LACEY, Wash. – The Yellowjackets finished their 4-game series against Saint Martin's on Saturday, dropping Game 1 of the double-header 9-3, before being shut out in Game 2, 5-0.
In Game 1, MSUB had nine hits against SMU's ace pitcher Sam Munger, but had trouble on defense, committing four fielding errors as the Saints pushed nine runs across the plate, only six of them earned.
St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day,
Aubrey Conceicao was 2-2 during the game with a sac bunt. Lead-off hitter
Amanda Barham was 2-4 with a double, while scoring a run and a RBI.
Cori Gammon and
Myrissa Prince also had doubles. Gammon was 1-3 with a run and Prince 2-3.
The Yellowjackets put up two runs in the third inning, one off the Barham double and one from an error by the SMU shortstop.
SMU took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth when the Saints broke open the game adding five runs in the fifth inning. The Saint had six hits in the inning and MSUB two errors.
"We hit against SMU's pitcher Sam Munger better today," MSUB head coach Allen said. "Unfortunately our defense had too many mistakes during the game. We needed to cover bags better and stay aggressive."
Jessyka MacDonald (5-5) picked up the loss in the circle for MSUB facing 24 batter, allowing nine hits and seven earned runs while walking one.
SMU's Lindsay Miller pitched a one-hitter against the Yellowjackets in Game 2, shutting MSUB out while striking out one and walking one. The Saints' offense outhit MSUB 14-1.
Taylor Hoke doubled to lead-off the third inning, but MSUB was unable to find any rhythm in the back-half of the double-header.
Mary Grace Bywater (2-2) pitched five and a third innings for MSUB, allowing 13 hits and fanning one.
Megan Dettling came in relief for two thirds of an inning, allowing one hit and walking one.
Montana State University Billings drops to 10-13 on the season, 3-5 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action. Saint Martin's moves to 14-11 overall and 3-1 in the GNAC. MSU Billings finishes the 4-game series against the Saints 1-3.
"In Game 2, our defense did a great job including two outs at home from the outfield," Allen said. "Offensively we couldn't string the hits together. We are looking forward to some time off and fine-tuning some mechanics when we get home."
UP NEXT: MSU Billings has the week off from competition. The Yellowjackets host their home-opener, a 4-game series against GNAC opponent Simon Fraser, starting Mar. 21, at Avitus Group Stadium.
