BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings softball team played their first home games of the season Thursday, splitting the opening day of games against Central Washington University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
After 23 games on the road, and a cancellation of their originally scheduled home opener, the Yellowjackets (9-16, 3-7 GNAC) were finally able to host their first series at Avitus Group Stadium against the Wildcats (13-12, 4-2 GNAC). The 'Jackets took game one on the day 6-5, winning on a go-ahead home run from Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, before the Wildcats took the final game of the day 11-6.
 
It was a good day overall for us," said Yellowjackets head coach Lisa McKinney. "We have a lot of positives to take into tomorrow, where we'll look to combo our strong pitching with good defense, and a disciplined offense."
 
It was a day full of power hitting for the Yellowjackets, who hit six home runs between the two games.
 
"We have a lot of power thru our entire lineup, and they really showed up today. When our power hitters are on the move a lot of runners and push runs across the plate. It's important for them to know their role and they did well today."
 
The Yellowjackets had a pair of hitters hit two home runs on the day. First baseman Jazlyn Kalehuawehe went deep twice in game one, while freshman centerfielder Teagan Seeton went yard once in both games.
 
"We've known that Jazzy was just one hard hit away from breaking it open, and she did that today," said McKinney. "She is a positive, powerful hitter in our lineup, and the girls really feed off her positive energy. Teagan has been solid for us all year, coming up with hit when we need them. She uses the whole field, and is just a tough out. It is so exciting to see her take what she does at practice and show it in the games like today."
 
Game One: MSUB 6, CWU 5
 
After the Wildcats scored a run in the top of the first inning, the Yellowjackets responded in powerful fashion with a pair of first inning home runs from Teagan Seeton and Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, going up 3-1 after the opening inning of play. The power wouldn't stop there for MSUB when the GNAC's home run leader Marin Penney struck again in the bottom of the third inning, hitting her eighth home run of the year. The Wildcats wouldn't go away quietly though, rallying in the fourth inning to take a 5-4 lead.
 
After Makayla Stoker tied the game for MSUB with a single in the fifth inning, the stage was set for a tense ending between the two teams. After a 1-2-3 top of the sixth, it looked like MSUB would do the same after the first two batters were retired quickly. But Kalehuawehe flipped the script, sending a ball deep to left center for her second home run of the game, and putting the 'Jackets up 6-5. Alyssa Etheridge finished the Wildcats off in the top of the seventh, and MSUB emerged victorious in their home opener.
 
"Alyssa and the defense had a pretty strong game," McKinney said. "Central did a good job of battling back, but I am proud of Lyss for going out there and finishing strong. Our offense had her back from the get go and they responded well to being scored upon."
 
Kalehuawehe finished with a pair of hits, runs and RBIs in the game. Seeton ended 1-3 with 2 RBIs, while Penney ended 1-4 with her solo home run. Stoker and Payton Meyer each had a hit, with Meyer walking twice. Alyssa Etheridge ended with the win, striking out eight in a complete game.
 
Game Two: MSUB 6, CWU 11
 
MSUB kept the home runs coming immediately in game two, with a leadoff home run from Lauren Blaschak putting MSUB up early. They would double that lead in the third inning when the freshman Seeton blasted her second home run of the day. But after flipping leads through the fourth and the fifth, Central Washington would use a monster, seven run top of the sixth to take a commanding lead, seeing the rest of the game out to take the 11-6 victory.
 
"We started off strong again, especially with Lauren's homerun," said McKinney. "Central made a good adjustment and jumped on our mistakes. I thought we battled the whole game which is always great to see."
 
Seeton ended 2-4 in the second game, with two runs and three RBIs. Blaschak was 2-3, with two runs, a walk, and a stolen base. Shelby Martin finished 2-3, while Jazlyn Kalehuawehe had a pair of RBIs on an error. Claire Bagnell finished with two walks, scoring runs in both her plate appearances.
 
THE BUZZ: Kalehuawehe was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets and Wildcats finish their four-game series with another doubleheader Friday, March 24 at Avitus Group Stadium. First pitch for the opening game will take place at 11 AM. Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.