Need to Know

The UBC Thunderbirds softball team (1-8, 1-1) will square off against a pair of Oregonian opponents this weekend, as they prepare for play doubleheaders against the Northwest Christian Beacons (4-16-0, 0-2) and the No. 17-ranked Corban Warriors (16-7, 2-0).
 
The 'Birds will face the Beacons on Friday, March 17, with the first contest of the doubleheader set for 1:30 p.m. (PT). Saturday, March 18 will see the Blue and Gold take on the Warriors, as the two sides will first clash at 11 a.m. (PT).
 
All four games will be played at the T-Birds' new home of Softball City in Surrey, B.C, and will mark the first UBC action ever played at the venue.
 

Last Week

It was actually earlier this week, but the 'Birds earned their first win of the season, as well as their first as a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference, in a 5-3 win over the Northwest Eagles. With the win coming in the first half of a doubleheader, the 'Birds fell 7-6 in the second contest.
 

By the Numbers

0.519 – Third year UBC shortstop/outfielder Hillary Strelau (Richmond, B.C.) is making plenty of contact at the plate this season, picking up 14 hits in 27 at-bats, knocking in three RBIs over the club's nine games.
 
8 – Pitcher Lindsey Ogilvie (Surrey, B.C.) has been the engine of UBC's offense, driving in a team-high eight runs on 13 hits this season (27 at-bats). Ogilvie's RBI mark is one more that her younger sister Shaelyn Ogilvie (Surrey, B.C), who has 7.
 

The Matchup

Like the 'Birds, Northwest Christian will enter Friday's doubleheader having one just one game in their last nine outings.
 
The Beacons' pitching has been a key component of their early-season misfortunes – between the four hurlers in their rotation, Northwest Christian is surrendering an ERA of 7.10 per contest, compared to just the 2.85 mark that they average on their opponents.
 
The Warriors have claimed both of their Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) games so far this season, beating, conincidentally, the Beacons 4-1 and 7-4 in a doubleheader earlier this week.
 
Over their 23 contests across all competitions, Corban has been getting some dominant performances from their junior duo of outfielder Taylor Eilders and third baseman Raimee Siluder. Eilders, in 79 at-bats, leads the club with 35 hits and 29 runs, as well as a slugging percentage of 0.785. Siluder leads the club in RBIs, with 17 and on-base percentage, at 0.507. Both girls have six home runs apiece.
 

Coach's Take

I'm excited about the way the team is playing. Still have a ways to go, but I think they played really well on Tuesday and we're getting there," said UBC head coach Gord Collings. "I'm looking forward to tough, competitive contests against Northwest Christian, and coming out and competing against Corban – the only way we're going to get better is by playing the better teams and they're going to be our first big challenge this year."