TURLOCK, Calif. – Alyssa Etheridge pitched five hitless innings against Academy of Art, but the Urban Knights rallied for three runs in the sixth inning to down Montana State University Billings 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Pedretti Sport Complex.
 
The loss wrapped up the Tournament of Champions, hosted by Stanislaus State where MSUB went 1-4, but grabbed a win Saturday over No. 13 Chico State University. After seven games in four days, the 'Jackets have four days off before returning to conference play against Concordia University.
 
The Yellowjackets took a 1-0 in the third inning against Academy of Art. Brittanee Fisher was hit by a pitch and Jolene House reached base after an error was charged to shortstop Dom Seva'aetasi. MSUB took advantage of the mistake and Cailee Morgan picked up a run batted in after a sacrifice fly to centerfield scored Fisher from third.
 
Etheridge continued to pitch well through the fourth and fifth frames, but walked Gabi Hirsch with one out in the sixth. Seva'aetasi singled to right field and Rayman elected to go to the bullpen for Maddy Lincoln. Lauryn Henderson doubled to the gap in right-center to score two runners, giving Academy of Art its first lead of the contest 2-1. Lincoln struck out Nikki West for the second out, but Brenna Youngquist made it 3-1 on a single up the middle. Sydney Pollard, Fisher, and House went down in order in the seventh for MSUB to end the game.
 
"Alyssa threw a great 5.1 innings for us," said head coach Jessica Rayman. "She was mixing her pitches and did a good job keeping hitters off balance. I was proud of the way she performed all weekend and she continues to find her consistency. Our defense also played well today. Payton Reynolds made a lot of good plays and saw a lot of ground balls off the pitching of Alyssa. Offensively, we just struggled to make the necessary adjustments."

Cecilia Lopez (4-3) pitched a complete game for Academy of Art and earned the win. Lopez gave up one run (unearned) on three hits, walked one, and struck out three. Etheridge (4-7) took the loss for MSUB after she lasted 5.1 innings and allowed two earned runs, one hit, walked two, and struck out one. Lincoln pitched the final 0.2 innings for MSUB and gave up one earned run on two hits, walked zero, and struck out one.
 
Allie Hughes had a strong game offensively and finished 2-for-2 with one double and one walk. Jolene house was 1-for-2 at the plate and also reached on a hit by pitch.
 
Henderson was 1-for-3 with two runs batted in for Academy of Art and one double. Youngquist and Seva'aetasi also recorded a hit for the Urban Knights.
 
THE BUZZ: Allie Hughes was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game for MSU Billings…The Yellowjackets fell to 2-3 all-time against Academy of Art…MSUB went 2-5 on the week after splitting Thursday's doubleheader with Western Oregon and winning a game Saturday against No. 13 Chico State. 
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets (9-18, 2-8 GNAC) head to Portland, Oregon for back-to-back doubleheaders against Concordia University beginning on Saturday, April 6 at 12:00 p.m. local time. MSUB's home opener is scheduled for April 13 versus Central Washington University…The Yellowjackets are 8-8 at neutral site games but 1-10 in games away from home this spring.