Box Score Burnaby, BC - The Simon Fraser University softball team played a single game on Sunday at Beedie Field against the University of British columbia Thunderbirds, losing 4-0.
Jessica Goulet (Cambridge, ON) pitched most of the game, throwing six and a third inning's allowing five hits and four runs, only one of which were earned. She also struck out four.
"I was generally pleased with the pitching performance from our number one pitcher
Jessica Goulet," said Head Coach
Mike Renney. "She had four exams in three days so I think she was running on fumes with her last exam about three hours before we started today's game but that's what university athletics is about, you have to have the balance."
Jessica Fortier (Three Hills, AB) allowed two hits, working two thirds of an inning in relief.
The Clan were held to one hit, which came off the bat of
Kaitlyn Cameron (Langley, BC).
A close call that went against the Clan and one swing of the bat was the difference in the game as a fourth inning grand slam off the bat of UBC's Kelly Rumley was the only offence from either side.
"Sometimes it's about regrets and I think our pitcher regrets one pitch and that one pitch happened to be the wrong pitch to the right hitter from their perspective. She just put the bat on it and took it out of the park with the bases loaded," said Renney.
SFU threatened in the first inning getting a runner in scoring position as Cameron reached on a two-out single and advanced to second when
Rachel Proctor (Surrey, BC) reached but UBC would retire the next Clan hitter to get out of the inning.
"Offensively, it was a lacklustre performance, we didn't provide any offensive support and that has become to common a theme of late. It's been magnified by the loss of a couple of key athletes under unfortunate circumstances and our thoughts are with one of our athletes who has had to return home to attend to a family emergency," continued Renney.
With two outs and a runner on in the fourth, UBC's Yasmin Bains reached on a controversial call at first base, giving the visitors runners on first and second with two outs.
The next batter drew a walk which left the bases loaded for Rumley whose home run just got out, bouncing off the top of the fence in left-centre field and going over.
SFU would get runners on base in the fifth and the seventh but could not cash in a run as the four run difference held up.
After the game, the Simon Fraser softball team briefly donated their field to their cross-town rivals from UBC for the Thunderbirds Senior's Day ceremony since UBC's final home game of the season was rained out and this will be their last game of 2014 on Canadian soil.
"I'm glad we were able to provide the opportunity for UBC to recognize their seniors. Not necessarily in the fashion we would of liked with the one inning outburst by them but it was still a competitive game," finished Renney.
The Clan will host their final home series of the 2014 season next weekend as the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets come to town for doubleheaders on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.
Both days are scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch.
