ASHLAND, Ore. – The UBC Thunderbirds were unable to solve No. 3-ranked Southern Oregon as the Raiders swept Saturday's softball doubleheader at University Field in Ashland.

The Raiders (32-5, 17-1 Cascade Collegiate Conference) won 7-3 in the third and final CCC matchup of the weekend, and 12-4 in a five-inning non-league counter, which served as the series finale.

Game 1

The Thunderbirds (12-16, 8-10 CCC) took the lead in the first inning on a Cassa Courtney double to left center to bring home Taylore Jones.

SOU scored seven runs over the first five innings before Mia Valcke hit her second home run of the season – the first pitch of her sixth-inning at-bat – down the left-field line to make it 7-2.

Jones rounded out the scoring in the seventh with an RBI double down the left-field line to score Shaelyn Ogilvie. The two players recorded two hits each in the game.
 

 

Game 2

UBC also opened with a first-inning run in Game 2, as Avery Hilpert's single to left plated Claire Eccles, who had led off with her third triple of the season. However, the Raiders replied with seven runs in the bottom of the inning to take control of the game. The T-Birds closed the gap to three runs in the third inning.

With an RBI double to center, Hilpert again drove in Eccles, this time to make it 7-2. Later in the inning, a throwing error from SOU's center fielder allowed Hilpert to touch home plate from third. Michaela Moore then knocked a single up the middle to score Valcke, reducing the Raiders' lead to 7-4.

However, SOU added three runs in the bottom of the third, and then two in the fifth to finalize the run-rule triumph.

Eccles and Hilpert posted two hits each in Game 2 for UBC, with Hilpert also recording two runs batted in.

The Thunderbirds will return home to host Oregon Tech a pair of doubleheaders next weekend (Friday and Saturday) at Softball City in Surrey. The Hustlin' Owls are ranked 13th in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The next ranking will come out April 9.