Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Montana State University Billings Baseball team lost two games against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent, Northwest Nazarene University Friday afternoon. 
 
The Yellowjackets lost game one of a four game series 1-10 and fell in game two 1-2.  With the two loses and with Saint Martin's University winning two games against Central Washington University, MSUB has been eliminated from playoff contention. 
 
Going into today, MSUB, NNU and SMU were all tied at 11-17 in conference play.  After dropping two games, MSUB falls to 11-19 while NNU and SMU both improve to 13-17.   Even if MSUB takes games three and four from NNU tomorrow and SMU loses two to CWU, SMU owns the tiebreaker over the Yellowjackets and would qualify for the tournament over MSUB. 
 
GAME 1: MSUB 1 NNU 10
 
On senior day in which Joe Andriolo, Brad Birch, Matt Eames and Drew Fosnes were all honored prior to the start of game one, the Yellowjackets could not muster any runs until the ninth inning as starting NNU pitcher Andrew Groves threw a complete game allowing just nine hits and one run while striking out four batters. 
 
NNU added runs quietly throughout the game scorning no more than two in any given inning.  The Crusaders scored one run in the first inning and one in the eight while scoring two in the third, fourth, seventh and ninth innings.
 
The lone MSUB run came on a Conner Holbrook single up the middle scoring Brad Birch from second base.  Birch had hit his 13th double of the year in the previous at bat. 
 
Starting Yellowjacket pitcher, Matt Eames, put in 6.0 innings of work allowing seven runs on 11 hits while striking out three batters.  Jordan Knoll came in relief and pitched 3.0 innings allowing three runs on three hits and struck out five Crusaders. 
 
GAME 2: MSUB 1 NNU 2
 
MSUB outhit NNU seven to three, but NNU had more runs cross the plate.  In a pitchers dual, NNU was able to squeak across two runs in the first inning. 
 
Starting MSUB pitcher, Joe Andriolo pitched a complete game allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out five batters.  He was matched by Colben McGuire for the Crusaders who also pitched a complete game allowing seven hits and one run while striking out three batters. 
 
MSUB cut the Crusader lead in half in the third inning when Brody Muller stepped to the plate and stroked a single up the middle to score Casey Merritt from second base.
 
The Yellowjackets just could not find a rhythm as they only managed three more hits the rest of the game and could not push another run across home plate. 

"Tough day for our hitters," head coach Rob Bishop said.  "Groves and McGuire were good today but we simply didn't hit situationally today which is a big part of scoring against quality pitchers.  I am disappointed for our seniors but they all gave a good effort today and throughout their careers at MSUB. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach these four guys and look forward to being a part of their lives in the future."
 
The final two games of the season, games three and four against NNU, will be played tomorrow at 1:00 PM. Saturday May 3rd at Dehler Park.  Stats and live video can be found at MSUBSPORTS.COM.