Eli Saul watches his sixth inning three-run homer head over the right field fence (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

August 2, 2019, Vancouver, BC – A three-run home run by Eli Saul in the top of the sixth inning proved to be the difference as the host UBC Thunder upset the Coquitlam Reds 3-1 Friday afternoon in the first game of the 2019 BC Premier Baseball League Championships being played at UBC Stadium in Vancouver.

UBC's Vic Domingo pitched a complete game three-hitter to get the win over Coquitlam in game one of the BCPBL Championships (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
UBC’s Vic Domingo pitched a complete game three-hitter to get the win over Coquitlam in game one of the BCPBL Championships (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Saul’s late inning heroics made a winner of pitcher Vic Domingo, who was stellar on the mound for the Thunder, going the distance and giving up a single run, on a balk in the first inning, while allowing only three hits, two walks and striking out nine.

UBC shortstop Daniel Suarez watches his throw head to first base during opening game play against Coquitlam on Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
UBC shortstop Daniel Suarez watches his throw head to first base during opening game play against Coquitlam on Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

His counterpart on the mound, Coquitlam’s Justin Adomoski, who entered the game after starter Madjik MacKenzie had thrown only two pitches, was equally effective, giving up two hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

Coquitlam's Justin Adomoski gave up just two hits in his 5.1 innings of work against UBC (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Coquitlam’s Justin Adomoski gave up just two hits in his 5.1 innings of work against UBC (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Adomoski left the game in the sixth after giving up a walk and reliever Cody Hendricks then gave up a hit to Matthew Suarez and then the home run to Saul on the first pitch Saul saw from the reliever, launching it well over the right field fence.

Eli Saul (right) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three run homer against Coquitlam on Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
Eli Saul (right) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a three run homer against Coquitlam on Friday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

With the win, the Thunder now move on to play the Mid-Island Pirates at 6:00 PM Friday, while the Reds will play the loser of the 3:00 PM Friday game between the North Shore Twins and Langley Blaze at 12 Noon Saturday.

The UBC Thunder celebrate their opening game win over Coquitlam in the BCPBL Championshi opener (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
The UBC Thunder celebrate their opening game win over Coquitlam in the BCPBL Championshi opener (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)