May 30, 2006

LEWISTON, Idaho - Connor Janes led an impressive 22-hit attack by going 4-for-4 at the plate with six RBI and four runs scored to help No. 2 seed University of British Columbia roll past Lubbock Christian University 23-5 in the 50^th annual Avista NAIA World Series at Lewis-Clark State College's Harris Field on Monday.

 

UBC, which improved to 49-12 overall, is making its first appearance in the 10-team double-elimination tournament. The Thunderbirds own the top earned run average of the 10 teams, but have put up 31 runs in its two victories to stand as just one of two undefeated teams left.

 

The T-birds were impressive at the plate in Monday's win, only going scoreless in the first inning. In the fifth through eighth innings, UBC scored a combined 19 runs.

 

Janes, a senior first baseman who led UBC in home runs and RBI during the regular season, hit a solo home run in the second inning to left field for his 11^th home of the year. He drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third, hit a two-run double in the sixth, an RBI double in the seventh and had another RBI sacrifice fly in the eighth.

 

Ian Prescott added two hits and four RBI, including a three-run home run in the fifth. Every UBC starter had at least one hit as five LCU pitchers allowed 22 hits and 21 earned runs.

 

Manny Paula hit a two-run home run for UBC, which is 48-16 overall, while Blandon Hancock added a solo blast.

 

UBC starter Doug Grant (12-1) allowed five hits and two earned runs through six innings to pick up the win. Raymond Pelton (7-5), who gave up eight hits, seven earned runs and four walks in 4.2 innings, took the loss.

 

UBC will square off against the tournament's only other undefeated team, Cumberland University of Lebanon, Tenn., Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Pacific time. The winner of the contest will be guaranteed no worse than a third-place finish.

 

Following the bracket, Lubbock Christian would play Lewis-Clark State College on Tuesday, but because tournament rules stipulate teams can't face each other twice this early in the tournament, the loser's bracket was changed and LCU now faces Auburn-Montgomery at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

 

 

-NAIA-

 

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.