SAN DIEGO – Point Loma Nazarene downed Montana State University Billings in the first game of the NCAA west region tournament less than eight months ago. This time the 'Jackets notched a two game sweep over the Sea Lions with 9-5 and 1-0 wins in non-conference baseball Friday afternoon at Carroll B. Land Stadium. Wyatt Setian drove a three-run double down the right field line to crack open game one. Then Matthew Houlihan and Dylan Barkley allowed a combined three hits over seven innings in game two and helped the 'Jackets vault to a 2-0 start in their 2020 regular season campaign.
 
"I loved the energy our guys brought to the field from top to bottom today," said Derek Waddoups after his first regular season games as head coach. "I was proud of how they represented MSUB."
 
MSU Billings opened the season two weeks prior the start of 2019 but showed they were up for the challenge against a team receiving votes in the latest National ranking polls. The Yellowjackets (2-0) play the Sea Lions (0-2) in the final game of the series Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
Game 1 – MSU Billings 9, Point Loma Nazarene 5
 
Tevin Hall received the ball for the opening day start and pitched 4.2 innings and allowed two earned runs, two hits, struck out two, and walked three. PLNU scored the first run of the game Otto Kemp's fielder's choice in the bottom of the third. The Yellowjackets began the fifth with back-to-back walked issued to Chris Arpan and Tanner Cantwell. Dayton Provost also walked to load the bases. Tanner Parker drew another walk to tie the game 1-1 and Wyatt Setian cleared the bases when he doubled down the left field line. Nate Bloxham followed with an RBI double and the 'Jackets took a 5-1 advantage.
 
The 'Jackets rallied for three additional runs in the sixth inning. Again, MSUB loaded the bases and Tyler Detloff reached on an error charged to third baseman Easton Waterman, which also scored Will Riley. Parker singled to right to, bringing in Andrew Schleusner and Dayton Provost.
 
The Sea Lions rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth on a double and two singles but managed just one run over the final three innings. Provost delivered insurance in the eighth with a solo home run and marked three runs scored. Cort Dietrich allowed one earned run in the seventh on the hill and Sam Muskat (1-0) closed the door with two scoreless innings and the win for MSUB.
 
The Yellowjackets finished with nine runs on five hits and zero errors. Point Loma managed five runs on seven hits with one error. Jarret Lindsay and Travis Takata had multi-hit games for PLNU.
 
Four MSUB pitchers combined for nine strikeouts, including three apiece from Dietrich and Tyler Elliott. PLNU starting pitcher Zach Noll (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (all earned) on zero hits, walked three, and struck out eight.
 
"Our players were challenged by a great arm in Zack Noll, but I loved how we grinded out long at bats and then came up with clutch hitting in the middle innings to open up the game," Waddoups said.
 
Our defense and bullpen was outstanding and minimized innings to maintain our lead. Great team effort. 
 
Game 2 – MSU Billings 1, Point Loma Nazarene 0
 
The 'Jackets won a duel in game two and used strong defense and solid pitching to edge Point Loma Nazarene 1-0. MSUB starter Matthew Houlihan (1-0) earned the win after hurling 4.0 innings of scoreless baseball. Houlihan faced 15 hitters and allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out six. Dylan Barkley threw 3.0 innings and allowed just one hit in relief. Barkley struck out four and hit one batter.
 
Houlihan stranded the bases loaded in the first inning after getting Kemp to Brett O'Toole to flyout to centerfield. Barkley took his turn in the fifth and struck out Baxter Halligan with the bases loaded to end the PLNU threat in the fifth. The Sea Lions left seven runners on base overall.
 
Matt Houlihan pitched out of early trouble and dominated," said Waddoups. "I was so impressed by Barkley and his stuff out of the pen today. The two combined for a great game."
 
Provost scored the winning run in the third inning for MSUB after taking a walk to start the frame. Detloff doubled down the right field line to put two runners in scoring position and Parker grounded out to second to record the RBI.
 
The 'Jackets outhit the Sea Lions 5-3 and had one error. PLNU starting pitcher Stirling Strong (0-1) tossed 6.0 innings and despite only allowing one earned run on three hits, suffered the loss. Strong struck out seven and walked one.