ST. GEORGE, Utah – A pair of stellar pitching performances baffled the Montana State University Billings baseball team on Friday, as the Dixie State staff allowed just eight combined hits in 7-0 and 3-2 victories at Bruce Hurst Field to sweep a three-game set between the teams.
 
Porter Clayton (1-2) recorded eight strikeouts and just one walk while scattering three hits in seven innings of work to earn the victory in Game 1 for the Red Storm (4-7). Jordan Dreibelbis and Julian Burrola each turned in a perfect inning in relief to preserve the shutout win.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-9) rallied in Game 2 by tying the score at 2-2 in the fourth inning, but a sacrifice fly by Kevin Kline in the fifth served as the winning run as DSU escaped with the victory. It was a quality start by Chance Abrath that limited MSUB's offense, as he struck out 10 Yellowjackets and allowed just two runs over six innings in earning the win.
 
"We pitched well today with the exception of a hiccup in Game 1," said MSUB head coach Rob Bishop. "Our offense went cold today but a good portion of that was great pitching by Dixie. They are a great club and we will learn from this experience."
 
Jacob Foley was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day, turning in 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief and striking out two batters while not allowing a hit in Game 1.
 
Game 1 – Dixie State 7, MSU Billings 0
 
Kyle Durbin singled through the right side to start the game before Clayton retired the next five Yellowjackets. MSUB again received a leadoff single in the top of the third, this time by Corey Morris, but the 'Jackets came up empty in the inning stranding runners on second and third.
 
DSU was aided by two double plays in the first game, one of which ended the inning in the sixth with the 'Jackets trailing just 1-0. The twin-killing sparked momentum into DSU's favor, as the Red Storm picked up three runs in the bottom of the frame and three more in the seventh to build a secure lead.
 
Tanner Morache finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Zach Watts also had a pair of hits for the Red Storm. Cam Gust was the lone player to drive in two runs – and did so without a hit – for DSU, and neither team had an extra-base hit in the first game.
 
For the 'Jackets, Morris had two of the team's three hits, while Durbin had the other out of the leadoff spot. Dixie State had one hit for each of their seven runs, and played a clean game defensively without any errors.
 
Game 2 – Dixie State 3, MSU Billings 2 (7 Innings)
 
With the tying run in scoring position and two outs in the top of the seventh, Evan Parker earned his second save in as many days by getting Durbin to ground out to end the game. Parker's effort came in relief of a strong start by Abrath, who allowed just three hits and two earned runs with 10 strikeouts and only two walks to earn the victory.
 
Durbin created the first run of the game for the 'Jackets, leading off the series finale with a base hit into left field and then stealing second. Kevin Toon came through with two outs, plating MSUB's shortstop with a single into right field as MSUB got out to the early 1-0 lead.
 
MSUB starter Griffen Pape worked around a leadoff single by Morache and struck out two DSU players to complete the shutdown inning in the first, keeping the lead in the hands of MSUB.
 
Kline came through with a big two-run single that plated Drew McLaughlin and Morache as DSU grabbed a 2-1 edge in the bottom of the third. Toon drew a leadoff walk in the next half inning however, and Conner Holbrook picked up a two-out, RBI-single to even the score at 2-2 midway through Game 2.
 
The first and only extra-base hit by either team on the day was a double by McLaughlin with one out in the fifth, and Kline's sacrifice fly with two outs plated the sophomore to put DSU up for good, 3-2.
 
Four of the final six batters Abrath faced resulted in strikeouts, before he handed the ball off to Parker to close the door.
 
COMING UP: The 'Jackets are back in action on Saturday, with a single game against Minot State starting at 1 p.m. MSUB then completes its nine-game road trip with an 11 a.m. doubleheader against the Beavers on Sunday, with all games featuring live stats and being played at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George.