TURLOCK, Calif. – During their earlier season meeting, MSU Billings came out on top 6-3 at the Desert Stinger in February, but Sunday at the Tournament of Champions it was Humboldt State with the 6-3 victory over the Yellowjackets in the Cal State Stanislaus hosted event at the Pedretti Sports Complex.
 
Montana State University Billings (16-17) earned a spot in the 14th Annual Tournament of Champions presented by the Turlock Convention & Visitors Bureau championship bracket by the winning three of five games on Friday and Saturday, securing the No. 1 seed from Pool B setting them up for a meeting with the No. 1 seed from Pool C, Humboldt State (27-10).
 
The Yellowjackets took a 3-0 lead after three full innings, but the Lumberjacks got a big fourth inning out their offense including a grand slam from sophomore Sydney Roberts. Down by three, MSUB couldn't get their offensive firepower reloaded, and in the last three innings sent just 11 batters to the plate.
 
"We came out strong today," MSUB head coach Lisa Allen said. "We scored early but couldn't get the hits strung together later in the game. Humboldt came up with the hit when they needed it and that was the difference in the game."
 
The St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day, Emily Osborn was 2-3 at the plate. Osborn was responsible for all three RBI's of the game.
 
In the second inning, MSUB second baseman Aubrey Conceicao led off with a double to left field. Next up, Osborn singled up the middle advancing Conceicao to home for the 1-0 lead.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the third, Osborn struck a 2-RBI home run over right center also bringing in catcher Brittney Sanders who had walked.
 
Although MSUB had the early momentum, Humboldt came roaring back in the fourth inning. With bases loaded, two outs, and a full count, sophomore Sydney Roberts struck a bases clearing grand slam over the left field fence to swing the lead to the 'Jacks. A walk and two more singles in the inning produced a 5-3 advantage for HSU.
 
With the lead now for the Lumberjacks, HSU brought in Katie Obbema (11-6-1) to pitch. The Yellowjackets had three more hits in the game, but couldn't string together the hits they needed to push runs across the plate.
 
Humboldt State finished the game outhitting MSU Billings 9-7. The 'Jacks stranded five in the game, while MSUB left seven on.
 
In the circle, MSUB's Jessyka MacDonald (9-6) earned the start and the loss, pitching the first four innings allowing six runs on nine hits. Jessica Campbell came in to pitch, wrapping up the final three innings without a hit or run.
 
"Campbell did well coming in and shutting down their momentum," Allen said. "We are proud to come home .500, having played well. We look forward to coming home and getting back into GNAC play."
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings hosts a four-game series against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Central Washington. The first game at Avitus Group Stadium starts Friday, Apr. 3 at 1:00 p.m. Live stats and a live video stream will be available for all four-games. For more details please visit msubsports.com.
 
The BUZZ… This is Osborn's ninth home run of the season tying her for 10^th best in a season at MSUB with alumna Kelly Parsons ….Osborn is the home run leader in the GNAC by three, leads the league in slugging percentage at .719, and is third in the conference in total bases with 69…On the field Osborn has 879 career putouts, moving her into second place all-time at MSUB behind Parsons at 915…Conceicao is now batting .415 on the season and has moved up to fourth in the GNAC…Shortstop Taylor Hoke has three big threes: She has five home runs on the season which ties her for third in the GNAC; she is third in the conference in RBI's on the season with 29; and she is third in the GNAC in slugging percentage at .596…MacDonald finishes the tournament pitching 12 and one third innings; in 25 season appearances she has 72 strikeouts which is third best in the GNAC…In nine total innings, Campbell allowed just one run on three hits giving her a tournament ERA of .77.