TURLOCK, Calif. – The Cal State-Stanislaus softball team won a pair of 3-1 defensive battles against Montana State University Billings in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday.

“The pitching and defense did their job by keeping the games close today,” MSU Billings' Head Coach Lisa Allen said. “Unfortunately, we still didn't get the clutch hits today.”

In Game 1, the Warriors (14-21, 6-18 California Collegiate Athletic Association) held MSUB from the scoring in the final inning. The Yellowjackets had a chance in the final inning, loading the bases with only one out, but after a strikeout and a pop-up, CSU-Stanislaus escaped with the win. The victory snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Warriors, but it was MSUB's fourth straight setback.

Brittney Sanders and Emily Osborn both went 1-for-2 for Montana State Billings. Osborn hit a double and scored the lone run for the Yellowjackets in Game 1. California State-Stanislaus' Lauren Liming and Brianna Nicholson both were 1-for-2. Kristan Burns, Kiley Mendez, and Brittney Rickles each had an RBI in the win. Liming and Rickles both had doubles, while Sarah Locarnini hit a triple.

Just as Tuesday's first game at Cal State-Monterey Bay started, Wednesday's first three innings was a pitching duel, as neither side surrendered a run through the first three innings. Both teams had only one hit through the first three innings as well. The Yellowjackets left the bases loaded in the first inning, and stranded two in the third inning. CSUS left one Warrior on in the bottom of the third.

Sanders opened the fourth inning with a single, but would be left on base. Locarnini led off the bottom half of the inning with a triple to right center field. She was brought in two batters later when Burns hit a single. Burns was driven in on a Mendez single.

After MSU Billings (8-18, 7-8 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) was retired in order in the top of the fifth, the Warriors added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. Ghianna Falconi crossed the plate on a well-placed sacrifice bunt by Rickles. The Yellowjackets answered with a run in the sixth. Osborn hit a double to center field, and would later steal home.

Brittani Weatherford (5-7) tossed six innings recording the win. She allowed one earned run on four hits, while striking out two Yellowjackets. Natalie Rendon picked up her first save of the season pitching the final inning. Jessica Campbell (1-4) had the loss in 4.0 innings of work. She gave up two earned runs on four hits.

After being walked a season-high five times, Montana State Billings left nine runners on base, which was the second-highest total of the season. MSUB committed no errors in the game, while the Warriors had one.

In the second game, both defenses shined again as both teams combined for five hits through the first five innings. Rendon (5-9) tossed six innings and allowed four Yellowjacket hits and one earned run. She struckout three MSUB batters and walked three others. Weatherford came in to seal the win in the seventh inning, picking up her first save of the season.

Amy Droege went 1-for-2 with two RBI for CSUS. Weatherford was also 1-for-2 with one RBI. MSUB's Taylor Hoke and Cori Gammon were each 2-for-3. Osborn had her GNAC-leading 11-game hit streak snapped after going 0-for-1 in Game 2. The longest in the conference this season was 14 games.

Montana State Billings opened the scoring in the top of the second inning when Osborn stole home again. A Weatherford double to left field drove in Droege in the bottom of the third. The Warriors left three runners on base in the inning. Neither pitcher allowed a hit over the next two innings.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Droege singled through the left side and brought in Liming and Rendon. MSUB left two runners on base in the sixth and one in the seventh. The Yellowjackets stranded four runners in the game.

Amanda Todd replaced Jessyka MacDonald in the third inning for MSU Billings. MacDonald gave three hits and earned run in two innings, while Todd (2-4) allowed one run and two hits in four innings.

The Yellowjackets stay in Turlock for the Tournament of Champions which begins Friday. MSUB opens the 12th annual tournament against Cal State-Monterey Bay at 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time Friday. Montana State Billings then plays Academy of Art at 8:15 p.m. Pacific Time.