Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings came within moments of sweeping Saturday's contest against the 11 time defending GNAC champion Western Oregon Wolves. A costly error in the top of the seventh allowed Western to squeeze out a close win in the second game. The Yellowjackets ultimately split in their first day of competition 8-7, 10-12.
 
Game 1: MSUB 8 – WOU 7
 
MSUB used precise offense and clutch defense to capture the close victory over the Wolves. The matchup was very even as both teams had 12 hits each on the day. Drew Fosnes and Brody Miller both went yard, registering their fourth and first home run of the season. Miller was in the zone as he finished 3-5 with two runs and one RBI. Austin Rue turned in solid numbers, going 2-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and scoring one run.
 
Brady Muller (W, 4-2) got the nod on the mound for the Yellowjackets and had himself a day, recording a game and season high nine strikeouts in 34 batters faced. Orrin Pyrah also was a key contributor on defense tallying a game high 14 putouts.
 
Western's Spencer Watkins (L, 5-4) was a formidable opponent, recording eight strikeouts in his 5.1 innings of work. MSUB's hitting crew got the best of Watkins however, as he gave up eight hits and six runs on the day.
 
The Wolves offense recorded solid numbers; with Blake Miller, Matt Nylen and Grant Moscolo all hitting home runs in the contest. Chris Bradshaw finished 3-5 with one run, and Nylen notched three RBIs.
 
The Jackets struck first blood when Unruh's sacrifice fly brought Miller in in the bottom of the first. Western would score two runs in the top of the third to take the 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the inning. Miller and Fosnes countered immediately for MSUB, hitting back to back home runs to retake the lead (3-2) for the Yellowjackets. Colter Sternhagen then doubled to right center to cross Colby Robison, giving MSU Billings the 4-2 lead at the end of the third.
 
Between the fourth and seventh inning, MSUB scored four runs compared to the opposition's two and owned an 8-4 advantage heading into the eighth. Western Oregon would not go away quietly; scoring three runs in the top of the eighth to come within one of the Jackets lead (8-7). MSUB didn't help their cause, leaving one on base in the bottom of the inning.
 
The Wolves comeback attempt was stopped abruptly by Travis Vincent, as he forced Western to go three up-three-down in the top of the ninth, recording his third save of the season.
 
Game 2: MSUB 10 – WOU 12
 
Excluding the final inning, the Yellowjackets dominated the entire contest, scoring runs in five out of seven innings. Western's hurlers struggled to find an answer for MSUBs offense, as they found their rhythm early in the event. Six different pitchers saw action for the Wolves.
 
Fosnes (2-4) recorded his second home run of the day, and finished with two RBIs and one run. Mack Unruh (1-4) also found the sweet spot and tallied his first homer of the season. Miller (3-5) turned in another great performance, finishing with three RBIs and two runs.
 
Tanner Watson started for the Yellowjackets and sat down three Western batters in 4.1 innings at the helm. Vincent (L, 2-2) was credited with the lost, and recorded two strikeouts.
 
Gary Steindorf started on the mound for the opposition, but Brian Pisca (W, 1-1) would get the win for the Wolves. Nylen and Tim Rausch had the most success at the plate, combining for two home runs, six hits and eight RBIs.
 
Leading 9-2 at the end of the fourth, the victory seemed to be sealed for the Jackets. The defending GNAC champs would have other plans, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth to come within four (9-5) of MSUB's advantage. Miller's infield single in the bottom half of the inning brought Justin Harcharik in to give the Yellowjackets the 10-5 lead after five complete innings.
 
After both teams went scoreless in the sixth, Western Oregon put together a seven run effort in the top of the seventh to steal the victory from MSUB. Down 8-10 with two outs on the board, a Robison error loaded the bases for the Wolves. Rausch then hit a grand slam to left field to put Western up 12-10 entering the bottom of the seventh.
 
In their final at bat, MSUB could not counter the Wolves, leaving two runners on base.  
 
“Our offense was good today,” stated head coach Rob Bishop. “Scoring 18 runs against quality arms like Western Oregon has out there is pretty good. We suffered a tough loss in game two; we just didn't pitch or defend particularly well.”
 
MSUB (13-20-1, 9-9) and Western Oregon (18-14, 13-5) will play the final two games in their series Sunday, April 7 starting at 1:00 p.m. If Yellowjacket fans aren't able to make the event they can catch all of the live action by following the link provided: Video and Live Stats.
 
*Note* - Sunday, April 7 is Little League Day. All Little League players, parents, and coaches receive FREE ADMISSION!!