ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings softball team earned a record of 1-3 in a four game nonconference series against Central Washington University.
 
The Yellowjackets (6-9) faced off against a fellow Great Northwest Athletic Conference team in the Wildcats (8-7) outside the confines of conference play, playing two sets of doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. The Yellowjackets took the victory in the opening game, winning 8-0 before losing 7-0, 12-7, and 3-0 in the following three games.
 
Game 1: MSUB 8, SWU 0
 
The Yellowjackets opened the series with a superb win, playing some of their best softball of the young season on both sides of the ball. Hitting wise the 'Jackets collected 11 in the game, and displayed excellent plate discipline, drawing eight walks in the game. Marin Penney and Maycen O'Neal opened up the scoring for MSUB in the third inning, hitting back to back RBI doubles. The 'Jackets would added to their total again in the fifth inning, when Claire Bagnell and Lauren Blaschak picked up RBI hits, and again in the sixth, when Penney struck again with a solo home run, followed by a Shelby Martin single to score two runs.
 
The lead off hitter Blaschak finished 1-2, with a run and an RBI while drawing a career high three walks in the game. Penney ended 2-4 in the game, with a pair of runs and RBIs. O'Neal ended 2-4 with an RBI, while Teagan Seeton and Kilee Imada also had two hits in the game.
 
On the flip side, the Yellowjackets benefitted from an absolute gem pitched by Alyssa Etheridge. The senior threw a complete game, allowing just two hits in the game while striking out seven. It was the second scoreless start of the season for Etheridge, and her fifth win of the season.
 
"We came out strong in game one," said Yellowjacket head coach Lisa McKinney. "The team was firing on all cylinders. Alyssa threw a great game, our defense made some behind her, and the offense strung some quality hits together. I was especially pleased with how we were able to take advantage of runners in scoring position."
 
Game 2: MSUB 0, CWU 7
 
The final game on Friday was a complete inverse of the first, with Central Washington clicking and the 'Jackets struggling to get things going. The Wildcats scored seven, taking advantage of four MSUB errors and six hits of their own, while also collecting three steals. On the mound, starter Ashlee Laver held the Yellowjackets to just one hit, striking out six as MSUB was unable to get much going.
 
"We really struggled in this one," said McKinney. "We didn't take good care of the ball and couldn't make adjustments at the plate."
 
Game 3: MSUB 7, CWU 12
 
The 'Jackets got out to an explosive start when Penney homered for the second time in the series, putting MSUB up 2-0 in the top of the first inning. But the Wildcats responded in force, scoring seven runs of their own in the first two innings to get out to a sizeable lead. MSUB climbed back in the third inning, taking advantage of two errors by the Wildcats to plate four runs, with Maycen O'Neal, Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, and Teagan Seeton collecting RBIs in the inning. Central would respond strongly once again, and aside from a sixth inning homer from Shelby Martin, the 'Jackets were unable to generate more offense, falling once again.
 
Martin went 2-3 in the game with her solo home run, while Penney was 1-2 with two RBIs, runs, and walks each. Lauren Blaschak was 1-2 with a pair of runs and walks, and Maycen O'Neal picked up a pair of RBIs on a hard hit ball misplayed by the catcher. The 'Jackets once again showed good vision, walking seven times in the contest, but left six runs on base.
 
"Both teams came out swinging well," McKinney said. "I thought we did a good job of getting on base, but just too many miscues, and Central did a good job of scoring baserunners, especially with two outs."
 
Game 4: MSUB 0, CWU 3
 
The series concluded with another notch pitching performance from Ashlee Laver, throwing her second one hit game of the weekend. This time Laver struck out seven and walked two, not allowing a hit after a Shelby Marquardt single in the third inning. Alyssa Etheridge was good in the circle once again, striking out six and allowing just three runs, two of them earned, but it would be enough to give Central Washington the win in both the game, and the series.
 
"Laver had her A-game both games we played her," said McKinney. "Alyssa threw another great game for us, it was unfortunate that she had to take the loss. Offensively we need to start making adjustments sooner."
 
THE BUZZ: Etheridge was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day on day one for her opening game gem… Penney was selected on the second day of games… Each of the Yellowjacket's six wins this season have featured Etheridge pitching, who has five wins and a save.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets officially begin GNAC play next week, with a four-game series scheduled to begin Friday, March 10. Opening pitch for the first game is scheduled for 12 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here.