VANCOUVER, B.C. – The UBC Thunderbirds (22-19, 13-10) swept the weekend series with the
University of Providence (Mont.) Argos (9-25, 6-18) by picking up a pair of victories on Saturday
at Collings Field. Playing on the back of Senior's Day at the park, the T-Bird vets continued their timely hitting to earn an 8-0 win to start the day and followed that with 9-1 victory in the afternoon, both in six innings.
With this series being the UBC's last at home this season, the ballpark saw a large turnout for Sunday's doubleheader – and the 'Birds did not disappoint
. Through a combined 12.0 innings on the day, the 'Birds netted 17 runs, while conceding only one; the only run they allowed over the entire four-game series.
"Clinching the playoffs this weekend was, of course, a big goal of ours, but it's not our last goal," said UBC head coach
Jennifer McKellar. "Our first four game sweep and to do it at home to send us into the last weekend of the regular season, I think we're feeling exactly how we want at the right time."
Game 1
The 'Birds picked up where they left off the day before as they got to work early. In the bottom of the first, with two outs and two runners in scoring position, UBC starting pitcher
Shae Sever stepped into the box and gave herself some run support by connecting on a double to deep left center, handing her 'Birds the 2-0 lead right off the bat.
Things would quiet down for both sides, with the next couple of innings filled with quick outs – until the fourth. In the bottom half, after already tallying two more runs, the T-Birds looked to blow the game open. With two outs, and runners now on first and second,
Gabrielle Dorval blasted one over the leaping right fielder for a two RBI double. Shortly after, Jessica Heutnik found room in left field to drop in a single, sending Dorval home to add another run and make it 7-0.
The game calmed down with a swift fifth inning, but in the sixth, the script flipped. The Argonauts pitchers had some trouble finding the zone, leading to a hit by pitch and two walks to load the bases before an out had been recorded. With the eight-run mercy rule in sight, UBC graduating senior
Arshleen Bajwa connected on her second hit of the game, shooting it up the middle to drive in the T-Birds' eighth run. It marked the second consecutive game finished on a walk-off RBI from the veteran outfielder.
"She hit really, really well," said McKellar on Bajwa's weekend performance. "In her senior year, she's still always trying to be better, and it's so great to see it pay off."
Sever threw all six innings for the 'Birds, earning her second complete game shutout in as many days.
Game 2
The visitors came out and pressed early in the final game of the series. Following a quick first frame, the top of the second saw Argos infielder Macy Mangold leadoff with an infield single. An error, and later, a walk, loaded the bases. However, with two outs, UBC veteran pitcher
Lindsay Bell painted the edge of the zone on a breaking ball to earn the strikeout, ending the threat and the inning.
The Thunderbirds responded immediately in the bottom half. Three straight hits led off the inning, resulting in the opening score. One more hit, a handful of walks, and a couple of wild pitches would balloon their lead to 5-0, all with only one out. Then, with a runner on,
Keona Nordquist delivered. She squared up the barrel and blasted the ball deep over the left field fence for the two run shot – a fitting final hit at home for the graduating senior. The 'Birds would go on to add yet another score, ending the frame up 8-0.
Despite the mountain to climb, the Argos did not fold and fired right back in the top of the third. With runners on the corners, Sydnee Weber attempted to steal second where, on the throw, Ryen Palmer took off running from third to home in a delayed double steal. The 'Birds caught the runner at second while Palmer made a fabulous slide at home to beat the tag and tally the Argos first run of the series.
The next few innings would see both sides threaten with the odd base runner, yet neither team could get them home.
In the bottom of the sixth, up 8-1, the 'Birds were again threatening to end the game early with the help of one more run. Nordquist's discipline earned her a walk and a subsequent hit by pitch would move her to second. Next up was Dorval, who drove one deep into right field for the game-ending, RBI double.
"It was a called hit and run, so she executed it perfectly", laughed McKellar when asked about Nordquist's earlier homer. "It doesn't get better than that. It was really great to have her hit one out here at home to finish of Senior Day weekend."
The Thunderbirds (22-19, 13-10) will play their last series of the season next weekend when they travel to Oregon to face off against the Corban University Warriors (3-38, 2-21) for a four-game set. Game one is on April 26 with first pitch scheduled for 2:00p.m. (PT).
