The 2025 season was a landmark for British Columbia Thunderbirds baseball, with a 39-19 record—the most wins in nearly a decade—and a 29-8 CCC mark to win the regular season title. HC Chris Pritchett was named CCC Coach of the Year for the team’s third straight NAIA Opening Round berth. The offense batted .319 with 90 homers (third in NAIA) and 521 runs, while pitching held foes to .284.
The postseason saw UBC return to the NAIA World Series for the first time since 2006. They hosted the CCC Tournament but lost the final 7-5 to Lewis-Clark State. In the Opening Round in Hattiesburg, they advanced with wins over Oklahoma Wesleyan (9-3) and Indiana Southeast (14-4, 7-4). At the World Series, they fell 11-1 to Georgia Gwinnett and 12-9 to Loyola New Orleans. Highlights included Ryan Heppner drafted by the Braves (19th round) and Jonny McGill signing with the Angels, finishing No. 11 in the NAIA poll. This sets high expectations for 2026. UBC returns five key hitters from 228 games, offering continuity, with transfers and newcomers to fill gaps and aim for another deep run.
Key Offensive Losses
The 2026 T-Birds’ team must replace a potent group that powered 90 home runs in 2025, with several signing pro deals. Jonny McGill (OF) led the way at .405/.492/.768 with 18 HR, 56 RBI, and 17 SB in 57 games before joining the Angels. Trent Lenihan (1B) hit .357 with 15 HR and 63 RBI. Mitchell Middlemiss (OF) batted .332 with 10 HR and 61 RBI. Aaron Marsh (IF) added .332 with 7 HR and 51 RBI. Kaden Zarowny (OF) contributed .296 with 10 HR and 12 SB. David Draayers (3B) hit .290 with strong defense, while Russell Young (1B) batted .333 with 5 HR in 42 games.
Returning Offense
- Kyle Yip, C/OF (Jr.) – 49 G, 45 GS, .345/.451/.554 (7 HR, 50 RBI, .994 FLD)
- Kellen Bourne, OF (Sr.) – 42 G, 24 GS, .311/.421/.538 (4 HR, 25 RBI)
- David Krahn, IF (So.) – 38 G, 31 GS, .288/.373/.561 (9 HR, 32 RBI)
- Jackson Boomer, OF (Jr.) – 54 G, 21 GS, .216/.298/.230 (10/11 SB)
- Stephen Waters, C/UTIL (So.) – 24 G, 9 GS, .224/.316/.408 (2 HR)
- Jaden Lamothe, IF (Jr.) – 8 G, .237/.333/.353, RBI
Offensive Transfers and Freshman
Lou Fujiwara (Jr., IF – Orange Coast College/Washington), Braeden Scott (Fr., IF – UBC Thunder), Josh Cote (Sr., C/IF – University of Toledo), Matt Vanslyke (So., IF – Mineral Area College), Calvin Warrillow (Jr., OF – Dodge City CC), Ryan Stephian (Fr., OF – Great Lakes Canadians), Matt Vrlak (Fr., IF – UBC Thunder), Dylan Nerlich (Fr., C/OF – Ontario Terriers), Liam Hamel (Fr., OF – Fieldhouse Pirates).
Key Pitching Losses
The staff loses rotation anchors and pro talent. Ryan Heppner (RHP) went 7-2 with a 4.38 ERA, 77 K in 74 IP before being drafted by the Braves. Ryan Beitel (RHP) added 5-4, 6.78 ERA, 74 K in 69 IP. Alex Lee (RHP) and Evan Hoegler (RHP) provided relief innings, while Adam Khan (RHP) logged 30.2 IP from the bullpen.
Returning Pitching
- Will Anderson, LHP (Jr.) – 15 App, 14 GS, 7-2, 3.35 ERA, 78 K in 86 IP
- Daniel Orfaly, RHP (Sr.) – 14 App, 12 GS, 4-1, 5.30 ERA, 44 K in 69.2 IP
- James Brock, RHP (Sr.) – 20 App, 3 GS, 4-1, 5.94 ERA, 55 K in 50 IP (3 SV)
- Dylan Myttenar, RHP (Jr.) – 14 App, 1-1, 5.75 ERA, 24 K in 20.1 IP
- Oliver Duthie, RHP (Sr.) – 14 App, 1-0, 3.63 ERA in 17.1 IP (played on British National Team)
Pitching Transfers and Freshman:
Finley McConnell (Fr., RHP – Delta Blue Jays), Myles Chamberlain (Jr., RHP – Cloud County CC), Armaan Drar (Jr., RHP – Southwestern Oregon CC), Kaden Douglas-Pluff (Fr., LHP – Okanagan College), Ian Roberts (Fr., RHP – Fieldhouse Pirates), Linden Happell (Fr., RHP – Whalley Chiefs), Lukas Kaufmann (Fr., RHP – Regina Athletics), Mason Chien (Fr., RHP – UFV Cascades), Oscar Moy (Fr., RHP – UBC Thunder).
The Thunderbirds open their season in Phoenix, Arizona on Wednesday, January 28th against Nelson University (Ariz.) in the NAIA Ball East West Challenge. Read about their schedule in our UBC Schedule Preview.
