ST. GEORGE, Utah - Tanner Johnson picked up where he left off at the end of last season, as the preseason National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association all-west region selection tossed eight shutout innings to lead Montana State University Billings to a 3-0 win over Holy Names University in the Yellowjackets' season opener at Dixie High School Friday afternoon.
 
MSUB (1-1) fell to Dixie State University 8-1 in the nightcap, as the defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion opened its season with a split.
 
"Any time you can open the season with a win it's a good feeling," said MSUB head coach Rob Bishop. "I thought our guys competed well in their first live at bats. We played great defense in the first game, and Tanner did a great job throwing strikes."
 
Game 1 – MSU Billings 3, Holy Names University 0
 
Colter Sternhagen had an RBI-double in the sixth and Kevin Toon drove in a pair on a double in the ninth inning to back Johnson's strong outing. Sophomore Adam Cox came through with his first save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth inning for the 'Jackets.
 
"Tanner was in midseason form today, and was about as good as I've seen him," Bishop said. "He threw a ton of strikes, and got ahead of hitters all day long. Tanner was terrific, and Cox backed him up well."
 
Sternhagen finished the game 2-for-3 and also drew a walk, and Myles Berkram was the other Yellowjacket with a pair of hits.
 
Chris Gnos had two of HNU's four hits in the game, and Caleb Parker drew the lone walk off of Johnson. The senior finished with five strikeouts, and Cox struck out two of the three batters he faced.

 

Game 2 – Dixie State 8, MSU Billings 1
 
Twelve walks and three hit batters by the Yellowjackets led directly to seven of DSU's eight runs, as the Red Storm stayed undefeated on the year at 6-0.
 
DSU right-hander Mason Hilty struck out eight batters and walked none while allowing one run and three hits in seven strong innings.
 
Starter Matt Hape took the loss for MSUB in his Yellowjacket debut, although just two of the five runs he allowed were earned. He also had one strikeout and six walks in 2 1/3 innings pitched.
 
Hilty made quick work of the 'Jackets in the first, retiring the side in order and picking up his first two strikeouts of the evening.
 
The Red Storm threatened in the bottom of the first and loaded the bases, but Jake McGovern snagged a line drive off the bat of Ryan Rodriguez and stepped on first for an inning-ending double play.
 
Miles Bice plated the first run of the game in the second with a ground out, as shortstop Corey Morris threw across to McGovern while Cam Gust crossed the plate. Four walks, a hit batter, and an error in the third inning brought home four runs, and Dixie State established a commanding 5-0 lead in support of Hilty.
 
Lee Busto retired the side in order in the bottom of the fourth, matching Hilty's effort in the top of the frame. Zach Robinson notched the first hit for the 'Jackets in the fifth inning and stole second, but was stranded on third as Hilty kept his shutout intact for the time being.
 
Four more walks and another hit batter allowed the Red Storm to capitalize again, this time not needing a hit to score two more runs and make it 7-0.
 
Casey Merritt led off the sixth inning with a double, and scored MSUB's first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Sternhagen. Garrett Baldry retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame, and tossed three strong innings overall in relief in his debut appearance for the Yellowjackets. Baldry struck out three batters and allowed one run on four hits.
 
MSUB had another scoring chance in the eighth inning with runners on second and third, but DSU's Jose Rosales-Rodarte ended the frame with a strikeout and kept the margin at six runs.
 
"Lee, Garrett, and Dylan were all good on the mound tonight," Bishop said referring to Busto, Baldry, and left-hander Dylan Goldsack. "They were all efficient and clean."
 
THE BUZZ: Johnson was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…Morris made 10 plays on the day at shortstop…MSUB utilized eight different pitchers in the two games.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets take on Holy Names University on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at Bruce Hurst Field. MSUB will finish the weekend by playing against HNU and Dixie State in a pair of games on Sunday.