NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State University Billings softball team split it's two games on Friday in Idaho, collecting a neutral site victory over Central Washington University before falling short against host school Northwest Nazarene University.
 
After facing three full weeks off due to multiple weather cancellations, the Yellowjackets (2-8) would return to action by taking on a pair of fellow GNAC teams in games that will not count towards the team's conference records. MSUB would open the day with a statement win, taking down the Wildcats (2-10) by a score of 9-4 behind a six-run second inning, and a gem from Emily Watters in the circle. They would then go on to battle strong in the early stages of game two against the Nighthawks (8-7), before NNU would go on a late run to hand MSUB the 11-3 loss.
 
Game One: MSUB 9, CWU 4
 
Following a scoreless first inning for both sides, the Yellowjackets would waste no time in the top of the second inning, grabbing the lead on a solo shot to left field from senior Lauren Blaschak. Her blast would set the tone for the Yellowjackets, who would see their next three batters reach base. Following singles from Wynter Hurst and Grace Hood, Kennedy Dypwick would clear the bases with a two RBI triple, extending MSUB's lead even further. The 'Jackets would tack on three more runs in the inning, including a pair of singles from Marleigh Nieto and Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, while an error in the field by Central Washington would make the lead 6-0 heading into the bottom of the frame. Emily Watters would then display her dominance on the mound, retiring the bottom of the frame with three strikeouts, as the 'Jackets would look to cement themselves firmly in the driver's seat.
 
Watters would continue to dominate as the game stretched on, recording eight strikeouts between the second and fourth innings, all of them coming on swings-and-misses. The Wildcats would manage to cut into the lead with a three-run home run, but Watters would not be phased, allowing just three more hits in the rest of the game after the home run. MSUB would tack on even more run support in the top of the seventh, with Blaschak collecting a pair of RBIs on an RBI double, before Hurst would plate Blaschak on her second single of the game, restoring a six run advantage for the Yellowjackets as the game made it's way into the final frame. While the Wildcat would sneak another run across in the seventh inning, they wouldn't come anywhere close to sparking a rally, with Watters striking out the last two batters of the game to seal an impressive team victory for the Yellowjackets.
 
Watters would collect her second win on the season, allowing six hits and three earned runs across seven innings of work and 122 total pitches. The sophomore would strike out 12 batters in the game, a career-high and the most strikeouts in a single game by any GNAC pitcher this season. Her total would also be the most strikeouts by a MSUB pitcher in a seven-inning game since 2018. Blaschak would finish 3-4 with a pair of runs and three RBIs, while Nieto would also finish 3-4 at the plate with two runs and one RBI. Both players would also steal a base. Hurst would bat 2-4 with a run and an RBI, while Dypwick would hit 1-4 with a run and two RBIs. Also batting 1-4 would be Kalehuawehe and Bryn Lucht, while Grace Hood would go 1-3 with a run and a walk.
 
Game Two: NNU 11, MSUB 3 (6 innings)
 
The first inning would start a bit shaky for the 'Jackets, with the Nighthawks putting three runs up in the bottom of the first inning. But MSUB would respond immediately in the top of the second with back-to-back home runs. Bryn Lucht would lead off the top of the second with a opposite field drive to lead off the frame, her team-high third of the season. And just a few pitches later, Kaylin Galvin would send a ball deep to left field, clearing the fence and making it a 3-2 ball game. The 'Jackets would work to put a runner on third with two outs in the inning, but would be unable to push home the tying run, trailing by one heading into the bottom of the third. But the Nighthawks would rebuild their cushion with back-to-back RBI doubles scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. An error would see Kennedy Dypwick cross the plate for a MSUB run in the top of the fifth inning, but Northwest Nazarene would tack on four more runs in the bottom of the fifth to put the game firmly out of hand. One more run in the bottom of the sixth inning for NNU would spell an early end to the game, and give MSUB a split between the day's two games.
 
Lucht and Galvin would each finish with a run and an RBI, with Lucht batting 1-2 with a walk and Galvin hitting 1-3. Lauren Blaschak would reach twice, batting 1-2 with a walk and a stolen base, while Grace Hood would finish 1-2 and also draw a walk. Dypwick and Marleigh Nieto would both bat 1-3, with Dypwick collecting a run, while Jazlyn Kalehuawehe would be given credit for an RBI on the error that scored Dypwick. For pitchers, Caitlyn James would lead MSUB with 3.2 innings pitched, striking out three batters, while Avery Gray and Shelby Wasilewski would make appearances in relief following her.
 
THE BUZZ: Watters was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one, while Lucht was named Player of the Game for game two… Lucht has now hit three home runs on the season, leading MSUB and tying for first in the GNAC.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB will square off against Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene again tomorrow, March 1 in Nampa, Idaho. The Yellowjackets will face off against the Wildcats at 10:30 AM, before facing off against the Nighthawks at 3:30 PM. Live video for both games is available here, and live statistics will be available here.