JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The Montana State University Billings softball team collected it's first win of the season in a doubleheader against University of Jamestown.
 
The Yellowjackets (1-5), playing against the Jimmies (1-3) under the hosts indoor bubble, split the night's games, falling in the opening game 6-1 before turning around and collecting a 6-4 win for their first victory of the 2025 campaign, and the first win as Yellowjacket for head coach Joe Yegge.
 
Game One: UJ 6, MSUB 1
 
The Jimmies would strike first in the bottom of the first inning to open the scoring, plating a pair of runs on an RBI double to take an early lead. The Yellowjackets would look to respond with a run of their own in the top of the second, threatening to on just the second batter of the inning following Bryn Lucht singling and moving to second on a passed ball. Wynter Hurst would single up the middle and Lucht would round for home, but the sophomore would be thrown out at the plate, denying MSUB a run. The 'Jackets would manage to plate Hurst shortly after, with Ashley Akers doubling int left center to grab a run back, but the Jimmies would restore a two-run lead with an RBI double of their own in the bottom of the inning.
 
The game would then remain scoreless over the next two innings of action, with MSUB getting runners on in both the fourth and fifth innings, but being unable to turn them into runs. Caitlyn James would be able to escape a jam with a runner on third in the third inning, but the senior pitcher wouldn't be able to escape a similar situation in the bottom of the fifth, with the Jimmies scoring another run to extend their lead to 4-1. Jamestown would plate two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to make it a five-run game, and despite loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh, MSUB would not be able to put together a rally, falling in the night's opening game.
 
Akers finished the game 2-3 at the dish, with her double finishing as the 'Jackets lone extra base hit of the game. Meanwhile, Grace Hood finished 1-2 with a walk, becoming the other Yellowjacket to reach base multiple times in the contest. Hurst, Lucht, and Lauren Blaschak all finished 1-3, with Hurst scoring MSUB's sole run. James pitched five full innings on the mound, striking out a pair of batters with just one walk, and allowing four earned runs. She was relieved by Avery Gray, who retired all three batters she faced in the game.
 
Game Two: MSUB 6, UJ 4
 
Neither team was able to generate any offense over the first two innings of action, with the pitchers controlling the game early. Emily Watters would control the zone early for the Yellowjackets, stranding all three base runners who reached and striking out four, including three strikeouts in the bottom of the second inning. MSUB would create some noise in the third inning though, with the first three runners of the inning reaching base to threaten with nobody out. Kaylin Galvin would open the scoring with an RBI single to centerfield, and just one batter later, Bryn Lucht would take a pitch to right center, clearing the fence and the bases for an opposite field grand slam, and putting MSUB firmly in the driver's seat.
 
The Jimmies would get two runs back in the bottom of the third, and another run across in the bottom of the fifth as the hosts looked to make a comeback. But Watters would remain hard to solve, continuing to make things difficult for Jamestown's hitters, while the Yellowjacket defense backed her up. The teams would trade runs in the sixth inning, with the 'Jackets coming on an RBI single from Wynter Hurst, and the Yellowjackets would threaten to add even more in the top of the seventh inning, but a close play at the plate would go against MSUB to send them into the final inning ahead by two. The Jimmies would get a runner on, but Watters wouldn't let a potential tying run reach first, slamming the door closed to give her the first win of her MSUB career, and the Yellowjackets their first win of the 2025 season.
 
Lucht would reach base four times, finishing 3-3 with a walk. The sophomore finished with a run and four RBIs, while playing error free defense in center field. Also collecting multiple hits was Galvin, who went 2-4 with an RBI and a run. Hurst and Kennedy Dypwick would each go 1-3, with Hurst adding a steal to her stat line. Lauren Blaschak and Peyton Roberge would both bat 1-4 with a run and an RBI. Roberge's hit was a double, both the first extra base hit of her season and career. Watters would throw a full seven innings, allowing just a pair of earned runs on six hits, while not allowing a walk and striking out a career-best six batters.
 
THE BUZZ: Akers was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one, while Lucht was selected for game two.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB rounds out it's trip to Jamestown with two more games against separate opponents on Friday, February 7, opening the day with a matchup against Northern State at 10 AM MT (11 AM CT), and rounding things out with a contest against Valley City State University at 12:30 PM MT (1:30 PM CT). Live video of both games can be found online here, while live stats are available here.