VANCOUVER – Happy Valley was anything but happy for the UBC softball team this weekend.
 
The offence was productive at times, but left too many runners on base Sunday as the Thunderbirds dropped both games in Northwest Cup action at Hood View Park in Happy Valley, Ore.
 
In their first game versus the host Concordia (Ore.) Cavaliers, UBC ran into the burning hot bat of shortstop Taylor Bussey on the way to dropping a 10-4 decision.
 
"We played well defensively, but need to be more aggressive at the plate, " said UBC head coach Gord Collings.
 
The 'Birds got off to a fast start using three hits and a Concordia error to put two runs across in the top of the first.  
 
The top four in UBC's batting order combined for 11 hits. Centre fielder Shayla Kaplen (Richmond, B.C.) stroked four singles, while shortstop Hillary Strelau (Richmond, B.C.) put up three hits and scored two runs. Unfortunately for the 'Birds, after their top four every other batter was held hitless.
 
Concordia got to UBC's starting pitcher Zoe Gillis (Delta, B.C.) for three runs in the third and fourth innings. The second-year southpaw Gillis was solid in the first two innings, despite giving up a home run to Bussey, but ran into trouble in the third and fourth.  Gillis surrendered seven runs and was replaced by freshman Emma Tuson (Maple Ridge, B.C.) in the fifth.
 
Bussey was the difference maker in the game, as she ended up with a seven RBI's.

Shaelyn Ogilvie (Surrey, B.C.) and Paige Harbord (Delta, B.C.) both had a couple hits for the 'Birds.
 
In their second game of the day UBC matched up against Saint Martin's (Wash.). The UBC bats were humming, scoring seven runs on 13 hits, but the Saint Martin's bats hummed a little louder as they put up 17 runs on 24 hits.
 
Kaplen continued her hot hitting for UBC, with another couple hits and two runs scored. Mackenzie Siddall (Windsor, Ont.) got the start in right field and drove in two runs, as did catcher Margarita Sison (Richmond, B.C.).
 
UBC didn't have an answer however, for Saint Martin's first base Kim Nelson. Nelson finished with five hits, including a homer, and six RBI in her team's 17-7 triumph.
 
"I'm pleased we were able to get everyone into our pre-season games, but disappointed in the outcome," added Collings.
 
UBC plays next March 8 with a doubleheader against Montana State-Billings on their home field of Softball City in Surrey.