BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Montana State Billings softball team has cancelled their scheduled doubleheader with the University of Great Falls Thursday afternoon, but are set to take on conference foe Western Oregon Saturday afternoon at Cenex Stadium at 1 p.m. as scheduled.

 

The Yellowjackets and Argos decided to cancel their scheduled non-conference contests because of the recent changes in the conference schedule for the Yellowjackets. Weather also factored into the decision as rain is scheduled in the Billings forecast for Thursday.

 

MSUB (22-20, 17-13 GNAC) is riding a three game winning streak into the weekend and have now won 7 of their last 10 conference games, including three wins over nationally ranked and conference leader, Western Washington.

 

The Yellowjackets have had a recent surge in offense as they have crushed 12 home runs in the last ten games, tying the GNAC conference home run record set in 2006 by Humboldt State, and breaking the old school record of 54 set in 2005.

 

As a team the Yellowjackets rank fifth nationally in home runs per game (1.31) and lead the GNAC in that category. MSUB also ranks second in the conference for doubles (1.29/gm), triples (0.14/gm), stolen bases (0.81/gm) and slugging percentage (0.487/gm). Their slugging percentage also ranks 32^nd nationally as a team.

 

Individually the Yellowjackets are led by Kelly Parsons' .402 batting average and .845 slugging percentage. The senior ranks first in the GNAC for home runs per game (0.32) and slugging percentage. She is also second in the league in home runs (12) behind teammate Kaycee Hoffman (13).

 

Hoffman's 13 home runs are just two shy of the single-season school record (15) set by Theresa Campbell during the 2005 season. Her total also ranks 17^th nationally, four behind Miranda Cleary of Grand Valley State.

 

Also coming on as of late has been junior Bobbie Lee, hitting .396 this season with a .582 slugging percentage and three home runs. Two of those home runs came last week, one no more crucial than her game-winning homer against Western Washington in the third game of the series.

 

As a team the Jackets are batting .287 on the year with a slugging percentage of .487. They have outscored opponents 225-210 this year and have 60 extra base hits on top of their 55 homers. MSUB has batted in 198 runs and committed 14 less errors than their opponents.

 

The pitching staff currently carries a 4.03 ERA, led by reliever Kasie Conder (3.89 ERA). Conder has thrown 66.2 innings this season and has allowed 37 earned runs, while striking out 56. She holds a 7-5 record this season with a league-best three saves.

 

Annaleisha Parsley leads the everyday starters with a 4.02 ERA and is 9-9 on the season with 139.1 innings pitched. She has struck out 95 batters as opposing teams are hitting .285 against her. Amanda Todd is 6-6 with a 4.20 ERA and has 66 strikeouts with 42 earned runs allowed in 70.0 innings pitched.

 

The Wolves enter Saturday's match-up with an overall record of 11-25 and are 8-16 in league play after being selected second in the GNAC coaches pre-season poll. WOU has won just two of their last eight games, dropping series' at Northwest Nazarene and against Saint Martin's.

 

Andrea Baily is the Wolves top hitter, batting .386 with a .513 slugging percentage. She's had 43 hits in 117 at bats and has 11 stolen bases. Jessica Hallmark has supplied most of the Wolves power this season, smashing 10 of the team's 22 home runs.

 

The pitching staff has been led by Alex Hillmick who carries a 3.10 ERA with a 6-9 record and 54 strikeouts. Jessica Wood has struggled this season with a 5-16 record and 3.52 ERA, but has struck out 107 batters versus just 36 walks.

 

The Jackets and Wolves split their first meeting this season in Monmouth with MSUB taking the first two games and WOU bouncing back to take the final two. In the series, Meg Harasymczuk led the way with a .545 batting average and a pair of homers. She and Hoffman drove in four RBI apiece and combined to score eight runs.

 

First pitch in game one for Saturday will be at 1 p.m. followed by the second game starting approximately 20 to 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.