Windeler struck out ten batters without a single walk using just 106 pitches for UBC's first no-hitter since 2010 in a 6-0 T-Birds series opening win.
"That was incredible, everyone was clicking and it all worked out," said Windeler who was quick to give credit to his teammates for the remarkable result. "They were fantastic, everything in the infield, they made great plays and without that it doesn't happen. (Zach) Prisciak was putting down great signs, that was a team effort, it was amazing."
"He was on-point and I thought he even got better as he went deeper into the game, he almost hit another gear," said UBC head coach Chris Pritchett. "He was outstanding and one of the better performances I've seen since I've been here."
Fellow T-Bird starter James Bradwell had a solid day on the mound in his own right in the second game Saturday, picking up the win in a 4-3 UBC victory as the 'Birds enter Sunday's doubleheader with a three-game win streak.
GAME 1
The series opener featured a pitching duel with the game remaining scoreless through the first three innings.Windeler was dealing for UBC, pitching a perfect game through five innings using just 64 pitches.
Still looking to break the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth, the 'Birds got a leadoff single from Weger. OIT (11-24, 5-21 NAIA W.) starting pitcher John Schulz got his next two batters to pop out but Noah Or hit a line drive to centre to get runners on the corners with Jaxon Valcke at the plate. Facing an 0-2 count, the sophomore first baseman hammered the ball off the wall in right-centre for a two-RBI double as the T-Birds finally got on the board for the 2-0 lead heading to the sixth.
Windeler lost his perfect game bid in the top of the sixth on a throwing error from third with one out. He got his next batter to ground out into an inning-ending double play to keep his no-hitter going.
UBC got another run across in the bottom of the seventh when Mike Fitzsimmons hit through the gap into shallow left, plating Weger from third. Valcke gave the T-Birds a 4-0 lead with a single to left for his third RBI of the game.
Windeler got even more of a cushion in the bottom of the eighth when Weger hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left field wall to make it 6-0 'Birds.
Staring history in the face in the top of the ninth, Windeler got Michael Tarakchyan to ground out and then struck out Austin Florez. The junior from Toronto completed the remarkable feat when Andy Schubert grounded out to short.
Windeler faced the minimum number of batters without allowing a hit or a walk while using only 106 pitches to earn his first career no-no and his fourth win of the season.
The no-hitter is the fifth in Thunderbirds history and the first since Mark Hardy did so in a seven-inning game in 2010.
