In one of the most improbable postseason runs in recent NAIA baseball history, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds soared past their American competition to win the Hattiesburg Regional, punching their ticket to the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho.
A program tucked away in Vancouver, British Columbia, UBC is the only Canadian team in the NAIA and one of the few in all of collegiate baseball that routinely travels thousands of miles just to compete. But when they arrived in Mississippi, the Thunderbirds brought more than just passports and plane tickets—they brought bats, grit, and a belief that they belonged.
UBC opened regional play Monday at William Carey’s Milton Wheeler Field with a statement win, taking down 11th-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan 9–3. Right-hander Will Anderson, the Cascade Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year, threw a masterful outing, mixing a heavy fastball with a sharp breaking ball to hold one of the NAIA’s most dangerous lineups in check. Mitchell Middlemiss led the offensive charge, collecting five hits and four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double that broke the game open.
In Game 2 Tuesday the Thunderbirds overwhelmed Indiana University Southeast with a 14–4 victory in a game that was called in the seventh inning due to the NAIA’s mercy rule. Leadoff hitter Jonny McGill blasted a home run to open the game, setting the tone for a relentless offensive onslaught. Middlemiss added to his monster week with another multi-hit performance, while UBC’s bullpen shut the door early.
In the regional final, the Thunderbirds met IU Southeast again. And just like before, they didn’t blink. This time, UBC relied on small ball and aggressive base running to build a lead, then leaned on their deep pitching staff to secure the 8–4 win that sent them to the NAIA World Series for the first time in nearly two decades.
The Thunderbirds now head to Lewiston, Idaho, to compete against the nation’s best from May 23–31. It’s a return to glory for a program that hasn’t made it to the NAIA’s biggest stage since 2006.
With their blend of West Coast flair, international grit, and good old-fashioned hustle, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds have become the feel-good story of the postseason. And come late May in Idaho, they’ll be ready to prove that baseball knows no borders.
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