ASHLAND, Ore. – A day after managing a conference play opening day split against the fifth-ranked Southern Oregon Raiders, the UBC Thunderbirds twice fell victim to the eight-run rule Saturday with 8-0 and 11-3 losses at University Field.

The first victory gave the Raiders (13-4, 2-1) a 2-1 Cascade Conference series win over the Thunderbirds (1-5, 1-2) in six innings. The second, a non-conference win in five innings powered by two Ashton Cathey home runs, made them 13-4 overall.

Cayla Williams dominated Game 1 in the circle and at the plate. She pitched four scoreless, three-hit innings to earn the decision, making her 2-0 on the weekend with no earned runs allowed over 10 frames. She also went 3-for-4 with three RBIs from the cleanup spot. Her two-run single in the first inning provided all the cushion she needed. Katie Machado worked the final two innings to complete the shutout.

Piper Love hit her second home run of the season, a lined solo shot to left field in the second inning. She finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. Cathey had two hits and an RBI. Kailer Fulton and Sarah Kerling both hit run-scoring singles.

The T-Birds were held to just four hits, two of them courtesy of Nicole Salas including a leadoff double in the second.



Shelby Kempel took the loss allowing three earned runs on seven hits through two and a third innings of work. Shae Sever finished the game for the 'Birds, also allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four.

The Raiders took over Game 2 with an eight-spot in the fourth. Cathey had tied the game in the third with a solo homer, then highlighted the big inning with a three-run shot. She hit three homers in the series and has five on the season, all in her last six starts.

UBC had opened scoring for the second time in four contests on the weekend as an Emma Dorval single in the top of the first drove in Gabrielle Do.

The 'Birds got two runs back in the top of the fifth on a Do RBI triple and a Mia Valcke single. But the Raiders restored their eight run advantage to trigger the end of the game in the bottom half thanks to a Jordan Henderson two RBI single.

UBC continues conference play next weekend when they host the University of Providence (Mont.) Argos for their home opening series. A double header on Friday, March 4 gets underway at 1:30 p.m. PT at Collings Field at Nobel Park.