Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings Baseball team was defeated by the University of British Columbia 8-2 in their third and final game of pool play Saturday afternoon.

The Yellowjackets struck first as leadoff hitter Casey Merritt (2-4) singled to third base.  He then advanced to second on a passed ball.  The number two hitter, Brody Miller (1-3) singled to short stop then advanced to second on a throwing error.  The error also allowed Merritt to score from second and give MSUB the 1-0 lead.

The Thunderbirds answered quickly as they scored three runs in the third inning and another three in the fourth inning to take the lead 6-1.  MSUB was plagued by six errors with three coming in the third and fourth innings. 

MSU-Billings tacked on another run in the fifth inning off a Blake Loran (1-5) double that scored Brad Birch (1-4) all the way from first base. 

UBC added two more runs in the seventh inning and MSUB could never find a rhythm as the Jackets would only get one more runner on base in the bottom of the ninth. 

Brady Muller (0-1) received the start on the mound for MSUB.  He went 2.0 innings allowing five hits and six runs while striking out two Thunderbirds.  Jordan Knoll saw the most work for the Jacket pitchers as he went 4.2 innings allowing four hits and two runs and struck out two batters as well.  Cody Cooper and Lee Busto each pitched an inning.  Cooper struck out two batters and Busto struck out one. 

MSUB (1-10) will play Sunday Mar. 2nd at 12:00 PM PT as the fourth seed after pool play.  They will play the number three seed that has yet to be determined.  

For stats and live video go to http://www.gocugo.com/  .