CALDWELL, Idaho – The UBC Thunderbirds fell 4-0 and 8-3 to the host College of Idaho Coyotes in a softball doubleheader in Caldwell, Idaho.
Colette Robert tossed a six-hit shutout in the opener, with a Trystin Crofts 2-run single in the third inning the big blow, with the Coyotes (22-6, 9-3 CCC) using a five-run first inning in Game 2, a non-conference matchup, to earn the victory.
The Yotes opened the scoring in the first inning of Game 1, as Haley Loffer walked, stole second and stole third – coming home when the UBC throw to third ended up in left field. Two innings later, Crofts roped a two-run single to left to plate Alyssa Goff and Loffer for the 3-0 lead, with Marissa Maddox capping the scoring with her seventh homer of the year leading off the sixth.
Emily Chorpita opened the top of the seventh inning by reaching on an error by the C of I shortstop.
Michaela Moore then singled to right center.
Shelby Kempel followed up with a single to right to load the bases with no out.
However, Robert got a strikeout, a pop up and a ground out to cap the win.
Delaney Atkins went 2-for-3, with Loffer walking three times and stealing three bags in the victory. Both
Mia Valcke and
Claire Eccles had two hits for the T-Birds (8-9, 5-4).
The Coyotes jumped to an 8-0 lead in the nightcap – as Maddox and Atkins had first inning RBI singles, followed by a Taylor Eakle three-run homer. An inning later, Crofts doubled home a pair and Eakle plated her with an RBI single to build the eight-run lead.
UBC got on the scoreboard in the fourth, as Chorpita and Kempel lined RBI singles, but Loryn Fonger was summoned from the pen, allowing a run on four hits in three-plus innings of relief for the win.
Crofts was 3-for-4, with Loffer and Eakle each logging two hits for the Yotes, with Chorpita going 3-for-3 in the loss for the 'Birds.
Prior to the game, members of the City of Caldwell's Fire and Police Departments; the Canyon County Sheriff's Office; St. Luke's Air Ambulance paramedics; along with West Valley Medical Center paramedics were honoured by the Yotes in an on-field ceremony – with nearly 100 first responders and their families in attendance.
UBC won't have much rest before starting a crucial three-game series at Northwest Christian (Ore.) in Eugene, Ore. The teams will play a single game on Sunday at 2 p.m., before contesting a doubleheader Monday starting at 11 a.m.
