PORTLAND, Ore. – Combining for just four hits over two games, Montana State University Billings was soundly defeated by Western Oregon University in in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference softball doubleheader at Porter Park Monday afternoon. The Wolves routed the Yellowjackets 12-0 in game one after Cheyanne Rimer hit a grand slam home run in the third inning. MSUB then lost 11-1 in game two after the Wolves scored two runs in the third, three in the fourth, and six in the fifth.
 
Brittanee Fisher became the only bright spot in a tough outing for the 'Jackets after she connected for a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning of game two, her fourth homer this spring. The Wolves took the season series between the two clubs 3-1. All four games were originally scheduled to be held in Billings, but wintery weather conditions forced postponements and the games were moved to Portland, Oregon.
 
"Today we didn't play nearly good enough to win," said head coach Jessica Rayman. "I was happy Brittanee was able to hit a home run in game two but all-around we have to play a lot better next weekend at home."

The Yellowjackets (10-24, 3-13) remained in seventh place in the GNAC standings after a 1-5 road trip this weekend. Western Oregon (22-11, 10-6 GNAC) improved to fourth place behind Central Washington (13-3), Western Washington (12-6), and Concordia (10-6).
 
Game 1 – Western Oregon 12, MSU Billings 0 (5 INN)
 
Western Oregon clobbered Montana State University Billings 12-0 in game one of a doubleheader at Porter Park. The Wolves scored early and often with five runs over the first two innings and a six-run third. Meanwhile, the Yellowjackets offense never clicked and MSUB was outhit 12-2 in the game.
 
Cheyanne Rimer hit a grand slam in the third inning and finished with five runs batted for WOU. Ryanne Whitaker went 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a run batted in. Wolves starting pitcher Maddie Mayer (7-2) pitched a complete game 5.0 innings to grab her seventh win this season. Mayer allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out five after facing 18 batters.
 
Alyssa Etheridge struggled in the early innings and was relieved in the top of the third by Haley Couch. Etheridge (5-8) completed 2.0 innings and allowed eight runs (all earned) on seven hits, walked six, and struck out two. Couch pitched 3.0 innings and gave up four earned runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out zero.
 
Jolene House and Cailee Morgan were the only MSUB players to record a hit in the game. Morgan had a two-out triple in the third inning but was left stranded when Allie Hughes struck out swinging.
 
The Yellowjackets have been shut out five times this season and have fell victim to the eight-run innings rule six times in 2019. Twelve runs is MSUB's largest margin of defeat this season.
 
Game 2 – Western Oregon 11, MSU Billings 1 (5 INN)
 
Both teams were held scoreless through two innings of play, but the Wolves registered three singles and a pair of runs in the third off MSUB starting pitcher Maddy Lincoln. Lincoln then issued two walks in the fourth and gave up a double to Kennedy Coy as part of a three-run inning for WOU.
 
The Wolves batted around the order in the fifth and scored six runs on five hits. The Yellowjackets turned to Lincoln, Alyssa Etheridge, and Haley Couch in the fifth in an attempt to stop the onslaught of offense but only Couch was successful in recording the final two outs. Sydney Bowers hit an RBI double and Tyler Creach tripled to left field to clear the bases for the Wolves.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Brittanee Fisher drove a pitch to deep left field to stave off a second straight shutout for WOU. Payton Reynolds also recorded a hit for MSUB in the game.
 
Creach led the Wolves with three hits and five runs batted in. Coy and reighning GNAC player of the week Ayanna Arceneaux each had a pair of hits. Arceneaux added two runs scored and two runs batted in to her high octane offense performance.
 
Haley Fabian (10-2) pitched 5.0 innings for the Wolves and allowed one earned run on two hits, walked zero, and struck out four. Maddy Lincoln (4-13) suffered the loss after pitching 4.1 innings and giving up seven earned runs on 10 hits, walked two, and struck out four.
 
Western Oregon finished with 11 runs on 13 hits. The Yellowjackets scored one run on two hits and left one runner on base.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets return to Billings for their home opener next weekend, after 34 straight games on the road or at neutral sites. MSUB hosts a doubleheader against Central Washington at 12 p.m. on Saturday April 13, followed by a second doubleheader Sunday April 14 at 12 p.m. at Avitus Group Stadium.

THE BUZZ: Brittanee Fisher was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the day for MSUB…The Yellowjackets are 31-33 all-time against the Wolves in games dating back to 2001.