NAMPA, Idaho – Rallying to get out of town with a victory on Saturday, the Montana State University Billings softball team split a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader against host Northwest Nazarene University at Halle Field.
The Yellowjackets (7-12, 1-3 GNAC) lost the opening game of the day 2-0, before responding with a 6-3 triumph in the nightcap to snap a six-game losing streak. "I am really proud of our pitching staff to work together and keep their batters off balance and trust in our defense," said MSUB head coach
Lisa McKinney. "The defense came up with some big-time outs once again. Offensively we made a good adjustment of putting more balls in play and moving runners. Overall it was a very competitive weekend, and I look forward to us continuing to put it all together."
Marin Penney drove in a team-high three runs on the day, homering twice to give her three long balls on the weekend and seven on the season.
The Nighthawks moved to 12-11 on the season with the split, and began their conference schedule with a 3-1 record.
Game 1 – Northwest Nazarene 2, MSU Billings 0
Two-time reigning GNAC Pitcher of the Year Sidney Booth kept the Yellowjackets quiet for the second day in-a-row, throwing a two-hit shutout to ensure the series win for the hosts. Booth struck out nine and walked none, while allowing just two singles and hitting one batter in the dominant performance.
Yellowjacket senior
Alyssa Etheridge also turned in an outstanding effort in the circle, going the distance while limiting the Nighthawks to two runs on nine hits while striking out two and issuing four walks. "Lyss and our defense played a fantastic game," said McKinney. "Offensively we needed to adjust sooner, but overall it was a very competitive game."
All of the scoring came in the bottom of the first, when NNU's Abigail Gagnon delivered a two-out, two-run single to make the score 2-0. The Nighthawks had opportunities after that, stranding nine runners on base in the game, but the narrow lead proved to be enough to back Booth's masterful performance.
Game 2 – MSU Billings 6, Northwest Nazarene 3
The Yellowjackets responded well to a 3-0 deficit, scoring six times over the final three innings to walk away with a victory. Penny got the party started with a solo home run in the fourth, before capping a three-run fifth with a two-run shot.
Shelby Marquardt also drove in a run in the fifth inning, giving MSUB a 4-3 lead.
After starter
Julia Qualteri got the 'Jackets through the first 3 2/3 innings,
Shelby Martin threw 2 1/3 shutout frames while allowing just one walk to make the lead hold up. Etheridge came back and threw the final inning, and prevented the Nighthawks from making a comeback.
MSUB got boosts in the sixth and seventh innings, with
Kilee Imada delivering an RBI-single and
Maycen O'Neal coming through with an RBI-double that capped the scoring.
The Nighthawks stranded eight runners on base in the series finale, while the Yellowjackets left six aboard. Penney, Martin, Imada, and
Lauren Blaschak each had a pair of hits to help the 'Jackets reach 10 knocks in the game.
THE BUZZ: Imada was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…MSUB is now 57-34 all-time against NNU and is 26-16 in road games against the Nighthawks.
NEXT WEEK: The conference road trip continues for the 'Jackets, with a four-game series at Saint Martin's coming up in Lacey, Wash.
