GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team dropped two games on Friday against Colorado Mesa University, before picking up a win in the series finale on Saturday.
 
In the Yellowjacket's (6-8) final games before they commence conference play next weekend, they were bested 16-6 and 5-4 in both legs of a doubleheader on Friday against the Mavericks (9-6). They followed those game up on Saturday with a 9-6 win, handing the hosts their first home loss of the season.
 
Game 1: MSUB 6, CMU 16
 
The 'Jackets showed early promise in the opening game Friday, taking an early lead with an RBI double from Kaden Kirshenbaum in the first, followed by an RBI single from Bodee Wright the following inning. But the Maverick's would find their stride in the bottom of the second, scoring five runs, followed by a four run fourth inning. Despite 12 hits and five walks from the Yellowjackets, they were unable to convert baserunners into runs consistently as the Mavericks ran away with the game.
 
"The game got away from us early," said head coach Derek Waddoups. "We had a few key errors and just couldn't recover from them. I liked how the offense continued to battle all game though."
 
Kirshenbaum continued his hot start to the season for MSUB, going 3-4 in the game with a trio of RBIs. Wright also had three hits, collecting two RBIs and a run. Carson Green went 2-5 with a run and an RBI.
 
Game 2: MSUB 4, CMU 5
 
MSUB looked shaky in the opening inning, with Mesa scoring three runs in the opening inning. From there however, starter Jackson Betancourt settled in nicely, limiting the Mavericks from there on out. MSUB got on the board in the third inning with an RBI hit from Tyler Godfrey, and took the lead in the top of the fourth with an RBI single from Parker Bleggi, and a two RBI smack from Zach Blaszak.
 
But the Mavericks would tie things up in the bottom of that inning with an RBI from Jared Grenz. And the following inning, they would take the lead on a hit from Bret Carrell. The 'Jacket's would have a chance in the sixth, with the first two runners reaching base with no outs. But an unfortunate double play would end that inning, and a clean seventh inning from the Mavericks would give them the win, guaranteeing a series victory.
 
"We had our opportunities late in this one," said Waddoups "But just couldn't take advantage of them. Betancourt was solid again, I'm proud of how he handled the early adversity and gave us a chance. We just need to take better care of the baseball overall as a team."
 
Blaszak ended up 2-3 with a pair of RBIs. Bleggi and Kaden Kirshenbaum also went 2-3, with Bleggi scoring two runs and an RBI, and Kirshenbaum scoring one run. Betancourt finished with six innings pitched, allowing five runs and striking out four batters.
 
Game 3: MSUB 9, CMU 6
 
The final game of the series between the 'Jackets and Mavericks is where MSUB truly broke through. The hitters performed, while the 'Jacket's pitchers were able to keep CMU scoreless until the eighth inning. Despite the beginnings of a late rally in the bottom of the ninth, Trevor Cassell was able to get it under control and force the final three outs to send the 'Jackets home with the win.
 
"I'm proud of the way we performed today, and the fight we showed in the game," said Waddoups. "We had a balanced offensive approach, with production up and down the lineup, and our pitching put us in a position to win."
 
Andy Evans picked up his first career win in blue and gold, throwing five innings of scoreless baseball. Evans allowed just one hit with three strikeouts, but ran into a slight jam in the sixth inning where he loaded the bases. Evans then gave way to Cy Miller, who retired the next three batters to help the Yellowjackets escape with no runners scoring.
 
"Andy executed really well today," said Waddoups. "He did a great job of staying composed and competing regardless of what happened out there. And Cy is just electric. He did a great job helping us out of a tough spot."
 
Carson Green drew first blood in the third inning with an RBI single, before Mitch Winter drew a walk with the bases loaded to plate another. The following inning, Payton Flynn would clobber another home run, his team high fifth of the season. Another set of RBI singles in the sixth inning, this time from catcher Brock Molenda and Zach Blaszak, put the 'Jackets up 5-0 going into the late stages of the game. After a pair of runs scored in the bottom of the eighth, Winter smacked a two RBI double to return MSUB's lead to five, followed by RBIs from Kaden Kirshenbaum and Bodee Wright. Those RBIs would prove crucial insurance for the Yellowjackets, with Mesa scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning to make things interesting before the final out.
 
"Colorado Mesa is a good program," said Waddoups. "Playing against teams like them challenges us, and helps us grow as a team."
 
Kirshenbaum finished 3-5 in the game, with an RBI and two runs. Blaszak and Molenda each had two hits in the game, playing crucial defense at shortstop and catcher respectively. Winter went 1-4, with his three RBIs leading the Yellowjackets in the game. Hayden Foltz and Colby Kiesling each picked up singles in the beginning of the ninth inning, becoming a pair of crucial runs for MSUB.
 
THE BUZZ: Kirshenbaum was selected as Player of the Day on Friday for his combined performance in the doubleheader, while Molenda was chosen for Saturday's matchup… Kirshenbaum has had five multi-hit games in his past six outings, batting .591 over that stretch… The 'Jackets are now 5-17 all-time against the Mavericks.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjacket's next series marks the beginning of conference play, where they will take on Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. The series is scheduled to begin on March 10 with a doubleheader beginning at 3 PM. Live video of the games will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.