LAS VEGAS – The Montana State Billings softball team took a nine run lead into the bottom of the fourth inning and watched Humboldt State slowly dissolve it until the Lumberjacks hung a six run seventh, which included the game-winning grand-slam, for a 14-11 victory in the final game of the 2^nd Annual Desert Stinger Sunday afternoon.

“Today was a disappointing finish for us after getting off to such a great start,” said head coach Anthony Stone. “I think overall there are signs of great things to come as the season continues along, but right now we have to cut down on our mistakes and really finish games. All of that will come as we keep practicing and start getting some time outdoors. We did well during the tournament, and although we came away 2-3, I think we know the things we need to fix and how to make ourselves better.”

MSUB (2-3) jumped all over the Humboldt State pitchers early on as Tarn Potter started the second inning with a walk, followed by Angela Lingle getting hit by a pitch and then three batters later, Becca Frank unloaded on a pitch and sent it well clear of the left field fence. The home run was Frank's first of the season.

The Jackets would again have a huge inning in the fourth when Kaycee Hoffman blasted a three-run homer to left field to extend the lead to 6-0, her third on the season. The lead grew again after Kelly Parsons sent a shot over the right field fence, scoring Tarn Potter and Rose Harrington on the play, also her first of the season.

Humboldt scored four in the bottom of the frame, but the Jackets again scored in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Nicole Colpron, which scored Jenna VanEykeren from third.

The Lumberjacks again put up four runs in the bottom of the fifth, cutting the lead to 10-8. Again the Jackets had a small response in the top of the sixth when Frank singled through the left side to score the speedy Harrington from second, increasing the lead to 11-8.

The comeback was made complete in the final at bats for the Lumberjacks, as they scored all six of their runs with two outs in the inning. Nouzovsky struck the final blow for HSU as she took the pitch and sent it into left field for the crushing home run.

Frank led the team with 4 RBI after going 2-for-5 with a run scored. Hoffman was also 2-for-5 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Parsons finished the day going 2-for-4 with her home run and three RBI.

The Jackets used all three pitchers during the game as Annaleisha Parsley started the game and threw three and a third inning with four runs, one earned, on six hits. Sophomore Kasie Conder then appeared, throwing two-thirds of an inning, credited with four earned runs on four hits. Finally, Amanda Todd (L,0-2) went two and two-thirds innings with six runs, none earned, on two hits, but had five walks.