MODESTO, Calif. – After getting pummeled 11-2 in game one, the Yellowjackets rose up in the sixth inning of game two to earn a split of Thursday afternoon's doubleheader against Western Oregon University, winning 10-6 at Rainbow Fields in Modesto California. The two games represented the first half of a weather halted Great Northwest Athletic Conference series that was originally scheduled to take place in Billings. Instead, MSUB scored six runs in the sixth inning of game two and came back to win at a neutral site location as the home team.

"It was good to see us bounce back after game one," said head coach Jessica Rayman. "The team did a good job pulling out a win against a quality hitting Western Oregon team. Alyssa has been doing a good job for us on the mound and it is exciting to see her finding her confidence out there.Our offense did a great job picking us up in game two. We were able to string some hits together in the sixth inning and then Madison Kelly came up with a clutch three run home run."

After the 'Jackets took a 6-5 lead, Madison Kelly smashed a three run home run over the left field fence to cap off the comeback in game two. MSU Billings (8-15, 2-8 GNAC) is scheduled to play a pair of games on Friday in the Tournament of Champions hosted by Stanislaus State beginning at 9 a.m.
 
Game 1 – MSU Billings 2, Western Oregon 11 (five innings)
 
The Wolves began with five runs in the first inning and ended with 12 hits as a team in a route of the Yellowjackets in game one. MSUB managed just three hits and committed five errors, which contributed greatly to the loss. Haley Fabian (7-2) pitched a solid game for WOU and allowed one earned run and three hits over 5.0 innings while striking out seven and walking four. Maddy Lincoln (3-9) took the loss for the 'Jackets. She threw all five innings and allowed seven earned runs, 12 hits, walked two and struck out four.
 
After taking a 9-2 lead through three innings, the Wolves scored one run in the fourth and another in the fifth to force the Yellowjackets off the field due to the 10-run rule. Mariah Deleon went 3-for-4 as the clean-up hitter in Western Oregon's batting order. Deleon had one home run, three runs batted in, and two runs scored. She also made eight putouts at catcher for WOU to positively impact the game.
 
Jolene House led the Yellowjackets offense with two hits in three opportunities. House also scored both runs for MSUB in the game. Cailee Morgan was the only other player to reach base on a hit for the 'Jackets.
 
Game 2 – MSU Billings 10, Western Oregon 6
 
Trailing 6-4 in the sixth inning, the Yellowjackets mounted a six run rally with four hits and a three run home run by Kelly. The Wolves began with two runs in the first and one in the second before MSUB found some punch in the batter's box. House reached on an infield error to lead off the third inning, and Rylan Austin followed with the same result. A groundout by Brittanee Fisher brought House across home plate and Payton Reynolds reached on an error to score Austin.
 
The 'Jackets added two additional runs in the fourth but stunned the Wolves by bringing nine to hit in the sixth. Georgiabelle Benning reached on a walk to start the rally and Morgan advanced her to second on a sacrifice. After a walk was issued to Austin, Allie Hughes, Fisher, and Reynolds singled in succession to give the Yellowjackets their first lead of the day 7-6. Madison Kelly's three run shot added insurance and Alyssa Etheridge faced four hitters in the seventh to close out the game.
 
Etheridge (4-4) pitched 7.0 innings and was the winning pitcher after surviving five earned runs on eight hits. The freshman walked eight and struck out five. Reilly Tidwell (0-2) took the loss for Western Oregon having pitched 6.0 innings with five strikeouts, seven earned runs, and eight hits against.
 
THE BUZZ: Madison Kelly was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for the Yellowjackets. Kelly notched her first home run of the season and fifth of her career against Western Oregon.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets (8-15, 2-8 GNAC) play in the Tournament of Champions hosted by Stanislaus State University beginning March 29. MSUB will play five teams in the tournament, including Humboldt State, California State San Marcos, California State San Bernardino, California State Chico, and Academy of Art. Live statistics are available for all five tournament games HERE.