BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings softball program opened it's final series of the season Friday with a doubleheader against Saint Martin's University, dropping both contests in the final weekend of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (9-36-1, 2-20 GNAC) battled hard early in both games, but late offensive splurges from the Saints (23-18, 14-8 GNAC) sunk the 'Jackets in both contests, despite impressive performances at the plate. The Yellowjackets still had achievements to celebrate on the day however, chief among them centerfielder Teagan Seeton hitting her 16^th home run of the season, breaking the program's record for most home runs in a single season. Seeton, who tied the record last weekend against Simon Fraser, surpassed Theresa Campbell's 2005 season and Meg Harasymczuk's 2012 campaign to secure the record, while also moving into a tie for fourth place in the GNAC for home runs hit in a season.
 
Game One: Saint Martin's 12, MSUB 4 (6 innings)
 
The Saints opened the scoring in game one of the day with a two-run homer in the top of the first inning to grab an early lead. But MSUB would respond in kind in the bottom of the frame, with Seeton's record breaking blast putting the 'Jackets on the board before a Marin Penney run from a bases loaded wild pitch would even things at two. The Saints would regain the lead once again with runs in the second and third innings, but the home run ball would once again help MSUB rally, with Marin Penney's two run bomb evening the game once more in the third inning. But the Saints would take back the lead for good in the fourth with two runs, and a six-run explosion in the top of the sixth would put the game out of reach, and force the run-rule into effect.
 
Seeton finished 2-2 in the game with a RBI and a run, reaching base in each of her at bats after adding a pair of walks. Penney finished 1-2 with a pair of RBIs, a run, and a walk. Claire Bagnell batted 2-3 with a pair of singles, and Lauren Blaschak went 2-4 with a double. Kilee Imada went 1-2 with a walk and a pair of runs.
 
Game Two: Saint Martin's 15, MSUB 7 (6 innings)
 
Game two looked like it would start in similar fashion to the first inning, with the Saints taking the lead with a solo home run before Payton Meyer would tie the game up again. But following another one-run inning from the Saints, the Yellowjackets would put up an impressive second inning at the plate, batting through the order. It would be Meyer with the highlight of the game, sending a grand slam over the fight field fence to propel MSUB into the lead before RBI hits from Jazlyn Kalehuawehe and Kaylin Galvin would open the lead up further, with MSUB up 7-2 at the end of the second inning. But the Saints' pitchers would recover from there to keep the Yellowjackets off the board for the rest of the contest, and a combined 13 runs over the final three innings of the game would be enough to steal the lead back from the 'Jackets, before ending the second half of the doubleheader in six innings once more.
 
Meyer finished 1-3 with a career-high five RBIs, adding one run. Both Lauren Blaschak and Marin Penney batted 2-3 in the game, with Blaschak adding a pair of runs and a steal to her stat line. Kilee Imada went 2-4 with a double and a run, while Kaylin Galvin and Madeline Elbert each went 1-3 with doubles. Claire Bagnell batted 1-3 with a run, while Kalehuawehe went 1-4 with a run and an RBI.
 
THE BUZZ: Seeton was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game for her game one performance, while Meyer was chosen for game two… Penney hit the 37^th home run of her career, while moving to 99 career RBIs.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets conclude their season tomorrow with one more doubleheader against Saint Martin's, with first pitch of the opening game scheduled for 12 PM. A ceremony to honor the Yellowjacket's four seniors: Marin Penney, Payton Meyer, Claire Bagnell, and Kilee Imada will begin at 11:45 AM, proceeding the start of the game. Tickets are available for purchase online here, while live video is available here, and live statistics are available here.