BILLINGS, Mont. – In what is likely to be the busiest week of softball yet, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets are set to play seven games Thursday through Sunday away from home against five opponents as they look to climb back into contention in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference softball standings.
 
The action leads-off Thursday, March 28 with a makeup doubleheader against No. 24 Western Oregon University at 12 p.m. in Modesto, California at Rainbow Fields. The team then plays five games in Turlock, California in the Tournament of Champions hosted by Stanislaus State University. Humboldt State will be MSUB's first opponent Friday morning at 9 a.m. followed by California State San Marcos, California State San Bernardino, No. 13 California State Chico, and Academy of Art.
 
"We've had a nice break the last couple weeks to rest and prepare for these games," commented head coach Jessica Rayman. "I think we are ready to get out and play again. Seven games is a lot but I don't think it's anything we can't handle. We have been able to practice outside recently and being able to see everyone progress, especially our outfielders making reads I think is really going to help us moving forward."
 
LAST TIME OUT: It has been nearly three weeks since the Yellowjackets played a four-game series against Saint Martin's University. MSUB lost three of four games in Seattle but picked up an 8-1 win thanks to the first no-hitter in school history thrown by freshman Alyssa Etheridge.
 
Etheridge struck out five and walked seven, allowing one unearned run to score on an error. It was the 26^th no-hitter in GNAC history and the third in the conference this season. The 'Jackets offense briefly broke out of a slump to give Etheridge more than enough run support off eight hits. Rylan Austin, Allie Hughes, and Brittanee Fisher all had multi-hit games for MSUB.
 
Despite the strong effort in game two against SMU, the Yellowjackets have lost nine of their last 10 games and have just one win in conference play.
 
AUSTIN CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: Freshman Rylan Austin has started all 21 games for MSUB and is hitting a team high .308 at the plate. Austin has 20 hits with two doubles and six runs batted in. She holds a .370 on base percentage with seven walks hitting at the top of coach Rayman's batting order.
 
 
"Rylan has done a phenomenal job," Rayman said. "She's been successful in every opportunity that has been given to her. I love to watch her at the plate because she has an attack mentality. She wants to swing hard at pitches and make things happen. She has the ability to get on base any way she can so I am excited to see what she can accomplish through the rest of the year."
 
FINDING LEADERSHIP ON A YOUNG TEAM: Most of the lineup may be underclassman, but leaders can emerge regardless of age. Sophomore Brittanee Fisher is frequently the most vocal player on the field. At the plate, Fisher is hitting .298 with a .509 slugging percentage. In 21 starts at first base, Fisher has eight extra base hits, two home runs, and 13 runs batted in.
 
"I don't think Brittanee is ever quiet out on the field," Rayman laughed. "She's constantly communicating with teammates in a positive way and I think that helps everyone stay focused in games. Same thing goes for Kelsee Bushell at shortstop. She has done a good job in clutch situations for us. I don't think we've peaked as a team yet so to find some leadership in the lineup is crucial and hopefully we can find the consistency we need to win games."
 
 
ROAD WARRIORS: A typical spring in Billings meant the softball team was on the road an awful lot in the first half of the regular season. Home games that were scheduled against Western Oregon we moved to California this week, meaning the home opener will not be played at Avitus Group Stadium until April 13 against Central Washington. If the Yellowjackets are able to compete in every game between Thursday and April 13, they will have played 31 straight road games to start the 2019 campaign.
 
"I think a lot of our returners are used to playing many games on the road," said Rayman. "Our new players might start to feel some wear and tear on the body as we go along but the returners have done a good job of helping them understand the things you have to do to be successful away from home. Our travel schedule is certainly a challenge and the freshman are learning what it's really like to be a college athlete."
 
IN THE CIRCLE: Opponents have received a steady dose of MSUB pitching from the likes of Maddy Lincoln, Haley Couch, and Etheridge. Lincoln (3-8, 4.26 ERA) has had flashes of brilliance this season but is still searching for back-to-back stellar performances. Her best game was an 1-0, eight inning loss to Dixie State University, where Lincoln threw a complete game and allowed just one unearned run against one of the region's top teams.
 
 
Etheridge (3-8, 4.26 ERA) earned GNAC pitcher of the week after throwing the first no-hitter in the history of the program against Saint Martin's University. In seven innings, Etheridge gave up one unearned run, walked seven, and struck out five. One day later, Etheridge pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs against SMU.
 
Couch (1-2, 5.95 ERA) has five appearances and three starts for MSU Billings so far. She has nine strikeouts and one walk. Opponents have hit 15 doubles against Couch in 20.0 innings pitched.
 
"We are definitely going to need all three of our pitchers this weekend," Rayman said. "I'd like to see Maddy step up and be that dominant pitcher that we've seen her be at times. She has the ability to be a leader on the mound and now it's just a matter of finding consistency. Alyssa has shown some high upside as well as Haley Couch out there. We've had Rylan Austin work on her pitching too so there is a chance she might see some innings for us this week depending on the situation."
 
Scouting Western Oregon University
Game Day: Thursday, March 28 – 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. (Doubleheader)
2018-19 Record: 14-6, 5-3 GNAC, 5-1 home, 2-2 away, 7-3 neutral
Head Coach: Lonny Sargent (seventh season)
2018 Record: 28-25, 15-13, 8-6 home, 8-8 away, 12-11 neutral
 
Cheyanne Rimer and Ayanna Arceneaux combined for nine RBI last weekend when the Wolves swept a doubleheader against Saint Martin's University. With a strong start to the 2019 campaign, Western Oregon is trying to return to the GNAC Championships after exiting in the third game of the tournament last season to Simon Fraser 6-3. WOU has made the post-season tournament every season since its inception in 2013, the only school to achieve the feat. They ranked third in the GNAC preseason coaches poll and were extremely successful defensively one year ago.
 
Ryanne Whitaker and Tyler Creach were named all-west region performers and both return this season. Arceneaaux leads the team with a .463 batting average while Whitaker ranks second at .394. Together the Wolves have a GNAC best .343 batting average and .502 slugging percentage. They average 5.2 runs per game.
 
Western Oregon has used five pitchers, which hold a 4.78 ERA. Haley Fabian has eight starts and a 3.41 ERA. She is 6-2 with 27 strikeouts and nine walks. Maddie Mayer (4-2, 3.92 ERA) could make her sixth start in the series and has given up 51 hits and 22 earned runs over 39.1 innings pitched.
 
"Their pitchers do a good job of hitting their spots," Rayman quipped on WOU. "Their offense will make you pay for anything left out over the plate and they have proven they can hit well in clutch situations. As long as our staff can hit their spots and make pitches move the way I know they are capable, I think we will be just fine."
 
The Yellowjackets split the season series in Monmouth 2-2 in Monmouth last season. The Wolves and Yellowjackets are 30-30 against one another all-time in games dating back to 2001.
 
Scouting Humboldt State University
Game Day: Friday, March 29 – 9 a.m.
2018-19 Record: 8-19, 4-18 CCAA, 3-10 home, 3-8 away, 2-1 neutral
Head Coach: Shelli Sarchett (fifth season)
2018 Record: 20-26, 15-17 CCAA, 4-8 home, 13-11 away, 3-7 neutral
 
Humboldt State enters the Tournament of Champions hitting .287 as a team with five players above the .300 mark. Danica Garcia has a is hitting a team high .382 in 27 games with 15 runs batted in, nine doubles, and one home run. Hanna Holland ranks seventh in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with 12 stolen bases in 16 attempts and Rylie Carlier ranks third in the conference with five home runs.
 
Last weekend, the Jacks lost three times in a four-game set against California State East Bay and they have lost the last six of eight overall. Humboldt State has struggled in the circle with a team earned run average equaling 6.36 runs per seven innings. Megan Holt has 16 appearances and 12 starts. The freshman right hander has amassed four complete games and allowed 44 earned runs and 70 hits over 54.2 innings pitched.
 
Opponents are hitting .317 against her with four home runs. Sophomore Lexee Sheiring (7.04 ERA) and senior Jasmine Hill (7.74 ERA) have made regular appearances out of the bullpen for Humboldt State.
 
The Jacks rank ninth in the CCAA with a .952 fielding percentage, 10^th in team earned run average, and seventh in team batting average.
 
MSU Billings is 4-18 all-time against Humboldt State. The Jacks won the last meeting between the two teams 9-1 on April 3, 2016. At the time, the Jacks were ranked No. 3 in the nation.
 
Scouting California State San Marcos
Game Day: Friday, March 29 – 11:30 a.m.
2018-19 Record: 7-17, 6-16 CCAA, 2-10 home, 5-7 away, 0-0 neutral
Head Coach: Stef Ewing (first season)
2018 Record: 14-38, 10-30 CCAA, 8-16 home, 3-19 away, 3-3 neutral
 
Cal State San Marcos enters the Tournament of Champions on a four game losing streak after they were swept by Cal State Monterey Bay last weekend. Despite the recent team struggles, junior Melody Forstie holds a .349 batting average with two home runs, six doubles, and 10 runs driven in. Senior infielder Kammy Fisher is hitting .348 with a team best .438 on base percentage.
 
There is a sharp drop off further down the lineup however, and the Cougars are hitting just .266 as a team, 10^th best in the conference. Cal State San Marcos has won low scoring contests thanks to a 2.25 team earned run average. The Cougars have allowed the fewest number of home runs to opposing teams in the CCAA (six) and 5.31 strikeouts per seven innings. With a three starter rotation, Ellie Smith leads the team with a 3.43 ERA in 11 appearances. The freshman right-hander has three complete games and 29 strikeouts in 49.0 innings pitched.
 
The Yellowjackets fell 10-5 in the only meeting between the two clubs at the Desert Stinger Tournament in 2015.
 
Scouting California State University San Bernardino
Game Day: Saturday, March 30 – 10 a.m.
2018-19 Record: 14-7, 11-7 CCAA, 4-4 home, 7-3 away, 3-0 neutral
Head Coach: Dee Payan (first season)
2018 Record: 30-22, 18-16 CCAA, 10-10 home, 9-7 away, 11-5 neutral (West Region Qualifier)
 
Cal State San Bernardino began the season with an 18-0 win over Central Washington of the GNAC but they have had mixed results in the weeks since. Last time out, the Coyotes split a four game series against Stanislaus State with offensive productions slowing to a crawl over the last five games.
 
The team's woes at the plate have not been felt by the Coyotes' top two hitters. Dominique Walker is fifth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with a .438 batting average. Morgan Ratliff is seventh at .397 through the first 21 games. Both are slugging well north of .600 and Ratliff is dangerous once on base with 16 stolen bags in 18 attempts.
 
Four pitchers have kept the Coyotes at a respectable 2.40 ERA. Southpaw Anissa Padilla is 4-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 10 appearances. The junior has 14 strikeouts and two complete games in 36.1 innings pitched. Amanda Ramirez leads the team in starts (nine), innings pitched (73.1), and strikeouts (21). Ramirez is a senior with a 6-4 record and 2.10 ERA.
 
MSU Billings played the Coyotes twice in 2017. In the most recent matchup, the 'Jackets lost 1-0 in the Tournament of Champions. No one in the expected current MSUB batting order made an appearance in the game.
 
No. 13 Scouting California State University Chico
Game Day: Saturday, March 30 – 3 p.m.
2018-19 Record: 18-7, 16-6 CCAA, 8-4 home, 8-2 away, 2-1 neutral
Head Coach: Angel Shamblin (10^th season)
2018 Record: 55-6, 37-3 CCAA, 23-0 home, 19-4 away, 13-2 neutral (West Region Champions, Super Regional Champions, NCAA Championship Qualifier)
 
Chico State is likely to be one of the most challenging opponents of the season for Montana State Billings. The Wildcats are off to a good start in their bid to reach the postseason for a fifth straight year and have 14 returning players back from last season's run to the national championship finals. Ranked No. 7 in the pre-season NCAA Division II national poll, Chico State enters the week at No. 13.
 
The Wildcats have seven players hitting above the .300 mark. Amanda Metzger leads the way with a .383 average in 24 starts. Metzger has 18 hits including four doubles, one triple, one home run, and seven runs batted in. Wendy Cardinali has 19 runs batted in with four home runs for the Wildcats and Amanda Flores is slugging .512 with 15 RBI, two home runs, and four doubles. The Yellowjackets will need to be aware of Kristin Worley, who is 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts this season.
 
Brooke Larsen (11-2, 1.48 ERA) has been the primary starting pitcher for Chico State out of Sacramento, California. The sophomore right hander has 10 complete games in 14 appearances with 81 strikeouts, 37 walks, and one save. Opponents are hitting a marginal .161 against her. The Wilcats have a team 1.86 ERA, which tops the CCAA.
 
MSUB is 3-5 in the all-time series against Chico State. The Wildcats defeated the Yellowjackets in Las Vegas 9-0 on February 5, 2017.
 
Scouting Academy of Art
Game Day: Sunday, March 31 – 11:30 a.m.
2018-19 Record: 5-6, 4-2 PacWest, 2-0 home, 3-3 away, 0-3 neutral
Head Coach: Alex Gomez (first season)
2018 Record: 40-18, 22-10 PacWest, 20-4 home, 12-10 away, 8-4 neutral
 
Academy of Art has had games postponed or cancelled 15 times in 2019, but they have fared well in limited Pacific West Conference game opportunities. The Urban Knights lost a pair of 6-5 games to Holy Names last week but took care of Notre Dame De Namur 8-3 and 4-1 the previous week.
 
Academy of Art is hitting .276 as a team and holds an earned run average equaling 3.52. Cecilia Lopez (2-3, 2.41 ERA) has seven appearances and four starts with 12 strikeouts and seven walks. Hannah Rose Balke (2-3, 4.43 ERA) has a team high 19 strikeouts and 21 walks in 30.0 innings of work. Opponents are hitting .315 against the Urban Knight's pitching staff.
 
Sophomore catcher Lauryn Henderson is hitting .379 with two doubles, two home runs, and six runs batted in. Freshman utility player Nikki West has six hits and a .353 average in 10 games. Academy of Art has a .948 fielding percentage and senior infielder Brenna Youngquist has 71 putouts and seven assists, while committing one error.
 
The Yellowjackets lost 9-1 in 2017 to the Urban Knights at the Tournament of Champions. They are 2-2 in the all-time series against one another.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW: Live statistics will be available for all five games in the Tournament of Champions. Links to individual game live stats can be found HERE.