Box Score
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Montana State University Billings softball team ended their time in the Third-Annual Desert Stinger Partnered with Rip-It on Sunday afternoon with a 6-3 loss to Dixie State College, but in the process the Yellowjackets broke a tournament record and improved their production from the past two years in the tournament.
The loss moves the Yellowjackets to 3-2 on the young season heading into a pair of weeks off from competition while Dixie State improves to 4-2 that included going #-# in the tournament.
“Today was a tough loss,” head coach
Lisa Allen said. “Our pitchers did a good job in the circle to keep Dixie close, but our offense was not able to get any runners on and move them over. Overall, it was a good weekend for us and a good start to the season.”
Rose Harrington led the Yellowjackets at the plate with a 2-3 performance, a stolen base and one run scored.
Taylor Hoke and
Meg Harasymczuk each had home runs to complete the scoring for MSUB. The homers were the second for the freshman Hoke and fourth of the season for Harasymczuk.
With the pair of homers, MSUB broke the tournament record for most home runs by a team over the three-day tournament. The previous mark of 10 was set in last year's tournament by Augustana. In total,
Chavez, Brown and Bartlett all recorded home runs to lead Dixie at the plate. Dixie struck first with three runs scored in the first inning and MSUB was never able to find enough offensive power to take the lead.
Amanda Todd struck three batters out and suffered the loss in the circle for MSUB, falling to 1-2 while Mattie Snow claimed the win in the circle for Dixie to improve to 3-0.
Annaleisha Parsley came in for MSUB in the fourth inning, recording four strikeouts over her three innings of work.
The Yellowjackets will now enjoy a couple weeks off from competition before jumping into their Great Northwest Athletic Conference slate on the road at Simon Fraser. The Yellowjackets and Clan will compete in two doubleheaders on March 3 and March 4.
