SURREY, B.C. – The Northwest Christian softball team fell to British Columbia on Friday, 7-3 as a walk-off grand slam sealed the victory for the Thunderbirds in CCC action.
 
After taking an early 3-0 lead, the Beacons allowed seven unanswered runs, culminating in the game-winning bases loaded home run from UBC's number-eight hitter Shelby Kempel. All three bases runners had reached on walks.
 
Emma Jegtvig got the start for the Beacons and worked into the fifth inning without allowing a run before being lifted for the bullpen. With one out in the bottom of the seventh and the bases full, she was called back into action. After striking out the first batter she saw, she wasn't so lucky with the next.
 
Leslie Reynaga (0-4) took the defeat for the Beacons, getting one out in the top of the seventh inning and walking the three batters who scored on the slam. Kempel (2-1) earned herself the win with her big hit, after allowing one unearned run on two hits over the final 4 2/3 innings.
 
The Beacons had taken the lead in the top of the third inning as a bases loaded walk to Noel Balderston brought home Peyton Poler. On the very next at-bat, both Balderston and Jordan Kuykendall scored on a combination of British Columbia errors.
 
UBC tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on back-to-back RBI singles before winning it in the seventh.
 
Kuykendall and Avery Daniels (pictured) led the way for the Beacons with two hits apiece. Olivia Malesku went 2-for-3 for the Thunderbirds.
 
Originally scheduled for a double-header, game two was postponed due to rain and will be played on Saturday. The non-conference game of the series has been cancelled and the teams will play two more conference contests on Saturday, beginning at 2:00 pm.