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LACEY, Wash. – Starting a season on the road is never easy and can separate contenders from pretenders. The Montana State University Billings softball team spent the last 10 days on the road and proved they will be contenders this season as they went 9-3 to start their Great Northwest Athletic Conference away from their home field.
 
The Yellowjackets ended their 12-game road-swing at Saint Martin's University where the Saints were able to claim the first game of their four-game series 2-1 before the Yellowjackets stung back by taking the last three games, and the series. MSUB claimed the final three games 5-3, 7-4 and 3-1.
 
Having claimed their first three series of the season, the Yellowjackets find themselves 12-5 overall and 9-3 in the GNAC which has MSUB tied for first in the conference standings with Simon Fraser University while the Saints fall from first in the league to 9-7-1 overall and 7-4 in the GNAC.
 
“Our team came out strong in the first game (of Saturday),” first-year head coach Lisa Allen said shortly following Saturday's final game. “Annaleisha pitched a great game and Mary Grace came in for the seventh inning and closed out the game well. Our offense came out aggressive and hit the ball hard.
 
“Amanda then did an amazing job of keeping SMU on their toes in the box during the second game. Both the offense and the defense played well and did what they needed to in order to get the second win of the day.”
 
Centerfielder Bobbie Lee led the Yellowjackets at the plate in the Saint Martin's series as the senior from Great Falls, Mont. went 6-14 at the dish. She also led the team with five runs scored and another two batted in.
 
In total, seven different Yellowjackets recorded at least one run.
 
Mary Grace Bywater, Kasie Conder, Jessyka MacDonald, Annaleisha Parsley and Amanda Todd all pitched for the Yellowjackets over the weekend with MacDonald, Parsley and Todd recording wins. The Yellowjackets combined to strike out 18 Saints. MacDonald and Todd both fanned five batters to record their wins.
 
Sam Munger and Taylor Bakos were the only two pitchers utilized by the Saints in the four-game series with Munger recording the lone win.
 
“Overall, it was a great Spring Break trip and great way to start our conference schedule,” Allen stated. “The girls are really looking forward to our home games next weekend.”
 
The Yellowjackets will finally get their first chance to play on their home field next weekend as MSUB will welcome the Crusaders of Northwest Nazarene University to Cenex Stadium for a four-game series on Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17. First pitch on both days is scheduled for 1 p.m.