Betts: BMOC - Anderson using UBC’s World Series run as motivation for more
UBC left-hander Will Anderson (Delta, BC) is hoping to build on a strong 2025 season in 2026. Photo: UBC Athletics
February 9, 2026
By Matt Betts
Canadian Baseball Network
University of British Columbia left-hander Will Anderson isn’t bashful when discussing his expectations for the 2026 Thunderbirds.
“This is a World Series caliber team with talent everywhere and I think Lewiston is the standard now,” Anderson said.
“I strongly believe our pitching staff will be one of the best in the NAIA and that our lineup will produce at an elite level.”
It was just 10 months ago the T-Birds were right where they hope to be again.
Losses to Georgia Gwinnett University and Loyola University New Orleans made it a short visit to the NAIA World Series, the program’s second ever following its appearance in 2006, but it was a valuable one.
“Playing in the World Series was an awesome experience and a dream come true for our team,” Anderson said.
“It felt like something the program and its core had been on the cusp of for the few years prior, so to finally break through and make it to Lewiston was super rewarding and something both I and the team really cherished.”
Anderson (Delta, BC) got the start against Georgia Gwinnett, tossing 5 1/3 innings and allowing seven runs on nine hits. He walked three and struck out six in an 11-1 defeat.
It’s a start he won’t forget, even if it didn’t go the way he hoped, as he tries to be an anchor of a team looking to run it back.
“Overall, I think the main takeaway for me was seeing what the best of the best at the NAIA level looks like and what would be required from myself and the team this year if we want to make the jump to not just getting to Lewiston but winning it all,” he said.
“Gaining that experience was crucial for me and showed me that there still was another level I had to get to to truly match up with those at the top.”
The start on the biggest stage closed out a second season in Vancouver that saw the southpaw go 7-2 with a 3.35 ERA.
Year three, which has seen UBC begin the season 5-4, should bring about added responsibility for Anderson. He’s handled any expectations well so far, pitching to a team-leading 1.80 ERA in 10 innings over two starts.
He most recently worked five innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk with six punch outs in a 4-2 loss to Ottawa University Arizona on Feb. 5.
“Coaches Pritch (Chris Pritchett), Schaef (Shawn Schaefer) and Sammie (Starr) have made it pretty clear that all that’s required of me is to work as hard as possible, be myself and it’ll all work out, both from a leadership and performance perspective,” Anderson said.
“Overall though, I would say the ‘pressure’ isn’t something I often acknowledge and if I do feel it weighing on me at all, I try to remind myself to embrace it as it’s pretty cool to have that feeling to begin with.”
Anderson isn’t one to overthink, emphasizing his success relies on the ability to throw strikes and execute secondary pitches.
While his eyes are on finishing the job in Lewiston this season and the possibility of a professional career, he also wants to make sure he takes the time to enjoy the journey, wherever it may lead.
“I really am just hoping to enjoy myself as much as possible,” Anderson said.
“After being at UBC for a couple years now, I’ve realized how lucky I am and how amazing of an experience this school is. Especially now when I’ve only got a couple of years left, I’m trying to put a bigger emphasis on cherishing all the opportunities we’re given here, something that in turn I think will help me perform on the field.”