BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team is set for its first games at home this season, in a non-conference doubleheader against the University of Mary Marauders on Saturday.

Both games will be hosted at Pirtz Park in Billings starting at noon, with live statistics available online here.

MSUB (9-11) returns home after dropping three out of four against Western Oregon University last week in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season opener. The 'Jackets struggled to find an answer for WOU's pitching in the first three games, until a late rally helped the team grab a win in the final matchup of the series. The Yellowjackets hope to reverse their fortunes against the University of Mary, which enters the series coming off an extra innings loss against Colorado State University-Pueblo.

REDMOND THROWS GEM: A complete game from pitcher Conner Redmond proved key to helping the 'Jackets pick up a win in the final game of the WOU series. The senior right-hander set a new career high for innings pitched, giving up only four hits and the two runs, while striking out eight. It was Redmond's second win of the season.

BETANCOURT UNLUCKY: Freshman Jackson Betancourt took an unlucky loss in the third game of the series against Western Oregon, after only giving up two runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched. The lefty struck out five, and only allowed five hits, managing to pitch his way out of multiple high-pressure situations.

BUSO HITS BOMB: Senior Dominick Buso hit a solo home run in the series against Western Oregon. It was Buso's first home run on the season, as well as the first of his collegiate career. Buso is having a solid senior year, posting a .300 batting average and six RBIs.

GODFREY STARTS COMEBACK: At second base for the final game, Tyler Godfrey's seventh inning double was the spark that MSUB needed to wake up the bats. Godfrey went on to become the go ahead run, the first of six runs the 'Jackets went on to score in that inning.

SCORELESS SIBLERUD: Sophomore Logan Siblerud had his first scoreless appearance of the year, coming in to finish the opener against WOU. Siblerud struck out one in 1 1/3 innings, in his third appearance on the year.

FOLTZ HITS WELL: Junior Hayden Foltz found success at the plate against WOU. The outfielder had four hits across the series, and had three RBIs, leading the 'Jackets in the series. Foltz now leads the Yellowjackets in RBIs this season with 17.

STRIKE OUT SAVANT: Senior Tyler Elliot faced six batters in the third game against Western Oregon and struck out half of them. The only Yellowjacket to earn a save this season so far, Elliot has struck out multiple batters in every appearance this season, giving him the most strikeouts for 'Jacket relief pitchers with 24 total.

BARKLEY KEEPS CLIMBING: Dylan Barkley started in the opening game of the WOU series and managed to strike out six in 5 2/3 innings of work. Barkley allowed seven runs (four earned) on eight hits. Barkley now sits at 160 career strikeouts as he continues to add to his total – the fourth most in 'Jacket history.

University of Mary Marauders

Bismarck, North Dakota

2022 Record: 5-4

Head Coach: Tanner Spencer, 4th season

2021 Record: 21-20, 18-14 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

University of Mary comes to Billings after playing a stretch of five games in Colorado against three different teams, achieving a 3-2 record in those games. The last of these was a 10-inning battle which the Marauders dropped on a late walk off. After playing the Yellowjackets, Mary goes on to face Northwest Missouri State University.

The Marauder offense is a solid unit with some standout hitters. The team has scored 75 runs this season and has hit 10 long balls. Sophomore Calvin James leads the team with two home runs and 20 RBIs, and senior Derek Shoen isn't far behind him, with 11 RBIs and two long balls of his own. Center fielder Kyle Jamison also comes in swinging a hot bat, coming in with seven hits and two home runs in just his last two games. Sophomore catcher Ben Prediger has had a breakout season behind the dish, leading the Marauders with a .667 season average in eight appearances.

Pitching wise the Marauders come in with an 8.96 staff ERA. Junior Austin Wagner leads their staff with a 1.64 ERA, and two wins in his two starts for Mary. Fellow junior Jonathan Draheim also throws well, with a three-hit, one-run start in his season opening appearance. The Marauders also have a few standout pitchers coming out of their bullpen, with Paxton Miller and Andrew Brooks having multiple solid relief appearances. Joining them is sophomore Mark Schommer, who picked up a save in his first appearance for Mary.

The Series: The Yellowjackets and Marauders have met eight times, with the teams holding an even record of 4-4.

Last Time Out: MSUB and UMary haven't played each other since 2009, where the teams split a four-game series in Phoenix.