BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team went 1-1 against Western Oregon University at Pirtz field, splitting the first of two doubleheaders in Great Northwest Athletic Conference Play.
 
The Yellowjackets (11-13, 5-5 GNAC) took the opening game 17-7, hitting four home runs on their way to a runaway victory, before the Wolves (12-8, 6-4 GNAC) took revenge in the second leg of todays double header at Pirtz Field, winning 8-5.
 
"I like how our guys are competing on all sides of the ball right now," said Yellowjackets head coach Derek Waddoups. "We had production up and down the lineup in both games today, and played quality defense today. Had some bad luck on the mound at points today, but I really like how we are throwing as a staff right now. We're excited to see how we continue to do as a team, we've got a special group of dudes."
 
In a day full of offense for MSUB, the charge was led by third baseman Kaden Kirshenbaum. The sophomore went 6-8 combined on the day, hitting a pair of home runs to go with six RBIs, three runs, and a pair of stolen bases. Kirshenbaum ranks not just top of the Yellowjacket's roster for home runs and RBIs, but is first in the GNAC in home runs, while tying for the top in RBIs.
 
"Kirshenbaum had a great day for us," said Waddoups. "He is unmatched in his preparation. His work ethic behind the scenes, at practice and in the cages, is paying off in a big way for both him and us."
 
Game 1: MSUB 17, WOU 7
 
The Yellowjackets wasted no time getting started in the opening game of the day, getting off to an electric start, The first three MSUB batters of the game reached base, with Kaden Kirshenbaum picking up the opening RBI, scoring Carson Green with a single before Hayden Foltz scored on a wild pitch. Over the next three innings, the Yellowjackets would extend their lead to 8-0, highlighted by a pair of two-run home runs from Kirshenbaum and Zach Blaszak. After four scoreless innings from 'Jackets starter Dan Naughton, the Wolves would find some offense in the top of the fifth inning, scoring four runs to close the game. But the Yellowjackets would never let it get that close again, responding in the bottom of the same inning with by tacking on five more runs, seeing out a high scoring victory by scoring their second most runs in a single game this season.
 
Kirshenbaum went 4-5, finishing with two long balls in the game after an eighth inning shot to left center. Along with him and Blaszak, leadoff hitter Carson Green and catcher AJ Wagenmann also hit home runs in the game. Green went 2-5, with two RBIs, three runs and a steal, while Wagenmann was 2-3 with three runs and a pair of walks in the nine hole. Foltz had a pair of hits, as did Payton Flynn and Bodee Wright.
 
Replacing Naughton, Jake Finkelstein picked up his first win as a Yellowjackets, striking out two and allowing three runs in 1.2 innings of work. Sage Wayment saw out the final 2.2 innings in the opening game of the day, holding Western Oregon scoreless down the stretch.
 
"Our offense really came out ready to go, and kept it up all game," said Waddoups. "Dan gave us a solid start; I loved the tempo he set for us. Jake got us out of a tough spot in the middle of the game, and Sage Wayment was great out of the pen. He threw a lot of strikes, and forced a bunch of ground balls."
 
Game 2: MSUB 5, WOU 8                   
 
The second game of the day was a closer battle than the one before it. Kirshenbaum continued his electric day with an opening inning RBI single to give MSUB an early lead, but Western Oregon responded in the top of the second with a solo shot to tie things at one. The 'Jackets began to build up a lead once again, with Tyler Godfrey's home run in the second inning, followed by Hayden Foltz scoring on an wild pitch in the following inning. Trailing 3-1 going into the fifth, the Wolves flipped the momentum in their favor with a big push the next two innings. Following an RBI single from Jacob Maiben, Curran Mitzel sent a ball deep to left field for a three-run home run, putting the Wolves up 6-3. They would make that 8-3 the next inning with a pair of RBI singles, including Maiben's second in a row. Zach Blaszak would homer for the second time on the day in the bottom of the sixth, closing the gap to three, but Ryan Shipley would enter to shut the door for Western Oregon, not allowing a baserunner for the rest of the game as the Wolves picked up a win on the road.
 
Kirshenbaum went 2-3, adding a walk in the game. Blaszak's two RBIs were a team high for MSUB in the second game. MSUB was active on the basepaths, with Carson Green and Hayden Foltz stealing a base each, while Kirshenbaum swiped two. Jackson Betancourt threw five innings for the Yellowjackets, allowing four hits in the loss, while Cy Miller entered to strike out two.
 
THE BUZZ: Kirshenbaum was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day… His five RBIs in game one were a career high, as were his four hits… The Yellowjackets lead the GNAC in team batting average, runs scored, and home runs on the season.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets and Wolves are scheduled to face off again on Saturday, March 25, finishing the series they began today. First pitch for the opening game is set for 12 PM at Pirtz Field. Live video will be available here, while live statistics will be available here.