UBC sweeps doubleheader to split series with Eastern Oregon
White Rock Tritons alum Trent Lenihan (White Rock, B.C.) had six hits and nine RBIs in UBC’s doubleheader sweep of Eastern Oregon on Sunday. Photo: UBC Athletics
March 31, 2024
From UBC Baseball website
LA GRANDE, Ore. - On a day with no shortage of runs, the UBC Thunderbirds (22-13, 7-5) outlasted the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers (11-23, 2-10) twice to pick up a pair of victories,14-10 and 18-8, on Sunday.
The T-Birds broke game one open by scoring eight runs in the sixth inning and holding from there to take the four-run win. Game two ended up being a seven-inning mercy rule win for UBC after the blue and gold scored multiple runs in every inning from the third on to comfortably overcome an early 5-1 deficit.
Trent Lenihan was productive at the plate for the 'Birds, driving in eight runs in a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate in the second game alone, blasting a three-run homer and finishing just a triple shy of the cycle. That was after going 2-4 with an RBI and pair of runs scored in game one. Lenihan is now hitting .434 on the season, leading the Cascade Collegiate Conference batting race by 27 points midway through the season. The first baseman is also top five in doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and runs batted in, among many other categories.
Keegan Lott and Mitchell Middlemiss also hit home runs for UBC on Sunday, Lott's being a grand slam. Starters Will Anderson and Daniel Orfaly each picked up wins on the mound, while Evan Hoegler locked down his fourth save of the season in game one.
GAME ONE
The action kicked off in the first inning as Lenihan's sacrifice fly brought in Kaden Zarowny for an early lead. However, Eastern Oregon quickly responded after Mario Landeros's sacrifice fly brought in two runs for the Mounties, putting them ahead 2-1.
In the second inning, Aiden Rose's single and subsequent steal led to two runs, shifting the momentum back in the Thunderbirds' favor. But Eastern Oregon kept fighting, with Youhyeon Choi and Parker Cumberland driving in runs to regain the lead, 5-4.
The seesaw battle continued into the later innings, with both teams exchanging blows. UBC's offensive surge in the sixth, highlighted by Lott's grand slam, proved to be the difference-maker, extending their lead to 13-6.
Despite a late rally by the Mountaineers, including homers by Mason Van Arsdall and Landeros in the ninth, the Thunderbirds held on for the 14-10 victory.
Daniel Orfaly earned the victory after tossing three strikeouts in five innings pitched. Jeter Larson was credited with the Mounties' loss after allowing five hits and four earned runs.
GAME TWO
The blue and gold struck first in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader, as Lenihan singled up the middle to give the T-Birds an early 1-0 lead. However, Eastern Oregon quickly responded as Joey Freitas homered down the right-field line, tying the game at 1-1.
The Mounties then surged ahead in the second inning, after Parker Cumberland powered a grand slam over the right field fence, propelling the Mountaineers to a 5-1 lead.
UBC fought back in the third inning, with Lenihan's single to right field bringing in Kyle Yip, followed by Middlemiss's homer to centre field, knotting the score at 5-5.
The Thunderbirds seized control in the fourth inning, as Lenihan's homer to left center brought in three runs, extending their lead to 8-5. Eastern Oregon responded with Chase Nett's RBI single bringing home Burns, followed by a fielding error that allowed Nett to cross home plate himself. Trevor Baker then ripped an RBI single to left field, tying the score at 8-8.
UBC pulled away in the fifth inning with Jackson Boomer and Kyle Yip each driving in a run, followed by Lenihan's notching his eighth RBI with a double to right centre that brought in three more runs, pushing the score to 13-8.
The 'Birds continued to add to their lead in the later innings, with Kyle Anderson and Boomer driving in runs in the sixth, and Anderson adding two more RBIs with a single in the seventh inning. David Draayers capped off the scoring with a single that brought in Anderson in the seventh, clinching the 18-8 victory in seven innings.
Will Anderson was credited with the Thunderbirds' victory, Evan Hoegler earned the save. Tucker Zander was credited with the loss after allowing five earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.