VANCOUVER – On the road in Washington, playing their first-ever league games as a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), the UBC Thunderbirds softball team (1-8, 1-1) earned a split in a Tuesday evening doubleheader, topping the Northwest (Wash.) Eagles 5-3 in the opening contest before falling 7-6 in the rematch in Kirkland, Wash.
 
The win against the Eagles marks the first triumph of the season for UBC.
 
Down 2-0 in the third inning of the opening contest, the 'Birds got back in it thanks to the powerful swing of Lindsey Ogilvie (Surrey, B.C.). With Hillary Strelau (Richmond, B.C.) and Paige Harbord (Delta, B.C.) on in scoring position, the third-year pitcher smashed a double to right, allowing her teammates to cross home plate.
 
After the Eagles took the lead with a one-run fourth inning, the 'Birds responded in the sixth – first, Shaelyn Ogilvie (Surrey, B.C.) tied it up, making it home on a throwing error from Eagles shortstop Aubree Slocum. Strelau then drove in Frances Ramsay (Vancouver) from third with an RBI single to help the 'Birds take their first lead of the contest.
 
Montana Turnovitski (Langley, B.C.) capped off the scoring for the contest with another RBI single, with Shayla Kaplen (Richmond, B.C.) making her way home from third.
 
Lindsey Ogilvie went the distance on the mound, giving up six hits and three earned runs while sitting down five.
 
In the second outing against the Eagles, the 'Birds were in control for the majority of the contest before a three-run seventh inning gave Northwest a 7-5 advantage. The 'Birds were able to pull one back late in the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback.
 
On the offensive front, Strelau continued where she left off in the first game, putting up two hits, two runs, and an RBI in just three at-bats. Lindsey Ogilvie, playing designated hitter, notched two hits for three RBI in just three showings at the plate.
 
T-Birds second-year pitcher Zoe Gillis (Delta, B.C.) threw all seven innings in the second game against the Eagles, surrendering six hits and seven runs while striking out a single batter.
 
The 'Birds will look for win No. 2 this weekend, as they take on the Northwest Christian (Ore.) Eagles in a doubleheader this Friday, March 18, with the first contest set to begin at 1:30 p.m. (PT) and the second at 3:30 p.m. (PT).
 
The 'Birds will welcome another Oregon team, the No. 17-ranked Corban (Ore.) Warriors, for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 19, with the first game starting at 11 a.m. (PT) followed by the rematch at 3 p.m. (PT).
 
All four games will be held at Softball City in Surrey, B.C.