VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds had a big day on Thursday, winning three straight games at the Tucson Invitational Games.
The 3-0 day moves UBC to 4-1 on the week, bumping their overall record to 14-12.
The day started with a 2-0 win over Baker University. UBC struck early when
Brittany Meyer (Delta, BC) tripled to plate
Carlyn Shimizu (Richmond, BC) and then scored on an errant throw.
That would be it for the scoring. In fact, the squads managed just three more hits, combined, the rest of the way.
Alana Westerhof (Delta, BC), who had three RBI in two games on Wednesday, threw a complete game. She allowed just two baserunners, one via a hit and one via a walk, while stirking out seven. Westerhof continues to provide UBC with a big boost on both sides of the diamond, leading the team in several hitting and pitching categories.
UBC followed that game up by edging Judson University 5-4.
Cassandra Dypchey (Surrey, BC) got things started in the first inning with a two-run single and later scoring. Judson fired back with two runs in the first and one in the second to tie things up.
Meyer would single Shimizu home once again in the top of the fourth to get the lead back, with
Molly Gosnell (Sunnyvale, CA) adding some fifth-inning insurance with a triple and run scored. Judson would get one more run to close the gap but couldn't complete the comeback.
Shimizu finished with three hits on the day, but the big story was
Nicole Day (Surrey, BC), who came in for four innings of relief and gave up just one run on two hits. Day started on Wednesday and threw a complete game, and her ability to come right back with a stellar performance was a boon to UBC.
In their final game of the day, the Thunderbirds spanked Mayville State University 12-0. UBC scored nine runs in the first, bringing 12 batters to the plate, and cruised from there. Gosnell led the way with three hits and three runs with two RBI.
Leigh Della Siega (White Rock, BC) picked up a short complete game, tossing five shutout innings with 10 strikeouts.
UBC will play two more games on Friday and three on Saturday before returning home for a weeklong break.
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