BURNABY, B.C.-The Montana State University Billings Softball team dropped their final two games against Simon Fraser University. SFU earned the 4-0 sweep with the two wins and improved to 13-5, 7-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. MSUB falls to 8-13, 0-4 GNAC.
GAME 1: SFU 12, MSUB 4 | Box Score
The Clan's bats were hot as they run ruled MSUB in six innings 12-4. Doing all of their damage in just three innings, the Clan pour on five runs in the second, four in the third and three in the sixth and final inning. Nine of the ten SFU batters had at least one hit and the team combined for 11 hits and 10 RBIs.
MSUB had six hits and left six runners on base.
Taylor Anderson,
Allie Hughes,
Brittanee Fisher and
Payton Reynolds each had an RBI in the top of the third inning to provide a spark for MSUB and cut the lead to 5-4. That would be as close as the Yellowjackets would get to tying or taking a lead.
SFU clamped down on defense and erupted for seven more runs capped with a three run home run to end the game.
Alyssa Etheridge started the game going 3.0 innings allowing nine runs on seven hits.
Haley Couch pitched 2.2 innings with four hits and three runs.
"We started out the day similar to yesterday," said head coach
Lisa McKinney. Strong bats but defensive mistakes cost us in the long run. Alyssa and Haley pitched well in gave us the results we needed."
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Brittanee Fisher was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…Fisher went 2-3 in the game with two RBIs.
GAME 2: SFU 5, MSUB 4 | Box Score
Attempting to salvage what has been a tough weekend, senior
Maddy Lincoln toed the rubber for MSUB and shut down SFU early allowing MSUB to forge ahead 2-0. The 'Jackets firs run came off of an Anderson's sixth RBI of the weekend as she hit a single allowing
Britzy Hockett to score.
In the top of the fourth, Hockett had her own RBI as she hit a single in which Morang Quimby was able to cross home plate from third base and give MSUB the 2-0 advantage. Quimby had reached two batters earlier off of a single of her own.
SFU added one run in the fifth inning to cut the Yellowjacket lead in half 2-1. The Clan batters were able to get to Lincoln in the sixth inning adding four runs to take their first lead of game two 5-2.
Heading into the top of the seventh, MSUB would need at least three runs to stay a live a stave off the series sweep. Hockett kicked off the comeback attempt with a single up the middle. She then proceeded to steal second and place herself in scoring position with no outs. Two pop outs later and MSUB was down to their final out with Hockett on third base. Anderson again came up clutch as she doubled to left field scoring Hockett and brining MSUB within two 5-3.
Not to be out done, Hughes toasted her own RBI double to get MSUB to within one run 5-4. Needing one more run to stay alive, Fisher stepped to the plate and belted a line drive to left center spiking the heart rate of every Yellowjacket at the field and watching live. Unfortunately it was strait at defender for the third and final out.
In a tough outing for MSUB, the Yellowjackets played well enough to win three games this weekend, but let leads get away late and suffer the series sweep 4-0. MSUB's bats came alive this weekend, but timely SFU hits which resulted in runs scored was the difference.
Lincoln pitched her fifth complete game and second in as many days. She struck out one batter allowing 10 hits and five runs.
"Maddy pitched well and our defense stepped up," continued McKinney. "SFU had a few timely hits. Overall I am very happy with our bats over the weekend."
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Taylor Anderson is named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…Anderson went 2-4 with two RBIs.
WHAT'S AHEAD: MSUB stays on the road for four games against Western Oregon University on March 13 and 14.
