LAS VEGAS – The Montana State University Billings softball team opened their 2016 Desert Stinger tournament holding on for a 9-8 win over No. 19 Sonoma State, before falling in the nightcap, 19-15, to Stanislaus State for a 1-1 opening day at Majestic Park.
 
The Yellowjackets stormed out to a 9-1 lead in the first two innings over the No. 19 Seawolves, before stalling at the plate for the next five innings as Sonoma came close before the 'Jackets closed out the seventh for a one-run win.
 
In the nightcap, the Yellowjackets and Warriors were the last team of the night as both teams played hard at the plate for a collective 34 total run on 32 hits. Stanislaus pulled ahead with a huge 10 run fourth inning, but MSUB rallied for eight runs in the next two innings to take the lead before the Warriors pushed back in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
Game 1: Sonoma State 8, MSUB 9
 
It came down to the final inning, but MSUB held on for a 9-8 win against No. 19 Sonoma State (0-2).
 
In the first two innings, the Yellowjackets jumped out to a 9-1 lead. The Seawolves battled back scoring eight runs across three innings, before MSUB was able to shut down the SSU offense and collect the win.
 
Cameron Cassinelli hit 2-3 at the plate, including a 3-run home run to right field that scored Kelsey Devlin and Cori Gammon. Devlin batted 3-4, scoring two runs and adding a RBI.  
 
Gammon, Jordyn Roark, Myrissa Prince, and Heather Tracy each had a hit in the game. The MSU Billings offense outhit Sonoma State 9-5.
 
In the circle for MSUB, Megan Dettling pitched a complete game, scattering five hits and allowing just three earned runs. Starting pitcher Mayleen Mazon earned the loss for SSU, completing 1 and 1/3 innings with nine hits and seven earned runs.
 
Game 2: MSUB 15, Stanislaus State 19
 
Stanislaus State broke open the game with 10 runs in the fourth inning to take a 12-6 lead. MSUB bounced back with nine more runs, but the Warriors kept pace, scoring six additional runs in the sixth inning to take the lead back and eventually the win.
 
A single from Bella Rovens in the sixth inning scored one run to tie the game at 13. She made her way to third as a run scored to take a lead for MSUB. Six runs on six hits in the sixth innings pushed Stanislaus State back to the top as the Warriors finished out the game holding the 'Jackets to just a single run in the seventh inning.
 
Devlin and Cassinelli continued their contributions at the plate with Devlin adding a double and a 2-run home run in the second game for the 'Jackets. Cassinelli was 2-3 with two runs and another RBI.
 
Junior transfer Ryland Estrada was 2-4 with both hits going for extra bases, including a double to right center and a triple for two runs and a RBI.
 
Batting ninth for MSUB, sophomore Amanda Barham was 3-4 with a double and three RBI.
 
Senior Amanda Roark took the loss for MSUB, pitching 4 and 1/3 innings with 14 runs on 13 hits. Taylor Tokach came in for one and 2/3 innings scattering six hits with five runs.
 
MSU Billings and Stanislaus State are both 1-1 on the season.