MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team opened up it's five game series against Western Oregon Thursday, losing 11-5 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (20-21, 11-12 GNAC) and Wolves (22-12, 15-8 GNAC) played in just the single game Thursday, a make-up game from the team's earlier series in Billings this season which had two games cancelled due to weather. Despite the game being played at WOU Baseball Field in Monmouth, MSUB was listed as the home team for the game. Western Oregon would take the victory in game one however, jumping out to a quick start offensively with eight runs in the opening three innings.
 
"The ball just didn't bounce our way today," said Yellowjacket's coach Derek Waddoups. "We went down early, but showed some good heart to get back into the game. WOU played a good, clean game today, and you have to tip your hat to that."
 
After scoring one run in the first inning, and two in the second, the Wolves took a big lead in the top of the third, chasing Yellowjacket's starter Lance Schaaf. Collin Irwin picked up an RBI single to begin the scoring run, followed by two more RBI singles and a bases loaded walking, making the score 8-0 after three innings.
 
The Yellowjackets would rally over the next few innings, however. Carson Green put MSUB on the board with an RBI single in the bottom of the third. They would add more in the fourth, with a pair of RBI doubles from Payton Flynn and Brock Molenda plating three runs each. Add in Mitch Winter's run on a mishandled ball hit by Jack Nehler, and the Yellowjackets found themselves down 8-5 with five more innings to go.
 
After struggling to find consistency on the mound, MSUB found a stabilizing force in Michael Buchanan. Buchanan entered to throw 5.1 innings of work, striking out three and not allowing a walk. "I was impressed with how Michael threw the ball today," said Waddoups. "He was solid out of the pen, and was able to help keep us in the game."
 
Despite Buchanan slowing down the Wolves' batters, the scoring dried up for both sides over the next four innings, until Western Oregon was able to tack on a trio of runs in the top of the ninth to add to their lead. And despite a leadoff single from Bodee Wright, the Yellowjackets were unable to spark a rally, with the next three hitters going down in order.
 
"We had guys hit several balls hard in the game," Waddoups said. "They just weren't falling our way today. But I feel good about how we battled, and think we're in a good spot as the series continues."
 
Nehler finished 2-4 for the Yellowjackets, who had nine hits as a team. Nehler scored each time he reached base with two runs. Flynn, Green, Molenda, Wright, and Winter each went 1-4. Kirshenbaum and Winter each scored a run, while Green had one RBI and Molenda had 2. Flynn added a run and an RBI each.
 
THE BUZZ: Nehler was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets face off against the Wolves again in a doubleheader tomorrow, April 28, beginning at 1 PM (2 PM MST). Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be made available here.