BURNABY, B.C. - It was another tough day for MSUB softball in Canada. After being dealt two tough losses yesterday to open Great Northwest Athletic Conference action, the Yellowjackets were unable to find their footing during the second day of competition falling by scores of 6-2 and 7-0 Sunday at Beedie Field.
The two wins today by Simon Fraser (14-10, 5-3 GNAC) give the Clan the season sweep over MSU Billings (5-12, 0-4)
"It was a tough set of losses for us today," MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. "In Game 1, our pitchers and our defense did a great job keeping their offense within only a couple of runs throughout most of the game. Offensively, we did a good job getting runners on, but we are still putting too much pressure on ourselves at the plate when trying to bring them in. Our pinch hitters did well coming in to both games today and were aggressive at the plate when we needed them. Overall, Taylor had a great day on the mound, we just need to learn to stay calm in pressure situations and come together for a win as a team."
Game 1: MSUB 2, SFU 6MSUB had more hits than SFU, 8-7, but the Clan was able to capitalize when they had runners on base. The Yellowjackets left eight runners on base in the first game.
Left-handed pitcher
Megan Dettling and right fielder
Heather Tracy were both 2-3 in the game. Catcher
Haley Rowe was 1-3 with an RBI.
Simon Fraser plated five runs in the third and fourth innings before MSUB answered back in the top of the sixth inning. Tracy led off the inning with a single to right field, advancing to third on an error and a wild pitch. Dettling walked during her at bat. Third baseman
Ryland Estrada also walked to load the bases for first baseman
Cameron Cassinelli.
Cassinelli hit a fielder's choice, but Tracy was able to come across the plate for the first MSUB run. Rowe added to the total with a sacrifice fly to center field that drove Estrada home.
In the seventh inning,
Cori Gammon reached base on a single to center field, but the Yellowjackets remained stuck and Simon Fraser closed out the game getting the last two outs in the field.
Taylor Tokach began the game in the circle for MSUB, tossing 2 and 2/3 innings, but Dettling (4-4) was credited with the loss, pitching 3 and 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on three hits.
Game 2: MSUB 0, SFU 7The Clan struck hard in the third and sixth innings to shutout MSUB in the last game of the four game series. Simon Fraser outhit MSUB 10-4 in the final game.
Gammon, Cassinelli,
Nicole Tiffany, and
Amanda Barham each had a hit in the second game for the 'Jackets.
The Yellowjackets also had some costly errors finishing the game with four as the Clan finished the game with four earned runs out of seven total.
MSUB left six runners on base. The Yellowjackets had two runners on in the top of the third inning. Gammon singled and Estrada walked, but both would remain stranded. The 'Jackets also had two runners on in the top of the sixth inning. Barham singled and
Bella Rovens reached base on an error by the shortstop.
Tokach (1-2) tossed the complete game for MSUB. In six innings, she allowed four earned runs on 10 hits.
THE BUZZ: This is the first series sweep by Simon Fraser of the Yellowjackets...Tracy named St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
UP NEXT: MSU Billings continues its road trip with a doubleheader at the University of British Columbia. The Yellowjackets and Thunderbirds will be featured in a pair of night games on Mar. 8, beginning at 7:00 PM Mountain time.
