HAYWARD, Cal. – Pinch-hit heroics and post rain delay execution led the Montana State University Billings baseball team (1-0) to an opening day 5-4 victory over the Cal State East Bay Pioneers (0-1) at the Pioneer Baseball Field.
Jason Wright led the Yellowjackets to a five run ninth inning comeback on a pinch-hit three run homer, followed by a no out bases loaded save from
Andy Evans. Also highlighting the day was
Kaden Kirshenbaums first hit of the game that surged him to the 100 career hit mark in an MSUB uniform.
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS: "Wow, what a comeback and gutsy performance from
Andy Evans. Chappell and Bartholomew were fantastic in the early innings to give us a chance to win late in the game. Evans came into the rain, having to throw in really difficult circumstances and after a two-hour break being able to pitch out of that jam was amazing and I'm very proud of his effort."
Junior transfer from the College of Southern Idaho
Brennen Chappell got the start on opening day for the Yellowjackets. In his first NCAA start, Chappell went 5.2 innings pitched with three strikeouts while surrendering just two earned runs and zero walks. During his stint, the MSUB offense was slow to get moving, posting eight hits but were unable to push a run across. Relieving Chappell in the bottom of the sixth was previous teammate from CSI,
Malcolm Bartholomew. The big lefty went 2.1 innings with a pair of strikeouts while allowing just one earned run. The Pioneers headed into the top of the ninth with a 4-0 lead, silencing the powerhouse Yellowjacket lineup for eight straight innings.
At the top of the ninth was when MSUB exploded with five runs on four hits while still stranding two on base. Kirshenbaum and
Ryan Jeffrey got things going with back-to-back singles followed by a walk from
Cole Ayala to load the bases.
Ryker Fortier then drove Kirshenbaum home to scratch across their first run of the ballgame. Fireworks were shortly after when
Jason Wright smashed a pinch-hit three run bomb to give MSUB the 5-4 advantage and MSUB headed into the final half with a one run lead.
The game was not over as the Pioneers were able to load the bases on
Andy Evans who entered in the top of the ninth inning. Once the bases were loaded the umpires called the game for a rain delay due to the heavy precipitation. After a two-hour delay, both squads suited back up to finish out the opening game of the season. With bases loaded and a let up in the rain it looked like the Pioneers had the clear advantage to walk it off. Evans had other plans, striking out the first batter and getting a ground ball where
Zack Blaszak did the rest, turning a solo double play to end the game.
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS: "Offensively in the first eight innings we couldn't get the big hit to fall. We were able to string things together in the ninth and
Jason Wright did the rest with a game winning home run. It was a team effort as we took multiple good pinch-hit at bats and had a quality approach up and down the lineup. That was just a gutsy win to start off the year, and I'm really proud of the teams effort and what they were able to accomplish today."
STATISTIC LEADERS
HITS: Jack Nehler (3);
Kaden Kirshenbaum (3)
EXTRA BASE HITS: Kaden Kirshenbaum (1);
Jason Wright (1);
Ryker Fortier (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Jason Wright (3);
Ryker Fortier (1);
Cole Ayala (1)
STRIKEOUTS: Brennen Chappell (3);
Malcolm Bartholomew (2)
EARNED RUNS: Andy Evans (0);
Malcolm Bartholomew (1)
WIN/SAVE: Malcolm Batholomew (win);
Andy Evans (save)
THE BUZZ: Jason Wright was named Intermountain Health Player of the Day after the Game after his go-ahead three run home run in the top of the ninth to help secure the Yellowjackets' first win of the season.
UP NEXT: After a schedule change for game two today, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket baseball team finishes out series against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers with a nine-inning game tomorrow at 12:00 PM MT. Due to heavy precipitation in the forecast the final three games are subject to change. Live statistics for the opening weekend matchup can be found
here, and the live stream link can be found
here.
