BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings softball team split a doubleheader Saturday against Western Oregon, guaranteeing their second consecutive series victory in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (16-22, 8-8 GNAC) were defeated 9-0 in the day's opening game by the Wolves (22-22, 11-7 GNAC), before flipping the result to win the second leg of the day's games 9-1. The split kept the Yellowjackets conference record at 8-8, fourth place in the GNAC.
 
"I'm extremely proud of how our team responded after game one," said MSUB head coach Lisa McKinney. "We came out on our heels a bit and struggled in the opener, but really turned it around in game two. We executed some squeeze plays and produced some big hits when we needed them. Overall, it was a successful weekend where we picked up three very important wins."
 
Game One: MSUB 0, WOU 9 (6 innings)
 
After a pair of scoreless innings to open the day, Western Oregon would strike first and strike often in game one. The Wolves put a trio of runs on the board , and continued on from there. After finding themselves up 5-0 heading into the sixth inning, Western Oregon put up four more runs on a pair of singles and errors from the Yellowjackets. MSUB was unable to get anything going offensively in the game, totaling just two hits and reaching base three times, as the Wolves finished the opening game early with a run rule.
 
The Yellowjacket's hits in the opening game came from Marin Penney and Jazlyn Kalehuawehe. Lauren Blaschak worked a walk to reach base. Western Oregon starter Maddie Mayer struck out four batters, quieting the Yellowjackets bats as she got solid support from her defense. Alyssa Etheridge took the loss for MSUB, allowing ten hits and nine runs (four earned), while striking out six Wolves batters.
 
Game Two: MSUB 9, WOU 1 (5 innings)
 
Looking to shake off a tough opening game of the day, MSUB began to shake off their struggles immediately when Jazlyn Kalehuawehe and Kilee Imada knocked in an RBI each in the opening inning. And while Sophie Franklin would hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning, it would be just one of three hits allowed all day by Julia Qualteri. The Yellowjacket's starter attacked the zone, forcing soft contact all game, and she was supported by her defense who played flawlessly in the second game. MSUB's offense provided plenty of run support: The 'Jackets had a five run fourth inning, highlighted by a Lauren Blaschak three-run homer, and Maycen O'Neal ended the game in the fifth inning when her two-run blast put the mercy rule into effect.
 
"Julia executed the pitching plan perfectly for us," said McKinney. "And after some errors in game one, our defense responded impressively."
 
O'Neal and Blaschak each finished with three RBIs, with O'Neal going 1-3 and Blaschak going 1-2 with a walk. Both players also had a pair of runs, as did freshman Madelyne Elbert. Elbert went 1-2 as the DP, finishing with a double and an RBI, the first of her collegiate career. Kalehuawehe and Imada each finished 1-3 with an RBI, and Shelby Marquardt had one run. Teagan Seeton went 2-3 with a run and a stolen base.
 
THE BUZZ: O'Neal was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… The freshman Seeton tops the Yellowjackets with a .330 batting average, ninth best in the GNAC... All three of the Yellowjacket's wins against Western Oregon were walk-off wins.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets square off next against Western Washington University on the road in a matchup between the fourth and fifth place teams in the GNAC. The series is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 22, with a doubleheader set to begin at 12 PM (1 PM MST). Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.