PORTLAND, Ore. –
Sidney Pollard had a four hit day and hit a crucial bases clearing double in game one as the Montana State University Billings softball team split a doubleheader against Concordia University Sunday at Porter Park. The Yellowjackets ended 1-3 in the four game set versus their Great Northwest Athletic Conference foe. They produced a 7-5 comeback win in game one before falling 7-3 in the second game on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
The Yellowjackets (10-22, 3-11 GNAC) came into the weekend 0-6 all-time against the Cavaliers but broke out for a win, thanks in part to four players with multi-hit games in game one. Concordia (20-17, 10-6 GNAC) held steady in third place in the conference standings behind Central Washington (12-3) and Western Washington (12-5).
MSU Billings remains in Portland to face Western Oregon University in a doubleheader Monday at 9 a.m. The two games were postponed due to winter weather in Billings back in March.
Game 1 – MSU Billings 7, Concordia 5
Sidney Pollard drove in three runs in the top of the seventh inning with her second double of the game and Montana State University Billings overcame a late deficit to defeat Concordia University 7-5 in game one of a GNAC doubleheader.
"The team fought hard in game one," said head coach
Jessica Rayman. "Sidney came up huge for us with her double. Alyssa also threw the ball well for us and gave us a chance to win. It was fun for us when we were hitting ball well consistently and stringing runs together against a good team like Concordia."
Trailing 5-4 in the final frame, the Yellowjackets loaded the bases with two outs and Pollard delivered a double to the gap in left center field to put MSUB back in front. Four players recorded multi-hit games including Pollard,
Jolene House,
Allie Hughes, and
Cailee Morgan and the 'Jackets finished with 11 total hits against the Cavaliers.
Concordia scored three runs in the first inning after Hannah Self doubled down the right field line for a pair of runs batted in. A wild pitch charged to MSUB starting pitcher
Alyssa Etheridge allowed another run to cross the plate.
MSUB cut the lead to 3-1 in the second on a sacrifice fly to center field by Morgan. Morgan and House then hit back-to-back doubles to tie the game 3-3 in the fourth. Hughes led off the fifth with a triple to left field and
Morgan Quimby picked up a two out sacrifice fly to give MSUB its first lead 4-3.
The Cavaliers reclaimed the lead in their half of the fifth. Karley Yoshioka drew a walk and stole second base, then advanced to third on a wild pitch by Etheridge. Kayla Lagerquist walked and Linda Gherir doubled to left center, scoring Yoshioka and Lagerquist.
Hughes began the top of the seventh with a single to right field. With two outs, Quimby singled to put runners on first and second.
Madison Kelly walked and Pollard doubled to give the 'Jackets a 7-5 lead. Etheridge faced six batters in the bottom of the seventh but forced Chelsea Sligh to pop up a pitch in foul territory behind first base. Fisher handled it easily to end the game.
Yoshioka, Gherir, and Self each had two hits for Concordia. Self and Gherir also collected two runs batted in. Etheridge (5-11) earned the win in the circle for MSUB after pitching all seven innings and allowing five runs (all earned) on six hits, walked nine, and struck out six. Lagerquist (0-3) took the loss after tossing the final 3.0 innings and allowing three runs (all earned) and four hits, walked three, and struck out three.
Game 2 – MSU Billings 3, Concordia 7
McKenzie Smith hit a booming three-run home run to left center in the fifth inning to help Concordia seal a 7-3 win over MSU Billings in game two of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon. Smith led the Cavaliers with two hits also pitched the opening 5.0 innings, allowing three earned runs.
The game began well for MSU Billings and starting pitcher
Maddy Lincoln held the Cavaliers scoreless through the first four innings. Meanwhile, the 'Jackets put a run on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning. After two quick outs,
Madison Kelly turned on a pitch to the gap in right center for a double and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. An errant throw by Self from home plate to third allowed Kelly to score.
Lincoln's luck ran out in the fifth. Gherir was issued a walk with one out and Cook doubled to left center to tie the game 1-1. After a Besuyen single through the left side of the infield, Smith homered to deep left center to score three and give the Cavs a 4-1 advantage.
MSUB countered in the top of the sixth. Fisher dropped a single up the middle to lead off and Kelly doubled to left center to make it 4-2. Pollard singled in Kelly for the 'Jackets second run of the inning but relief pitcher Allie Hancock got Austin and Hughes to pop out, which ended the threat.
Concordia extended the lead to 7-3 in the sixth.
Payton Reynolds began the seventh with a single and Kelly advanced Reynolds to third on a double but both were left stranded when Pollard struck out swinging to end the game.
"Game two was good for us through four, but we just made too many defensive mistakes that changed the game," Rayman said. "We also left a lot of runners on base, so we'll need to get more timely hits moving forward. Hopefully we will learn from the loss and bounce back tomorrow."
The Yellowjackets left 11 total base runners while Concordia stranded three.
Smith (11-6) was the winning pitcher after going 5.0 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits, walked five, and struck out five. Hancock completed the sixth and seventh innings and did not surrender a run to pick up her first save of the spring. Lincoln (4-12) took the loss for MSUB after lasting 5.1 innings. Lincoln was charged with seven earned runs against along with eight hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.
Alyssa Etheridge picked up the final two outs of the seventh and did not allow a base runner.
THE BUZZ: Sidney Pollard was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for MSUB. Pollard ended the day with four runs batters in on four hits, two doubles, two walks, and one run scored.
