TURLOCK, Calif. – After struggling to capitalize on offensive opportunities, the Montana State University Billings softball team dropped a pair of games in the Tournament of Champions on Friday at Pedretti Sports Complex. In game one, MSUB fell 3-1 to Humboldt State, followed by a 9-4 loss to California State University San Marcos. The 'Jackets are now 1-3 in games played this week with three additional contests in the Tournament of Champions still to play.
 
Rylan Austin had three hits in game two and made her first pitching appearance of the season but MSUB had difficulty stringing together solid innings both defensively and offensively.
 
"Rylan started off well pitching for us in game one and Maddy did a good job closing it out," commented head coach Jessica Rayman. "We just didn't produce at the plate in game one. I felt our approach was better in game two and we produced some runs but we still need to put everything together and play a complete game as a team. Tomorrow is a new day and we'll need to show up ready to go."
 
Game 1 – MSU Billings 1, Humboldt State 3
 
Managing just three hits in the opening game of the Tournament of Champions Saturday morning, the Montana State University Billings softball team lost 3-1 to Humboldt State University in an early morning contest.
 
The Lumberjackets strung together two singles and a double and put two runs across in the top of the fifth inning. The pair of runs proved to be the difference, breaking up a 1-1 tie that held the rest of the way. JoAna Mullins, Haley Suter, and Micaela Harris all recorded multi-hit games for Humboldt State.

Lexi Sheiring (3-6) pitched a complete game to get the win for the Lumberjacks. Sheiring allowed one earned run on three hits, walked four, and struck out four. Rylan Austin (0-1) took the loss for MSUB after hurling 5.0 innings and giving up three earned runs on 11 hits, walking zero, and striking out four. It was Austin's first pitching appearance of 2019.
 
Humboldt State (9-19, 4-18 CCAA) is in the midst of an uncharacteristic below average start. The Lumberjackets have been a perennial playoff team in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and reached the NCAA Division II National Championships in 2016 but they have won just four of the first 22 conference games in 2019.
 
The Yellowjackets fell to 4-19 all-time against the Lumberjacks in matchups leading back to 2001.
 
Game 2 – MSU Billings 4, Cal State San Marcos 9
 
Rylan Austin went 3-for-4 but the Yellowjackets struggled to find additional hits in a 9-4 loss to California State University San Marcos in game two of the Tournament of Champions. The Coyotes scored four runs in the second inning and added three in the fifth to put a stranglehold on the scoreboard throughout the game. Ronni Silas led CSUSM with two hits, one run batted in, one run scored, and one stolen base.
 
Caitlin Vinyard (4-5, 3.62 ERA) pitched 7.0 innings and allowed four earned runs and seven hits, walked three, and struck out four to earn the win. Alyssa Etheridge (4-5, 4.07 ERA) lasted 4.0 innings to take the loss. The freshman allowed three earned runs on six hits, walked five, and struck out five for MSUB.
 
MSU Billings never led in the game. After a scoreless first, Cal State San Marcos sent 10 hitters to the plate in the second with four runs on three hits. Etheridge allowed back to back singles through the right side to load the bases but struck out both Melody Forstie and Kammy Fisher to limit the damage.
 
The Yellowjackets filled the bases in the third and scored two runs when Allie Hughes reached on an error charged at shortstop and advanced to second on the throw. Brittanee Fisher struck out looking to end the threat but the Yellowjackets added two runs in the fourth to trail 4-3.
 
Andrea Wood opened up the fifth inning with a double for the Coyotes and Brittney Scardina singled in a run. A double by Raven LeClair brought another runner home and an RBI ground out by Cat Calderon brought the inning total to three. Maddy Lincoln pitched the final 3.0 innings for MSUB and allowed three earned runs and struck out one.
 
The Yellowjackets fell to 0-2 all-time against California State University San Marcos. The Coyotes prevailed 10-5 in Las Vegas, Nevada in February, 2015.
 
THE BUZZ: Rylan Austin was awarded St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day after putting up three hits and two runs batted in over the two games. Austin also pitched 5.0 innings against Humboldt State and allowed three earned runs with four strikeouts.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets (8-17) are scheduled to play California State University San Bernardino (15-9) Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by No. 13 California State University Chico (18-7) at 3 p.m.