SEASIDE, Cali. – The Montana State University Billings softball team split its first day of games at the Monterey Bay Round Robin, picking up a victory in game two against Biola University thanks to a Jazlyn Kalehuawehe walk-off blast.
 
In the opening doubleheader of the Yellowjackets (8-21-1) final non-conference games this season, MSUB played a pair of highly competitive games, falling by a narrow 2-0 margin to #20 Concordia University Irvine (23-6, 14-0 CCAA) before responding with a 2-1 win over the Eagles (8-15, 3-9 PacWest) to finish the day.
 
Game One: Concordia 2, MSUB 0
 
The opening game of the day for the Yellowjackets was a pitchers' duel, with neither team able to generate much offense early in the game as the first four innings of the game proceeded in scoreless fashion. MSUB pitcher Caitlyn James allowed just three base runners in the first four innings of play, with the Yellowjacket defense backing her up with solid play across the diamond, while the Golden Eagles starter Katlin Entrup pitched just as stellar, striking out six over the first four innings and pitching out of a jam in the fourth inning when MSUB placed runners on second and third. But Concordia would strike first with a RBI on a fielder's choice in the fifth, and would follow that up with one more run in the sixth inning on an RBI double. The Yellowjackets would put runners on base in both the fifth and sixth innings, but were unable to bat either of them home, and were shut out following an impressive finish from Entrup.
 
"We played a solid game all around in game one," said MSUB head coach Lisa McKinney. CJ pitched really well all game, and the defense took care of the ball behind her. Offensively we attacked the ball strong, but just couldn't find a clutch hit or two. But there were a lot of positives to take away from a high-quality game."
 
James finished with six innings pitched for the 'Jackets, allowing seven hits and two runs, both of them earned. On the hitting end of things, Marin Penney went 1-2 with a walk and Teagan Seeton went 1-3, with each of them stealing a bag in the game. Payton Meyer also batted 1-3, while Kaylin Galvin also reached base once on a walk.
 
Game Two: MSUB 2, Biola 1
 
Following suit from MSUB's opening game of the day, game two was likewise a close, low scoring affair, with chances for scoring few and far between. Biola pitcher Raylene Roybal threw five innings of shutout ball for the Eagles, adding six strikeouts and allowing four hits, while on the other side, Shelby Wasilewski made her best start as a Yellowjacket to date, throwing five innings and allowing just four hits, while striking out one batter. Biola would score an unearned run against the pitcher in the fifth inning following an error, but Wasilewski was able to limit the Eagles to just one run, escaping a jam to keep the Yellowjackets down one.
 
From there, the Yellowjackets would turn back to James to close out the rest of the game, while needing to find a clutch hit or two to find their way into the lead late. They would get just that down the stretch, kicking things off in the sixth inning when Kilee Imada's solo shot to left field would even the game back up at 1-1. Following a 1-2-3 inning from James in the top of the seventh, Jazlyn Kalehuawehe would waste no time repeating the effort, leading off the bottom of the frame with a blast to deep left field, clearing the fence and sending the Yellowjacket dugout into a frenzy as the junior walked the game off, giving the Yellowjackets a split on the day.
 
"Our pitching staff put together another incredible game," McKinney had to say of game two. "Both Shelby and CJ attacked hitters throughout the game and continued to get good results. Our defense continued to make great plays throughout the game to back them up, and Kilee and Jazzy were both able to come up with some crucial hits to help get us the win."
 
Kalehuawehe and Imada both finished 1-3 with a run and a RBI, while Payton Meyer hit a perfect 2-2. Teagan Seeton went 1-3 with a double, picking up an impressive outfield assist in the sixth inning where she gunned out a tagging runner at third base. Lauren Blaschak also finished 1-3 in the game for MSUB.
 
THE BUZZ: James was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game in the first matchup of the day, while Kalehuawehe was selected for game two… it was the fifth home run of the season for Kalehuawehe, tying her in second for the Yellowjackets in home runs this season… Imada's home run was her fourth, setting a new career high for home runs in a season for the senior, while pushing her RBI total to a career best mark of 13.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets conclude their non-conference slate with a pair of games tomorrow, March 23, facing off against Cal State Monterey Bay at 4:30 PM PT (5:30 PM MT) and rematching Concordia University Irvine at 7 PM PT (8 PM MT). Live video for each game can be found online here, while live statistics are available here.