ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team opened their series with a pair of losses against Central Washington University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (11-15, 5-7 GNAC) and Wildcats (10-20, 6-8 GNAC) battled closely in both games of the doubleheader, the two games being decided by a combined three runs. The Wildcats emerged victorious 9-7 in game one, before narrowly avoiding a comeback by the Yellowjackets in game two, winning 4-3.
 
"Both teams played well today," said Yellowjacket's head coach Derek Waddoups. "Just a couple mistakes held us back today. We will come ready to compete and bounce back tomorrow as a team."
 
Game 1: MSUB 7, CWU 9
 
The two squads traded the lead over the early innings of the game. Central Washington took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, before the Yellowjackets responded with a four-run second inning. Zack Blaszak walked in a run, before Tyler Godfrey's two-RBI single gave MSUB the lead. AJ Wagenmann extended the 'Jackets lead to 4-2 before the inning was over, but the Wildcats wouldn't find themselves down for long. The hosts scored three runs in the top of the third to take the lead back, and wouldn't relinquish it for the rest of the game. The Yellowjackets would close the lead back to one run in the fifth inning, but a three-run shot from Austin Ohland would extend the Wildcat's lead once again, putting them safely ahead for the rest of the game.
 
"I loved how we played defensively," said Waddoups. "And I thought we competed at the plate. We just had some bad luck on the mound in this one."
 
Payton Flynn went 2-4 in the game with an RBI, while Bodee Wright, Hayden Foltz, and Kaden Kirshenbaum each went 2-5. Foltz finished with two runs, while Wright added an RBI and a run. Mitch Winter went 1-2 in the game. Both he and Zack Blaszak drew two walks in the game. Daniel Naughton took the loss, allowing six runs over 3.2 innings, before he was replaced by Sage Wayment, who threw 4.1 innings in relief.
 
"Guys like Kirshenbaum and Payton are showing why they belong in the middle of the order," Waddoups said. "They just keep hitting the cover off the ball."
 
Daniel Charron picked up the win for Central Washington, after allowing five runs and striking out five in six innings. Aaron Robertson picked up his first save of the season after throwing the final three innings, striking out four to help lead the Wildcats to victory.
 
Game 2: MSUB 3, CWU 4
 
The second game of the day featured less offense but was just as close throughout. The Wildcats took the lead in the second game, scoring their first runs on an error and a sacrifice fly, but the Yellowjackets would respond in explosive fashion in the fourth inning. With Jack Nehler on base, Payton Flynn sent a ball over the fence in left field, tying the game up at two all. The score would remain that way until the bottom of the sixth, when Austin Ohland would strike again with a clutch late hit for the Wildcats. His two-run double would put the Wildcats up 4-2 heading into the final inning. The 'Jackets gave Central Washington a scare when Bodee Wright's seventh inning RBI made it a one run game with the tying run on base. But the Wildcats would close out the game for their second save of the day, this time coming from Beau Kearsey.
 
Flynn was 2-3 in the game, hitting a triple to go with his home run. Wright was likewise 2-3, while collecting a steal in the game. Both Wright and Flynn were the only players to collect hits in the game. Jackson Betancourt threw six innings for the Yellowjackets, allowing four hits and four runs, with just two of them earned, and striking out five.
 
"When Payton tied up the game for us with his home run, I really thought we were going to win," Waddoups said. "His triple was huge in the ninth, and Bodee gave us a shot late. It just didn't fall our way today."
 
THE BUZZ: Flynn was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… His home run in game two gave him eight on the season, tying for the team high with Kaden Kirshenbaum… The Yellowjackets are 64-58 all-time against the Wildcats.
 
UP NEXT: The two teams are scheduled to conclude their series with a second doubleheader tomorrow, April 1, beginning at 11 AM (12 PM MST). Live video will be available here, while live statistics will be available here.