EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University softball team was hit by a strong pitching tandem on Saturday, collecting just three hits as they were swept by the University of British Columbia in a double header, 10-1 and 3-0.
 
The Thunderbirds (13-23, 11-13 Cascade Conference) took a one-game lead on Carroll College (15-19, 10-14 CCC) for the sixth and final playoff spot after the Saints split their double-header with No. 15 Corban on Saturday. This sets up a monumental battle in a neutral-site triple-header between Carroll and UBC on Sunday. The first team to win two will claim the series and the final slot in the conference tournament.
 
The Beacons finish out their season with a 4-38 mark including a 4-23 record in conference play. NCU honored their seniors, Katie Walker and Janieve Boyles (pictured) in a ceremony between games. NCU also honored sophomore Makenzie McLaughlin who will graduate in December after just 2 1/2 years and has chosen not to continue her softball career. 

Walker, who has been battling an arm injury, was able to take the field one final time, throwing the first pitch of the game before coming out to a standing ovation.
 
GAME ONE
 
The T-Birds needed five innings for the run-rule victory as they poured on 16 hits. The top three batters in the order were virtually untouchable, combining to hit 10-for-12 with seven runs and six RBI. In the nine-hole, Mackenzie Siddall also made noise with a 3-for-3 game, scoring twice.
 
After taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first first, the biggest blow came in the second on a Grand Slam from Lexie Brenneis who went 3-for-3 with five RBI in the game. Sydney Brown scored three runs on three hits and Hillary Strelau led all players with four hits in the game.
 
Zoe Gillis (7-9) allowed just two hits and struck out three batters in route to the conference victory. Paige Griffith and Avery Daniels produced the Beacons pair of hits with Griffith scoring on Daniels RBI double in the bottom of the first.
 
Boyles suffered the loss for the Beacons, striking out two batters but allowing seven earned runs over the first 2.1 innings. Sophomore Madi Jones came in and provided solid relief, allowing just three hits over the final 2.2 innings without allowing another run.
 
GAME TWO
 
The non-conference closing contest also went to the T-Birds as sophomore pitchers Darrian Gerard and Emma Tuson combined for a one-hitter. Gerard (2-2) allowed the one hit in five innings of work, striking out three. Tuscon earned her first save of the season with a scoreless final two innings.
 
UBC picked up their runs with two in the sixth and one in the seventh. Lindsey Ogilvie, Sierra Sherrit and Siddall each had two hits.
 
Griffith collected the Beacon's only hit with a double. Boyles (0-8) took the loss but allowed just two earned runs in seven innings of work with four strikeouts.