LACEY, Wash. – Finishing their final games before their home opener next week, the Montana State University Billings softball team went 1-1 on Sunday against Saint Martin's University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (8-15, 2-6 GNAC) dropped the first game of their doubleheader against the Saints (13-6, 4-2 GNAC), falling 7-0 to the hosts before taking the final game of the series 2-1 to avoid the series sweep.
 
Game One: MSUB 0, SMU 7
 
Sunday's doubleheader began in favor of the Saints. SMU pitching took control in game one, allowing two hits in the game keep the Yellowjacket bats quiet. Tia Ridings went five innings, striking out seven batters and allowing both Yellowjacket hits, before Chloe Leverington entered for the final two innings, holding MSUB hitless for the rest of the game. The Saints pitching set the tone, and their bats would come up big in the middle innings, scoring seven runs on eight hits. Kekai Schultz, Olivia Matlock, and Haley Agena hit RBI doubles in the game, and Destiny Conerly went 3-4 for the Saints, scoring two runs and collecting an RBI.
 
Marin Penney went 1-2 with a walk in the game, playing flawless defense at third in the opening game. Payton Meyer likewise went 1-2. Teagan Seeton worked a walk in the game, accounting for the third time MSUB reached base in the game. Alyssa Etheridge pitched for six innings, allowing eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four hitters.
 
 
Game 2: MSUB 2, SMU 1
 
The Yellowjackets were looking to avoid the series sweep, and would manage to do so in the final game against the Saints. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the 'Jackets would take the lead in the third inning, holding that scoreline for the rest of the game to take the victory. Following a steal by Lauren Blaschak to end up on second. Teagan Seeton doubled into left field, scoring Blaschak to even the game up. The following at bat, Marin Penney singled into right to score the go ahead run.
 
Seeton and Penney both went 1-3, as did Shelby Martin. Along with those three, Jazlyn Kalehuawehe and Malia Cavan went 1-2 in the game. Julia Qualteri went the distance for MSUB, collecting her second win of the season. Qualteri struck out five batters, allowing two walks. After allowing two hits and a run in the first inning, Qualteri allowed just three hits for the rest of the game.
 
 
THE BUZZ: Qualteri was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day for her performance in game two… Penney remains the top Yellowjacket hitter on the season, collecting hits in five of the past seven games… Penney leads the team in average (.333), home runs (7), RBIs (16) and triples (2)… the freshman Seeton raised her batting average to .317 on the season.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will get the opportunity to play in front of their home fans for the first time this season, when they begin a four-game series against Central Washington University. The series begins with a doubleheader on Friday, March 24 at Avitus Group Stadium. First pitch for the opening game is scheduled for 1 PM. Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.