BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team battled through delays and location changes to earn a pair of victories over Northwest Nazarene University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (16-18, 7-9 GNAC) earned a pair of important wins over the Nighthawks (18-22, 12-10) as they continue to fight in the GNAC standings. Despite delays and a change of venue to Pirtz Field, the 'Jackets came out ready to play in both games, taking the opener 8-4 before picking up a 2-0 win in the second game behind an impressive pitching performance from Trevor Cassell.
 
"These were two important wins for us," said Yellowjacket's head coach Derek Waddoups. "We came out and played heads up baseball in both games, and I'm really impressed with how our defense and pitching performed."
 
Game One: MSUB 8, NNU 4
 
The Yellowjacket's offense came out swinging early in game one. After Carson Green scored to open the scoring for MSUB, Bodee Wright sent in a pair of runs on a RBI single, putting MSUB up 3-0 after just one. Northwest Nazarene pulled a run back in the second inning, but they would never get that close again. Kaden Kirshenbaum's RBI double in the bottom of the second would restore the Yellowjacket's lead to three, before a Hayden Foltz run on a Mitch Winter groundout would make the lead 5-1 after two. Kirshenbaum would earn two more RBIs in the game, coming on a solo home run in the fourth inning and a groundout with the bases loaded in the sixth, and the combination of Jackson Betancourt and Daniel Naughton would limit the Nighthawks bats throughout the game as MSUB began the series on a winning note.
 
"Betancourt gave us a great start out of the gate," Waddoups said. "He had all three of his pitches working for strikes. And Dan was outstanding out of the bullpen tonight. Those two really combined well to shut down batters, and our offense got going early to help give us a cushion."
 
Betancourt picked up his second win of the season, throwing six innings and striking out six batters, allowing three runs and eight hits along the way. Naughton picked up his first save of the season after tossing the final three innings, allowing just one run and striking out a pair of Nighthawks. Kirshenbaum finished 2-4 with a run and three RBIs, while Carson Green went 3-4 with a walk and a stolen base, scoring three times. Foltz and Wright were 2-4, while Winter, Flynn, Zack Blaszak and Brock Molenda each had a hit.
 
Game Two: MSUB 2, NNU 0
 
The second game of the day between the 'Jackets and Nighthawks was a true pitcher's duel in the opening. Neither team got much going, with Trevor Cassell shutting down the Northwest Nazarene batters, and Jonathan Zayas keeping the Yellowjacket at bay. MSUB would break the deadlock in the fifth inning when Hayden Foltz bunted to score AJ Wagenmann from third, and after an errant pick off attempt would allow Carson Green to score from third, MSUB found themselves up 2-0. It would be all the insurance they would need, as Cassell threw a pair of 1-2-3 innings to finished the game, and MSUB would take its second win of the day.
 
Cassell pitched the first complete game shutout of his career, allowing just two hits and throwing 96 pitches. His nine strikeouts were a career high as the junior improved his record to 3-1 on the season.
 
"This was Trevor's best outing for us," Waddoups said. "He controlled the game from the opening pitch, and did a great job of commanding the zone and changing speeds. Matt Hape did a great job of preparing our pitching staff this week, and it really showed with Trevor's performance in game two."
 
Wagenmann was 1-1 with a walk, while Kaden Kirshenbaum was 1-2 with a free pass. Green and Foltz each went 1-3, while Zack Blaszak swiped a bag.
 
THE BUZZ: Cassell was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day… Cassell lowered his ERA to 3.41, second on the team, and his third win gives him the most of any Yellowjacket pitcher… Kirshenbaum's home run tied him with Flynn for the most in the GNAC… Green ranks first in the GNAC in runs scored and doubles, while sitting sixth in batting average, fifth in slugging, tied third in hits walks, and sixth in stolen bases in the conference.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets and Nighthawks will finish their series with a doubleheader on April 15 at Dehler Park. Opening pitch is scheduled for 12 PM, with live video available here and live statistics available here.