ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Yellowjackets improved on their performances from yesterday against Central Washington. MSUB took a pair of losses 11-4, and 11-3 (6 innings) in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Saturday.
 
Montana State University Billings (10-28, 2-14 GNAC) put runs on the board, but Central Washington (29-10, 13-7) used the latter half of the games to put away the 'Jackets.
 
"Our energy was very positive today and I am proud of the adjustments our team made from yesterday," MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. "We did a great job battling with them early in the game. However, defensively we just didn't take care of the ball. Taylor Tokach and Katie Jackson worked well together and got us great results, but CWU just took advantage of our small defensive errors. Cam, Kelsey, and heather had a great day at the plate for us and our pinch hitters had great at bats for us as well."
 
"In Game 2 we just gave up too many runs early in the game," Gasner continued. "Jordyn Roark did a great job at short in the second game both defensively and at the plate. Now we will head to Western Oregon to play our make-up games. We just need to continue to celebrate the small successes and continue to work together as a team."
 
Game 1: MSUB 4, CWU 11
 
MSU Billings was within striking distance down 6-4 heading into the fourth inning when the Wildcats tacked on five unearned runs in the next two innings to stretch the lead out for the win.
 
MSUB's Bella Rovens and Heather Tracy were both 2-for-4 in the game.
 
The 'Jackets started off with a much better first inning than yesterday, opening with two runs on three hits. Rovens and Tracy singled to lead off the game. Cassinelli put the third single of the inning in play, sending Rovens home and Tracy to third base. Designated player Nicole Tiffany laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Tracy for the second run of the game.
 
The Wildcats took the lead back with three runs in the bottom of the inning, but MSUB's Kelsey Devlin tied the game with her eighth home run of the season at the top of the third inning. Devlin saw eight pitches at the plate before slugging the tying hit over the center field fence.
 
The Yellowjackets kept CWU off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.
 
Back up for MSUB, Devlin kept her cool at the plate, working her way through 12 pitches to draw a walk at the start of the fourth inning. She stayed on first though as the Wildcats were able to get the next three batters out.
 
At the top of the third inning, MSUB added one more run. In a repeat of the first inning, Rovens and Tracy landed on base with singles and Cassinelli moved the runners over. Tiffany hit her third sacrifice fly of the season, plating Rovens for a 4-3 lead.
 
The Wildcats opened up their offense scoring eight runs in the next three innings, including five runs on four hits in the fourth inning.
 
In the circle, Taylor Tokach (2-5) went the distance for MSUB tossing 6 innings, scattering 15 hits and allowing six earned runs. MSUB struggled in errors, committing four in the field that led to five unearned runs.
 
Kayla Smith (5-0) recorded the win tossing 4 innings, allowing no earned ones on a single hit.
 
Game 2: MSUB 3, CWU 11 (6 innings)
 
MSU Billings closed a 5-0 opening lead by CWU by countering with two runs in the top of the third inning. A pair of singles put two on for Cassinelli and she roped a 2-RBI double into right center, forcing the deficit down to three runs.
 
Keeping a strong presence at the plate, CWU added three more runs in the bottom of the inning to push the advantage back up to 8-2.
 
MSUB plated a run at the top of the fifth inning. Catcher Haley Rowe doubled followed by a single from Cori Gammon. Gammon was caught stealing, but Rowe went to home on the same play for the third Yellowjacket run of the game. 
 
Central Washington ended the game in the sixth inning scoring three runs on three hits, including a walk-off 2-RBI home run from shortstop Taylor Ferleman.
 
In the circle, Amanda Roark (3-14) tossed 2 and 1/3 innings, scattering eight and allowing eight runs in the loss. The defense cleaned-up its errors, recording just one, but did strand seven runner.
 
Brielle Copodonna (8-7) recorded the win, scattering seven hits and allowing three earned runs. The Wildcats committed one error and left seven runners on base.
 
THE BUZZ: Rovens named St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Day.
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings heads to Western Oregon to play a four-game make-up series this Monday and Tuesday.