VANCOUVER, BC – The Western Washington University softball team split its non-conference doubleheader Saturday against the University of British Columbia at Collings Field at Nobel Park.
WWU dropped the opener 5-1, but bounced back with a season-high 15 hits in an 8-2 victory in the nightcap to improve to 4-3 on the season.
Sophomore outfielder Lexi Barcomb led WWU's second-game victory going 4-for-4 with a run scored and sophomore third baseman Amaya Davis combined to go 3-for-6 in the doubleheader. Freshmen Hailey Rath (2-for-5, R) and Isabella Bay (2-for-4, 2B) also had multi-hit days for the Vikings.
Junior starting pitcher Mareena Ramirez earned the complete-game victory in the second game, allowing five hits and two runs (7 SO, 5 BB) to earn the win improving to 3-0 on the season.
The Vikings (4-3) continue their early-season non-conference schedule next weekend with six games in Hawai'i with doubleheaders against Hawai'i Pacific, Hawai'i Hilo and Chaminade. WWU's home opener will be February 24-24 with a four-game non-conference series hosting Northwest Nazarene at Viking Field, with first pitch of each doubleheader scheduled for 11 am.
UBC scored four runs in its opening inning of the season en route to a 5-1 victory over the Vikings in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.
WWU freshman starting pitcher Alexis Slater settled down after the first inning to allow only one run over the remaining five innings while logging the first complete game of her career.
The Thunderbirds had their first four batters reach in the bottom of the 1st inning, with third baseman Gabrielle Dorval plating a pair with a double.
The Vikings manufactured their run in the top of the 5th inning with a runner reaching on an error, a sacrifice bunt, a single by Hailey Rath to advance into scoring position and a two-out single by Kanilehua Pitoy.
Slater (0-1) allowed nine hits and five runs (3 ER) in the complete-game effort. WWU's five hits were recorded by five different players.
UBC shortstop Mia Valcke went 4-for-4 with a run scored out of the leadoff spot and right fielder Caitlin Bradley-Tse was 2-for-4. Starting pitcher Shelby Kempel (1-0) earned the win allowing one unearned run in 5.0 innings.
British Columbia 5, Western Washington 1 (Feb 11, 2023 at Vancouver, BC) – Game 1
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Western Washington.... 000 010 0 - 1 5 2 (3-3)
British Columbia...... 400 100 X - 5 9 2 (1-0)
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Western Washington - Slater and Christensen
British Columbia - Kempel; Sever(6) and Malesku
Win-Kempel(1-0) Loss-Slater(0-1) T-1:40 A-87
The Vikings stormed back with an 8-2 victory in the second game, pounding out a season-high 15 hits and riding the complete-game effort from starting pitcher Mareena Ramirez.
Sophomore outfielder Lexi Barcomb ignited the offensive outburst going 4-for-4 and freshman first baseman Isabella Bay was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
Ramirez scattered five hits while allowing two runs (1 ER) to improve to 3-0 on the season.
Western Washington 8, British Columbia 2 (Feb 11, 2023 at Vancouver, BC) - Game 2
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Western Washington.... 030 014 0 - 8 15 2 (4-3)
British Columbia...... 000 011 0 - 2 5 2 (1-1)
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Western Washington - Ramirez and Paulson.
British Columbia - Bell; Kempel(4); McRae(6) and Malesku.
Win-Ramirez (3-0) Loss-Bell(0-1) T-2:40 A-25
The Vikings (4-3) remain on the road next week traveling to Hawai'i to play six games over three days against Hawai'i Pacific, Hawai'i Hilo and Chaminade. For links to follow the games and updated information on the Vikings, visit wwuvikings.com/SB_23.
Up-to-date season information, including season statistics, bios, roster, schedule and historical information can be viewed online at WWUVikings.com/Softball. WWU Softball also has a strong social media presence on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, so give them a follow!
The WWU softball program enters its 31st season in 2023. WWU advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for the fifth time in program history in 2021 after winning the GNAC Tournament. WWU has posted a winning record 19 times during the 30-year history of the program, which won the 1998 NAIA National Championship in only its sixth season to record the school's first ever team national title. During the nine-season span from 2014-2022, the Vikings have combined to go 224-172 and won a pair of GNAC Tournament titles (2017 & 2021).
