CHICO, Cali. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team dropped both games to the Chico State Wildcats.
In game one Chico got out to an early lead and continued to extend it throughout the whole game capitalizing on 14 free bases at the plate. The 'Jackets bats were hot with double digit hits but were unable to string them together and ultimately fell with a final score of 14-2. Game two was a different story as there were only four total runs. Both starting pitchers held the opposing hitters at bay, but the Wildcats again were able to best the 'Jackets, taking game two with a final score of 3-1.
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS:
"Finkelstein did an outstanding job changing speeds and competing in game two. He got into some tough spots but threw some great pitches to help get himself out of jam."
"Offensively we had plenty of hits in game one we just needed to string them together in clutch moments to gain some momentum. On the defensive and pitching side we just allowed way too many free opportunities. Hats off to Chico, they did a nice job taking advantage of their opportunities and outplayed us in that area."
Game One: CHICO 14, MSUB 2
The Wildcats offense was on full display as they scored in six of the eight innings. Chico scored two in the 2
nd inning on a home run and four in the third on a pair of doubles. The fourth was when
Kaden Kirshenbaum hit a solo shot to deep left field to get the Yellowjackets on the board. The Wildcats would tack on eight more before
Cole Ayala got on via double which was his first career hit, and later scored on a sac fly from
Keegan Weston. Although the 'Jackets scored just two runs they had 10 hits with two of them being extra base hits.
Andy Evans made his first start of the season going 4.2 innings before he was relieved by
Cole Bakker. Bakker went 2.1 innings while allowing three walks and zero runs. Closing it out for the 'Jackets was
Lance Schaaf who threw one inning and allowed zero runs. "We allowed way too many free opportunities in game one on the pitching and defensive side, said coach Waddoups. "Hats off to Chico, they did a nice job taking advantage of their opportunities and outplayed us in that area."
Game Two: CHICO 3, MSUB 1
Game two started much differently as
Jake Finkelstein and Chico pitcher Ethan Lay had themselves a pitcher's duel. Finkelstein threw 4.0 innings with four strikeouts and two runs while Lay went 7.0 complete with eight strikeouts and one earned run.
Sage Wayment was the first out of the pen and had a respectable outing throwing 2.0 compete innings with two strikeouts and allowed just one run.
Bodee Wright started the game with a base hit which was the Yellowjackets only hit through the first four innings of play.
Ryan Jeffrey started the rally in the top of the sixth after a base hit followed by a double from Wright. Jeffrey would go on to score via wild pitch, but Wright was left stranded for the second time of the game. "Offensively we had our chances in game two, we just needed to put the ball in play more consistently and not leave runners on base, said coach Waddoups."
HIGHLIGHT PERFORMANCES
GAME 1:
Cole Ayala – 1-1, 2B, 1 R
Bodee Wright – 2-4
Zack Blaszak – 2-4
Jack Nehler – 2-4
Cole Bakker – 2.1 IP, 0 ER
Game 2:
Bodee Wright – 2-3, 2B
Ryan Jeffrey – 1-2, 1 R
Sage Wayment – 2.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER
THE BUZZ
Game 1: Kaden Kirshenbaum was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after hitting his first home run of the 2024 season and posted one run and one RBI.
Game 2: Jake Finkelstein was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 4.0 innings pitched, 0 earned runs, and 4 strikeouts.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team is back at it again for the final game of their Chico State series tomorrow at 2 PM (PST).
