SALEM, Ore. – The UBC Thunderbirds (15-25) saw their 2017 season come to an end on Sunday morning, as they dropped a 10-1 decision to a very strong College of Idaho Coyotes (25-23) team.
The loss was the second for the 'Birds in the double-knockout Cascade Collegiate Conference championship tournament after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Oregon Tech.
College of Idaho got to UBC starter
Zoe Gillis (7-9) early with two runs in the top of the first. 'Yotes' catcher Hailey Chambers hit a two-run double to leftfield, pushing C of I to a 2-0 lead.
The Yotes broke the game open in the top of the fourth when they scored five runs on four hits and a Thunderbird error.
With the score 10-0 in the bottom of the sixth, UBC attempted a late-game rally to try and prevent losing the game on the 'mercy-rule'. The Thunderbirds managed to score a run when
Ashley Jacob crossed home plate on a wild pitch, but that was all they could muster.
College of Idaho pitcher Colette Robert (12-6) pitched a masterful performance in the victory. Robert allowed only six hits over six innings and struck out five T-Birds. She also drove in five runs and scored two. Gillis took the loss for the 'Birds.
The loss saw the end of a marvellous late-season push by the Thunderbirds, where they won their final nine conference games to qualify for the playoffs.
