Box Score (Game 1)

Box Score (Game 2)

Photo Gallery

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University put the term “manufactured” runs to good use as it swept a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader from visiting Montana State Billings Friday afternoon.  With the losses, the Yellowjackets fell to 18-27 overall and 9-21 in the conference.  WOU improved to 35-13 and 25-5 in conference play.  The 2011 season will conclude tomorrow as the teams play the final doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. Pacific time.

“Kody (Kennedy) had a tremendous last outing in his collegiate career,” MSUB head coach Rob Bishop said.  “It's too bad we couldn't have gotten him the win, but he pitched a great game and had a no-hitter into the seventh.”

The opener was a pitcher's duel as both Yellowjacket starter, senior Kody Kennedy, and WOU starter Michael Ward threw complete game gems.  Both players had complete dominance of the plate as they combined for allowing just three hits in the game.   The three hits between combined seem to be the lowest output between two GNAC teams in league history.  In 2002, Oregon Tech and Northwest Nazarene had a combined five hits which is thought to be the previous record by the GNAC office. 

WOU plated the first run of the game in the third inning as Grant Glover moved Josh Solemsaas to second on a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitched advanced Solemsaas to third, followed by a RBI sacrifice fly from Aaron Headrick for a 1-0 lead. 

The Jackets tied the game in the top of the fourth as sophomore Colby Robison reached on a two out miscue by the Wolves.  He then stole second and scored a RBI double by senior Kevin Zukaitis for a 1-1 score.  It was the only hit of the game for the Jackets.

The Wolves scored the eventual winning run in the fifth as Steve Ockerman was plunked by the Kennedy offering and he then stole second.  Ockerman moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Solemsaas and scored on a sacrifice fly from Headrick for a 2-1 lead.

Kennedy held the Wolves without a hit until the seventh when Ockerman broke up the no-hitter with a single up the middle on a 1-0 count.  He then was caught in a pickle for an out.  WOU loaded the bases in the eighth after Headrick began the inning with a double.  The Yellowjacket defense behind Kennedy came up big in the inning with a fielder's choice and a groundout to third to end the threat. 

MSUB had a chance in the ninth getting the tying run on as senior Jeff Ridgeway struck out but advanced to first on an errant throw by Ward.  Robison grounded out to end the game stranding Ridgeway at third.

Kennedy fell to 3-7 as he pitched his second complete game of the year allowing just two hits, two earned runs, seven walks and he fanned four.  Ward improved to 7-4 on the year as he also went the distance allowing one hit one unearned run, one walk and he fanned a game-high nine. 

In the nightcap, the Jackets opened the scoring in the top of the second as freshman Dillon Ness began the frame with a walk.  Junior Zach Smith moved Ness to second with a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on a groundout.  Junior Trevor Wilson singled home Ness on a first pitch single through the left side for a 1-0 lead.

A Yellowjacket miscue prolonged the bottom of the frame as WOU plated two runs for a 2-1 lead.  A single by Brady Locker to score the first run and scored the second as Miles Kizer stole home on a double steal.

MSUB came right back in the top of the third as it evened the game on a RBI double to right center on a seven-pitch at bat by Robison.  Ridgeway reached on a fielding error moments earlier.

Three runs scored in the bottom of the inning by WOU as it scored two on a sacrifice bunt double-squeeze and the third came on a wild pitch for a 5-2 lead.  The Wolves added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth for an 8-2 win.

Robison led the way in the nightcap, going 2 for 2 with a RBI.  Senior Jacob Vulk took the loss (0-6) in 2.2 innings as he allowed three hits, five runs – two earned and four walks.  Junior Kyle Gieselman pitched 3.1 innings in relief, allowing two hits, three runs – two earned, three walks and he fanned one.