BILLINGS, Mont. – After a split on Saturday, the Yellowjackets finish Day 2 with a 12-11 win followed by a 7-3 loss to the University of Great Falls on Sunday for a 2-2 series split with the Argos.    
 
Taylor Hoke smashed her 10^th home run of the season for the walk-off 3-RBI hit to lift MSUB to the one run win in the first game of the doubleheader. The Yellowjackets were down 11-9 in the seventh inning with one out when Hoke came to the plate. The shortstop hit a high ball into center that carried over the fence for the second walk-off home run of the season for MSUB. Bella Rovens hit the first in a 12-10 win over Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Central Washington two weeks ago at home.
 
Game 1 (UGF 11, MSUB 12)
 
The Yellowjackets outhit Great Falls 13-7 in the first game. Emily Osborn finished 2-3 and Heather Tracy was 3-4 with three runs scored.
 
MSUB opened with a 3-run first inning. Catcher Brittney Sanders struck a 2-out double to score Rovens from first base to give the 'Jackets a 1-0 lead. Aubrey Conceicao and Osborn both walked to load the bases for designated player Cameron Cassinelli. The freshman hit a bouncing single into left to score two runs giving the Yellowjackets a 3-0 lead.
 
In the second inning, Great Falls (23-13) erupted for seven runs. For the second straight inning the Argonauts loaded the bases on two walks and a single. In prime position, Keeley Van Blaricom crushed her second grand slam of the series giving the Argonauts a 7-3 lead.
 
MSUB responded in the bottom of the inning scoring five runs on four hits to tie the ball game at seven. The Yellowjackets added one more run in the bottom of the third inning, but UGF continued to load the bases and push runs across.
 
Heading into the seventh inning, UGF put two runners on base, but Hoke with a great stop and a throw to second base helped MSUB end the seventh inning with the 'Jackets second double play of the game. The Argos added four runs in three innings to take a 2-run lead 11-9 into the seventh inning.
 
Two short singles from Tracy and Rovens set Amanda Barham up for a bunt to move the runners bringing up Hoke. On a 1-1 count, the senior hit her 10^th home run of the season for the walk-off 12-11 win. The St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day was 2-4 in Game 1 with four RBI's, two runs, a sacrifice hit and a stolen base.
 
Amanda Roark (3-5) was credited with the win for MSUB. The junior pitched 1 and 1/3 innings, not allowing a hit or run.
 
Great Falls put three pitchers in the circle, but Van Blaricom (16-5) took the loss, tossing 3 1/3 innings scattering five hits and allowing three earned runs. Renae Nelson went 2-3 in Game 1 for UGF with three runs scored.
 
Game 2 (UGF 7, MSUB 3)
 
The Yellowjackets matched Great Falls hit-for-hit in the back half of the doubleheader, but couldn't send enough runs across the plate added to four errors from their defense to take the loss.
 
MSUB's Taylor Doran was 2-2 in the game and Jordyn Roark 2-3. Myrissa Prince hit her second double of the weekend for the 'Jackets for her fifth of the season. Alyssa Yaeger cranked out her first collegiate double that scored her first RBI. Doran and Cori Gammon both had sacrifice hits in the game.
 
The Argonauts used steady offense and capitalized on some MSUB defensive miscues for the seven runs of the game. Great Falls' Alex Lowry and Van Blaricom were 2-4 in the Game 2. Mindy Larson hit a home run and a sacrifice fly to finish with two RBI's.
 
In the circle Taylor Abeyta (4-5) twirled the complete game for Great Falls (23-13). Abeyta scattered eight hits and fanned three for the win.
 
Amanda Roark (3-6) was credited with the loss for MSU Billings. The junior allowed four earned runs on eight hits facing 26 total batters in the game.
 
While Montana State University Billings (25-20) did not play a conference game this weekend, the Yellowjackets have clinched a berth in the GNAC playoffs that begin Apr. 30 in Yakima, Wash.
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings hosts the team's last regular season conference series of 2015. The Yellowjackets have a four-game series against Western Oregon starting Friday, Apr. 24 at 1 p.m. MSUB is tied with Western Washington for second in the GNAC. The 'Jackets hold a one game lead over Western Oregon and a four game lead over Central Washington.