LACEY, Wash. – After finishing a game against Western Washington Thursday, the MSUB softball team was at Saint Martin's for their third conference doubleheader of the season. The Yellowjackets lost the first game 13-1 (5 innings), but came back in Game 2 for the win 4-2.
 
In Game 1 Saint Martin's scored 13 runs on 11 hits. MSUB gave up five runs in the opening inning, and the Saints ran away with the game – scoring six more runs in the third inning opening up an 11-0 lead. The Yellowjackets committed six fielding errors in the game as four of SMU's runs turned out to be unearned.
 
MSUB's lone run was scored in the fifth inning on a ground-out from Hali Gruntowicz. Heather Tracy came across the plate after reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing on an Amanda Barham single.
 
The Yellowjackets' second hit of the game was off the bat of first baseman Emily Osborn. She hit a single to center field in the top of the second inning, but was out on the next play as a fielder's choice was sent to second base for the third out.
 
Three pitchers took time in the circle for the Yellowjackets. Megan Dettling (2-2) pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up three hits and five runs for the loss. Jessyka MacDonald spent two innings on the mound, giving up five hits and six runs, while Mary Grace Bywater was in the game for an inning and a third giving up three hits and two runs.
 
All but one in SMU's lineup had a hit in the game. Sam Munger (5-3) pitched all five innings for the Saints, giving up just two hits and one run while fanning four.
 
"As a team we didn't come out ready to play in Game 1," MSUB head coach Lisa Allen said. "We had too many walks and errors on defense. Offensively we left the bat on our shoulders too much. The girls that came in did better at the plate."
 
MSU Billings turned things around in Game 2. MSUB out hit the Saints 7-5 and held SMU to two runs despite three more fielding errors from the Yellowjackets.
 
"Jessyka pitched an excellent game," Allen said. "Our defense cleaned it up and our offense did what they needed to do to get the win. I am very happy with how the team turned it around."
 
Montana State University Billings (10-11, 3-3 GNAC) broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning. Jordyn Roark hit a single to lead off the inning for MSUB. Taylor Hoke followed her onto the bases with a walk. Second baseman Aubrey Conceicao singled up the middle bringing in Roark from second. Down by one, SMU switched pitchers, but the Yellowjackets' Cameron Cassinelli brought in an insurance run to give MSUB a 4-2 lead.
 
Pitcher MacDonald and the MSUB defense held Saint Martin's University (11-11, 2-2 GNAC) scoreless in the final three innings to finish the day's doubleheader with an even 1-1 split.
 
MacDonald (5-4) pitched the complete game for MSUB. She kept the Saints to five hits and two runs while fanning four.
 
Starting pitcher in Game 2 for the Saints, Kim Nelson (4-6), threw the first 5 1/3 innings giving up all seven hits and four runs to take the loss. Junior Megan Miller was 2-4 on the day with one RBI.
 
The St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day was Cameron Cassinelli. She finished 2-4 on the day with a run and an RBI.
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings and Saint Martin's will play games three and four in the 4-game series on Saturday, Mar. 7. First pitch is scheduled to be thrown out at noon Pacific Time. Live stats will be available at msubsports.com.