NAMPA, Idaho – The Montana State University Billings women's softball team was defeated in their opening game at the GNAC Championships, falling 8-2 to Western Washington University in postseason action.
 
The No. 4 seeded Yellowjackets (16-27, 11-11 GNAC) would open up their first postseason competition in ten seasons with a tough matchup against the No. 1 seed and #9 nationally ranked Vikings (38-10, 21-3 GNAC), looking to halt a team in the midst of a ten-game winning streak. That run would continue for Western Washington though, as they would take an early lead in the contest, which they would hold on to for the remainder of the game. The Yellowjackets would flash the power with a pair of home runs in the contest, but would be unable to mount a comeback, falling in game one to set up a win or go home situation on day two of competition.
 
The Vikings would strike first in the bottom of the first inning, plating two runs after an RBI triple to left would open their account, before an errant throw would send the runner home and giving Western a 2-0 lead in the early stages. But MSUB would look to spark its way back into the game, with one swing of the bat from Jazlyn Kalehuawehe halving the lead in the top of the second inning. The reigning GNAC Player of the Week and All-Conference Honorable Mention selection would blast a home run over the fence in left center, collecting her fourth long ball in the past five games and putting MSUB behind 2-1. But the Vikings would make the comeback challenge even more difficult in the bottom of the frame, walking home two more runs before a sac fly and subsequent RBI single would push the lead to 5-1, and chase starter Emily Watters from the game.
 
Kaylin Galvin would put the Yellowjackets on the board once more in the bottom of the fourth, with her solo hot to lead off the fourth inning sparking hope once more for the Yellowjackets. But the top ranked Vikings would once again cut MSUB's momentum short, scoring three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to build up an 8-2 lead. While Caitlyn James would settle in to close out the final innings strong on the mound, MSUB would be unable to cross home plate for the remainder of the game, stranding runners in both the sixth and seventh innings to come up short in their postseason opener.
 
Kalehuawehe would go 2-3 overall in the game, finishing as the lone Yellowjacket with multiple hits, while plating a run and an RBI. Galvin would go 1-3 with an RBI and a run, while Kennedy Dypwick would go 1-2 at the plate. Watters would go 1.2 innings in the start, striking out a single batter and allowing five runs before James would finish out the remaining 4.1 innings at pitcher, allowing five hits and three runs, while striking out one.
 
THE BUZZ: Kalehuawehe was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the loss moved the Yellowjackets to 1-4 on the season in contests against Western Washington.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB could play up to two games tomorrow on day two of the GNAC Championships, depending on results. The Yellowjackets will open the day with a matchup against No. 3 Seed Simon Fraser University in an elimination game set for 12:30 PM at Halle Softball Field. If the Yellowjackets win that game, they will advance to face off against the loser of the morning's contest between No. 1 Seed Western Washington University and No. 2 Seed Saint Martin's University at 3:00 PM, with that game determining who will advance to the GNAC Championships. Live coverage for all MSUB softball action at the GNAC Championships can be found both on the MSUB Softball Schedule, and the GNAC Championships Homepage.