LAS VEGAS-The Montana State University Billings Softball team started their season off with two wins while playing in the Desert Stinger Tournament. MSUB opened up their 2020 campaign with a 7-3 win over Oklahoma Christian University followed by a 3-1 victory over the Academy of Art.
 
Game 1- MSUB 7, Oklahoma Christian 3
 
Dusting off the cobwebs, MSUB (1-0) fell behind 2-0 to OC (0-1) after the first inning. Settling in, the 'Jackets would tie the game in the third inning. First Payton Reynolds led off the inning by being hit by a pitch and then advanced all the way to third on a wild pitch followed by a passed ball.
 
Junior Britzy Hockett drew a walk and MSUB was in business with runners on the corners. With deadly speed, Hockett stole second allowing Reynolds to score on an error by the Eagle's second basemen. With two outs Skyler Jenkins singled to right field and Hockett crossed home plate to tie the game at 2-2.
 
Oklahoma was able to retake the lead 3-2 on an RBI single by Brianna Robinson in the third inning but from there on out it was all MSUB. 
 
Senior Maddy Lincoln earned the opening day start and lasts 4.0 innings allowing five hits while striking out three Eagles. The Yellowjackets would turn to sophomore Alyssa Etheridge in the fourth innings with the score tied 3-3 after an RBI single from Reynolds which scored Hailee Gregerson.
 
Etheridge would allow just one hit the rest of the game and put down four OC hitters and the Yellowjacket offense came alive in the sixth inning. Gregerson got things started with a deep single to center field and would advance to second after an Allie Hughes single. She would then score two batters later on a wild pitch to give MSUB their first lead at 4-3.
 
With the bases loaded Hockett stepped to the plate and was subsequently hit by a pitch allowing Hughes to stroll across home plate for the 5-3 advantage. Second basemen Cailee Morgan would put the dagger in the game as she doubled to center field scoring both Hockett and Georgiabelle Benning to give MSUB a 7-3 led. With the rest up to Etheridge and the 'Jacket defense, MSUB would go on for the 7-3 victory.
 
Both MSUB and OC finished with six hits and two errors.
 
"I thought we came out a little flat but picked it up in the middle of the game", said head coach Lisa McKinney. "Maddy and Alyssa both pitched well and kept us in the game. We had several hitters throughout the lineup execute and out pressure on the OC defense with sacrifice bunts and two out hits. Overall I am really pleased with how we played in game one."
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Sophomore Cailee Morgan was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game for her two run double in the sixth inning.
 
Game 2- MSUB 3, Academy of Art 1
 
Switching up the lineup for game two, MSUB (2-0) turned to freshmen Julia Qualteri for her first colligate start on the mound and she did not disappoint. Qualteri pitched 5.0 innings allowing six hits and one run while fanning four AAU hitters.
 
In a defensive struggle for the first five innings, MSUB would strike first in the sixth after junior catcher Taylor Anderson doubled to left-center field scoring Gregerson who was at first base. Providing offense again in game two, Morgan drove a single up the middle scoring Anderson from second and MSUB was up 2-0 just like that.
 
AAU would tack on one run in the bottom of the sixth one a wild pitch, but the Yellowjacket defense and Gregerson who came in relief of Qualteri would shut down any attempt at an AAU comeback.
 
Junior short stop Leslie Jones would add one more insurance run on a sacrifice fly to left field allowing Benning to cross home plate and give MSUB the 3-1 lead. Only facing four batters in the seventh, the MSUB defense finished the game for MSUB and gave the 'Jackets the 3-1 victory to end their first day at the Desert Stinger.
 
"Our defense was strong in game two," commented McKinney. "We started a little slow again on offense but came up with clutch hits when we needed them in the end. Julia and Hailee threw well and kept AAU off balance."
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Julia Qualteri was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game for her 5.0 innings performance…She earned the win (1-0) in her very first collegiate game.

WHAT'S AHEAD: MSUB is back in action with another double-header at the Desert Stinger. First MSUB takes on Dominican University at 5:30pm MST and then faces down West Texas A&M in the night cap starting at 8:00pm MST. Follow all the action live at msubsports.com.