Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Montana State University Billings' softball team was swept in its pair of games on the first day of the fourth annual Desert Stinger. The Yellowjackets fell to California Baptist, 16-4, and Colorado School of Mines, 6-2, Friday.

Montana State Billings (0-4) remains winless this season after giving up a combined 22 runs in its fourth-straight year of hosting the largest NCAA Div. II softball tournament put on by a single institution. MSUB committed eight errors and was outhit, 20-9.

“We struggled today getting our offense and defense working at the same time,” MSUB Head Coach Lisa Allen said. “Either our defense was on and our offense was off, or vice versa. In the first game we gave up too many free bases on defensive errors and walks. The second game started out the same but got better defensively as it progressed. Unfortunately, our offense shut down after the second inning. We need to let these games go, move on tomorrow and compete a whole game as an offense and defense.”

In the eighth game of the tournament, the Yellowjackets committed seven errors against Cal Baptist in a five-inning contest. The Lancers totaled 35 runs on 32 hits in a trio of games on Day 1 of the tournament. Savannah Miller had five RBI in the win, while Mara Rodriguez scored three times, had three hits, and a three RBI.

Belinda Renne gave up three runs on five hits in the opening two innings, but allowed only one run and one hit the rest of the game. She improved to 2-0 on the season. She struck out three MSU Billings' batters.

California Baptist (3-2) jumped out to an early 11-3 lead after three innings, highlighted by a Miller grand slam in the top of the first inning. Rachel Meyer added a home run in the top of the third.

Cori Gammon scored twice for the Yellowjackets in the first and second innings. She opened the bottom of the first with a double to left center. CBU added four more runs in the top of the fourth inning to put the game away.

Amanda Roark was credited with the loss. As a team, MSUB left seven runners on base, while the Lancers stranded eight. Aubrey Conceicao and Katie Schermele both hit doubles in the loss.

In the second game, MSU Billings fell behind early again, allowing five runs through the first two innings to Colorado Mines (5-0-1). Kamee Vessey went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, while Molly Thiebaut also had a pair of RBI on a triple and a double. Kelly Unkrich recorded the win, allowing just two earned runs through seven innings. She struck out seven Yellowjackets.

Breanna Wilson had two RBI for Montana State Billings, going 1-for-3 at the plate. The junior hit a double in the setback. Jessica Campbell had the loss.

After trailing 5-0, MSUB trimmed the lead to 5-2 after scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the second. Wilson's double down the left field line drove in Taylor Hoke and Nicole Wilkerson. Neither side scored until the unbeaten Orediggers added a run in the top of the seventh inning.

Montana State Billings returns to Majestic Park Saturday for matchups against Metro State and Humboldt State at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Fans can follow the games on MSUBSports.com.