Mid Valley Reporter

Warriors' Defense Struggles, Thunderbirds' Bats Explode for 31 Runs in Saturday Doubleheader

The Warriors (5-14, 0-0) returned to Volcanoes Stadium following an impressive showing Friday night, beating the Thunderbirds (13-10, 0-0) 4 to 3. The Thunderbirds quickly made it known that quiet bats were not going to be present on Saturday. Game one was marked by the long ball for UBC, hitting a total of four home runs on route to a 10 to 0 victory. Game two was marked by the consistent hitting of the Thunderbirds who tallied 21 hits on 48 at-bats, leading to a 21-1 victory.

"UBC played with more focus and intent than we did today." Head Coach Ethan Bragg commented. "We are still in search of some consistency, and we look forward to battling again tomorrow to try to even the series." 

Game 1 – UBC 10, Corban 0 

University of British Columbia capitalized on four hits in the top of the first inning to seize an early 2-0 lead. Noah Or got the Thunderbirds started with a double to left center followed by Mike Fitzsimmons and Trent Lenihan notching back-to-back scoring runs.

The Thunderbirds picked up right where they left off in the second inning as Brandon Hupe reached first base after being hit by a pitch. Mitchell Middlemiss and Noah Or attacked the left field fence with a pair of homeruns scoring Hupe and extending their lead to 5-0.  

Hupe continued the flurry of homeruns into the third inning and scored for the second time with a bomb to left field. 

The fourth inning saw Noah Or walk to first base allowing pinch runner Aiden Rose to take third after a double down the left field line by Mike Fitzsimmons. Trent Lenihan hit a sacrifice fly out to centerfield that scored Rose. Ryan Young hit a single to left field and Fitzsimmons was able to score extending the Thunderbirds lead to 8-0 over the Warriors.  

The impressive hitting display continued in the sixth inning as Mike Fitzsimmons hit his second homer of the game found home plate for the third time in the ball game. Trent Lenihan doubled to left center before advancing to third off a fly out by Ryan Young. Pinch Hitter Kellen Bourne got in on the action with a single to second base that scored Lenihan.  

With the Thunderbirds leading 10-0 going into the bottom of the sixth, the Warriors applied pressure after Kyle Clay was hit by pitch, Elijah Maris singled to third, and Brad Pellkofer was walked. With the threat of bases loaded, UBC pitcher Sean Heppner was able to escape the inning without allowing runs scored. 

Junior Pitcher Preston Johnson and relievers Giovanni Cervantes, Alex Hakes, and Ryson Wa'alani struggled to prevent the deep ball allowing a total of 4 home runs and 14 hits. 

Sean Heppner had an impressive performance securing the win with 8 strikeouts and a total of 4 runs allowed in the ball game. 

Kyle Clay led the way for the Warriors getting on base three times and earning two hits. Elijah Maris and Nainoa Ka'ahanui added a hit each for Corban as well. 

Mike Fitzsimmons, Noah Or, and Brandon Hupe all hit home runs for the Thunderbirds and Fitzsimmons totaled four hits, three runs scored, and two RBI's. UBC had a total of 7 players record hits in the game. 

Game 2 – UBC 21, Corban 1 

The Warriors looked to bounce back in the second game of the afternoon, but the Thunderbirds momentum proved to be too much. Four hits and four runs propelled UBC in the first inning after Mike Fitzsimmons recorded two RBI before stealing third base and scoring on an error. Pinch runner Aiden Rose scored as well making the game 4-0 after the top of the first.

The Thunderbirds scored twice off of three hits and two RBI's from Trent Lenihan in the second inning. UBC upped the scoring pace the following inning with five runs scored in the RBI recorded for Aaron Marsh, Mike Fitzsimmons, Trent Lenihan, and Russell Young.

Stringing together a pair of 4 run innings in the fourth and the fifth the Thunderbirds pushed their lead to 19-0. Linehan and Young both earned RBI's with Mario Ricci and Aiden Rose scoring making the Thunderbird lead 21-0 through the sixth inning.

The Warriors got on the board in the seventh inning thanks to a single to third base from Freshman Brady Majewski recording his first career RBI sending JC Klee home for the score.

Corban looked to Sam Greenhalgh to start off the game strong for the Warriors, however, the hot bats of UBC got to him early. Greenhalgh faced just six batters, allowing four hits leading to four runs and only getting out one batter. Coming on in relief for the Warriors was Bryce Bridge. Bridge did not fair much better, going two innings, allowing eight hits which led to seven earned runs. Jaren Childs and Ryson Wa'alani both came in and surrendered four runs apiece. Nathan Findley ended the shortened game by going two and two-thirds inning only giving up two runs on two hits.

Ryan Heppner on the other hand for the Thunderbirds was extremely efficient on the afternoon. Pitching five strong innings, Heppner only gave up one hit while fanning five Warriors. James Brock and Adam Khan both came in and gave an inning of relief. Khan gave up the only run to the Warriors in the seventh inning.

Kyle Clay once again led the Warriors offense in game two. Clay singled to give the Warriors their first hit on the afternoon. Scott Artzer, Nainoa Ka'ahanui and Brady Majewski all provided hits as well in the game. Brady Majewski provided the lone scoring hit on the afternoon. 

A three headed monster reared its head in the third game for the Thunderbirds. Mike Fitzsimmons, Trent Lenihan and Russell Young combined for 10 hits and 15 RBI's. Aaron Marsh and Brandon Hupe also contributed to the onslaught of hits with three hits apiece.

The Warriors look to even the series on Sunday against the Thunderbirds. The game will be held at Volcanoes Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 11am. 

Original source can be found here