BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings softball team were bested in both games of a doubleheader against Northwest Nazarene University Friday in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (8-27-1, 1-11 GNAC) battled hard and remained close for long stretches in both contests, but were unable to grab the win in either game against the #19 Nighthawks (30-7, 13-3 GNAC), getting swept in the series against their conference foes.
 
Game One: NNU 8, MSUB 5
 
The Yellowjackets got off to an exciting start in the opening game when just two batters into the game, Teagan Seeton would take a pitch deep to centerfield, clearing the fence for a two-run home run and giving MSUB an early lead. The 'Jackets would maintain that advantage throughout the early stages of the game, with Caitlyn James pitching a scoreless first three innings while the Yellowjackets defense backed her up. But the Nighthawks would take advantage of the long ball to rally back, hitting four home runs and plating eight runs between the fourth and sixth innings to steal back momentum and the lead, taking a 8-2 lead. MSUB would fight back late, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to bring the game back to within reach, but were unable to complete a comeback, falling just short by a score of 8-5.
 
Seeton finished 2-3 in the game, collecting a run, a walk, and three RBIs in the game. Marleigh Nieto was 2-2 with a double, RBI, and a run, while Kaylin Galvin totaled the Yellowjackets final RBI on a sacrifice fly, along with a walk and a run. Lauren Blaschak was 1-3 with a run, while Kilee Imada went 1-4. James finished with five innings thrown and six strikeouts for MSUB, while Ella Crookston did not allow a run over her two innings pitched.
 
Game Two: NNU 6, MSUB 0
 
The Nighthawks would strike immediately to begin the final game of the series between them and the Yellowjackets, plating two runs in the top of the first inning. But they would be their only runs that they would score over the next five innings of play, with freshman Shelby Wasielewski preventing Northwest Nazarene from finding much success at the plate. When they did reach base however, the 'Jackets backed up Wasilewski with a number of incredible defensive efforts, including three double plays in the game. But MSUB would not be able to replicate that success with their bats, only able to collect a single hit in the game, and the Nighthawks would collect four more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to grow their lead, before sitting down the Yellowjackets in the final half inning to complete the series sweep.
 
Wasilewski pitched her first career complete game, walking two batters and four earned runs in seven innings of work. On offense, the Yellowjackets lone hit came from Ashley Akers, while Bryn Lucht reached once on a walk.
 
THE BUZZ: Seeton was selected as Intermountain Health Player of the Game in game one, while Akers was chosen in game two… MSUB completed a total five double plays between both games on the day… Seeton blasted her 11^th home run of the season, leading the 'Jackets and tied for most in the conference.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB remains at home for their next conference series, hosting a nationally ranked opponent for the second week in a row when they host #12 Western Washington. Tickets are available to purchase online here, while live video can be found online here, and live statistics online here.