VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds split their non-conference softball doubleheader at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., on Tuesday, winning the opener 8-4 before falling 6-3 in the second game.
 
The T-Birds put together back-to-back multi-run innings in the fifth and sixth to complete a comeback victory in the opener.
 
UBC loaded the bases in the first inning but couldn't push any runs across. Then the home side jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a pair of runs in its half of the first before adding another in the second.
 
In the top of the fourth, shortstop Yasmin Bains (Richmond, B.C.) singled up the middle to score third baseman Cherise Chang (Delta, B.C.) and get the Thunderbirds on the board.
 
With the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Chang knocked in UBC's second run on a fielder's choice. Then on the next at-bat, left fielder Sarah Hillsdon (Langley, B.C.) singled to bring home both Chang and pitcher Zoe Gillis (Delta, B.C.) to give her team the lead.
 
The T-Birds added to their lead in the next inning with four more runs. Two came crossed home plate on Rumley's double to left centre and the other two scored on Chang's single to centre.
 
Gillis came on to pitch in relief of Lindsey Ogilvie (Surrey, B.C.) in the third and gave up just four hits and one run the rest of the way to pick up the win.
 
Second baseman Quinn Dhaliwal (Delta, B.C.) went 4-for-5 at the plate.
 
The story played out in reverse in Game 2 as SFU salvaged a 6-3 win and a split.
 
UBC's Shayla Kaplen (Richmond, B.C.) opened the scoring in the top of the third, recording a three-run home run, her fourth round-tripper of the season. But the Clan scored runs in the third (1), fourth (2) and fifth (3) for the 6-3 margin.
 
Chang finished the game with two hits in three at-bats.
 
With each team getting a win on Tuesday, UBC is now 9-17 while Simon Fraser sits at 8-6.
 
The Thunderbirds host the Concordia (Ore.) Cavaliers on Saturday, March 7 for a doubleheader at North Delta Park. The games are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. UBC will play SFU again on April 6, also at North Delta Park.