Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LACEY Wash. – The Montana State University Billings Baseball had things rolling on day two of their series vs. Saint Martin's University.  In the two games combined, MSUB totaled 19 runs winning game three 8-5 and game four 11-5.

GAME 3: MSUB 8 SMU 5

The Yellowjackets came out of the gates swinging scoring three runs in the first inning.  The first four MSUB batters got on base lead by Kevin Toon's (1-3 two RBIs) double to left center which scored both Bret Bitow (2-3 one RBI) and Brody Miller (1-4) who had each hit singles to get on base and then were able to advance one base each on a wild pitch to Toon. 

The next batter was Brad Birch (1-4 two RBIs) who was subsequently walked.  Tanner Watson (1-3) laid down a bunt to the pitcher which allowed Toon to advance to third and Birch to second.  Drew Fosnes (1-4) also laid down a bunt that was able to push Toon across home plate and give MSUB the 3-0 lead after the first half inning. 

Luke Reinschmidt (2-4 one RBI) was able to tack on another run when he blasted a double to center field then scored two batters later on a wild pitch during Miller's at bat.  The score was now 4-0 and MSUB was not done. 

MSU-Billings would erupt for four more runs in the fourth inning.  Myles Berkram got things started with a leadoff double down the left field line.  Reinschmidt then torpedoed his second double of the game to center field which allowed Berkram to score.  Birch capped off the inning with a two run bomb of a homerun to left field.  It is his second homerun of the season which allowed MSUB to take an 8-0 lead. 

SMU would get on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning with one run then add three more in the fifth inning and one more run in the sixth inning to cut into the MSUB lead 8-5.  MSUB's defense clamped down in the last three innings only allowing one more hit. 

Drew Christina was the starting MSUB pitcher and went 4.2 innings allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out two Saints.  Jordan Knoll (1-1) came in relief going 3.1 innings allowing one hit and one run while striking out a team high three batters.  Jake Campeau closed the game out for MSUB in the ninth inning allowing just one hit, not runs and struck out one Saint to secure the 8-5 win over SMU.

GAME 4: MSUB 11 SMU 5

MSUB scored in all but two innings of the seven inning game four.  The Jackets started things off in the first inning scoring one run off of Kevin Toon (3-4 two RBI's) single which scored Brody Miller (0-3 one RBI) from second base. 

In the second inning MSUB added two more runs.  Blake Loran (2-3 one RBI) belted a double to right center and two batter later Luke Reinschmidt (3-3 two RBIs) hit a single down the right field line allowing Loran to score.  Bret Bitow (3-5 one RBI) tattooed a triple to left center scoring Reinschmidt who had stolen second base.

The Yellowjackets tacked on two more runs in the third inning on a Brad Birch (1-3 one RBI) doubled to left center scoring Toon all the way from first base.  Then Birch scored a run, after he advanced to third base one a wild pitch, when Blake Loran grounded into a double play allowing Birch to score and only give MSUB two outs. 

MSUB kept swinging and kept piling on the hits scoring another five runs in the fourth inning.  Brody Miller popped up to right field but was a deep enough shot to allow Reinschmidt to score from third base.  Toon kept his hot hitting streak going with a double down the left field line scoring Bitow from first base.  MSUB would score two runs on walks with the bases loaded.  Steven DeYoung (2-4 two RBIs) capped off the scoring when he belted a double to left center scoring Trevor Nix (0-2) and Birch thus extending the Jacket advantage 10-0. 

MSUB would add one more run the seventh inning and SMU would get on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with one run and two runs in both the fifth and seventh innings but could not catch MSUB as the Yellowjackets went on for the dominating 11-5 victory.

Jake Mills started game four from the mound for MSUB and put in 4.1 innings of work allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out a game high five batters.  Tanner Watson relieved Mills and went 2.2 innings giving up only two hits and two runs while striking out two Saints.

MSUB improves to 4-16 overall and 3-5 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.  SMU drops to 5-14 and 3-5 in GNAC play.  The Yellowjackets next take one Central Washington University on March 22nd and 23rd. 

"We finally put together two good games today," head coach Rob Bishop said.  Our Bullpen was good throughout and offensively we executed well, including the little things.  It was good to see our guys get going."