VANCOUVER - With just one win over their final four regular season games, the no. 3 ranked UBC Thunderbirds (35-8, 26-2) can clinch their second straight NAIA West North Division title and the right to host the 2010 NAIA West National Qualifying Tournament next weekend.
Should the T-Birds clinch first place this weekend, they will host the 2010 NAIA West National Qualifying Tournament from May 6-8 at Nat Bailey Stadium.
Standing in their way are arch rivals, the no. 17 ranked College of Idaho Coyotes (33-11, 23-5), who currently sit three games behind UBC for first overall in NAIA West conference play.
The 'Birds travel to Caldwell, ID this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders to close out their conference schedule. The two teams met earlier this season for a four-game set at Thunderbird Park with the 'Yotes defeating the T-Birds twice for UBC's only conference losses to date.
Picking up one win may seem simple enough, however, the Coyotes have been the league's best team at home, owning a 23-3 record in Caldwell. Working in the T-Birds favour, however, is one of the best road records in the NAIA which currently stands at a sparkling 20-4.
Two of the main reasons for the T-Birds success, both at home and on the road, has been stellar pitching combined with one of the best defences in the NAIA.
UBC's pitching staff ranks tied for fifth in the NAIA with a combined 3.31 ERA and they are backed up by the number two rated defence (.979 fielding percentage).
Anchoring the T-Birds standout starting rotation is junior
Eric Brown who leads the team with a 7-0 record (2.50 ERA, 47 K). Lefty
Sheldon McDonald has also been solid in his first season at UBC. He owns a 7-2 record with a 2.48 ERA and 44 strikeouts.
In the pen, Dan Britton-Foster has been UBC's go-to guy in long relief. The sophomore has a 5-0 record, with one save, over 32 innings. He sports a team-best 1.69 ERA and has struck out 20 batters while walking only two.
On the defensive side of the equation, UBC's success stems from a squad that sees every regular with a fielding percentage of .950 or better.
At the plate, UBC has a balanced line-up that features nine players batting above .300. Leading the way is senior DH
Nic Lendvoy with a .378 average to go along with 14 doubles, six HR, and 43 RBI. Fellow senior, shortstop
Sammie Starr, has been on fire as of late and is hitting .368 with a team-best 14 doubles and chipping in with 34 RBI. Rookie
Keaton Briscoe is having a standout campaign, batting .377 with eight doubles and 31 RBI in addition to a team-leading 28 walks.
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