NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State Billings baseball team won 6-5 and dropped a 2-1 decision in 10 innings splitting the final twin bill at Northwest Nazarene Saturday afternoon. The teams split the four game series at the Jackets improved to 9-12 on the year and 2-6 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  NNU improved to 17-7 and 6-6 in league play.

Seniors Kevin Zukaitis and Jeff Ridgeway each had three hits in the doubleheader, while junior Riley Rosvold also had three hits to lead the team.  Zukaitis, Rosvold and senior Jordan Kessler each had a double, while Ridgeway led the team with a home run and three RBI.

In the opener, the Crusaders had a good scoring chance in the third, but the Yellowjacket defense came up big after an error.  Two key fielder's choice outs kept NNU off the scoreboard as sophomore Colby Robison assisted on a putout at home by sophomore Andrew Kachel and sophomore Austin Rue stepped on third to end the threat with two runners on base.

The Jackets tallied two runs in the fourth helped out by one of two Crusader miscues.  Ridgeway reached on a fielding error to begin the frame and later scored on a Zukaitis double to right center.  Zukaitis later scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead.

MSUB added two more runs in the fifth as freshman Dillon Ness singled home Rosvold and Ridgeway drove home Kessler who doubled down the left field line earlier for a 4-0 lead.

The Crusaders battled back in the bottom of the frame, plating three runs.  A RBI double and a two RBI single cut the Jackets' lead to 4-3.

Ridgeway came up with his second home run in as many games and team-leading fourth of the season giving the Jackets a 6-3 lead on the two run blast. 

Things got interesting in the ninth as the Crusaders got a RBI double from Ryan VanBeek as he later scored on a single for a 6-5 score.  Yellowjacket closer, senior Brian Howe, got the final batter to groundout for the win.  It was Howe's fourth save of the year.

MSUB junior hurler Zachary Smith went 4.2 innings and didn't factor into the decision.  He allowed eight hits, three earned runs, one walk and he fanned two.  Junior Kyle Gieselman (1-1) earned the win in relief going 3.1 innings allowing just two hits.

The nightcap turned out to be a pitcher's duel as the teams combined for three runs.  Both teams had their chances to blow the game open, but nine innings starts by both hurlers and a combined 18 men left on base stifled the offense. 

NNU took a 1-0 lead in the third inning as VanBeek scored a run on a sacrifice fly.  MSUB tied it in the sixth as Robison singled home Ness for a 1-1 score. 

The Jackets had a good opportunity in the seventh, but a costly double play ended the threat.  NNU had a runner at third in the eighth as the game was scheduled for seven.  The Jackets got out of the jam with a fly out.

In the 10^th, MSUB had Rosvold in scoring position after he singled and stole second, but a groundout ended the scoring opportunity.

MSUB junior hurler Brian Hutchings went nine innings allowing one earned run on nine hits, one walk and five strikeouts in his longest appearance as a Yellowjacket.

“Brian was outstanding for us in throwing nine innings and he had around 115 pitches in the game,” Bishop said.

Junior transfer, Michael Waldorf, came in relief of Hutchings and retired the first two batters.  A single by Logan Parker and a walk-off RBI double from reigning GNAC Player of the Week Josh Hatfield gave the Crusaders a 2-1 win.

MSUB opens the 2011 home season Friday at 3 p.m. at Dehler Park versus Western Oregon to open a seven-game home stand.   

“The story of today was pitching again,” MSUB head coach Rob Bishop said.  “Zach Smith was outstanding and Kyle Gieselman played very well.  We played great defense, but we didn't swing the bats very well.  We got some timely hits in our win.”