BURNABY, B.C – The Montana State University Billings softball team was able to split its final road doubleheader of the season against Simon Fraser University, winning the first game of the day before falling to conclude the series in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (9-34, 2-18 GNAC) defeated the Red Leafs (9-29, 2-18 GNAC) by a score of 9-8 in the first game of the day, with Lauren Blaschak's grand slam in the top of the seventh inning proving to be the deciding moment in the game for the 'Jackets. MSUB remained close throughout the second game of the day as well, but was unable to collect a second win, falling by a score of 4-2.
 
Game One: MSUB 9, SFU 8
 
The opening game of the day was a tightly contested affair from the opening inning, where Simon Fraser was able to jump out to a quick 1-0 lead. But the Yellowjackets wasted no time in responding with an RBI single from Claire Bagnell to even things up. SFU would regain a one run lead in the bottom of the third, but a Marin Penney solo shot would even things back up once again. After the Red Leafs would plate an additional run in the bottom of the fourth, RBIs from Payton Meyer and Kilee Imada would give the Yellowjackets their first lead of the game, taking a 4-3 advantage into the bottom of the frame. Simon Fraser would waste no time in responding once again however, plating three runs in the fifth inning, before tacking on two more in the sixth, with Mayer's second RBI of the day keeping the deficit at three runs as the 'Jackets made their way into the seventh inning.
 
The 'Jackets started the inning strong though with quick singles from Penney and Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, and following a walk drawn by Kaylin Galvin, set Lauren Blaschak up with two outs on the board and the opportunity to play the hero. The Billings native would rise to the occasion, sending a ball to right field on the first pitch of the at bat, clearing the fence put MSUB back in the driver's seat up 9-8 in the game. Ella Crookston would hold the Red Leafs scoreless in the bottom of the frame, and MSUB would go on to pick up the win.
 
Blaschak finished the game 2-4 with two runs, a walk, and four RBIs. She was one of six players to collect two hits int e game. Penney batted 2-4 with an RBI and two runs, while Bagnell went 2-4 with a run and a RBI, and Malia Cavan also hit 2-4 in the game. Kaylin Galvin went 2-3 with a run, and Teagan Seeton went 2-5 with a run and a stolen base. Riley Warden also stole a base in the game and scored a run after pinch running. Kalehuawehe went 1-3, as did Imada, who added an RBI and a run. Caitlyn James pitched the first five innings, striking out three hitters before Crookston entered to pitch the final two innings, allowing just three hits and collecting her second win of the season.
 
Game Two: SFU 4, MSUB 2
 
The 'Jackets struck first in the second game of the day, with Claire Bagnell picking up the opening RBI of the game in the top of the second inning to give MSUB a lead early in the game. But that advantage wouldn't last long, with the Red Leafs putting up a pair of runs in the second inning to take the lead from MSUB. They would never hand the lead back over, adding runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 4-1 lead heading into the final innings of the game. Kilee Imada would steal a run back to chip into the deficit, but the Yellowjackets would be unable to add any more runs, falling in the series finale.
 
Teagan Seeton finished 1-2 with a run, while Meyer hit 1-3 with a RBI, and Kalehuawehe went 1-1 with a pair of walks. Imada reached on a walk with a run. Shelby Wasilewski went six innings for MSUB, allowing four runs with two earned, and striking out two batters.
 
THE BUZZ: Blaschak and Kalehuawehe earned Intermountain Health Player of the Game honors for game one and two respectively… Penney's home run moved her to 36 all-time, third in program history… Blaschak hit her seventh homer of the season, while matching her career high for RBIs in a season with 22… MSUB has now hit 51 home runs as a team this season, one away from moving into a tie for fourth most in program history.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjacket have just four games remaining in their season, returning to Billings to face off against Saint Martin's on Friday, April 26 in a doubleheader at Avitus Group Stadium. First pitch of the opening game is set for 1 PM, with tickets available for purchase online here. Live video will be available here, and live statistics available here.