VANCOUVER – A couple of strong pitching performances highlighted UBC's first day at the Simpson University softball tournament in Redding, Calif. on Friday.
“Overall, it was a good day for us,” said UBC head coach Phil Thom. “All four pitchers are pitching well. The batters are making strong contact .It was a long day with the tripleheader and another three games tomorrow.”
Pitcher
Leigh Della Siega (Surrey, BC) threw a complete game two-hitter to lead UBC to a 5-1 victory over Southern Oregon University in Friday's first game.
Della Siega struck out nine Raiders batters and gave up just one run to earn the victory.
Alana Westerhof (Delta, BC) had a spectacular game, going 4-for-4 at the plate. One of those hits was a long home run over the centre field fence. Westerhof also scored two runs. Leadoff hitter
Brittany Meyer (Delta, BC) went 3-for-4.
UBC then fell 5-0 to No. 9 Oregon Tech in the T-Birds' second game of the day.
Oregon Tech managed to score five runs on six hits while UBC wasn't nearly as effective, failing to get a runner across home plate despite loading the bases in the third and seventh innings.
Nicole Day (Surrey, BC) started the game for the T-Birds and gave up five runs in five innings. She also recorded six strikeouts.
The T-Birds ended the night with a narrow 2-1 win over Northwest Christian University.
Westerhof was the star of the game again but this time, it was because of her performance on the mound.
She pitched a complete game, striking out six without surrendering a walk.
Jamie Randall (Richmond, BC) was perfect at the plate, hitting three doubles in three appearances and scoring twice.
Meyer drove in both UBC runs.
“The team has worked hard over the winter and the fitness level they have attained is showing in their good play on the field,” said Thom. “Hopefully tomorrow brings another good day before heading home on the long bus trip.”
UBC will finish the Simpson tournament with more games on Saturday, against Eastern Oregon, Northwest, and Corban.
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