SEATTLE – After struggling to convert chances at the plate, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets lost both games of a Saturday softball doubleheader to Great Northwest Athletic Conference rival Saint Martin's University at Francis F. Logan Field on the campus of Seattle University.
 
The 'Jackets received satisfactory pitching in both games with Maddy Lincoln in the circle for game one and Alyssa Etheridge following her no-hitter performance with another strong showing in game two but MSUB managed just six combined hits to fall 3-2 and 2-0 in the two respective games as they dropped the season series to SMU 3-1.
 
Alyssa French hit a pinch-hit double to score Nicki DeHan from second base in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one to walk-off on their home field with a 3-2 final score. In game two, Saint Martin's used three pitchers to hold MSUB off the scoreboard and scored single runs in the first and sixth inning to win the low scoring affair 2-0.
 
"We are making progress," said head coach Jessica Rayman. "Our pitching staff threw well for us today and it was good to see Alyssa maintain consistency two straight days. Our defense was effective today behind our pitchers. Rylan had a great grab in right field and Payton made some good plays at third base. We just struggled offensively and we left too many runners on base. We have to find a way to put all parts of the game together. We are getting there but not we have to step up and finish. We'll have a little time to work on things this week so I am confident we will be able to bounce back and find ways to win."
 
 
Game 1 – MSU Billings 2, Saint Martin's 3
 
French hit a walk-off double in the seventh to secure victory for Saint Martin's University in game one 3-2. Both teams scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning. In the top of the fourth, Rylan Austin reached on lead-off walk and Allie Hughes walked to move Austin to second.
 
After a pitching change, Brittanee Fisher reached on a fielder's choice after SMU forced out the lead runner. Payton Reynolds delivered an RBI single up the middle and Kelsee Bushell recorded a sacrifice fly to right field to score Fisher on the tag. ­­
 
Saint Martin's mounted a two-out rally with back-to-back singles. A fielding error allowed one run to score. Then a single by Connolly brought in an unearned run to tie the game 2-2.
 
After a scoreless fifth and sixth inning, Connoly singled in the seventh to lead-off. DeHan pinch ran for Connolly and moved into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt was layed down in the direction of Lincoln. French pinch hit for Emily Thornton and hit a double to the right center gap to score DeHan from second.
 
Devyn Connolly went 2-for-3 with one run batted in for Saint Martin's. Reynolds, Jolene House, and Madison Kelly recorded single hits for MSUB. Lincoln (3-8) took the loss in the circle for MSU Billings after working 6.2 innings and allowing three runs (two earned), seven hits walked two, and struck out two.
 
Jessica O'Toole pitched the first 2.0 innings for the Saints and did not allow a hit while walking two. Lauren Maley pitched one inning of relief before Brandi Schoessler (6-1) closed out the game having allowed zero runs and three hits over four innings to collect her sixth win.
 
The Saints finished game one with three runs on seven hits, zero errors. MSU Billings had two runs on three hits, one error.
 
Time of the game: 1 hr. 50 min.
 
Game 2 – MSU Billings 0, Saint Martin's 2
 
Saint Martin's pushed across one run in the first inning and proved it was all they needed. Alyssa Etheridge walked two and hit a batter to load the bases. Then Kylie Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to left field to easily score Emily Norwood from third base on a tag. In the sixth, the Saints added an insurance run when DeHan came home on a fielder's choice play.
 
Alyssa Etheridge (3-4) took the loss, despite holding SMU to just two earned runs on two hits, walked five, and struck out four over 6.0 innings. Schoessler earned the win in relief for Saint Martin's. In 2.1 innings pitched, she allowed one hit and struck out four.
 
Connolly and Lopez were credited with runs batted in for SMU but neither recorded a hit. Hughes went 1-for-2 at the plate for MSUB with a walk. House and Kelly also recorded hits. Montana State Billings left five runners aboard and had three hits and one error in the contest. Saint Martin's scored two runs on two hits with zero errors and eight left on base.

Time of the game: 1 hr. 42 min.
 
THE BUZZ: Payton Reynolds was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for MSU Billings.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets (7-14, 1-7 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.