Box Score DENVER – The Yellowjackets came up short in both games of a doubleheader against Metropolitan State University of Denver Friday afternoon at Regency Athletic Conference in non-conference softball action. Darby McGhee held MSUB to just a pair of hits in game one to earn a complete game shutout 6-0. The Roadrunners then used a four-run third and a five-run fourth to outscore MSU Billings 10-3 in game two.
 
The losses dropped the Yellowjackets to an even 6-6 record on the season while MSU Denver improved to 4-8 and took the season series between the two clubs 2-1. The Yellowjackets stay in Denver to play a doubleheader against Colorado School of Mines beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.
 
"It was a tough day today," commented MSUB head coach Jessica Rayman. "It took us a little bit to get going and our bats did not show up until the second game. I thought we did a good job coming out hot in the second game and Alyssa started off very strong in the first two innings. We hit well in the second game, but we just didn't have the timely hitting. We'll need to clean some things up on defense and set the tone for the game tomorrow. I am confident we'll be ready to go against Colorado School of Mines."
 
Game 1 – MSU Billings 0, MSU Denver 6
 
The Yellowjackets failed to get their offense rolling in game one as they lost 6-0 to Metropolitan State University of Denver Friday afternoon at Regency Athletic Complex. The Roadrunners opened with a run in the first inning and gradually extended the lead, using 11 hits off four doubles in the game.
 
MSUB starting pitcher Maddy Lincoln (3-3) had a complete game in the circle but Darby McGhee (1-3) picked up the win for Metro State after tossing 7.0 innings and allowing just two hits, four walks, and striking out 11.
 
The Yellowjackets had baserunners in nearly every inning, including getting the bases loaded in the top of the second but failed to convert their chances and put a run across the plate. Brittanee Fisher and Hailey Gregerson picked up the only hits of the afternoon for MSUB and Rylan Austin struck out twice, ending her streak of 10-games to start the season without a strikeout out.
 
MSU Denver received at least one hit from seven of nine players in the batting order. Rebecca Gonzales led the Roadrunners with two hits, two runs scored, and one run batted in. Ari Valdez and Megan Sansburn each had two hits and one RBI for MSUD.
 
Game 2 – MSU Billings 3, MSU Denver 10
 
The Yellowjackets fell 10-3, despite a strong start offensively. Darby McGhee went 3-for-4 for the Roadrunners with two doubles, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Jasmine Wessel and Megan Sansburn also had multi-hit games for MSUD.
 
The 'Jackets began the scoring in the top of the first inning. Austin singled to past third base and was driven in by Fisher who smashed a double down the right field line. Allie Hughes followed Fisher with a double to the gap in right center field, scoring Fisher to make it 2-0.
 
MSU Billings added its third run on a two-out rally in the second inning. Morgan Quimby singled to right center and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Austin singled to right and Quimby scored easily from second on the play.
 
The Yellowjackets good fortune turned abruptly in the third inning. The Roadrunners drew three straight walks to begin the inning and Jasmine Wessel reached on an error charged to MSUB shortstop Kelsee Bushell, which scored Gonzales. The Yellowjackets committed another error at second base and Metro State scored another run. JJ Sheppard singled in Ceyln Whitt from second, bringing the inning total to four.
 
The Roadrunners added five to their lead in the bottom of the fourth and brought 10-hitters to the plate. MSU Denver picked up a pair of doubles and a pair of singles along the way and forced MSUB starting pitcher Alyssa Etheridge out of the game.
 
Metro State shut the door on defense the rest of the way and starting pitcher Julia Heitz (1-3) threw a complete game to get the win. Heitz allowed three runs (all earned) on nine hits, walked zero, and struck out six. Etheridge (2-2) took the loss for MSU Billings and lasted 3.1 innings having allowed seven runs (three earned) on five hits, walked three, and struck out four.
 
MSUB had four doubles by four different hitters in the game, but left six runners on base after seven innings played. Austin went 2-for-4 hitting lead-off for the 'Jackets and collected one run batted in. Fisher collected two hits in three at bats with one double and one RBI.
 
The Yellowjackets finished with three runs on nine hits and three errors while MSU Denver converted 10 runs on 10 hits and did not commit an error.
 
UP NEXT: Montana State Billings (6-6, 0-0) takes on Colorado School of Mines at Regency Athletic Complex in Denver Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. Games will be available to live stream via Colorado Mines' stretch internet portal.
 
THE BUZZ: Brittanee Fisher was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for Montana State Billings.