VANCOUVER, B.C – The UBC Thunderbirds (20-19, 12-10) earned two shutout victories over the University of Providence (Mont.) Argonauts (9-24, 6-17) at Collings Field on Friday. The 'Birds were led by pinpoint pitching alongside some sound discipline at the plate to earn a 5-0 win in game one, and followed that with an 8-0 win after just five innings in game two. With the sweep on the day, the 'Birds officially secured themselves a place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference playoff tournament.
Seniors Day was in full swing following the doubleheader. The T-Birds took to the field to honour five graduating players:
Caitlin Bradley-Tse,
Lindsay Bell,
Arshleen Bajwa,
Keona Nordquist, and
Gabrielle Dorval for their contributions over the years. Family members joined the players as they were handed flowers and photos. UBC head coach
Jennifer McKellar delivered individual speeches that touched on each player's highlights from their time as a Thunderbird.
"We're so happy and grateful for what they have contributed to the program. Especially with me, they really accepted me as a new coach partway through their journey", said McKellar after the ceremony. "We owe a lot of current and future success to their contributions."
Game 1
After a quiet start to the game from both sides, the 'Birds started making some noise in the third. The bottom half of the frame kicked off with two quick groundouts before a hit by pitch and a bloop single into right put a pair of baserunners on. A wild pitch sent the runners in motion which netted a run to open the scoring for UBC.
The T-Birds went back to work in the fourth when they put runners on second and third with two outs. Senior
Keona Nordquist was up next and came up clutch by connecting on one, just enough, to drop it into right field for the two RBI single, extending the lead to 3-0.
The 'Birds kept their foot on the gas in the fifth. After a leadoff single from Sever, Gabby Dorval, another graduating senior, blasted one to the fence in right centre for an RBI triple. The blue and gold would go on to add another run in the frame, inflating their lead to 5-0.
Through five innings, Sever was throwing a quiet, yet commanding, no hitter. However, an infield single from Argos leadoff hitter Madi Moore gave the visitors their first and only hit on the day. Sever would not waver, as she would go on to pick up the remaining five outs and finish the complete game shutout, her second in a week, tallying eight strikeouts along the way.
"One of our goals we've had is to be competent, even when we don't score right away. There's a tendency to feel tight, and the team just really trusted that we had a plan for this opponent", said McKellar. "So super proud of their calm composure. And obviously, Shae was throwing a gem, so you can be a little more patient when that's the case."
Game 2
Carleen Murray started for the T-Birds in game two, and she picked up right where Sever left off. After a quick first, and her team getting off to an early 1-0 lead, Murray kept the pressure on by striking out two in the second frame.
The 'Birds showed great discipline at the plate in their half of the second, as nearly every hitter was able to get ahead in the count. With three walks, two hits and one hit by pitch, the home side widened their gap to 4-0.
Now up 5-0 going into the fourth, solid vision and timely hitting continued for the home side. Another senior and hot corner staple,
Gabrielle Dorval, led off with a double to the left field wall. She wouldn't have to wait on base for long as
Kaitlyn Kim was next up and singled into right centre, earning the RBI and extending her team's lead, 6-0.
In the bottom of fifth, after already putting up a run in the inning, the 'Birds were closing in on the mercy rule. With the bases loaded, graduating senior
Arshleen Bajwa was hit by a pitch to pick up a highly unusual walk-off RBI and end the game at 8-0.
Murray pitched the entire five innings for UBC, conceding only two hits while striking out five.
Over the entire doubleheader, the 'Birds gave up only three hits to the Argonauts, with both starting pitchers going the difference.
"Knowing what we knew with our opponents, we knew that a patient eye could be very beneficial to us", said McKellar. "Just try to maximize the effect that would have, which is extra runners on and just more pressure on their defense."
The two teams will meet for another doubleheader on Saturday, which will be UBC's final home games of the season. First pitch for game one has been moved to 10:00 a.m. (PT) due to potential inclement weather in the afternoon, with game two to follow at 12:00 p.m. (PT).
