VANCOUVER - For the second consecutive season, the UBC Thunderbirds (36-11, 27-5) are hosting the NAIA West National Qualifying Tournament. The 2010 edition of this first round playoff event, with a spot at the NAIA National Championship Opening Round going to the winner, is scheduled for May 6-8 at Nat Bailey Stadium.
UBC led the NAIA West regular season standings from start-to-finish, however, the second-place College of Idaho Coyotes (36-12, 26-6) made a late surge for top spot. The T-Birds owned a three-game cushion heading into the final weekend over the 'Yotes, however, C of I pulled even with three straight wins over UBC.
Bob Foerster's two-run home run in the regular season finale between the two NAIA West North Division rivals put UBC ahead for good and the 'Birds clinched first place with a 7-4 victory on Sunday. The win preserved UBC's spot in the conference rankings and gave them hosting rights for the upcoming tournament.
Last season, UBC claimed the NAIA West playoff title in dramatic fashion winning four straight games after dropping their tournament opener in the double elimination bracket.
Joining UBC and C of I this week are a pair of team's from the NAIA South in division leader Oregon Tech (25-28, 17-14) and Simpson University (12-17, 19-26-1).
2010 NAIA WEST NATIONAL QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Nat Bailey Stadium, May 6-8
Day 1 (Thursday, May 6)
Game 1: Seed #2 (College of Idaho) vs. Seed #3 (Oregon Tech) / Noon
Game 2: Seed #1 (British Columbia) vs. Seed #4 (Simpson) / 3:30 p.m.
Day 2 (Friday, May 7)
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (loser eliminated) / 8:30 a.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 / Noon
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (loser eliminated) / 3:30 p.m.
Day 3 (Saturday, May 8)
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 / Noon
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary) / 3:30 p.m.
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