BILLINGS, Mont. – Brennen Chappell's complete game shutout led the Montana State University Billings baseball team to a split on the day. The Yellowjackets (16-10, 7-3 GNAC) fell short in game one 11-8 but bounced back with a game two 6-0 victory over the Western Oregon Wolves (5-14, 2-8 GNAC) at Dehler Park earlier this evening.
 
Jackson Betancourt had another stellar start in the opening game of the series, going six complete innings with six strikeouts while allowing just three runs. Hayden Mullins followed with two strikeouts while allowing just one run in two innings of work. Backing the pitching staff was Kaden Kirshenbaum who led the Yellowjacket offense in game one, going 2-4 from the plate with two runs and two RBIs behind a double and his 24^th career home run which puts him fifth all-time in the MSUB record books. The 'Jackets held a 5-4 advantage and put up three in the bottom of the ninth, but the Wolves seven run ninth inning surge proved to be the difference.
 
Game two was a direct result of a stellar pitching performance from Brennen Chappell, textbook defense, and consistent production from the MSUB lineup to claim the 6-0 victory. Chappell improved to 2-1 on the season after throwing his first complete game shutout in a Yellowjacket uniform. The Kimberly, ID native allowed just five hits while sitting down six hitters in his seven complete innings of work. Jack Nehler did the heavy lifting on the offensive side, going 4-4 at the plate with one run and one double while tallying four RBIs.

Chappell Shutout CG for the win😤

Yellowjackets split on the day, dropping game one 11-8 but taking game two 6-0 over the Western Oregon Wolves!

Kaden Kirshenbaum was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one and Brennen Chappell for game two!#msubsports pic.twitter.com/r7NQEYpY8M

— MSUB Baseball (@MSUBBaseball) March 22, 2025

 
HEAR FROM COACH WADDOUPS: "It was unfortunate that we let game one get away from us. Betancourt and Mullins both pitched great, but we just had a few miscues and bad luck in the in the ninth. I like how our guys battled at the plate and gave us chances to win with Kirshenbaum leading the way in game one."
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 8; WOU 11
After a scoreless top half from Betancourt, the 'Jackets lineup went to work early, scoring two runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning. Bodee Wright led things off with a walk and after a pair of retired hitters Kirshenbaum gave the Yellowjackets the advantage on a two out two RBI home run to deep left field. Both squads were silent until the top of the third when Western Oregon answered with a three-run homer to give them the 3-2 lead. Kaden Bertram tied up the ball game in the bottom of the fourth after he brought home Ryan Jeffrey, but the Wolves regained a one run lead following.
 
It wasn't until the bottom of the eight when the Yellowjackets yet again retook a 5-4 advantage. MSUB loaded the bases after a pair of walks and a base hit from Jeffrey, followed by a sacrifice fly from Ryker Fortier to tie it up. To close out the inning, Kirshenbaum scored on a wild pitch, but the Wolves were able to catch Jeffrey out at home trying to stretch two bases. After Western exploded with seven runs in the top of the ninth, the 'Jackets were able to scrape across three more on a two RBI single from Nehler and an RBI base knock from Jeffrey, but it was not enough to amount the comeback.
 
HEAR FROM COACH WADDOUPS: "Game two was a great bounce back win, Chappell did Chappell things and was just consistently in the zone and kept them off balance. Nehler had some clutch at bats for us and drove in multiple big runs. Adding to the lead in the late innings gave us some insurance and confidence to finish it out on top. We had production one through nine which was great to see and proves what makes our team really tough."
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 6; WOU 0
The Yellowjackets struck first again in the second game of the day, jumping ahead to a 2-0 lead on three hits in the bottom of the first inning. Wright led it off with a triple to center field, followed by a single from Zack Blaszak, and Nehler bringing them both home on a two RBI double off the wall. Another insurance run came in the bottom of the third after Nehler added his third RBI of the game on an RBI base hit to score Blaszak. MSUB added two more in the fifth inning via sacrifice fly from Kaden Bertram to score Nehler and Jeffrey scoring on a wild pitch. Rounding out the game two production was Nehler, adding his fourth RBI of the game on another base knock to score Bleggi. From there, Chappell closed out his complete game shutout and the Yellowjackets went on to take the 6-0 victory.
 
STATISTIC LEADERS
H: Jack Nehler (5); Ryan Jeffrey (4)
R: Bodee Wright (3); Jack Nehler (3)
RBI: Jack Nehler (6); Three players tied (3)
IP: Brennen Chappell (7.0); Jackson Betancourt (6.0)
SO: Brennen Chappell (6); Jackson Betancourt (6)
W/S: Brennen Chappell (W)
 
THE BUZZ: Kaden Kirshenbaum was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one and Brennen Chappell was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings baseball team is back in action tomorrow for another double header against the Western Oregon Wolves at Dehler Park with first pitch set for noon. Tickets for the home matchup can be found here, live statistics can be found here, and the live stream link can be found here.