For the third time in the last four years, the UBC Okanagan softball team is Western Collegiate Softball Association (WCSA) champions.

They beat the University of Saskatchewan 5-2 to the gold medal game at Shouldice Park in Calgary, Alta on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Down 1-0 inning, the Heat responded with three runs in the fourth inning from a Cheyenne Simicak home run and a Lauryn Dirks RBI single.

Up 3-2, an error by Saskatchewan led to two more Heat runs, making it 5-2.

UBCO starting pitcher Taylor McCrae shut the door the rest of the way, leading to the gold medal victory. 

As medals were handed out, five members of the Heat were also recognized by the WCSA. Simicak was named a first team all-star while Katelyn Harman, Bella Green, and Sheyenne Lawrence were all named second-team all-stars. Dirks was also recognized with the team's WCSA Leadership Award.

UBCO now heads to the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Softball Association championship, which takes place in Ottawa starting on Friday, Oct. 11.