LACEY, Wash. – A shutout and a come-from-behind win gave the Saint Martin's University softball team a doubleheader sweep of Montana State University Billings on a soggy Saturday afternoon at the SMU Softball Field.
 
Saints pitcher Abby Runion went the distance in the 2-0 Game 1 triumph for the hosts, before SMU's offense came alive and took the nightcap 10-6.
 
Allie Hughes went 2-for-2 with four RBIs in Game 2 to lead the Yellowjackets offensively, while Julia Qualteri put together a solid complete-game effort in the opener. "In Game 1 Julia pitched a stellar game for the whole seven innings, and I thought the defense played well behind her," MSUB head coach Lisa McKinney said. "We did a good job getting runners on, but didn't get the clutch hit we needed. In Game 2 we came out strong and we finished strong, but we just coasted a little in the middle of the game and that cost us. It was a good learning experience for our team and we'll be ready to go tomorrow."
 
 
Game 1 – Saint Martin's 2, MSU Billings 0
 
The Yellowjacket offense was silenced by Runyon, who scattered seven hits while striking out two and walking three during the shutout. The right-hander threw 105 pitches and did well to pitch out of trouble throughout the game as she stranded nine Yellowjackets on base.
 
Qualteri took a tough loss, as she allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out four and walking one in her six-inning complete game.
 
The Saints struck for the only runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning, when Britney Patrick delivered a two-run home run that plated Megan Convery.
 
SMU didn't get a runner into scoring position again until the fifth inning, when it loaded the bases with two outs and threatened to extend the lead. Qualteri picked up a clutch strikeout to end the threat and strand the bases loaded as the deficit stayed at just two runs.
 
MSUB put two runners on with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, as senior Hailee Gregerson drew a walk to put the tying run on base. Runyon buckled down however, and brought the frame to an end with a harmless foul pop-up as the 'Jackets stranded a pair. The Saint pitcher ended the game with a clean 1-2-3 top of the seventh inning, picking up her second straight shutout after blanking Whitworth University last week.
 
Leslie Jones and Morgan Quimby had a pair of hits each to lead MSUB at the plate in Game 1.
 
Game 2 – Saint Martin's 10, MSU Billings 6
 
With its back against the wall and two outs in the top of the seventh, Hughes and Darian Olin had back-to-back hits before Gregerson drew a walk to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. Savannah Owen ended the game with a strikeout however, leaving the bags full and giving the Saints their second complete-game performance of the afternoon.
 
MSUB led 6-2 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Saints scored eight unanswered runs to turn the momentum into their favor. A two-run double by Patrick highlighted the five-run fourth inning, and SMU struck again with a three-run fifth to pull ahead 10-6. Patrick had an RBI-single and Olivia Schmidt followed with a two-run single as the Saints pulled ahead for good.
 
Hughes had a sacrifice fly in the top of the first to give MSUB a 1-0 lead, before Destiny Conerly picked up a two-run single in the bottom of the inning to put the Saints in front.
 
A five-run second inning gave the Yellowjackets the early advantage, as they sent eight hitters to the plate in the frame. Sydney Norwood led off with a double, and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jones pulled the score even at 2-2. Brittanee Fisher followed with an RBI-single, and Hughes' three-run homer highlighted MSUB's biggest inning of the day.
 
MSUB starter Alyssa Etheridge gave up six runs on nine hits, with two strikeouts and a walk in her 3 1/3 innings of work. Haley Couch threw the final 2 2/3 innings, surrendering four runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk.
 
Owen finished the game allowing six runs on nine hits, with three strikeouts and five walks to earn the victory for SMU. Convery and Schmidt each went 3-for-4 in Game 2, while Patrick and Conerly each drove in three runs for SMU.
 
THE BUZZ: Qualteri was tabbed the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…Qualteri's complete game was the third of her MSUB career…Hughes's home run was the 13th of her career…MSUB is now 37-35 all-time against SMU and is 18-19 in road games against the Saints…Saturday's games did not count as official conference games in the GNAC standings.
 
NEXT UP: The series wraps up on Sunday with a noon first pitch in another non-conference doubleheader. Live video will be available online here and live statistics will be available online here.