightcap with eight going for extra bases. Yari homered, while Enns added a double and triple. Yari, Anthony Cusatie, Martin and Kyle McComb drove in a pair of runs each for UBC in the win.