MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (27-15, 18-8 GNAC) dropped both games of a doubleheader to open their four-game series against Western Oregon (14-24, 10-16 GNAC) on Friday. The day began with a tightly contested 2-1 loss in a pitchers' duel, followed by a 12-4 defeat in game two.
 
In a tightly contested pitchers' duel, Jackson Betancourt and Hayden Mullins delivered standout performances on the mound. Betancourt worked six strong innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run. Mullins came in to shut the door, tossing two scoreless frames with three strikeouts.
 
At the plate on the day, Zack Blaszak led the offensive charge, going 5-for-8 with a run scored, an RBI, a double, and a stolen base. Jack Nehler also contributed with three hits and two RBIs, while Parker Bleggi went 2-for-3 in Game 2, scoring twice and adding a double.
 
HEAR FROM COACH WADDOUPS: "Game one was a great baseball game that we just came up short in, but I was proud of our fight late in the game. Betancourt and Mullins both pitched fantastic, so it was just unfortunate that we weren't able to pull out the win. You have to tip your cap to WOU's Devin Bell though, he pitched a tough game."
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 1; WOU 2
After a scoreless top half, the Wolves struck first in the opening game of the series. The Yellowjackets threatened in the following top half after a double from Ryan Jeffrey and a single from Kaden Bertram, but they were unable to push one across. WOU tallied another in the bottom of the second, but MSUB was able to respond. Zack Blaszak did the heavy lifting, leading things off with a double before stealing third to set up Jack Nehler. Nehler did his job after putting one in play to score Blaszak and make it a 2-1 ball game.
 
Betancourt made his exit in the top of the seventh but not before going six complete with five strikeouts while allowing just one earned run and one walk. From there, Hayden Mullins took the reigns on the mound and would go on to throw two complete innings with three strikeouts while allowing zero runs. In the top of the ninth Kaden Kirshenbaum led things off with a single with Jeffrey getting aboard on a walk to follow. Cole Ayala was able to move them both into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, but the Yellowjackets were unable to bring them home. Western Oregon went on to take the series opener 2-1.
 
HEAR FROM COACH WADDOUPS: "Game two we just didn't have it early in the game. Our team really competed at the plate with Bleggi, Blaszak, and Nehler all posting multi-hit games. I thought we were going to make a run in the middle innings but just couldn't keep the momentum going. As a team, we just need to keep the game simple to bounce back."
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 4; WOU 12
Looking to bounce back in the second game of the day, the Yellowjackets got out to a tough start when the Wolves pushed across six runs in just the first inning. MSUB found life in the top of the third inning when Parker Bleggi led things off with double followed by Blaszak bringing him home on an RBI single. Kaden Bertram cut their deficit to just four when he send one over the left field wall for his third home run of the season.
 
After the Wolves scored three more in the bottom half, the 'Jackets responded immediately with two of their own in the top of the fifth. Nehler added his second RBI of the day on a base hit to left field while Kirshenbaum followed suit with an RBI single to score Ryker Fortier. The Yellowjackets were unable to convert any more runs in the final two innings and the Wolves went on to take the 12-4 victory. Brennen Chappell made the game two start and went three complete innings with a pair of strikeouts before being relieved by Malcolm Bartholomew. The big lefty went 2.1 innings while Gunner Thompson closed it out.
 
STATISTIC LEADERS
H: Zack Blaszak (5); Jack Nehler (3)
R: Parker Bleggi (2); Three players tied (1)
RBI: Jack Nehler (2); Three players tied (1)
IP: Jackson Betancourt (6.0); Brennen Chappell (3.0)
SO: Jackson Betancourt (5); Hayden Mullins (3)
 
THE BUZZ: Jackson Betancourt was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one, and Parker Bleggi 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 doubleheader against the Western Oregon Wolves with first pitch set for 12:00 PM (MT). Live statistics for the matchup can be found here, and the live stream link can be found here.