JAN PHYL VILLAGE, Fla. – The Montana State University Billings softball team concluded their slate of matchups at The Spring Games with a pair of competitive games, but dropped both contests on the day, finishing on the wrong end of matchups against St. Cloud State and Concordia University St. Paul.
 
The Yellowjackets (6-13-1) went back-and-forth with both the Huskies (12-4) and the Golden Bears (11-4), showing bright spots in both games, but were unlucky to finish with the loss in both contests, dropping their final two games before opening GNAC play later this week.
 
Game One: St. Cloud State 7, MSUB 5
 
Kilee Imada helped to put the Yellowjackets on top early with a two-run single in the first inning, but the Huskies wouldn't take long to get going either, taking the lead following a three-run top of the inning. A solo shot from Teagan Seeton would even things up in the bottom of the frame, but St. Cloud State would go on to score the next four runs in the game, taking a four-run lead and making the 'Jackets fight from behind. MSUB would continue to battle, with a Payton Meyer two-run homer cutting the lead to two, but the Yellowjackets would be unable to plate any more runs in the final two innings, falling short against the Huskies.
 
"We had a good offensive game, and worked hard to come back at the end," said Yellowjackets head coach Lisa McKinney. "Caitlyn pitched well, but we had a few too many errors that cost us some runs. But we did a good job competing the entire game against a good team."
 
Meyer finished 1-2 with a run and two RBIs, and Imada was 1-3 with her two RBIs. Seeton went 1-3 with a run and an RBI, while eight Yellowjackets drew a walk in the game, with Riley Warden and Alexis Tovar each walking twice. Marin Penney finished with a stolen base and a run. Caitlyn James pitched the full game for the Yellowjackets, allowing four earned runs and striking out three batters.
 
Game Two: Concordia St. Paul 9, MSUB 8 (8 innings)
 
MSUB would once again take an opening inning lead, with a Marin Penney double down the line scoring Riley Warden. But in the bottom of the first, Concordia would come out swinging, collecting four hits and runs each to take an early 1-4 lead. In need of a response, the Yellowjackets would get just that, hitting two home runs across the next two innings, with Lauren Blaschak cranking a two-run shot before Teagan Seeton's third inning last would score three, with the teams tying once more in the bottom of the third inning. The Golden Bears and 'Jackets would swap runs once more, with Seaton smacking her second long ball of the game to even things once more, and after seven innings, the teams found themselves still even, forcing the game into extra innings. MSUB looked for score the game winnings run in the top fo the eighth, with Seeton coming up with a clutch RBI single. But the Golden Bears would strike once more, hitting a two-run walk off in the bottom of the eight to call the game in favor of Concordia St. Paul.
 
"We had a rough first inning, but really found our grove as the game went on," said McKinney. "We had some great defensive plays, and offensively I was proud of how we hit throughout the game. Teagan was especially good in this one, and really found her rhythm at the plate."
 
Seeton finished the game batting 4-4, grabbing five RBIs and three runs to go with a pair of home runs. Marin Penney batted 1-3 with an RBI, a steal, and two runs, while Riley Warden and Kilee Imada each went 1-3 with a run. Blaschak and Kaylin Galvin each went 1-4, with Blaschak also scoring a run and collecting two RBIs. Coming in to pitch in relief, Caitlyn James went five innings, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned), while collecting a single strikeout.
 
THE BUZZ: Meyer was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game in game one of the day, while Seeton was selected in game two… Seeton's four hits in game two were a new career high for the sophomore… combined between the two games, Seeton batted 5-6 with a walk, finishing with three home runs, six RBIs, and four runs… it was Seeton's fourth consecutive game with a home run.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets waste no time before jumping into conference play, squaring off against Western Oregon in a doubleheader on the road on Thursday, March 7. First pitch of the opening game is set for 11 AM PT (12 PM MT), with live video available here, and live statistics available here.