RIVERSIDE, CA - The UBC Thunderbirds (1-3) dropped a pair of contests at the Lancer Invitational, hosted by the Cal Baptist Lancers, on Friday. The T-Birds began the day with an 18-0 loss to the no. 1 ranked Lancers before seeing their seventh inning rally come up just short in a 7-6 loss to the Simpson University Redhawks.
UBC was no match for the defending NAIA Champion Lancers who returned every starter from their 2009 squad. Cal Baptist put up 18 runs over the first two innings and tallied 16 hits en route to their fifth straight win to start the season.
The T-Birds bounced back with a strong, come-from-behind effort in their second game of the day but saw the Redhawks steal victory in the bottom of the seventh after UBC finally earned their first lead of the game in the top of the inning.
Trailing 5-3 heading into the top of the seventh, the T-Birds put up three runs in the inning, chasing Simpson starter Hayley Rodriguez.
Tanya McLean provided the tying run, doubling in a pair with one out in the inning. The T-Birds took the lead on a Redhawk error, however, Simpson responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to steal the win.
McLean had a big day for the 'Birds, scoring twice, while picking up one hit and two RBIs.
Jessica Barclay continued her strong start to the season with a pair of hits and one RBI with
Lindsay McElroy also swung the bat well en route to a two hit, two RBI performance.
The T-Birds and Redhawks meet in the first semi-final tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. The winner of that game advances to face the winner of the second semi-final which features Cal Baptist and Bethany University.
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