DENVER, Colo. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team (4-9) took game two of the series 13-9 over MSU Denver (6-8) thanks to Brock Molenda who had a pinch hit three run home run in the top of eighth to help lead the 'Jackets to a victory.
 
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS:
"Fink had a nice start for us today, it was crucial to get those zeros early and Burnett did a great job out of the pen. We had a couple miscues on defense that let them get back in the game but im just proud of the resilience of our guys. I was impressed by the composure we maintained throughout the first game the clutch pinch hit home run from Molenda was a great momentum changer late in the game."
 
The first game of the day featured all the buzz for MSUB as the originally scheduled seven inning game went into extras. The Yellowjackets amassed an eight-run lead in the fifth inning behind Jake Finkelstein who allowed zero earned runs through his 3.1 innings of work. The Roadrunners started to amount their comeback in the sixth scoring six runs and eventually tying the ballgame in the bottom of the seventh, forcing extra innings of baseball. This is when Molenda put a dagger in MSU Denver when he hit a three-run bomb to help seal the win.
 
GAME 1: MSUB 13, MSUD 9
The Roadrunners struck first in their opening frame on an untimely error from the Yellowjackets, but their lead didn't last long as the 'Jackets punched back with a run of their own after Kaden Kirshenbaum led the inning of with a double and came around to score on an RBI from Scott Artzer. MSUB followed that up with two more in the top of the fourth on a two RBI base hit from Josh Mapel.
 
Jake Finkelstein made the start for the 'Jackets and had yet another quality start going 3.1 innings with zero earned runs, one strikeout, and allowed just two hits. Beau Burnett was first out of the pen and closed out the bottom of the fourth and held the Roadrunners scoreless in the inning. The top of the fifth is when the 'Jackets did a majority of their damage, scoring six runs on a pair of base hits from Kirshenbaum and Bodee Wright and a double from Mapel.
 
From there the Roadrunners started to chip away at the Yellowjacket lead, scoring one run in the fifth, and six runs in the sixth. Kevin McClellan relieved Burnett in the inning and would go on to throw 1.1 innings while allowing just one earned run and just two hits with a strikeout and was later named the winning pitcher. Heading into the bottom of the seventh MSU Denver needed one run to tie and two runs to win and one run was what they got sending the game into extra innings.
 
With the home crowd excited for free baseball and a chance for their Roadrunners to win their hope quickly turned to doubt in the top of the eighth. Parker Bleggi started the rally with a base hit but was called out on a fielder's choice hit by Zack Blaszak. Blaszak used his speed to make his way around the bases and score the go ahead run on a wild pitch. After a Kirshenbaum walk coach Waddoups made a lineup change that likely won them the game.
 
Brock Molenda came in to pinch hit and put the game away with a three-run home run home run to take the 13-9 lead. After a leadoff double and a walk from MSU Denver, Sage Wayment entered the game to close the door. Wayment didn't close the door he slammed it, retiring two batters in a row, and ending the game with a strikeout.
 
GAME 2: MSUB 1, MSUD 8
The Yellowjackets scored their only run of the ballgame in the top of the fifth on a solo home run from Berk Barnes, his first in a MSUB uniform. Brad Helton, the starting pitcher for the Roadrunners did what not many have. Helton held the powerhouse 'Jacket offense to just one run while throwing a complete game with eight strikeouts.
 
Ryan Cross made the start on the bump for MSUB, going 4.1 innings with 5 strikeouts. First out of the pen was Brian Baker, and true freshman Zane Baltz closed it out for the Yellowjackets going 0.2 innings with a strikeout.
 
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS:
"We had a lot of quality at bats and hard-hit balls in the second game and just couldn't get them to fall. Tip your cap to Helton for MSUD on how he competed in the zone for them, he threw an outstanding game. Cross gave us a chance to win on the bump we just couldn't get enough going on the offensive side."
 
HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCES
GAME 1:
Kaden Kirshenbaum – 2-4, 3 R, 1 BB, 2B
Jake Finkelstein – 3.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 K
Kevin McClellan – 1.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 K
Sage Wayment – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K
Brock Molenda – 1-1, 3 RBI, 1 R, HR
 
THE BUZZ
GAME 1: Josh Mapel was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after going 3-4 from the plate with four RBIs, one run, and a double.
GAME 2: Berk Barnes was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after going 1-3 from the plate including his first home run in a Yellowjacket uniform, one run, and one RBI.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team closes out their MSU Denver series tomorrow at noon with a chance to win the series in game four.