SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday at Fiscalini Field, earning a 10–8 victory in the opener before holding on for a 7–6 win in game two.
The Yellowjackets used power, timely hitting and resilient bullpen work across both games, improving to (3-0) to open their 2026 season and ultimately claim the series over the Coyotes.
"Our guys are just finding ways to win while playing outstanding defensively," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. Game one we had the big inning early that ultimately won us the game and game two was back-and-forth. Klinker and Mullins were electric out of the bullpen and timely hitting pushed us over the top tonight."
Game 1 — MSU Billings 10, CSUSB 8
MSUB's offense erupted early in the first game, scoring 10 runs on 10 hits and launching four home runs to build a cushion that proved just enough to fend off a late Coyotes rally.
Landon Carter delivered the biggest swing of the day, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored.
Keeton Bell went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a run scored, while
Cade Queen added a solo homer as part of a 1-for-4 effort.
Jack Nehler was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI, and
River Smith finished 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.
After CSUSB struck first with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, the Yellowjackets answered immediately in the second. Smith opened the inning with a single, and Carter followed with a two-run home run to left field to give MSUB its first lead of the game.
The momentum swung decisively in the third inning, when the 'Jackets sent 10 batters to the plate and scored seven runs. Queen led off the frame with a solo home run, Nehler followed with an RBI single, and Smith drove in another run with a double. Carter added a two-run single before Bell capped the inning with a two-run home run to push the lead to 9–1.
MSUB tacked on an unearned run in the fourth inning when Nehler doubled home
Ryker Fortier, who had reached on an error and advanced on a wild pitch.
On the mound,
Brennen Chappell earned the win after allowing two runs on four hits over five innings, striking out five while working around six walks.
Lance Schaaf was tagged for four runs in a third of an inning during the sixth, and
Andrew White recorded two outs without allowing a run.
Malcolm Bartholomew steadied the game with two shutout innings, striking out two, before
Scott Klinker allowed two runs in the ninth while closing out the victory.
Game 2 — MSU Billings 7, CSUSB 6
The second game followed a similar script, as MSUB fell behind early but responded with sustained offense and strong relief pitching to secure the sweep.
Kaden Bertram powered the lineup, going 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and three RBIs.
Cade Queen finished 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a run scored, while
Nate McDonald turned in a standout performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
Espn Fisher chipped in with a double and two runs scored, and
Keeton Bell reached base three times, scored once and stole a base.
CSUSB jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the first inning, but MSUB began chipping away in the third. Bell walked and stole second before
Kyle Henington singled, setting up a sacrifice fly from
Ryker Fortier to put the Yellowjackets on the board.
The 'Jackets took control in the fourth inning with four runs on four hits. Fisher doubled to lead off the frame, Bertram drove him in with a double of his own, and McDonald followed with an RBI double down the left-field line. Queen then launched a two-run home run to center field to give MSUB a 5–2 advantage.
CSUSB responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to briefly reclaim the lead, but MSUB answered again in the fifth. Fisher reached on a hit by pitch, and Bertram crushed a two-run home run to left-center, restoring the Yellowjackets' lead for good at 7–6.
Owen Combs started the game and allowed six runs over 3.1 innings.
Cody Snow earned the win with two-thirds of a scoreless inning, issuing two walks but escaping trouble.
Blake Sweat recorded an out in the fifth, and
Scott Klinker followed with 1.2 shutout innings, striking out two.
Hayden Mullins closed the door in the seventh, pitching a scoreless inning to earn the save.
STAT LEADERS
H: Four players tied (3)
R: Seven players tied (2)
RBI:
Landon Carter (4)
IP:
Brennen Chappell (5.0)
SO:
Brennen Chappell (2)
W:
Brennen Chappell (1);
Cody Snow (1)
SV:
Hayden Mullins (1)
THE BUZZ: Landon Carter was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for Game one and
Kaden Bertram was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings baseball team will close their series Sunday, February 1
st with a 1:00 p.m. (MT) first pitch against Cal State San Bernardino at Fiscalini Field.
