SAN BERNARDINO, Cali.- The Montana State University Billings baseball team opened their 2026 season with a thrilling comeback victory Friday night at Fiscalini Field, as
Jack Nehler launched a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to propel the Yellowjackets to a 7–4 win over Cal State San Bernardino.
The Yellowjackets scored once in the opening inning but trailed for most of the contest, facing a 4–1 deficit entering the ninth. MSUB responded with six unanswered runs across the final two innings, combining timely hitting with dominant bullpen performances to erase the deficit and secure the season-opening win.
Sam Coxen made his Opening Day start and turned in a strong outing, going six innings with eight strikeouts while allowing four runs. After the Coyotes built their lead, the bullpen took over. Newcomers
Blake Sweat and
Carson Waples combined to toss two hitless innings with three strikeouts, keeping MSUB within striking distance.
Hayden Mullins earned the win, delivering two dominant innings in extras. The 2025 All-West Region selection struck out five of the six batters he faced without allowing a hit.
"Coxen threw a quality game for us," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. "They got to him in the third, but he showed great composure bouncing back with a pair of zeros. Our bullpen was electric, Sweat and Waples putting up zeros in the seventh and eighth was huge, and Mullins going two innings with five strikeouts was a great way to start the season."
Game Flow
MSUB struck first in the top of the opening frame. Fortier drew a walk, stole second base, and came around to score on consecutive wild pitches, giving the Yellowjackets an early 1–0 advantage. Coxen backed the early lead by retiring the Coyotes in order in the first inning and working a scoreless second with a pair of strikeouts.
Cal State San Bernardino tied the game in the bottom of the third with a solo home run before adding two more runs later in the inning on a two-RBI double. Coxen limited the damage and responded with a clean fourth inning, striking out two batters as MSUB looked to regain momentum. The Yellowjackets threatened in the sixth, placing runners on first and second with one out, but a double play ended the scoring opportunity.
The Coyotes added a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 4–1. Coxen finished his night by completing six innings with eight strikeouts before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Sweat and Waples followed with shutdown performances in the seventh and eighth innings, combining for two innings of no-hit baseball and keeping the Yellowjackets within three runs heading into the ninth.
MSUB mounted its comeback in the top of the ninth. Fortier led off with a single, and Nehler drew a walk to put two runners aboard with no outs.
River Smith delivered an RBI single to score Fortier, and pinch runner
Adam Rowland immediately swiped second base.
Espn Fisher brought Nehler home on a fielder's choice, and
Kaden Bertram lifted a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at 4–4.
Mullins then took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side, sending the game into extra innings.
The Yellowjackets continued the momentum in the 10th.
Cade Queen and
Kyle Henington opened the inning with back-to-back walks, and Fortier laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Nehler crushed a three-run home run over the fence, giving MSUB a 7–4 lead.
With the advantage secured, Mullins returned to the mound and retired the Coyotes in order, completing a dominant performance and sealing the comeback victory.
"We didn't do much offensively for eight innings," Waddoups said. "But I loved the toughness and confidence our guys showed in the ninth and 10th. Queen coming off the bench sparked us, and Nehler's homer was an unbelievable way to open the season. I'm really proud of the effort tonight."
STAT LEADERS:
H: Six players tied (1)
RBI: Jack Neher (3)
R:
Ryker Fortier (2);
Jack Nehler (2)
IP:
Sam Coxen (6.0);
Hayden Mullins (2.0)
SO:
Sam Coxen (8); Hayden Mullings (5)
THE BUZZ: Jack Nehler was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after recording three RBIs, two runs, and a walk on top of his game winning three run homer.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings baseball team is back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm (mt) at Fiscalini Field in San Bernardino, CA.
