LOLETA, Calif. – The Montana State University Billings softball team dropped both of it's games on Wednesday against Cal Poly Humboldt, falling in the opener 12-4 before dropping a heartbreaker late by a score of 8-6 in the second game.
 
The Yellowjackets (3-13) would show some early promise against the Lumberjacks (14-7, 3-3 CCAA), taking a lead early in game one before a disastrous fourth inning would spell doom for MSUB in the game. The 'Jackets would then follow that up by rallying from behind to tie things after trailing in the early innings, but a walk-off home run would hand the 'Jackets their second loss of the day despite showing promise.
 
Game One: HUM 12, MSUB 4 (5 innings)
 
A leadoff double from Marleigh Nieto would help the Yellowjackets find some early success, with Lauren Blaschak plating her with an RBI single to score the opening run of the game in the top of the first inning. MSUB would extend that lead even further with Wynter Hurst driving in another run with an RBI single, her third straight game with an RBI. That lead would hold for the next two innings as the 'Jackets starter Caitlyn James would find an early rhythm, keeping the Lumberjacks off the scoreboard. In the top of the fourth inning, MSUB would double their lead, with Bryn Lucht doubling to centerfield and scoring both Blaschak and Kaylin Galvin, who reach on back-to-back walks.
 
But the bottom of the fourth inning would spell doom for the 'Jackets, with Humboldt collecting nine runs on ten hits to swing the game dramatically in favor of the Lumberjacks. The Yellowjackets would go three up, three down in the top of the fifth, before giving up three more runs in the bottom of the frame, with the final coming on a walk-off RBI single to end the game early, and hand MSUB the loss.
 
Lucht would finish the game 2-3, driving in two RBIs to finish as MSUB's leader in both categories. Blaschak, Galvin, and Hurst would all finish 1-2 in the contest, and reach base an additional time on a walk. Blaschak would score two runs with an RBI, while Galvin would score one run and Hurst would collect one RBI. Nieto would end the game 1-3 with a run. Grace Hood would be the only other 'Jacket to reach base in the game after being hit by a pitch. James would throw 3.2 inning for the 'Jackets striking out three and not allowing a walk while giving up seven hits and four earned runs.
 
Game Two: HUM 8, MSUB 6
 
Lucht would spark the offense once again in the top of the first for MSUB, driving in a run on a RBI double to center to score Kaylin Galvin. Tacking on another run for the Yellowjackets in the frame would be Avery Gray, earning her first career RBI on an RBI single to score Lucht and give MSUB a 2-0 to start the game for the second time on the day. But the Lumberjacks would fight back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, before putting on two more in the bottom of the third inning. The Yellowjackets would claw a run back in the top of the fourth when Lucht would walk in a run with the bases loaded, but MSUB would be unable to find another in the inning, with Humboldt taking the lead back to two runs with an RBI double in the bottom half.
 
The Yellowjackets would continue to battle back though, walking twice to start the top of the sixth inning before a wild pitch would move two runners into scoring position. From the MSUB would continue to take advantage of the Lumberjack's miscues, with Galvin scoring on an error before Lucht would eventually score on a wild pitch to even up the game. And down to their final out in the inning with Wynter Hurst standing on third, a clutch single from Kennedy Dypwick would give the Yellowjackets back the lead, needing just six outs to claim victory. But the Lumberjacks would score another run on an error in the bottom of the sixth to even things up going into the final frame. MSUB would get the leading run to third base before ending the inning without a score, before a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh would walk it off for the Lumberjacks, giving them their second win on the day.
 
MSUB would reach base 18 times in the game. Lucht finished the game 2-3 with a pair of walks, runs and RBIs each. Galvin would also bat 2-3, reaching base four times with a pair of walks and collecting two runs and a steal. Meanwhile Gray would hit 1-2 with an RBI and two walks, while Kendall Klemp would hit 1-3 with a run and a walk. Kennedy Dypwick and Lauren Blaschak would each finish 1-4, with Dypwick driving in one run and Blaschak collecting an RBI. Nieto would finish the game 1-5. Pitching wise, Emily Watters would go 6.1 innings for MSUB striking out five.
 
THE BUZZ: Lucht was named Intermountain Health Player of the Day after reaching base five times across the two games, driving in a team-high four runs on the day to go with two runs.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets are set to play next on Tuesday, March 11, marking the team's home opener with a doubleheader against Black Hills State University. Game times are scheduled for 1 PM and 3 PM at Avitus Group Stadium, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets are available for purchase online here.