Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Billings, Mont. – The Crusaders take a 2-0 series lead over Montana State Billings, defeating the Yellowjackets 13-11, 7-2. Northwest Nazarene improves to 20-23 overall, 11-15 in the GNAC; MSUB falls to 16-24, 12-13 in the GNAC.
 
Game 1: MSUB  11 – NNU  13
 
MSUB controlled two thirds of the contest holding an 11-2 lead heading into the seventh inning; but the bullpen's struggles proved to be too costly, as Northwest Nazarene scored 11 runs in their final two at bats to escape with the two run victory.
 
Joe Andriolo started on the mound for the Jackets and recorded four strikeouts, facing 28 batters in 6.0 innings of work. Lee Busto, Bobby Ragasa, Kole Mickolio and Travis Vincent all saw action in the event. Vincent was credited with the loss and falls to 3-3 on the season.
 
Aaron Vaughn started for the opposition and struggled against MSUB's hitters, giving up seven runs on nine hits in 3.0 innings on the mound. Including Vaughn, six Crusaders' hurlers appeared in the matchup, with Jake Ferdinand receiving credit for the win. He tallied two strikeouts, facing 10 batters in his relief efforts.
 
MSU Billings notched 16 hits in the event compared to Northwest Nazarene's 18. Brody Miller (2-5) and Austin Rue (4-4) recorded extra bases at the plate; with Miller hitting a triple and a double, and Rue hitting two doubles. Miller also recorded four RBIs and one run in the contest. Rue extended his hitting streak to 20 games, and recorded two RBIs and three runs to compliment a perfect outing at the plate.
 
Bryce Todd was also very effective at the plate finishing 4-5 with two runs. Drew Fosnes (3-5) tallied two RBIs in the event.
 
Parker Logan entered the contest as the No. 1 hitter in the GNAC and finished 2-5 with two runs. Jamie Mitchell, who is tied for the third best hitter in the conference, went 3-4, with one RBI and two runs. Jon Matos had the best day at the plate for the Crusaders, as he went 3-5, recording four RBIs and two runs. Fernando Robles (2-5) went yard and also recorded four RBIs in the event.
 
MSU Billings held a 3-2 advantage entering the fourth inning; the Yellowjackets offense then exploded for eight runs in the top of the inning to take a commanding 11-2 lead at the conclusion of the fourth.
 
The Jackets held the nine run advantage until the bottom of the seventh. After Northwest brought in two runs, Miller hit a grand slam to bring across Matos, Mitchell and Skyler Souza; capping a six run inning to come within three (11-8) of MSUB's lead. The Crusaders then followed up with five runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the 13-11 lead. MSUB committed two costly errors to aid in Northwest Nazarene's comeback efforts.
 
While the Yellowjackets started hot at the plate, they would not be able to sustain their success and only notched two hits in the final two innings. The Crusaders completed their comeback and went on to claim the first game in the series 13-11.
 
Game 2: MSUB  2 – NNU  7
 
The Yellowjackets offensive struggles continued into the second game. While they out hit Northwest Nazarene 9-6, they only generated two runs. MSUB opened the game, scoring one run in the top of the first. A Colby Robison single brought Rue in. The Crusaders offense countered in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs, taking the 2-1 lead.
 
Northwest continued to stay in rhythm, scoring five runs between the third through sixth inning. The Crusaders held the 7-1 lead entering the seventh, MSU Billings managed to score one run as Fosnes crossed off a Robison double to right center, bringing the Jackets within five of the opposition, 7-2. MSUB didn't generate any offense after Robison's double and fell 7-2 to the Crusaders.
 
Tanner Watson started for the Yellowjackets and was credited for the lost, he falls to 1-4 on the season. Jacob Bohne had a team high three strikeouts in his relief efforts, pitching 2.2 innings.
 
Nick Bland got the nod for Northwest Nazarene and recorded a game high nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. He improves to 3-3 in 2013.
 
Robison had a solid outing at the plate, finishing 2-3 with two RBIs.
 
Logan was a perfect 3-3 with three RBIs and one run.
 
MSUB and the Crusaders will resume their series Saturday, April 20 at 12 noon.