UBC to play first 2026 home game, open Conference play on Friday

UBC left-hander Will Anderson (Delta, B.C.) is in his third season with the team. Photo: Rich Lam, UBC Thunderbirds

February 18, 2026

By Jeff Sargeant

UBC Communications

There may still officially be a full month of winter remaining, but the No. 10 UBC Thunderbirds (5-4) are ready to bring the heat to Tourmaline West Stadium this weekend as they host the No. 21 Lewis-Clark State Warriors (6-0) for their Cascade Collegiate Conference opening series.

Coming off their most successful season in nearly two decades, this year's T-Birds squad looks notably different, featuring the largest turnover in head coach Chris Pritchett's 11 seasons at the helm.

With more than 15 new faces on the roster – including several D1 and junior college transfers – the 'Birds benefited more than ever from their recent season-opening trip to Arizona.

"With this many new bodies, even the ones that have some playing experience at other universities, they're together for the first time and we got to see where we're at," said Pritchett who last season guided the 'Birds to their first NAIA World Series berth in 19 years. "We like our team, we think we're going to be in a good spot, it's just going to take a little bit longer for this group to gel and we hope that this bye week we've just had is really going to help. It's been a productive week of taking what we saw down in Arizona and now working on those things here. So I think we're just going to continue to improve and I think we should be in a good place by Friday."

Going 5-4 in their nine-game Arizona swing, the 'Birds saw a mixed bag of results, especially at the plate, but also plenty of encouraging moments. Sophomore infielder David Krahn (Langley, B.C.) has exploded out of the gate for 18 hits and 18 RBIs through his first nine games along with a .500 average and a ridiculous 1.541 OPS. Juniors Kansai Sugimoto and Kyle Yip (Calgary, Alta.) have also already reached double digit hits, the former managing a 6-for-6, six RBI performance against Nelson University (Ariz.)

The likes of transfers Josh Cote (Midland, Ont.) and Calvin Warrillow (Toronto, Ont.) can also be expected to be impactful contributors for the T-Birds, both of whom have yet to make their home UBC debuts.

"I think right now it's more about getting used to playing on the field together and what to expect," said Pritchett of his new-look squad. "Guys that come from a junior college, it's a slightly different level of play so everybody is kind of adjusting right now. Coaches are adjusting to what the team showed us, the players are adjusting to the speed of the game. This is normal, but I think it was definitely a bit of a change for the guys down south at first just to how we do things and so on. But they responded…the guys really want it which is important and we're all working together to get to that place where this team needs to get to."

Facing No. 21 ranked Lewis-Clark State to open up conference play means there's no easing into Cascade competition as the Warriors have gone a perfect 6-0 to begin their season including back-to-back shutout performances over Texas A&M-Texarkana.

"There are some familiar names there for sure. I expect this team, like most LC teams we've played, won't beat themselves, you have to beat them. They're not going to make a few errors and give us a break so we'll have to be at our best and I think we all understand that. So it's going to be a lot of fun, it's time to buckle up."

First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is set for 12:00 p.m. at Tourmaline West Stadium. The perennial rivals will play a third conference game Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with a non-conference affair scheduled for Sunday at 11:00 a.m.