Files from Concordia Sports Information

PORTLAND, OR - Taking two by a combined score of 22-0, British Columbia defeated Concordia 17-0 and 5-0 in a NAIA West Region doubleheader played at Joe Etzel Field on Saturday.

With the results, UBC improved to 18-3 overall and 12-1 in the region while CU fell to 3-14 on the season and 1-5 in league action.

"After the disappointing split last weekend against College of Idaho at home in the battle for first in the conference, we played our best games of the year today," said UBC head coach Terry McKaig. "It started on the mound with another great start from Eric Brown and that was followed by Sheldon McDonald’s best start as a T-Bird."

The Thunderbirds erupted for seven runs in the opening inning of the day and never looked back en route to a 17-0 rout in the opener. With the offense firing on all cylinders, UBC pitcher Eric Brown allowed just one hit in six innings of work to pick up the win. Brown struck out six before giving way to the bullpen as teammates David Otterman and Miles Verweel closed the door for the shutout as both relievers allowed a single hit.

UBC sent 12 batters to the plate in the first, scoring the seven runs on five hits, two walks and an error. The T-Birds added a single run in the second, two in the fourth, five in the seventh and two in the eighth for the final tally.

Andrew Firth led the assault by going 5-for-5 at the plate with four RBI and two runs. Alex White registered six RBI out of the No. 8 hole in the lineup.

After allowing a hit to Brady Miletich in the second, Brown recorded 13 straight outs to finish his stint on the mound. He did not walk a batter in the outing.

In the seven-inning affair in the back end of the double header, UBC received another quality start as Sheldon McDonald gave up just one hit in six innings in the 5-0 win.

The Thunderbirds tallied 13 hits in the game with Sammie Starr going 4-for-4 in the leadoff spot. Mike Elias and White also had multi-hit games for UBC.

All three CU hits went down as singles with Curt Cosby reaching in the third, and Sean Myrom and Derek Kirkland reaching safely after launching the ball back to the pitchers’ mound in the seventh.

The two squads will return to Joe Etzel Field on Sunday with a second doubleheader. Opening pitch is slated for 11 a.m.

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