ST. GEORGE, Utah – A two-run, game-saving rally in the bottom of the ninth set up a walk-off base hit by Kyle Durbin in the 10th as the Montana State University Billings baseball team rallied for a dramatic 7-6, series-opening victory over Minot State Saturday afternoon at Bruce Hurst Field.
 
Casey Merritt led off the bottom of the 10th by pulling a single into right field, and Bret Bitow laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the winning run into scoring position. Durbin punched a 1-2 pitch through the middle and Merritt raced home to give MSUB the victory.
 
Adam Cox pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 10th inning, stranding all three runners by striking out Nicholas Hammerl on three pitches as he gave the 'Jackets the chance to win in the bottom of the inning.
 
Back-to-back doubles by Durbin and Luke Reinschmidt kicked off a two-run ninth-inning rally that kept MSUB alive. Reinschmidt's third hit of the game plated Durbin, and after a single by Brody Miller, a ground ball by Kevin Toon brought home MSUB's center fielder to tie the score at 6-6. With runners on first and second and no outs, Colter Sternhagen laid down a sacrifice bunt, but after an intentional walk MSU reliever Wyatt Moore got Conner Holbrook to ground into an inning-ending double play as the game headed to extras.
 
MSUB starter Jake Mills threw six strong innings, allowing three runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks in the no-decision. Cox earned his first victory of the season for the 'Jackets, keeping his composure under duress.
 
"Jake gave us exactly what we needed with a tired bullpen," said MSUB head coach Rob Bishop. "Adam was terrific for us late and a lot of guys stepped up and played a role today. I am really happy for our guys."
 
For Minot State (0-1), Moore was tagged with the loss in the team's season-opener. Beaver starter Austin Zorn matched Mills's effort with six innings and three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
 
Mills got through the first inning with a little help from his battery mate, as Holbrook fired a strike to Durbin to mow down Kyle Williamson on a stolen base attempt. The senior starter retired the next two Beaver batters, and the 'Jackets took the lead in the bottom of the frame on Reinschmidt's fourth home run of the season.
 
Mills retired the side in order in the second and struck out a pair, and Sternhagen helped MSUB increase its lead with a leadoff double in the bottom half. Holbrook came through with an RBI-double into right center, as MSUB doubled its lead to 2-0 early on.
 
MSU got a run back in the top of the third, as Keith Ailes hit a solo blast to center field with one out to make the score 2-1.
 
The 'Jackets (2-9) took advantage of a mishap by MSU in the fifth, as Bitow laid down a perfect bunt for a hit and advanced to second on a throwing error. Durbin put the ball in play and another Beaver error allowed Bitow to cross the plate as MSUB moved ahead 3-1.
 
After Mills recorded the first two outs in the top of the sixth, Paul Vogelsang brought the tying run to the plate with an infield single. Austin Berntson stepped up with a clutch, two-run home run to center field that knotted the score at 3-3.
 
Another two-out rally in the seventh gave MSU its first lead of the game, as Jordan Schulz tripled to bring home Jared Young and Hammerl, and the score moved to 5-3.
 
The Yellowjackets got one back in the bottom of the eighth, as a big two-out double by Merritt brought home Holbrook. The sophomore left fielder was stranded on third as the tying run however, as Alec Grothe got Bitow to line out and end the inning.
 
Young came up with an RBI single to give the Beavers an insurance run in the top of the ninth, giving Grothe a two-run lead and an opportunity to earn the save. The 'Jackets put together the desperation rally in the ninth, and the strong effort by Cox on the mound led to the extra-inning victory.
 
On the game Reinschmidt was 3-for-5 with two RBIs, a double and a run scored in addition to his home run. Brody Miller and Holbrook each also finished with three hits, as the Yellowjackets out-hit the Beavers 17-14 on the game.
 
Holbrook was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game, for his strong effort at the plate and for throwing out the only runner who attempted to steal on him.
 
Berntson was the big hitter for the Beavers, with a line of 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. The Beavers committed four errors in their first game of the season, and two of the runs MSUB scored were unearned.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets and Beavers are scheduled for a doubleheader on Sunday to close the series, with first pitch set for 11 a.m. at Bruce Hurst Field. It will be the final two games for MSUB before GNAC play begins with a four-game road series against Central Washington on Feb. 28.