EUGENE, Ore. – Northwest Christian University took the rubber match on Monday morning, 10-4, claiming the series victory over the University of British Columbia after the teams split on Sunday.
 
Sophomore Noel Balderston (pictured) did the heavy lifting for the home team, going 3-for-3 with a double, five RBI and two runs. Freshman Jordan Kuykendall was also 3-for-4 and added two stolen bases.
 
Emma Jegtvig picked up her fifth win in the circle (5-8) allowing three runs in 4.2 innings. Sabrina Guerra came in and held on for the final 2.1 innings to pick up her first career save.
 
For the Thunderbirds (9-11, 6-6 CCC) Kaia Gyorfi (1-7) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits in the first inning.
 
NCU gave up a run to start the game, but answered with a four-run bottom half of the first inning to set the tone for the afternoon. Balderston got things rolling with an RBI single, with two runs coming in on the play after a fielding error. Balderston scored herself on Jegtvig's RBI single down the right-field line, and Jegtvig later came home on a wild pitch.
 
The Beacons tacked on a run in the third and held a 5-1 lead into the fifth inning when UBC scored a pair of runs to force the pitching change. A pair of walks were followed by a two-out two-run single from Cassa Courtney and after Jordan Britten-Yung reached on an error, Guerra came on in relief and claimed the third out to hold on to a 5-3 lead.
 
NCU quickly got back the two runs in the bottom of the fifth on RBI singles from Balderston and Guerra, and then in the bottom of the sixth came Balderston's final hit, a three-run double to left field.
 
The Beacons combined for 16 stolen bases over the three-game series, increasing their season total to 50. With 20 scheduled games remaining in the 2019 season, they are quickly approaching the school record of 63, set in 2014.
 
NCU will stay home to close out spring break with a four-game series against No. 9 Oregon Tech (22-10, 9-3 CCC). The teams will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday.