Skip to content

Former Renegades thriving at UBC

At the midpoint of the season, the University of B.C’s women’s softball team finds itself with an 8-8 record, with plenty Thunderbird players – many of whom have Peninsula ties – among NAIA leaders in several offensive categories.

As a whole, the T-Birds are tied for first among NAIA schools with 26 home runs, led by senior catcher Tanya McLean – a former White Rock Renegade – who leads the circuit with nine round-trippers. Fellow Renegade alum Courtney O’Connor is tied for third in the league with six home runs, and is first in RBI with 24.

Both McLean and O’Connor are also in the top-five in runs scored.

In addition the hot-hitting pair, the team, which has defeated some of the NAIA’s top-ranked squads this year – including Simpson University, Biola University and Corban College – is carrying a slew of former ‘Gades on its 15-player roster.

The pitching staff is led by sophomores Kelsey Andison, Nicole Day and Leigh Della Siega – among the league leaders in strikeouts – while Cass Dypchey and Tayla Westfard are also logging innings at the corner infield spots.

With eight victories, UBC is one win away from matching last season’s win total. They’ll have the opportunity to better it beginning March 10, when they leave for a 16-game road trip that will see them travel to San Diego and Tuscon, Ariz. and take on teams including Cal Baptist, Dickinson State and Cal State-San Marcos.

Before heading out, the T-Birds will play SFU in a doubleheader March 8 at SFU’s home field.