CALDWELL, Idaho – Symms Field saw a pair of explosive offenses between the College of Idaho and the University of British Columbia. The Yotes exploded in the opener, claiming an electrifying 11-3 victory in six innings via the run rule, sending their home crowd into jubilation. However, UBC roared back in the second game, handing the Yotes a 10-3 loss in a battle that tested College of Idaho's resilience.
GAME 1 CI 11, UBC 3
Game one was a masterclass in offensive execution for the Yotes, who erupted for 11 runs on 11 hits in a dominant performance. The breakthrough came in the third inning, when Chloe Flerchinger delivered an RBI single to score Kamryn Ham, igniting the offensive fireworks. Moments later, Lolo Walker stepped up to the plate and launched a towering three-run home run, a no-doubt blast that sent the dugout into a frenzy and put College of Idaho firmly in control at 4-0. The onslaught continued in the fourth, with Ashlynn Nixon threading an RBI single through the infield and key contributions from Lena Zahniser and Brinley Iverson pushing the lead to an insurmountable margin.
The Yotes weren't done. In the fifth, Iverson laced an RBI double into the gap, further demoralizing the Thunderbirds. Then, in the sixth, College of Idaho finished the job with two more runs, forcing the mercy rule and punctuating an emphatic victory.
Abbey Brooks was masterful in the circle, extending her perfect record to 7-0 by holding UBC to just three hits over 3.2 innings, while Drew Williams slammed the door with a near-flawless relief outing.
GAME 2 UBC 10, CI 3
The second game saw a dramatic shift in momentum, as British Columbia refused to go quietly and broke a 18 game losing streak to the Yotes. The Thunderbirds capitalized on defensive lapses and timely hitting to string together 13 hits, wearing down the Yotes' pitching staff. Despite the adversity, College of Idaho continued to fight. Iverson provided a spark with an electrifying RBI triple in the fourth inning, but UBC responded in the sixth with a crushing three-run double from Shae Sever that swung the game out of reach.
Sever led the Thunderbirds with three hits. Jessica Heutink and Keona Nordquist both recorded a pair of runs from a pair of hits.
Sydney Jund and Audrey Sweet did their best to keep the Yotes in the game, each driving in runs, but the deficit proved too great to overcome.
Now, all eyes turn to Sunday's high-stakes rubber match, where the Yotes will look to reclaim their dominance and seize the series victory. With the series knotted at one apiece, the two teams are set for a decisive showdown on Sunday at 11 a.m. on Symms Field, where bragging rights and momentum hang in the balance, followed by a non-conference bout to conclude the weekend.
