VANCOUVER, BC – Following a morning rain delay, the UBC Thunderbirds and the College of Idaho Yotes stepped onto Collings Field at Nobel Park for just one game on Friday. The lone contest was taken by the visiting Yotes 6-2.
 
The visitors attacked UBC's starting pitcher Shelby Kempel early, scoring the game's first two runs off of a Kaily Christensen homerun. Aggressive plate appearances showcased the Yotes dangerous offence, but Kempel managed to escape the inning with no more harm done.
 
Shae Sever entered the game for Kempel following two walks in the second inning to force a routine pop-up for the second out of the inning. Christensen then stepped back into the batter's box and sent a 2 RBI double to left-centre, bringing the Yotes lead to 4-0.


 
"I was pleased with the way we finally got our bats going a couple of innings in," said UBC Head Coach Gord Collings. "Defensively we played well, Shelby came in and did a great job. They got some good hits throughout the game, they're a very good hitting team. I was pleased with the way we responded after our start."
 
The 'Birds began to win plate battles against Yotes ace Katelyn Wilfert in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Mia Valcke led off with a left-field double. Kaitlyn Kim's plate patience then drew a walk to put two runners on base. With one out, Valcke and Kim executed a double stea, pressing closer to home. Wilfert was up for challenge however, as she closed the inning by first forcing a pop-up, then striking out the last batter, leaving two 'Birds on base.
 
The Yotes added a run in the top of the fifth inning from Lexi Navarrete, who hit an RBI single to bring the game to 5-0.


 
UBC got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Olivia Malesku began the rush by reaching first on a throwing error. Adding more speed on the base path, Gabby Freer entered the game as the pinch runner. Valcke pushed a single to left, registering her second hit of the game. Freer then stole third base, and advanced home off a Yotes throwing error. The visitors were able to earn two more outs before Emma Dorval powered a single to left-field to cut further into the lead, now sitting at just 5-2.
 
The Yotes added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh inning from the bat of Tanner Higgins, who drove an RBI single up the middle, 6-2.
 
The T-Birds were not able to beat Wilfert in the bottom of the seventh inning, where she closed the game with three straight outs to earn a complete game victory, improving her record to 12-3.
 
"We might take a look at changing up the order a bit for tomorrow," added Collings. "See if we can get our bats going. She's one of the best pitchers in the league so it's going to be challenging either way, but I was pleased with what the girls did today."
 
Saturday morning's double-header will begin at 11:00 a.m. (PT), followed shortly by the second game.