SURREY, B.C. — Kaia Gyorfi pitched more than 12 innings combined with 15 total strikeouts as the UBC Thunderbirds earned a doubleheader split against the Providence (Mont.) Argonauts in sunny Surrey Friday afternoon.

In a tale of two very different games, the 'Birds rode Gyorfi's strong stuff on the mound in Game 1 while scoring all three runs in a 3-1 victory from Providence errors. Game 2 saw a wild second inning with a combined eight runs, six of them scored by the Argos who held on for a 6-5 win.

"We gave up those runs in the second inning (of the second game), all we needed was that big play to get out of it, but I credit what they did, they took advantage of the errors and hit the ball well," said UBC head coach Gord Collings, who was very pleased with his team's resiliency in mounting a comeback attempt. "We just missed a couple hits. I was very impressed, it's a growing experience for the young players to know that we're never out of it."
 

GAME 1

The series opener featured a pitchers' duel between UBC rookie Kaia Gyorfi and Providence's Brieanna Clifford.

Providence opened scoring in the top of the second in what proved to be their only run of the game. After center fielder Karlie Southworth tripled down the right field line, she was brought home by Karsten Williams, who advanced to first on a successful bunt.

The 'Birds wasted little time tying the score in their half of the inning. Catcher Jordan Britten-Yung earned a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a Nicole Salas sacrifice bunt. Britten-Yung then made it home on a wild pitch for UBC's first run of the series.
 

Britten-Yung's was the only earned run for Clifford who was tagged with the loss after pitching the complete game, allowing just five T-Bird hits with five strikeouts.

The game remained tied at one until the bottom of the sixth when the 'Birds took advantage of a Providence throwing error. With two out and the bases loaded, Taylore Jones grounded to the pitcher's mound but a slight hesitation led to an errant throw over the first baseman's head allowing both Emily Chorpita and Sierra Sherritt to score.

With the Argonauts down to their final three outs, Gyorfi never gave them a sniff as she sat down the side to earn her second win of the season. The freshman out of Victoria, B.C., allowed just the single run on four hits while striking out a season-high eight batters.
 

GAME 2

Runs and hits were a little easier to come by for both teams in the second half of Friday's doubleheader.

The T-Birds took a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, both again due to Providence errors. Jones earned her second run of the day scoring from third on a throwing error while Mia Valcke made it home on a wild pitch. Both had reached base on well-placed singles.

Providence had their biggest inning in weeks in the top of the second, scoring six runs on four hits with three T-Bird errors. After the Argos scored their sixth run, Shelby Kempel, who started the game on the mound, was replaced by Gyorfi who was in for a busy day having pitched the entire first game of the afternoon. The rookie pitcher got Hanna Tarum to strikeout and end the inning.

The T-Birds got a pair of runs back in their half of the second which completely changed the feel of the game compared to the top half.
 

After Claire Eccles was hit by a pitch for the third time Friday, the bases were loaded for the 'Birds and they made pay. Valcke hit a two-RBI double to left field, her second hit of the game and third of the day to get UBC within two.

The 'Birds cut the Providence lead to just one in the bottom of the fourth. With two down, Avery Hilpert was brought in to pinch run at second and the move paid off as her quick wheels allowed her to score on an Argos fielding error. 

Unfortunately for the 'Birds, they couldn't complete the comeback as Hannah Vandomelen retired nine of the next 10 batters to earn her third win of the season and Providence's first victory in seven games.

Kempel took the loss for the 'Birds while Gyorfi added another seven strikeouts through five and a third innings allowing just three hits and no runs.

"She just goes out there and throws, the mental part of her game is outstanding," said Collings of Gyorfi's overall presence. "That adds to the strength that she has as a big, strong girl. She's also complemented her fast pitching with the changeup that's worked really well and she has that attitude that she's just going to go out there and play. That's the attitude I'd like the rest of the girls to adopt too."

The T-Birds will go for the series win Saturday with the conference finale beginning at 11 a.m. PT. UBC and Providence will then close out the weekend with a non-conference game at 1 p.m. PT, both at Softball City in Surrey.