Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 IRVINE, Cali. – The Montana State University Billings softball team opened their 2023 campaign with a 3-2 win against Chico State, before dropping a close game against University of Hawaii at Hilo at the Concordia Kickoff Invitational.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-1) got off to a winnings start, rallying from 2-1 down in the bottom of the sixth inning to claim victory in their first game of the season. They would lead for a majority of the following game against Hilo, until a late rally would see them fall short.
 
Game 1: MSUB vs Chico State
 
The Yellowjackets opened the game against Chico State by loading the bases in the bottom of the first inning. After Lauren Blaschak's lead off single, two 'Jackets were walked to put the pressure on the Wildcats early. But after a Marin Penney sacrifice fly scored Blaschak from third, the 'Jackets were unable to score another that inning.
 
The score would hold at 1-0 until the top of the sixth, when Chico State was finally able to get some runs on 'Jackets starter Alyssa Etheridge. After the first two runners reached base, Grace Gallagher hit a single up the middle to score runners from second and third, giving the Wildcats the lead. And they continued to threaten in that inning, putting two runners in scoring position with just one out. But Etheridge would work out of the jam, keeping the differential at one when the 'Jackets came back around to bat.
 
MSUB wouldn't trail long, taking the lead back in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, and Marleigh Nieto on first, Penney got her first hit of the game. That was followed by freshman Teagan Seeton's first hit as a Yellowjacket, a single down the left field line to score Nieto. A subsequent walk would load the bases, and force the Wildcats to pull starting pitcher Katelyn Oldwin for Ashlee Toy. With the pressure on, Claire Bagnell would work a walk, scoring Penney to put thee 'Jackets back in the lead. Etheridge came out to close out the final inning, and the 'Jackets would win their opening game of the season for the first time since the 2020 season.
 
"Offensively, we started and ended really strong." Said head coach Lisa McKinney. "Alyssa came out strong and set the tone early on the mound. She moved the ball around all game, and our defense played strong behind her."
 
Etheridge collected the win, throwing a complete game, allowing seven hits and two runs with four strikeouts. Oldwin was credited with the loss, allowing three runs over 5.2 innings. The Yellowjackets worked seven walks against Chico's pitchers, striking out just five times.
 
Game 2: MSUB vs University of Hawaii at Hilo
 
MSUB got off to a fast start to their second game of the day, scoring three runs in the opening inning. A leadoff double by Blaschak would spark the run, where Seeton and outfielder Payton Meyer collected RBIs. But the Vulcan's would hang tight, staying right with the Yellowjackets as the game inched closer. In the top of the sixth inning though, Meyer's bat would once again come up clutch. Meyer took a drive to left center, clearing the fence and moving the 'Jackets ahead 5-3.
 
But the 'Jackets ran into trouble in the seventh inning, and couldn't escape the jam. Hawaii Hilo scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, with a walk off single being the nail in the coffin for MSUB, splitting the day's games.
 
"I thought our offense made some good adjustments in game two." Said McKinney. "We had a lot of hard hit balls, especially Payton. We need to work on our defense, and limit the amount of walks we give up. Tomorrow were going to look to combine quality defense with our offense."
 
THE BUZZ: Blaschak was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game for the first game, where she went 1-2, scoring a run, while collecting a walk and a steal… She went 1-4 with a double in game two… Payton Meyer was selected as Player of the Game for the second game, going 2-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the matchup.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB has another pair of games tomorrow, where they start the day against Cal State San Marcos at 8:30 AM PST (9:30 local time), and 4 PM (5 PM local time) against Biola University. Live statistics and live video can be found online at the Concordia Kickoff Classic homepage.