Victoria, Texas - Six runs in the third inning was the difference as the UBC women's softball team lost their opening game of the Association of Independent Institutions conference tournament to the host University of Houston-Victoria 7-2.
Leading 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning, Ashley Winegeart hit a bases loaded two run double to extend the Jaguars lead to 3-0 and chase Thunderbirds starting pitcher Alana Westerhof from the mound. She was replaced by Nicole Day. The first hitter she saw was Alex Holland and the right fielder hit a gapper to the wall in left centre cashing in two more runs to make it a 5-0 game. Krissa Powell added an RBI single and later scored on a wild pitch to count six runs in the inning and a 7-0 lead for the home side after three innings of play.
"Unfortunately we have a history of starting out slow and today he came back to hurt us," said UBC head coach Phil Thom. "We made a fair number of mistakes, but this is what happens when you haven't played a meaningful game in nearly a month."
The Thunderbirds last game prior to Wednesday's contest was April 10 versus SFU.
UBC had a number of opportunities to score, but failed to capitalize. Cassandra Dypchey hit a lead off triple in the top of the fourth inning, but would be stranded as the Jaguars recorded three straight outs.
The Thunderbirds managed to score a pair of runs in the sixth inning; Molly Gosnell had a RBI single and Quinn Dhaliwal picked up a RBI after walking with the bases loaded. However, that is as close as they would come falling 7-2 to the Jaguars.
"We definitely got better in the second half of the game and hopefully that will carry over to tomorrow's game against Ashford," said Thom.
Houston-Victoria pitcher Dawn Villegas went the complete game, allowing just four hits over seven innings while striking out six and walking three.
Thunderbirds starter Alana Westerhof went 2.1 innings, giving up five hits and allowing five earned runs while walking three and striking out three.
Nicole Day also pitched 2.1 innings surrendering two earned runs on four hits.
Leigh Della Siega finished up the game pitching 1.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one.
UBC left nine runners stranded on base.
The Thunderbirds now move to the losers bracket in the double knockout tournament. They will take on Ashford University (Iowa) at 9:00 am PST on Thursday May 2. The Saints, who UBC has never played, lost their opening game to LSU Alexandria 4-2. If UBC wins, they will play again at 2:00 pm PST.
