BILLINGS, Mont. – Kicking off it's final home series of the regular season, the Montana State University Billings softball team won in style Wednesday afternoon, taking down Western Oregon University 17-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
Looking to win and remain in the hunt for a GNAC Championships bid, the Yellowjackets (12-24, 7-9 GNAC) would leave no doubt in their series opener against the Wolves (12-32, 5-12 GNAC), excelling in every aspect of play en route to an emphatic victory. The Yellowjacket would match the tenth most runs scored in a single game in team history, while the 16-run margin of victory marked MSUB's largest win since the 2015 season. A high-octane offense would put up those 17 runs by reaching base 19 times, collecting 11 hits and driving in 15 total RBIs and six extra-base hits, while MSUB's defense would play error free in the contest, surrendering just three hits.
 
The game would also see sophomore outfielder Bryn Lucht cement herself in the record books, tying the program's record for RBIs in a game with seven. The outfielder became the third player to achieve the total, joining Rachel Quarnburg in 2006, and current teammate Lauren Blaschak, who drove in seven runs in a game in 2022.
 
Despite the lopsided scoreline, it would be Western Oregon who would get on the scoreboard first, loading the bases after its first three batters would reach base. But after sustaining a run on an RBI groundout, Emily Watters would guide the Yellowjackets out of the jam, with the 'Jackets allowing just a single run to score. The Yellowjackets would then load the bases themselves in the bottom of the first, before the Wolves would manage to neutralize the threat to retain an early lead. But the visitors' advantage would not last long, with MSUB's bats taking over as the game reached the bottom of the second inning. After loading the bases for the second time in as many innings, Kaylin Galvin would get the Yellowjackets on the board and in the driver's seat, with her RBI double plating two runs. Just four pitches later, Bryn Lucht would clear the bases with a three-run shot to left field, expanding the 'Jackets lead to 5-1.
 
It would be the bottom of the third inning though where MSUB's offense would prove itself near unstoppable, with the 'Jackets plating 12 runs in the frame on their way to building their 17-1 advantage. MSUB would reach base 13 times in the inning, including seven hits, while nearly batting through the order twice. The inning's first runs would come from a three-run blast by Galvin, with Lucht hitting her second home run of the game immediately after to give the sophomore her third multi-homer game of the campaign. The 'Jackets would score their next three runs by taking advantage of miscues by the Wolves, with Avery Gray and Galvin walking in runs, while MSUB would score another run on an error. Lucht would then make her way up to bat for the second time in the inning, and would plate three more RBIs on a well-hit RBI double, matching the program record for RBIs before then scoring herself on a wild pitch, ballooning MSUB's lead to 17-1. From there, it was only a matter of time, as Watters held the Wolves hitless following the opening inning. Gray would shift from third base to pitcher for the game's final inning, pitching a scoreless top of the fifth to seal MSUB's seventh victory in GNAC play this season.
 
In addition to her seven RBIs, Lucht would finish the game 3-4 with a pair of home runs and a double, scoring three runs. RBI total also matched the single-game high in the GNAC this season, while she extended her conference-leading home run total to 14. Galvin would set a career-high with six RBIs, scoring three more runs and going 2-3 with a walk. Marleigh Nieto would reach base in all four of her at bats, hitting 2-2 with a pair of walks and scoring three runs, while driving in one. Kennedy Dypwick would hit 1-3 with a pair of runs, while Lauren Blaschak and Wynter Hurst would each hit 1-3 with a run. Gray would also bat 1-3 in the contest, reaching base twice more on walks and collecting three runs and an RBI. She would also allow just one hit in her scoreless fifth inning in the circle. Meanwhile, Watters would collect her seventh win of the season, pitching four innings and allowing just a pair of hits and a walk, while striking out three batters.
 
THE BUZZ: Lucht was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the sophomore is now up to 14 homers on the season, tying for fourth in program history and just two off of matching the program record for home runs in a season… Her 37 RBIs also rank third in the GNAC, in addition to sitting just outside the top ten for a single season in team history… MSUB increased it's team home run total to 43 on the campaign, most in the GNAC, while also ranking top of the conference in team slugging at .522.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets and Wolves will continue their series with another game scheduled for tomorrow, April 17 at Avitus Group Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2 PM. Live video will be made available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets can be purchased online here.