SAN MARCOS, Cali. – The Montana State University Billings softball team were defeated twice Sunday by #7 Cal State San Marcos on the final day of the Concordia Kickoff Classic, falling 14-2 in game one and 13-3 in game two.
 
With games once more relocated due to weather, the Yellowjacket (1-4) completed a doubleheader against a nationally ranked Cougars (4-1), who lived up to the recognition, giving MSUB trouble in both games despite some bright moments from the Yellowjacket's bats.
 
"We definitely came out a little flat today," said MSUB head coach Lisa McKinney. Our offense put together some good hits, but we struggled to replicate those moments in the clutch. San Marcos did a good job of putting the ball in play with runners in scoring position. Our goal right now is to find our groove on the defensive side of the ball. But overall, we're happy that we we're able to get five games in this weekend, and we'll look to bounce back next time out."
 
The 'Jackets were run-ruled in both contests on the day, each game finishing in five innings. They were able to strike first in the opening game, with Teagan Seeton scoring the opening run of the game on an error by the Cougars, but San Marcos proceeded to take the lead in the bottom of the inning with two runs, and scored the next ten unanswered, with the Yellowjackets struggling to plate runners despite nine hits in the game. A solo home run from Jazlyn Kalehuawehe would score the final run of the game, but MSUB would be unable to spark a rally to keep the game going.
 
Kalehuawehe went 2-3 in the game with an RBI and a run, while Alexis Tovar and Malia Cavan both went a perfect 2-2. Kaylin Galvin batted 1-2, and Lauren Blaschak and Teagan Seeton went 1-3.
 
It was a similar story in game two, with the Cougars scoring three runs in the first inning, and never looking back, adding ten more runs along the way. The Yellowjackets totaled six hits in the game, with Marin Penney hitting a solo home run in the game, her second of the season. Penney went 1-3 in the game, as did Lauren Blaschak and Teagan Seeton. Kilee Imada went 1-2 with an RBI double and a run, scoring on a Payton Meyer sacrifice fly. Malia Cavan also batted 1-2, as did Ashley Akers, earning her first career collegiate hit. Lauren Blaschak and Teagan Seeton went 1-3.
 
THE BUZZ: Kalehuawehe was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game in game one, while Penney was chosen for game two… the pair, along with Blaschak, have each hit two home runs on the season through five games… The 'Jackets have hit eight home runs as a team in the first weekend of play… Kalehuawehe leads MSUB in batting average at .545, with Tovar hitting .500 in her first games back since missing the previous season due to injury… MSUB has six qualified batters on it's roster with a batting average over .300.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets remain in California for games next week, taking a day off before returning to action on Tuesday, February 6 against #14 Concordia University in a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3 PM PT (4 PM MT), with live video available here, and live statistics available here.