BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team (8-18, 2-8 GNAC) dropped both games on the day to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks (16-4-1, 6-2 GNAC). The #14 team in the nation backed their praise by taking game one on the day 13-7, game two 7-1, and sweeping the 'Jackets on the weekend. "We just need to be more consistent defensively and, on the mound, if we want to compete at a higher level," said head coach Derek Waddoups.
 
GAME 1: MSUB 7, NNU 13
The Nighthawks got things going early, scoring a run in the top of the first and following that with a six spot in the second to take the 7-0 lead. A pair of untimely errors by the Yellowjackets in the second paired with five hits, including two doubles created their early offensive production. Cy Miller made the start on the mound for the 'Jackets and went two complete innings with a pair of strikeouts while allowing seven runs who was relieved in the third by Andy Evans.
 
MSUB's offense found life in the bottom of the fourth after a two-out double from Ryan Jeffrey and was immediately brought home on a base hit from James Anderson to make it a 7-1 ballgame, still in favor of NNU. The Nighthawks quickly responded in the bottom frame tallying three more runs on two hits. Evans made his exit following the inning but not before going three complete innings with two strikeouts while allowing just three earned runs. Kevin McClellan took over for Evans and sat them down in order bringing some life back to the 'Jackets.
 
The Yellowjackets capitalized, scoring two in the bottom of the sixth after Zack Blaszak utilized his speed by laying down a bunt and legged it out for a base hit. Payton Flynn brought him home on an RBI triple and was later scored on a sacrifice fly from Kaden Kirshenbaum. The 'Jackets put up three more in the bottom of the eighth after a three-run bomb from Jeffrey to bring them within three runs, but it was not enough as the Nighthawks tallied three of their own and went on to take the 13-7 victory. McClellan ended his day throwing four complete innings while allowing just three earned runs.
 
GAME 2: MSUB 0, NNU 0
Game two on the day, four of the series was all pitching from the Nighthawks. NNU had five pitchers combine for a one earned run performance while allowing just five hits as well. Offensively the Nighthawks did a majority of their damage in the first four innings of play, scoring at least one run in each inning including three in the first inning. Ryun Cross got the start and was relieved by Cole Bertram and later Sage Wayment.
 
After the fourth inning Bertram and Wayment combined for 3.2 innings pitched with one strikeout while allowing zero earned runs and just two hits. The 'Jackets scored their sole run of the ballgame in the fourth after Ryan Jeffrey drew a walk and Brock Molenda brought him around to score on a two out RBI double. Although the Yellowjackets kept the Nighthawks scoreless in the final three innings of play it wasn't enough as NNU went on to win the game 7-1 and sweeping the weekend.
 
KEY PERFORMANCES
GAME 1:
James Anderson – 3-4, R, RBI
Ryan Jeffrey – 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR
Zack Blaszak – 1-4, 2 R, SB
Payton Flynn – 1-4, R, RBI, 3B
Kevin McClellan – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER
Andy Evans – 3.0 IP, 2 SO, 3 H, 3 ER
GAME 2:
Parker Bleggi – 2-3
Scott Artzer – 1-2, BB
Brock Molenda – 1-3, RBI, 2B
Payton Flynn – 1-3, 3B
Cole Bertram – 1.2 IP, 1 SO, 2 H, 0 ER
Sage Wayment – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
 
THE BUZZ: Payton Flynn was named Intermountain Health Player of the series after posting seven hits on the weekend including two triples and two home runs. Flynn also tallied seven RBIs and three runs.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team will stay in Billings for another home GNAC series vs the Central Washington University Wildcats, with the four-game series starting on March 22^nd at 1:00 PM.