DENVER, Colo. – For the first time since the 2009 season, the Montana State Billings baseball team won a four-game series on the road as it swept a doubleheader at Regis University Sunday afternoon 18-4 and 8-7.  The Jackets improved to 5-3 on the year, while the Rangers fell to 1-3.

"We played two great games today to win the series," MSUB first year head coach Rob Bishop said.  "In the first game, we played very well offensively.  Defense was the story of the day in the second game.  Overall, all of our pitchers threw well and we showed signs of being the kind of team we can be."

MSUB won three of the four games in the series marking the first time that has happened since winning three of four at Central Washington Mar. 13-14, 2009.  It also marked the first series win for the Jackets since winning three of four against Northwest Nazarene Apr. 10-11, 2009, at Dehler Park.

The Jackets are off to their best start through the first eight games of the season since baseball was reinstated as a sport at MSUB in 2006.  The 14-run difference in game one Sunday was the largest margin of victory for the Jackets in school history.  The 18 runs are the second-most runs MSUB has scored in a game, too. The Jackets set the school record with 21 runs in a 21-15 win at Colorado State-Pueblo last week.

The Yellowjackets dominated the opener to the tune of 18-4 and belted the cover off the ball with 16 hits.  The MSUB pitching also was strong as it allowed just nine hits, four runs – two earned, four walks and six strikeouts. 

MSUB had five players with multiple-hits as sophomore Colby Robison continued his torrid start going 3 for 4 with three runs scored and three RBI.  Senior Sam Kinzeler also had an impressive game as he was 3 of 4 with three RBI and a run scored.  Junior Riley Rosvold went 2 for 5 with three runs scored and two runs batted in, while freshman Dillon Ness also went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI.

The Jackets got off to a quick start, plating six runs in the first inning on four hits and two Ranger miscues.  Regis cut the deficit to four with two runs in the bottom of the frame.  First inning scoring hadn't been a problem for either team in the series as they have combined for 17 runs through three games.  The Jackets tallied two more first inning runs in the nightcap for 19 total for the series.

The Rangers scratched across a run in the bottom of the third for a 6-3 deficit as Alex Haag tallied his third RBI of the game with a single after doubling home two runs in the first inning.

That would be as close as Regis would get, however, as MSUB added two more in the fourth as Robison and senior Jordan Kessler singled home runs courtesy of another Ranger error for an 8-3 lead.  Two more runs came home in the sixth for the Jackets as Kinzeler double home Kessler and Robison for a commanding 10-3 lead.

MSUB added eight runs in the final three innings, including five in the eighth inning for an 18-4 win. 

Junior pitcher, Zachary Smith (1-0), had a strong seven innings, allowing seven hits, three runs – two earned, one walk and he fanned six.  Junior Kyle Gieselman finished the final two innings surrendering two hits, one unearned run and three walks.

The Jackets would again start quickly in the nightcap, plating two runs as Kessler singled home two runs for an early 2-0 lead.  MSUB swelled the lead to 5-0 with three more runs in the second as senior Kevin Zukaitis singled home two runs and Kessler scored a run as he grounded into a double play for a 5-0 lead.

Regis' starting pitcher, Andrew Scheid (0-1) didn't get an out in the second inning as he allowed five earned runs on two hits with five walks and he fanned one in just one inning.  Reliever, Mike McElreath, went the rest of the way allowing five hits, three runs – two earned, four walks and five strikeouts.

The Rangers would come storming back, however, as they scored five times in the third off MSUB hurler Brian Hutchings.  Regis began the inning with a single, followed a RBI triple and a RBI double for a 5-3 score.  Two more RBI doubles followed quickly erasing the Yellowjacket advantage.

MSUB wouldn't panic, however, as it put together another multiple-run inning in the fifth as it scored three times for an 8-5 lead.  A pair of walks began the inning as senior Chris Stine put down a great sacrifice bunt, followed by sophomore Austin Rue who hit a two RBI double down the right field line.  Rue and freshman Dillon Ness used a double steal setting up the third run of the inning as Rue scored on a passed ball. 

Hutchings settled down after the five runs in the third and retired nine of the next 10 batters.  He handed the duties to senior Brian Howe for the seventh inning and the save opportunity.

Pinch-hitter Tim Lewis singled to begin the last at bat for the Rangers.  Steven Brault hit a RBI triple for an 8-6 deficit moments later.  Howe settled down and got the next batter to look at strike three for the first out.  Zack Blakeley singled through the left side driving home Brault for an 8-7 score. 

Howe again calmly came back and fanned the next two batters to strike out the side and earned his second save of the season.

Hutchings (2-0) pitched six innings allowing eight hits, five earned runs and he fanned four in his second start this season.  Howe surrendered three hits and two earned runs in one inning, but struck out the side.

Offensively, the Jackets were led by Rue who went 2 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored.  Kessler went 1 for 4 with three RBI, while Zukaitis also was 1 for 4 with two RBI.

MSUB returns home to prepare for its spring break trip.  The Jackets are scheduled for a three-game series at Chico State Feb. 27-28, followed by a doubleheader at the College of Idaho Mar. 3.  The Jackets open the 2011 home season versus Western Oregon Mar. 25-26 at Dehler Park.