VANCOUVER, B.C. – Down to their final strike in Game 2, the College of Idaho rallied for three runs to salvage a doubleheader split against No. 20 ranked British Columbia at Thunderbird Park.
The host T-Birds (22-7, 5-1 NAIA West) took advantage of an unearned run to win the opener, 1-0, before the Yotes stole Game 2, 3-1.
UBC took advantage of a one-out throwing error by the Yotes (19-10, 3-3) in the fifth inning of the nightcap to put a runner in scoring position, with Mo Imdakem scoring on a Bryan Arthur fielders' choice.
The score would stay that way until the ninth, as the Yotes attack found life against the T-Bird bullpen. Jordan Grubbs singled and moved to second on a one-out walk to Cole Mansanerez. Matt Hamilton singled sharply to right, with Griff Goyer throwing out Grubbs at the plate for the second out. Jake Hennessey was plunked to load the bases, with Tyler Gillies walking Zach Fabricius to force in the tying run and walking Troy Carr to force in the go-ahead run. Reliever Brad Smith followed by walking Brady Mooney to force in a third run.
Kyle Garvin picked up his team-high sixth victory, tossing a complete game six hitter, striking out nine – retiring the final eight batters in order. Grubbs, Hamilton, and Fabricius all had two hits for the Yotes.
Jeremy Newton got a no-decision for UBC despite throwing seven innings of five-hit ball.
Game 1 was similar, as the T-Birds scored an unearned run in the second inning – enough offense for all-star Conor Lillis-White. The left-hander allowed just two hits in seven-plus innings of work, striking out eight for the victory.
A one-out C of I throwing error in the second pushed Brody Hawkins into scoring position, scoring on a Justin Orton RBI single. The run was the lone tally against Fabricius, who tossed eight strong innings in a losing effort.
The Yotes had two chances late in the game, pushing a runner to third base in the seventh and a runner to second in the ninth, but could not score.
Bruce Yari had three of UBC's 10 hits in the victory, with Mansanerez going 2-for-4 in the loss for C of I.
The two teams close out the four-game series tomorrow with an 11 a.m. doubleheader.
