UBC Talent Takes Flight!

2025-05-23

Trent Lenihan Leads a New Wave of UBC Standouts Set to Soar in Edmonton This Summer!

It’s no secret that the Riverhawks have tapped into a winning formula by building a strong connection with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds program.

As a proud UBC alum, Head Coach Jake Lanferman leaned heavily on his alma mater in 2024, and the results spoke for themselves. Players like Jonny Mcgill, Kaden Zarowny, and MLB Draft pick Vicarte Domingo helped define one of the team's most exciting summers yet.

Now, heading into the 2025 season, Lanferman is once again turning to the trusted Canadian powerhouse, bringing in a mix of new and returning talent from a UBC program that’s currently on fire in the NAIA. The Thunderbirds have put together an incredible season, finishing with a 39-17 record and earning their first trip to the NAIA World Series since 2006.

Leading that UBC squad and returning for another summer with the Riverhawks is fan-favourite Trent Lenihan! The towering 6’5” first baseman from White Rock, B.C., appeared in 44 games last season, started all three playoff matchups, and blasted a memorable home run in front of a sold-out Canada Day crowd at RE/MAX Field.

Riverhawks General Manager of Baseball Operations, Ryan Gregg, had high praise for Lenihan, both for his performance at the plate and his presence in the clubhouse.

“He’s got one of the most advanced approaches to the plate I’ve ever seen and alongside that he has a lot of power with the bat. Both those things together make him a huge asset in the middle of the lineup.”

But Lenihan’s impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. A perfect fit for the fun-loving spirit of the Riverhawks, he’s become a familiar face on the team’s social channels whether he’s mic’d up and cracking jokes or kissing the cod at last season’s Newfie Kitchen Party theme night.

“He's a fun guy to have in the clubhouse, I think a lot of the guys respect him because not only the player he is, but the way he can lead by example, and also lighten the mood a little bit when it's needed.”

Another familiar face making the move from Thunderbird yellow to Riverhawks blue is Canadian infielder David Krahn, who had a brief stint with the team last season, appearing in three regular-season and all three playoff games. His numbers for UBC this year have been impressive, hitting .285 along with a sensational nine home runs in just 34 games this season.

“He’s having a huge freshman year,” says Riverhawks Head Coach Jake Lafernman. "I'm excited to see what he can do in a full WCL season.”

And it’s not just Krahn and Lenihan making the move journey across provinces this summer. Lanferman is bringing four fresh faces from UBC to Edmonton, each offering a new dimension to the Riverhawks roster.

One of the most versatile additions is Kyle Yip, who brings the unique ability to play both outfield and catcher, a dual role few players in the WCL can manage.

“He’s had great numbers this spring,” says Lanferman, “Playing both OF and Catcher gives us a utility player who can really help our team in different aspects of the game.”

Joining Yip in the outfield is another exciting addition, Mitchell Middlemiss, a 6’3” junior making the move from the Nanaimo NightOwls to the Riverhawks dugout. Middlemiss has been raking for UBC this spring, launching 10 home runs and driving in an impressive 60 RBIs over just 50 games.

“Mitchell is a veteran leader who has hit above .300 in his past three college seasons. He's a strong defender in the outfield, hits for contact, and has power upside that will help bolster our lineup in multiple ways,” explains Lanferman.

Another exciting addition is freshman Stevie Waters, who made a notable impact in his first season at UBC, an accomplishment that stood out to Lanferman given the team’s veteran-heavy lineup.

“Stevie is an exciting young player. As a freshman, he made an impact this year at UBC, which is hard to do with an older, more experienced lineup of position players. He's a strong hitter that will see time at 1B and DH for us this summer.”

Stevie joins teammates Kyle Yip and David Krahn as some of the only players to crack the Riverhawks roster as freshmen in the NAIA.

Rounding out the UBC presence in Edmonton is James Brock, the most called-upon pitcher out of the bullpen for UBC this year, appearing in a team-high 17 games and posting a 1.52 WHIP. His versatility and experience make him a valuable piece of Lanferman’s pitching puzzle.

“I expect us to see James throw quite a bit for us this summer,” Lanferman says. “He's familiar with starting, relieving, and closing, which allows us to use him in multiple roles, which is exciting."

While Riverhawks fans can look forward to plenty of exciting new talent from the UBC campus this summer, one familiar face won’t be returning to the roster — Jonny McGill. After a stellar season at UBC, leading the team with 17 home runs, hitting .402, and adding 18 doubles, McGill has firmly positioned himself on the radar for the upcoming MLB Draft. Keep an eye on this former Riverhawk as he takes the next big step in his baseball journey!

The newest Riverhawks won’t be heading to Edmonton just yet, as the NAIA World Series kicks off today and they’ve got a championship to chase first! To catch a glimpse of the future Riverhawks, tune into https://naianetwork.com/ !

You can then catch the 2025 edition of the Edmonton Riverhawks squad on Tuesday, June 3rd for the Season Home Opener at RE/MAX Field! Grab your tickets at https://tickets.gohawks.ca and be in the ballpark to watch these Thunderbirds continue their success at UBC on your Edmonton Riverhawks!