VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds Softball team put together an impressive performance with their backs against the wall, taking down the two-time defending NAIA National Champions to stay alive at the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament Saturday, only to fall 9-1 to the College of Idaho Yotes later in the afternoon, ending their 2022 season.
 
After the Yotes came from behind Friday to hand the T-Birds a 6-5 loss, UBC couldn't suffer another defeat in the double elimination tournament. Facing the Southern Oregon Raiders in a do-or-die scenario for both teams early Saturday afternoon, the 'Birds played one of their best games of the season in a 10-2 victory to keep their hopes alive.
 
But strong Yotes pitching and early runs saw the College of Idaho run away with a 9-1 win as they advance to play Eastern Oregon on Sunday while the T-Birds will make their way back to Vancouver a little earlier than they had hoped.


 
After Southern Oregon was upset 3-1 by Eastern Oregon Friday, the Raiders and T-Birds collided, with the loser set to have their season end abruptly.
 
The Raiders got themselves out to a 2-0 lead by the middle of the third inning but it was all UBC from there on out. After a Nicole Salas RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, Mia Valcke cashed in her first two of four RBI in the game with a double to centre, giving the 'Birds the lead. By the time the frame was over, UBC had taken a four run lead with both Salas and Valcke scoring on a throwing error, followed by a two RBI triple by Hanna Hansen.
 
UBC scored three more runs in the sixth, including a two-run homer by Valcke, as the 'Birds earned the decisive victory. Shelby Kempel picked up her seventh win of the season pitching all six innings allowing just the two runs on nine hits with a pair of strikeouts.


 
The win found UBC meeting the Yotes for the second time in as many days later Saturday afternoon after the College of Idaho lost their second game of the tournament, 4-0, to the host Oregon Tech Owls.
 
While the T-Birds and Yotes played a closely fought battle Friday, their second matchup of the tournament was heavily tilted in C of I's favour. The Yotes scored three times in the first inning and they added two more by the middle of the third.
 
The 'Birds got one run back in their half of the third inning on a Gabrielle Dorval sac fly, the only run UBC would manage as they were limited to just two hits by C of I pitcher Katelyn Wilfert in the 9-1 loss. The Yotes scored once more in the fourth and added three more in the fifth as they kept their hopes of a berth in the conference championship game alive.
 
UBC ends their season with a 21-20 overall record, the first time finishing above .500 since joining the Cascade conference in 2016. It's a solid indication the young talent in the UBC dugout is poised to keep pushing the program forward. There's certainly plenty to look forward to come the 2023 CCC season.