VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds (9-6, 4-3) kicked off their weekend with a double-header split with the visiting Eastern Oregon University Mountaineers (13-7, 5-3). It was all EOU in Game 1 as they rode a three-hit, five RBI performance from Gates Leatherwood to a 9-1 victory. But UBC gathered themselves in a big way in the rematch, as they held the Mountaineers to one run and one hit in a 2-1 victory. Shae Sever pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless relief and scored the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
"We just talked about showing up for one another and being the best version of ourselves in Game 2, because we clearly left that out in Game 1," remarked UBC head coach Jennifer McKellar moments following her team's 2-1 bounce back victory. "We responded well and they battled hard for one another."


 
Game 1
 
The Eastern Oregon Mountaineers wasted little time in setting the tone for Game 1. With two runners on and only one out, Gates Leatherwood stepped in and socked a ball deep to left field and over the fence for a homerun. Addison Ribordy then scored from second base off an infielding error from UBC, giving the visitors a 4-0 lead after their half of the first.
 
Leatherwood and Ribordy would both factor heavily in the the second inning of offense as well for EOU, combining for three additional RBI in what would end up being another four run outburst for the Mountaineers. It was 8-0 for Eastern Oregon who had chased UBC starter Shelby Kempel after just an inning and a third.
 
The final run of the game for EOU came in the top of the third when Gates Leatherwood knocked home Maddy Stateler with an RBI double.
 
Kayle Hoskins did her part on the mound for the Mountaineers, as she struck out six while allowing just three hits and one earned run. The lone run came courtesy of Keona Nordquist who singled home Shae Sever in the bottom of the fourth inning.
 
Through five innings, the Mountaineers held a 9-1 lead, and the game was called.
 
Game 2
 
The 'Birds took their first lead of the weekend in the bottom half of their first inning when Hanna Hansen singled home Keona Nordquist to stake the home side to a 1-0 lead.
 
UBC danced with danger in the top of the third inning when a pair of walks and a base hit gave the Mountaineers a prime RBI opportunity with only one out. Jennifer McKellar made a change, putting Shae Sever onto the mound in place of Lindsay Bell. After Sever struck out her first batter, Eastern Oregon would tie the score on a fielder's choice/fielding error which resulted in Gates Leatherwood's sixth RBI of the day. Sever got the next hitter to ground out, spelling the end of the threat for EOU.


 
From there, the two pitchers traded zeroes. McKenna Stallings held UBC hitless in innings three-through five while Sever surrendered just one baserunner in innings four through six.
 
Sever led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a loud double to center field. Hanna Hansen then bunted her to third base, setting up a prime RBI opportunity for pinch-hitter Mia Valcke.
 
Facing a full count, Valcke fouled off a pitch into deep right field. Addison Ribordy made the catch to record the out, but Sever scored easily from third base on a sacrifice, putting UBC up 2-1.
 
Haley Tyree led off the final inning by getting hit by a pitch. then after two quick outs, she stole second base, putting the game in the hands of left fielder Kelly Monaghan. But unfortunately for EOU, Shae Sever's sixth strikeout of the afternoon ended the game, giving UBC the split and their ninth victory of the season and their fourth in conference play.
 
"Shae has ice in her veins. To lead off the inning with a big hit, then to score the winning run – She's ready for any pressure moment," added Jennifer McKellar.
 
McKellar concluded, "To take one from them today was our goal and now we'll look to hopefully do at least that, or more tomorrow."
 
The 'Birds and Mountaineers wrap up their four-game, two-day double-header tomorrow beginning at 11:00 am PT. The fourth and final (non-conference) game is then set for 1:00 pm.