LAS VEGAS - Day 1 of the Desert Stinger for MSUB included a win over #19 Humboldt St., 6-3, and a near miss against Sonoma State, coming-up just short, 6-5. The Yellowjackets opened the 2015 season at the home away-from-home, Las Vegas Desert Stinger in the sixth annual tournament hosted by MSU Billings that kicked-off Friday at the Majestic Park softball complex.
Taylor Hoke went 4-7 on the day with two runs and a homerun against the nationally-ranked 'Jacks.
Brittney Sanders finished 6-3 and
Aubrey Conceicao was 3-7 with a triple.
Emily Osborn had a homerun with 3-RBI's. She also had a double in the game that started off the season for the Yellowjackets with a win over rival Humboldt State.
Game 1 (MSU Billings 6, No. 19 Humboldt St. 3) Down 3-0 in the fifth, Conceicao started it off during the first at bat of the inning with a single.
Kelsey Devlin followed that up with another MSUB single that sent Conceicao to second. With two on, Osborn stepped to the plate and hit a shot over the left field fence for the first homerun of the season for the Yellowjackets.
Hoke homered in the sixth inning, sending a solo shot over center field to give MSUB the lead, 4-3. With two on, freshman
Myrissa Prince continued the scoring in the inning with a single to left field bringing in Sanders who was on third after getting to first on a single and an advance from another single from Devlin. The final run for MSUB was also scored in the sixth when
Taylor Doran stepped to the plate and took a hit by pitch to walk in Devlin.
The Yellowjackets had eight hits in the game to No. 19 Humboldt State University's (1-2) five. Devlin finished the game with two hits and two runs. In the circle, freshman
Megan Dettling (1-0) gave up just two hits while striking out four in her first collegiate game.
"We are very proud of our team for playing as a team and using everyone to get the win against Humboldt," MSUB head coach said. "Holding them to three runs is an impressive feat for pitchers Mac and Megan. The offense battled through the entire game and strung some hits together in the 5th and 6th."
Game 2, (Sonoma St. 6, MSU Billings 5) MSU Billings began the scoring in the second inning when freshman
Heather Tracy made it to first on an error from the second baseman that scored two runs as Osborn and Conceicao made it across the plate.
Sonoma State countered that with a run in the fifth inning, and then added four more in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning. The Seawolves added one more in the seventh for a 6-2 lead. The Yellowjackets found themselves down 6-2 in the bottom of seven and were able to rally with three runs before falling just short in their bid for a comeback.
With two outs and bases loaded, Conceicao pulled out a triple scoring three runs and putting herself on third for the tie run, but the MSUB rally fell just shy of the mark as the Yellowjackets were unable to cross another runner across home plate.
Sonoma State University (2-2) pounded out 12 hits in the game. Amanda Llerena earned the win in the circle for the Seawolves.
Hoke was 3-4 in the game. Conceicao 2-4 with 3-RBI's on her triple. Sanders was 2-3 with a run.
Jessica Campbell (0-1) was credited with the loss for MSUB.
"In game two, we started out the game strong and jumped on the pitcher early," Allen said. "In the 3rd thru 5th innings we coasted a little bit and Sonoma took advantage. We are proud that the team fought hard in the 6th and 7th to almost come back."
"Overall today was a good day of stringing our offense together and making plays as a defense," Coach Allen continued on the first day of competition at the Desert Stinger. "The defense played extremely well behind all of our pitchers today. Tomorrow we are looking to be locked in all 7 innings for both games, no coasting."
Saturday, MSU Billings (101) starts out the day with No. 14 Augustana (S.D.) at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The Yellowjackets follow that up with a 2 p.m. game against CSU San Marcos.
For the latest tournament information, including the complete tournament schedule and results, please visit the official Desert Stinger tournament page located at msubsports.com.
