VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds softball team (0-1) got behind early and never full recovered on Friday, as they dropped a 5-2 decision to the host Concordia Cavaliers (6-5) in their first game of the season, at the 2016 Northwest Cup in Happy Valley, Ore.
 
The Cavaliers got out to a 4-0 lead early, picking up two runs in each of the second and third innings.
 
Outfielder Meghan Luebbert then jacked a solo shot to deep center in the fourth frame to stretch that lead to 5-0.
 
The 'Birds got their only two runs of the contest on the game's final play in the seventh inning. Down to their final out, Paige Harbord (Delta, B.C.) singled, scoring Hillary Strelau (Richmond, B.C.) from third and Frances Ramsay (Vancouver).
 
Harbord was eventually caught in a rundown between first and second base to end the contest.
 
The 'Birds are back in action bright and early tomorrow, February 20, as they are set to take on the Pacific (Ore.) Boxers (NCAA Divison 3) at 9:30 a.m., at Hood View Park. Then at 12 noon, UBC will take on Concordia (Calif.), an NCAA Division 2 school.