LACEY, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings baseball team concluded it's series with Saint Martin's University, claiming a series victory after winning in both legs of a doubleheader in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, and punctuating the day by clinching their spot in the GNAC Championships.
 
The Yellowjackets (27-13, 18-6 GNAC) will make their first postseason appearance since 2022, clinching their spot after besting the Saints (2-37, 2-21 GNAC) in a dominant 15-3 win in the opening game of the day. The 'Jackets would then seal the series victory by taking a 10-3 victory in the final game of the series, sealing a 3-1 series victory on the week against the Saints, and 7-1 on the season against Saint Martin's.
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 15, SMU 3
 
MSUB would begin the game by jumping all over the Saints in the top half of the first inning, scoring eight runs on six hits, batting through the order. Kaden Kirshenbaum would strike first with a two-run shot to score MSUB's first runs of the game, before the 'Jackets would load the bases and threaten to score once more. After Cole McDonald would single to add another run and keep the bases juiced, Jarret Elmer would clear them with a grand slam, pushing the lead to seven. Kirshenbaum would collect another RBI in his second time up in the inning, walking home a run to give MSUB an 8-0 lead after just the first inning. That lead would grow to 13-0 in the second, with Parker Bleggi and Zack Blaszak each collecting two-run hits, while Ryan Jeffrey would bring another run home on an RBI groundout.
 
MSUB would add a pair of runs in the third inning, with Kaden Bertram clobbering a solo home run and Bodee Wright plating the 'Jackets final run of the game on a sacrifice fly. The Saints would tack on three runs as the game went on, but would come nowhere close to starting a comeback, with Sam Coxen allowing just a single hit and striking out eight in five innings of work on his way to collecting his sixth run of the season. Behind Coxen, Malcolm Bartholomew, Kevin McClellan, Lance Shaaf, and Jaxon Meyer would each pitch scoreless innings to see out the Yellowjackets victory, and guarantee the Yellowjackets will advance to play postseason baseball.
 
Wright would lead MSUB with three hits, going 3-3 with three steals, along with two runs, an RBI, and a walk. Elmer would lead the way with four RBIs, hitting 2-4 while also scoring three runs. Bleggi would also hit 2-4 with a pair of runs and RBIs. Nate McDonald would go 2-5 with two runs and an RBI, while Blaszak would go 2-5 with a pair of RBIs. Kirshenbaum would hit 1-4 with three RBIs and a run, and Jeffrey would go 1-5 with a run and an RBI. Bertram would go 1-2, reaching once more on a walk and scoring three runs with an RBI. Nate May would also collect a hit, batting 1-1 in the game.
 
HEAR FROM COACH WADDOUPS: "I am proud of how our team played today. We had quality offensive production throughout the line up. Kirshenbaum' home run in the first inning of game one set the tone for the day. Our relief pitching was outstanding today. I was proud of the pitching staff for competing in the zone."
 
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 10, SMU 3
 
Looking to lock in a series victory against the Saints, MSUB would once again score in the opening inning of the finale, with Zack Blaszak doubling down the first base line to score the game's opening run. That early success would multiply in the second inning, as the 'Jackets would expand upon that lead with five more runs. Parker Bleggi would open the tally by driving in a pair of runs on a single, before Bodee Wright would drive in another run on a single of his own. Bleggi would then cross the plate after advancing on an error, before Ryan Jeffrey would give MSUB a 6-0 with his sacrifice fly to deep centerfield.
 
The Saints would score a pair of runs as they looked to climb back into the game, closing the gap in the bottom of the third inning. But an effective outing from Cy Miller, who struck out seven batters in the game and kept the Yellowjackets firmly in control of the game. MSUB would restore it's advantage with RBI hits from Kaden Bertram and Bleggi in the top of the fifth inning, before Ryker Fortier would plate another run in the sixth inning after taking advantage of an error. Blaszak would score another run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning, and the Yellowjackets would exit Lacey with a series victory.
 
Miller would improve his record to 5-1 on the year, throwing five innings of work, while Andrew White and Cole Bakker would each pitch an inning in relief. Bleggi would hit 2-4 with three RBIs and a run, while Fortier would go 2-4 with a walk and two runs, while Blaszak would go 2-5 with a run, an RBI, and a pair of steals. Wright would finish the game 1-2 with a walk, RBI, and two runs, while Bertram would reach base thrice after hitting 1-3 with two walks, two runs, and an RBI. Cole Ayala would bat 1-1 with a run, and Jarret Elmer would hit 1-2 with a run.
 
HEAR FROM WADDOUPS: "Cole Ayala stepped in and had a great defensive game for us. Miller was lights out on the mound and did a great job attacking the zone."
 
THE BUZZ: Jarret Elmer was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one, while Parker Bleggi would be named Player of the Game for game two.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will continue their chase for the GNAC regular season title next week with a four-game series against Western Oregon, facing off on the road in Monmouth, Oregon. The series is set to open with a doubleheader on Friday, April 25, with first pitch set for 12 PM MT (11 AM PT). Live video of the games will be available here, while live statistics will be available here.