Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

August 2, 2019, Vancouver, BC - Skylar Lenihan had a pinch hit RBI-single in the  top of the seventh inning and Eli Saul pitched a complete game three-hitter, as the host UBC Thunder stunned the top seeded Mid-Island Pirates 2-1 Friday evening at the BC Premier Baseball League Championships at UBC in Vancouver.

The Thunder scored their first run of the game when Angus Pegg beat this throw to Nanaimo catcher Connor Caskenette (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Thunder looked to play spoiler all game long, jumping into a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, a lead that held until the Pirates broke through on Saul for a single run in the bottom of the fifth, to tie things up.

UBC's Eli Saul tossed a complete game three-hitter to get the win over Nanaimo (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Thunder then regrouped and after a scoreless sixth, Nick Fry launched a two-out double and then came in to score on Lenihan's dramatic single.

UBC catcher Cason Black is ready to throw after fielding a bunt against Nanaimo Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Saul then took it from there, closing out the game in the bottom of the inning, finishing with four strikeouts on the night.

Nanaimo shortstop Marcus Steen makes a nice play against UBC Friday night (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Nanaimo's Jackson Stephan takes the loss in relief of starter Dylan Brock, who went a full six innings, giving up just the one run on four hits while striking out four.

Skylar Lenihan was the hero with an RBI single in the top of the seventh (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

In addition to Lenihan's heroics, UBC's Matthew Suarez had a pair of hits and reached on a walk, while Angus Pegg had a double and a run scored. Things get tougher for the undefeated Thunder Saturday, as they now move on to face the North Shore Twins in the 3:00 game, while the Pirates will look to avoid elimination when they play Saturday evening at 6:00 pm, against the winner of the Red and Blaze game at 12 noon.