CALDWELL, Idaho - The College of Idaho Yotes baseball team showed grit and determination in a thrilling doubleheader against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds at Wolfe Field. Despite a dramatic comeback that pushed the first game into extra innings, the Yotes fell short, losing 6-4 in 10 innings, and dropping the second game 11-1. With the doubleheader sweep, UBC secured a 3-0 series win in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. The teams will face off once more in a non-conference matchup tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Wolfe Field.
Game 1 Recap: British Columbia 6, College of Idaho 4 (10 innings)
The Yotes (12-9, 2-7 CCC) fought valiantly in the first game, clawing back from a three-run deficit to force extra innings before ultimately falling 6-4.
UBC (11-8, 7-2 CCC) jumped ahead early, scoring twice in the second inning on a two-RBI single by David Draayers. The Thunderbirds added another run in the fifth, with Trent Lenihan's sacrifice fly bringing Jackson Boomer across the plate for a 3-0 lead.
The Yotes responded in the bottom of the fifth, sparked by Chandler Stocking's leadoff single. Brandon Faire followed with a base hit to center field, and Connor Olsen advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Pete Bacon's sacrifice fly plated Stocking for the Yotes' first run. Moments later, Ben Gaff laced an RBI single to center, scoring Faire and cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth, the Yotes refused to back down. After Evan Brown pinch-ran and advanced to third on a wild sequence, Olsen took a hit by pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in a run to make it 4-3.
With the pressure mounting in the ninth, the Yotes rallied again. Gaff singled and moved into scoring position before Stocking worked a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 4-4, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and pushing the contest into extra innings.
However, UBC struck back in the 10th. Russell Young delivered the decisive blow, a two-run double to right field that drove in Zarowny and Mitchell Middlemiss, giving the Thunderbirds a 6-4 lead.
Despite their relentless effort, the Yotes went down in order in the bottom of the inning, falling just short of an epic comeback.
Game 2 Recap: British Columbia 11, College of Idaho 1
The second game proved challenging for the Yotes, as UBC's bats stayed hot and their pitching stifled College of Idaho's offense.
The Thunderbirds struck early and often, plating two runs in the first and adding three more by the fifth inning. Jonny McGill's two-run homer in the first set the tone, while Middlemiss added a two-run shot in the third, extending UBC's lead.
The Yotes' lone run came in the bottom of the third when James Hull walked, advanced to third on a single by Gaff, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Stocking.
College of Idaho struggled to generate momentum against UBC's pitching staff, managing just five hits while striking out four times. Dawson Cummins took the loss, allowing five runs over three innings, while Jackson Cummins pitched four innings in relief, surrendering six runs — only two of which were earned.
With the series concluded, the Yotes will aim to bounce back tomorrow morning as they face British Columbia one last time in a non-conference contest. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Wolfe Field.
