GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team (1-6) dropped game one of the series to #11 Colorado Mesa (3-2) with a final score of 18-5 in favor of the Mavericks.
 
The first two innings of play was back-and-forth with both squads putting up two runs early in the game. From there the Mavericks showed why they are the number 11 team in the nation scoring eight more runs in the following three innings. The Colorado Mesa offense did not slow down as they went on to score 18 total runs on 19 hits. The Mavericks were nearly perfect across the board as they also had one error on defense and held the 'Jackets to five runs and 9 hits.
 
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS:
"Offensively we got off to a great start and did some awesome things. Flynn had a nice day at the plate with a pair of doubles and drove us in a few runs. We had a few defensive mistakes that cost us and allowed them to open the game up. I'm just looking forward to how we comeback and respond tomorrow."
 
The Yellowjackets got on the board early on a pair of base hits from Zack Blaszak and Jack Nehler, followed by a Payton Flynn sac fly to score Blaszak. The 'Jackets did damage in the second as well as being able to load the bases and score their second run of the game on an RBI walk by Bodee Wright, scoring Kaden Kirshenbaum who singled to lead off the inning. They collected their third run of the game on a sac fly from Blaszak scoring James Anderson. Blaszak stayed hot in the top of the fifth getting on base via base hit and scored his second run of the game on an RBI double from Flynn. The 'Jackets scored their final run of the game in the top of the seventh on a pair of doubles from Nehler and Flynn.
 
Ryun Cross made the start on the bump for the Yellowjackets throwing three complete innings with one strikeout and was relieved by Sage Wayment in the top of the fourth inning. Wayment also went three complete innings with one strikeout, allowing three earned runs. Cole Bakker was the second pitcher out of the pen and threw a respectable 1.0 innings pitched with one strikeout and allowed just one hit and one run. Zane Baltz closed it out for MSUB also throwing one inning and one strikeout.
 
HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCES
Zack Blaszak – 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI
Jack Nehler – 2-4, 1 2B, 1 R
Kaden Kirshenbaum – 1-4, 1 R
James Anderson – 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 BB
Cole Bakker – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 K
 
THE BUZZ: Payton Flynn was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after going 2-3 from the plate with two doubles, three RBIs, and a sac fly.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team is back in action tomorrow for a double header against Colorado Mesa starting at 12 PM.