LACEY, Wash. – The Montana State Billings baseball bats just didn't come alive this weekend as it again was swept at Saint Martin's Monday afternoon.  The Saints earned the series sweep over the Jackets with a 9-7 and a 5-2 decision.  With the losses, the Yellowjackets fell to 7-10 on the year and 0-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  SMU improved to 9-10 on the year and a surprising 7-1 start in conference play.

“We didn't swing the bats well enough to win this weekend,” MSUB head coach Rob Bishop said.  “We did have three good starts on the mound, however.”

The games originally were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, but due to heavy rain and unplayable field conditions in Lacey, they were moved to the Regional Athletic Complex in Olympia, Wash., and scheduled for Sunday and Monday.

In the opener of Monday's twin bill, the Saints jumped all over Yellowjacket freshman pitcher Dillon Ness who was making his first start.  SMU tallied five runs in the first and one in the second along with one in the fifth for a 7-0 lead. 

MSUB had five runners on base and a number of runners in scoring position in the first, fourth and fifth innings, but was unable to get anything home.

In the sixth, the Jackets began their comeback as sophomore Colby Robison doubled to left to get things started.  Senior Sam Kinzeler then hit a single to short followed by a Saint miscue scoring Robison.  Sophomore Andrew Kachel belted a double to left center for the second run of the game, while sophomore Austin Rue plated the third run of the inning on a fielder's choice for a 7-3 deficit.

The Saints scored what turned out to be the decisive runs in the bottom of the frame, on a bases loaded groundout and a balk for a 9-3 lead.

Despite the six run deficit, the Jackets continued to fight and had another big inning in the eighth as they plated four runs.  Senior Jeff Ridgeway came up huge as he belted a grand slam with two out after the Saints turned a key twin-killing halting what could have been an even bigger inning for a 9-7 score.

Ridgeway led the way for the Jackets with a 2 for 5 performance with four RBI and two a run scored. Kinzeler also had two hits with a run scored in four chances.  Nine different Saints had hits in the game.

Ness (0-1) took the loss in 3.2 innings of work.  He surrendered seven hits, six earned runs, walked four and fanned one.  Senior Archie Smith pitched two innings allowing two hits, three earned runs, two walks and he struck out two.  Junior Kyle Gieselman and senior Andrew Sanchez combined for the final 2.1 innings of shutout baseball.

In the nightcap, the Saints again jumped on the Jackets early with two runs in the first for a 2-0 lead. 

MSUB cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third as Ness hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring junior Riley Rosvold from third.

The Saints put the game away in the fifth as Josh Grenier came up big again for SMU as he hit a two RBI double up the middle and a throwing error led to the third run of the inning and a 5-1 lead. 

With a great chance in the sixth, the Jackets did plate one run, however, they left the bases loaded in what could have been a huge frame.  Kinzeler singled home the lone run of the inning with two outs prior to SMU head coach Ken Garland's ejection with the bases loaded.  The Saints got out of the jam with a groundout preserving the 5-2 lead.

Senior Jordan Kessler led the way in the nightcap with two hits for the Jackets, while Grenier was 2 for 3 with two RBI for the Saints.  Junior Brian Hutchings (2-2) took the loss in 4.2 innings of work for the Jackets as he allowed six hits, five runs – just two earned, he walked three and fanned two.  Senior Brian Howe pitched the final 1.1 innings allowing just two hits.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Jackets as they will have to regroup and prepare for a trip to Northwest Nazarene this weekend.  The Jackets and the Crusaders begin a four-game series Friday at 4 p.m. in Nampa and will conclude the series Saturday at 12 p.m.

The Jackets then will open the 2011 home schedule Mar. 25 at 3 p.m. versus Western Oregon at Dehler Park.