Firth and Otterman named All-NAIA West
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- Published on Thursday, 17 May 2012 10:26
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3B Andrew Firth and LHP David Otterman made the All-NAIA West team.
Although the Thunderbirds were tied for fourth place in the NAIA in fielding percentage (.969), no Thunderbirds were named to the Gold Glove team.
Izaac Garsez of College of Idaho was named Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Michael Noteware of Lewis-Clark State was named Pitcher of the Year, and Gary Picone of L-C State was named Coach of the Year.
Story from UBC Athletics site: Firth and Otterman named to All-NAIA West team
Story (with complete lists) from Cascade Collegiate Conference site: Garsez, Noteware Highlight NAIA All-West Team
Concordia-Portland 7, UBC 1
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- Published on Thursday, 03 May 2012 23:12
- Hits: 160
The Thunderbirds were held to six hits for the second time in the NAIA West tournament, left twelve runners on base, and the result was the end of the 2012 season.
The Thunderbirds left the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. The Cavaliers opened the scoring with an RBI on a ground out by 1B Sean Myrom in the bottom of the first. CF Blake Carruthers scored the Birds' only run of the game in the top of the third inning. The Birds had the bases loaded with one out. Carruthers scored on a ground ball hit by 3B Mike Hole, but he was deprived of a hit by a good play by Cavaliers SS Jordan Keeker, who was able to make a throw to third for the force out.
The Cavaliers answered with the winning run in the bottom of the third, when LF Mike Cero reached on a fielder's choice. Thunderbirds starter Matt Trimble was able to keep the Birds in the game for 5 2/3 innings. With two out and runners at first and third in the bottom of the sixth, and two strikes on 2B Ryan Rodriguez, Trimble threw a good low and inside pitch that Rodriguez hit down the left-field foul line to score the Cavaliers' third run. Trimble was replaced by Nathan Kirby, and the Cavaliers scored four more runs (three of them on a double by RF Sheldon Austria) before the Kirby got the third out of the inning.
Kirby was replaced by Conor Lillis-White, who allowed only one hit over the last two innings. Lillis-White provided a highlight for the Birds; he struck out four batters in the eighth inning. (This is the second time that a Thunderbird pitcher has accomplished this feat.) Sebastian Wong made a good catch of a fly ball in right field in the fourth inning, and Carruthers and Wong got outfield assists on an out at second base in the sixth inning.
The Thunderbirds were unable to solve three Cavalier pitchers. Starter Mitch Ludtke went six innings, allowed five hits, struck out six. He was replaced by Shayne Nakata, who pitches at two speeds, slow and slower, and he struck out all three batters he faced. He came out for the eighth inning, but was unable to continue because of a cramp. He was replaced by Eric Weir, who allowed one hit over the final two innings.
Austria was the only player on either team with more than one hit. He finished 2-for-4, with three RBI.
UBC 12, Corban 5
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- Published on Thursday, 03 May 2012 16:38
- Hits: 71
The Thunderbirds stay alive in the NAIA West tournament. They got off to a good start in this one. 3B Andrew Firth hit an RBI single in the first inning, and the Birds got what turned out to be all the runs they needed in the second inning: a two-RBI double by CF Blake Carruthers, a sacrifice fly by LF Nick Senior, and RBI singles by Firth and DH Jerod Bartnik.
The big second inning chased Warrior starter Justin White, and his replacement, Jake Balbas, was able to keep the Birds off the board for the next four innings. At the same time, Birds starter Danny Britton-Foster didn't allow a baserunner for the first three innings, and allowed only two hits over the next two innings. He started to fade in the sixth inning, when RBI Colby Sokol hit an RBI single to end the shutout. The Warriors were prevented from doing a lot more damage by two highlight-reel catches by Senior in left field. Both of them were on well-hit balls that were carried to Senior's left by a strong crosswind. Senior made a diving catch of the first one, and the second play was very similar, but without the dive.
The Warriors got back in the game, briefly, with three runs in the top of the seventh inning, at Britton-Foster's expense. Pinch-hitter Jordan Johansen hit a two-RBI double, and SS Marc Gallegos hit an RBI single. The Warriors had runners on first and second with no outs, and trailing by only 6-4, so they tried to bunt the runners to second and third. Britton-Foster made a pretty good defensive play to throw to third for the force out. He then turned the ball over to Connor Smith, who allowed only one hit the rest of the way.
The Birds answered in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single by 3B Mike Hole, a two-RBI single by RF Sebastian Wong, and a three-run home run by Carruthers that the wind carried over the left centre field fence.
Carruthers went 2-for-5 with five RBI for the game. Firth and Bartnik were both 3-for-5; Firth had two RBI, and Bartnik had one. Gallegos went 3-for-4 with an RBI for the Warriors. Britton-Foster got the win, and White got the loss.
Menlo 2, UBC 1
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- Published on Wednesday, 02 May 2012 18:37
- Hits: 79
The Thunderbirds were held to six hits by Oaks ace Joey Webb, but they failed to cash several scoring chances in a close game. RF Sebastian Wong opened the sixth inning with a triple, and was stranded. The Birds had baserunners at second and third with one out in the seventh inning, with singles by 2B Andrew Firth and LF Nick Senior, but Firth was tagged out at home on a ground ball by 3B Mike Hole, and DH Gabe Mark grounded out to end the inning.
The Birds finally got on the board in the eighth inning. Wong opened the inning with a single, and advanced to third on ground outs by C Brody Hawkins and CF Blake Carruthers. He was batted in by Firth. However, the inning ended with runners stranded at first and third.
Senior opened the ninth inning with a line drive to right field, but 2B C.J. Dailey made a very good grab to rob Senior of a hit. Two more ground balls, and the game was over.
David Otterman started, went seven innings, allowed both Oaks runs, gave up five hits, struck out five, but walked six. (Otterman attracted at least five pro scouts.) Tavis Bruce pitched the last two innings, allowed only one hit.
The Birds got two double plays, and a good catch by Senior in left field in the eighth inning. Otterman picked a runner off first base to end the seventh inning. Wong was 2-for-3 for the game, and Firth was 2-for-4.
Patten 4, UBC 1; UBC 10, Patten 7
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- Published on Friday, 27 April 2012 17:57
- Hits: 149
First game: Lions starter Isaac Duran went eight innings, held the Thunderbirds to three hits, struck out seven. One of the hits was a solo home run by 2B Andrew Firth in the top of the seventh inning, which tied the game 1-1. However, the Lions got three runs in the bottom of the seventh at the expense of reliever Conor Lillis-White, and the second and third runs were walked in.
Danny Britton-Foster pitched the first six innings, allowed one run on five hits, struck out five. 1B Austin Fruson and DH Jerod Bartnik got the other two Thunderbird hits.
Second game: The Thunderbirds out-hit the Lions 14-7, and led 7-2 after 5 1/2 innings. However, the Lions got back it the game and tied it 7-7 with five runs in the bottom of the sixth, all of them with two out. 2B Andrew Firth hit a home run in the eighth for the winning run, and an RBI double by C Cam Firth and a bunt by SS Ryan Taylor in the ninth provided the insurance runs. Nathan Kirby, after giving up the five runs (four of them earned), allowed only two hits the rest of the way to preserve the win.
David Otterman pitched the first 4 2/3 innings, allowed two runs on two hits, struck out six, but walked five. Andrew Firth finished the game 5-for-5 with four RBI.
Story from UBC Athletics site: T-Birds lock up #2 seed with split at Patton
UBC 5, Oregon Tech 0; Oregon Tech 6, UBC 4
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- Published on Sunday, 22 April 2012 18:25
- Hits: 141
First game: CF Blake Carruthers returned to the Thunderbirds' lineup, and went 2-for-5 with a double and a RBI. He also reached on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning to bring in the winning run.
David Otterman and Matt Trimble combined for the shutout. Otterman went six innings, allowed four hits, struck out five. Trimble went the remaining three innings, allowed one hit, struck out one.
Second game: The Thunderbirds used five pitchers in this one, and only Markus Fergusson (two innings, one run on one hit, five strikeouts) and Nathan Kirby (2 1/3 innings, no runs one no hits) were especially effective. However, while Kirby was keeping it close, Hustlin' Owls reliever held the Birds hitless over the last two innings.
CF Sebastian Wong went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored.
Story from UBC Athletics site: Game two rally falls short as 'Birds split with Owls
More details as they become available
