MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team dropped two more games on the road against Western Oregon University, giving them three consecutive losses to the Wolves in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (20-23, 11-14 GNAC) suffered a blowout loss in the opening game of the day, falling to the Wolves (24-12, 17-8 GNAC) by a score of 25-8, before suffering a walk off defeat in game two, losing 3-2.
 
Game 1: MSUB 8, WOU 25
 
The first game of the day looked as though it would be a close battle in the early innings. A Mitch Winter 2-run double, followed by Winter scoring on an error, lead to the 'Jackets taking a 3-0 lead after the top of the first. The Wolves would tack on three runs of their own in the bottom of the first, and two more in the second, but MSUB would respond with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, with singles from Bodee Wright and Zack Blaszak tying the game up at five.
 
But it would all unravel from there for MSUB. Western Oregon scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning to take an 11-5 lead, and after the teams traded runs in the fourth, caught fire once again with an eight-run bottom of the fifth, taking a 20-8 lead. The Yellowjackets wouldn't score another run after the top of the fifth, committing seven errors in the game as the Wolves comfortably took home victory.
 
"I liked the energy we started the game with," said Yellowjacket's coach Derek Waddoups. "The game just got away from us in the middle innings with some defensive mistakes. Our guys continued to take quality at bats and compete however, which was nice to see."
 
Wright and Blaszak each finished 2-3 with a run and an RBI each, while Blaszak picked up a steal. Jack Nehler went 1-3 with an RBI, and Payton Flynn was 1-4. Winter and catcher AJ Wagenmann each finished with two RBIs, and Hayden Foltz went 2-2 with a run. The 'Jackets pitched six players in the game, with Blake Rainey throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball.
 
Game 2: MSUB 2, WOU 3                     
 
After the offensive tear the Wolves went on in game one, Trevor Cassell limited the Wolves' bats in game two. And Jack Nehler helped to give the Yellowjackets a first inning lead with his triple to score Carson Green, and his subsequent run on Kaden Kirshenbaum's RBI groundout would put MSUB up 2-0 in the first inning.
 
"Trevor did a fabulous job today," said Waddoups. "He's been outstanding over his last three starts, and continued his success on the mound today."
 
The Wolves would score a run in the fifth inning on a fielder's choice, tightening the score to 2-1, but the score would remain in MSUB's favor until the final inning. After the first runner in the bottom of the seventh was retired, Western Oregon's next two runners reached on singles. Cassell was replaced by Cy Miller, who hit Jacob Maiben to load the bases. The next batter, Derek Maiben, sent a single through the right side, scoring two runs and giving the Wolves a walk-off victory, guaranteeing the Wolves a series victory.
 
"Green and Nehler gut us started well," said Waddoups. "We just couldn't push another run through, and ultimately we paid for it. Their pitcher did a nice job of mixing his pitchers throughout the game. We're excited for the opportunity to bounce back tomorrow."
 
Nehler was 3-3 with a run, an RBI, and a stolen base in the game. The only other Yellowjackets who had a hit were Green, and Payton Flynn, who were each 1-3. Cassell went 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and three runs in the losing effort, striking out three batters.
 
THE BUZZ: Nehler was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day… Cassell's quality start was his third consecutive, and the first time he allowed multiple earned runs in a game since March 18… Winter, the 'Jacket's DH, was put in at pitcher late in game one, the first time he's ever pitched in his collegiate career.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets have two more opportunities to collect wins against the GNAC leaders tomorrow, April 29, in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1 PM (2PM MST). Live video can be found here, while live statistics are located here.