After three scoreless innings in which each team allowed just one hit, the Thunderbirds got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning. After Westmont starter Casey Schapper hit Jerod Bartnik with a pitch to start the inning, the Thunderbirds' Kevin Biro and Bruce Yari each delivered a single to right field to fill the bases with nobody out.

Schapper let in a run when he hit Tyler Enns with a pitch, leaving the bases loaded. Vinny Martin stepped to the plate for British Columbia and lined a shot to Westmont freshman shortstop Andrew Devian who not only fielded the ball, but fired to Alex Bush at first base to retire Enns. Schapper then limited the damage to just the one run when he coaxed Brody Hawkins to ground out to first.

The Warriors wasted no time responding to the Thunderbirds' score. In the bottom half of the fourth, Brandon Gildea took first on a ground ball hit behind second base. After Gildea advanced to second on a passed ball, David Gabel deposited his second home run of the year over the left field fence, putting the Warriors up 2-1.

The score remained unchanged until the top of the seventh when Enns led off with a double to right center. One out later, a single to short by Hawkins allowed Enns to take second. Enns then scored on a ground ball behind the second base bag.

British Columbia regained the lead in the eighth inning after Tyson Popoff reached on a slow developing infield hit to third. A sacrifice bunt by Bartnik moved Popoff to second before Biro singled to right field to drive in Popoff. The throw to the plate was cut off and Biro was caught between first and second for the second out of the inning.

Westmont evened the score at three in the bottom half of the eighth, taking advantage of Brent Fukushima's lead-off single. A single by Gildea moved Fukushima to third, giving the Warriors runners on the corners with no outs. One out later, Will Barring laid a bunt down the first base line that allowed Fukushima to score.

The Warriors gave up two runs in the top of the ninth on an RBI infield single by Sebastian Wong and a RBI single through the right side by Popoff.

Westmont had a chance in the bottom of the ninth when Bush and pinch hitter Blake Matthias started off the inning with back-to-back singles. However, Bush was picked off second for the first out and the Warriors couldn't find another hit before the inning and the game came to an end.

Schapper pitched a solid seven innings giving up just two runs on five hits. He struck out two and did not allow a walk. Hunter Christenson pitched the eighth inning for the Warriors and allowed one run on two hits. The loss was charged to Michael Rishwain who pitched the ninth and allowed two runs on three hits.

Reliever Curtis Taylor was credited with the win for British Columbia after giving up one run on four hits in two-plus innings of work. Conor Lillis-White came on in relief in the ninth inning after Taylor gave up two hits and retired the side without allowing a run or a hit. Thunderbird starter Sean Callegari allowed two runs on five hits in six innings of work.

The two squads will play again tomorrow afternoon to complete their two-game series. First pitch is scheduled for two o'clock at Russ Carr Field.