BILLINGS, Mont. – Western Oregon used a number of multiple run innings en route to a doubleheader sweep at Montana State Billings Saturday afternoon, with 12-1 and 11-5 wins.  With the losses, the Yellowjackets fell to 16-21 overall and 7-14 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  WOU improved to 25-11 and 15-3 in conference play, while extending its winning streak to nine games.

“We gave up too many big innings and too many walks today,” MSUB head coach Rob Bishop said.  “We will have to bounce back tomorrow and come ready to play as Western Oregon is a very good team.”

In the top of the first for the Wolves, Daniel Dillard belted a two out double to the left field corner followed by a RBI single from Bo Folkinga for a 1-0 lead.

A walk, sacrifice bunt and a hit batsman led to a RBI single up the middle from Josh Solemaas for a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, followed by an infield single by Andre Royal with the bases loaded increased the lead to 3-0.  Dillard hit a sacrifice fly to right for a 4-0 lead. 

Royal bunted over Zach Glover for runners on first and third with nobody out in the top of the seventh.  A single up the middle by Dillard plated two more runs for a 6-0 lead.  WOU added two more runs for an 8-0 lead.

The Jackets got on the board in the bottom of the eighth as freshman Dillon Ness received a free pass after getting plunked and senior Jordan Kessler singled and senior Jeff Ridgway reached on a fielder's choice.  Sophomore Colby Robison sacrificed Ness home with a fly to center for an 8-1 score. 

For the Wolves in the ninth, Dillard's seventh home run of the season highlighted a four-run frame as he belted a three run blast to left for a 12-1 score.

For the game, the Jackets were led by a 2 for 4 outing from Ridgeway, while Robison was 1 for 3 with one RBI.  The Wolves were led by Dillard who went 4 for 4 with three runs scored and a game-high six RBI.

Yellowjacket senior hurler, Kody Kennedy, took the loss as he fell to 2-6 on the year in 4.1 innings of work.  He allowed four hits, four earned runs, two walks and he fanned four.

WOU starter, Michael Ward, improved to 6-3 on the year as he went seven shutout innings scattering five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

In the nightcap, the Jackets got a great defensive play from junior Zach Smith as he made a leaping catch at third to rob Dillard of a potential double and turned a double play to get out of the first.  MSUB had a good scoring chance in the bottom of the frame as junior Riley Rosvold the led inning off with a double to the right field gap of reigning GNAC Pitcher of the Week Cam Nobles. 

Rosvold then moved to third on an error by WOU first baseman Justin Peterson.  Peterson, however, would redeem himself as he made a diving catch at first robbing Kessler of a hit turning an unassisted double play helping WOU get out of the inning unscathed.

Two singles through both the left and right sides and a hit batsman plated a run for the Wolves in the top of the second.  WOU added another run on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead.

MSUB got on the board in the bottom of the frame as Robison began the frame with a double and later scored on a ground out by Smith for a 2-1 deficit. 

The Wolves added a run in the third on a RBI single by Dillard, who was gunned down at second trying to stretch a double by Rosvold in left for a 3-1 lead.

In his first at bat of the season, junior Dusty Noraker doubled to center to begin the bottom of the third inning for the Yellowjackets.  Kessler singled home Noraker for a 3-2 score moments later.  Noraker then hit a sacrifice fly to left to tie the game at three in the bottom of the fourth.

WOU loaded the bases in the fifth as pinch-hitter Kevin Clark received a free pass to score the go ahead run at 4-3.  Michael Chiarelli also received a free pass of Yellowjacket reliever Kyle Gieselman for a 5-3 score.  The Wolves added six more runs in the frame as the Jackets committed two miscues and walked five for the frame and an 11-3 deficit.

The Jackets showed some life in the bottom of the seventh as Stine began the inning with a single, followed by a single up the middle from Kessler and a RBI double down the left field line from Ridgeway for an 11-4 score.  Robison singled home a run for an 11-5 score moments later.

MSUB was led by two hits from Stine, Kessler and Robision, while Royal led the way for WOU going 1 for 4 with three RBI.

Senior Jake Vulk (0-5) took the loss in four innings of work as he allowed five hits, five earned runs one walk and he struck out four.  Nobles (5-2) earned the win in six innings, allowing six hits, three runs – one earned, four walks and he fanned five.

The Yellowjackets and Wolves will conclude the series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Dehler Park.