MSUB 5 - UC San Diego 2
MSUB 2 - CSU Monterey Bay 3

TURLOCK, Calif. -- The Montana State Billings softball team took a break from conference play this weekend as they split their two games on day one of the Mizuno Tournament of Champions hosted by Cal State Stanislaus. The Jackets picked up a big 5-2 win over No.16 nationally ranked UC-San Diego and then dropped the night cap 3-2 to Cal State Monterey Bay.

 

“I was really pleased with the way the girls battled the entire day,” said MSUB interim head coach, Lisa Allen. “We hit the ball really well in the game against UC-San Diego, but still left some runners out there on the bases. We did the same thing in the second game and didn't take advantage of a few opportunities. I thought our pitching was a lot better today as Leish (Annaleisha Parsley) and (Amanda) Todd both were hitting their spots and really didn't get into too much trouble. Now we have to rest up and get ready for an early morning tomorrow and an even longer day.”

 

The Jackets overall season record now stands at 13-14 on the season as they look to re-enter the hunt for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title and a possible bid in the NCAA West region tournament later this spring.

 

Kelly Parsons led the way for the Jackets during the day as the senior catcher went 3-for-5 with a run scored, a home run and four RBI. Fellow senior Bobbie Lee also went 4-for-6 with a home run and two RBI.

 

 

The Yellowjackets jumped on the 16^th ranked Tritons early in their first game of the tournament, scoring four runs in the first inning.

 

Rose Harrington singled up the middle to lead the game off for the Jackets, but two quick outs put the inning in jeopardy of being over before the scoring began. Kaycee Hoffman, the reigning GNAC Player of the Week, sent a double into left field to score the speedy Harrington, giving the Jackets a 1-0 lead.

 

Tarn Potter then sent a shot back up the middle for a single that moved Hoffman to third with Kelly Parsons coming to back. The senior catcher stepped up in a big way as she's done all season, belting her ninth home run of the season out to left center for a three-run bomb to put MSUB up 4-0.

 

The Tritons would cut the lead back to two, 4-2, with a pair of runs in the third inning off of MSUB starter, Annaleisha Parsley, but the offense was there to pick her up.

 

The Jackets scored the final run of the game in the fourth as Parsons began the inning with a single up the middle. Jenna VanEykeren followed with a double down the right field line to move Parsons to third with one out. After the Tritons made a pitching change, senior Bobbie Lee sent a ball up the middle for an RBI-single that scored Parsons, giving MSUB the 5-2 lead.

 

Parsley found herself in trouble in two more innings, but found a way to pitch out of the inning as she threw seven complete innings, allowing two runs on just four hits, with four walks and five strikeouts. The Yellowjacket junior improved to 4-6 on the year in one of her best outings of the season.

 

Hoffman finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Parsons went 2-for-3 with three RBI and the home run. VanEykeren and Lee also combined to go 5-for-6 in the game with an RBI as the Jackets had five runs on 12 hits with six runners left aboard.

 

The Yellowjackets and Otters were in a deadlock until the Jackets broke through in the third inning. Lee led off the inning with her first home run of the season to give MSUB a 1-0 lead.

The Otters tied the game back up at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning when Skyler Valdivia singled and then stole second to get into scoring position. Angelina Orozco then singled toward third base and moved Valdivia to third. The pair then pulled off a double steal as Valdivia scored on the play to even the game.

 

After Tarn Potter reached base on a fielder's choice in the fourth, it was again Parsons coming up with a clutch hit, doubling down the left field line for an RBI. Potter raced around the diamond to score from first and give the Jackets a 2-1 lead.

 

Monterey Bay again answered in the bottom of the inning to tie the score again. Brittany Alvarado doubled to right center with two out and was then followed by a double back up the middle from Danielle Onken to tie the game at 2-2.

 

The Otters took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the fifth when Jackie Serna sent a shot into left center for an RBI-double that scored Dommeyer from third.

 

The Jackets had a great opportunity in the top of the sixth when Becca Frank and Meg Harasymczuk reached safely to begin the inning, but two quick outs slowed the surged. Parsons did walk to load the bases, but Angela Lingle his softly into a fielder's choice to end the inning and the threat.

 

The Jackets scored two runs on just four hits in the loss. Amanda Todd (3-4) threw six innings with three runs allowed on seven hits. The freshman walked three while fanning seven in the losing effort.

 

The Yellowjackets are scheduled to play three games on day two of the Tournament of Champions. The day will begin with a 9 a.m. contest against Cal State San Bernardino, followed by an 11:15 a.m. game with tournament host, Cal State Stanislaus, and then finally a game with Cal State Chico at 4:15 p.m.