BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team delivered a dominant Friday showing at Pirtz Field, sweeping a doubleheader from Regis University with an 8-1 victory in the opener before exploding for a 20-3 win in the nightcap.
With the pair of wins, the Yellowjackets improve to 6-4 overall, while the Rangers fall to 5-7 on the season. MSUB rode a dominant outing from senior right-hander
Brennen Chappell in the opener and followed it with a record-book offensive explosion in game two, securing the series win.
"We had outstanding pitching performances today," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. "Chappell started the day off right for us with a dominant performance. He was exceptional at attacking the zone with first pitch strikes and followed with great swing-and-miss stuff."
On the mound, Chappell threw one of the best games in his collegiate career, earning the win after throwing eight innings and allowing one run on three hits while his 11 strikeouts marked a new career high. Game two featured a different kind of dominance, as MSUB's offense produced 22 hits and 20 runs. The 22-hit total tied for the seventh-most in program history, while the 20 runs matched the ninth-highest single-game output in the Yellowjackets' record book.
"Really proud of our offensive performance today," Waddoups said. "We took quality at bats and put the ball in play with runners in scoring position all day long. It was awesome to see us get production in each part of our order throughout the day."
GAME ONE: MSUB 8; REGIS 1
In the opener, MSUB set the tone early. After
Kyle Henington drew a leadoff walk and
Ryker Fortier reached after being hit by a pitch, the 'Jackets manufactured the first run of the afternoon. Fortier stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly from
Jack Nehler to give MSUB a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The Yellowjackets added to their advantage in the second.
River Smith ripped a double down the right-field line and later scored when
Adam Rowland laced an RBI double to left, stretching the lead to 2-0.
The game remained controlled by senior right-hander Chappell, who kept the Rangers off balance throughout the afternoon. MSUB broke the game open in the fifth inning, capitalizing on patience and timely hitting. Henington led off with a bunt single and stole second and third. Nehler and
Cade Queen drew walks to load the bases, and Smith followed with an RBI walk.
Landon Carter then reached on a throwing error that allowed another run to score, and
Keeton Bell delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double to right-center, pushing the lead to 6-0.
Regis scratched across a solo home run in the sixth, but MSUB responded again in the eighth.
Nate McDonald was hit by a pitch and Henington worked his third walk of the game before Fortier dropped down a bunt single to load the bases. Nehler did the rest with a two-run single to right-center to cap the scoring at 8-1.
Carson Waples then closed it out for the Yellowjackets, throwing a shutout ninth inning with one strikeout to lead the Yellowjackets to the 8-1 victory.
Nehler led the offense in game one, going 2-for-2 with three RBI and a stolen base. Henington finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored, three walks, and two stolen bases. Smith was 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Bell went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI, while Rowland finished 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
GAME TWO: MSUB 20; REGIS 3
MSUB erupted for five runs in the second inning to seize early momentum in game three of the series.
Kaden Bertram singled to start the rally before Smith doubled him home. McDonald followed with an RBI single, Henington added a base hit, and Fortier drove in a run with a single through the left side. Nehler capped the inning with a two-run triple to center field, giving the 'Jackets a 5-0 cushion.
The third inning turned the game into a rout. The Yellowjackets plated 10 runs on eight hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Rowland, a two-run single from Fortier, a two-run double from Smith and a two-run single from
Cole Ayala. MSUB also benefited from a Regis error and aggressive baserunning to build a commanding 15-0 lead.
Regis answered with three runs in the fourth, but MSUB immediately responded in the bottom half when Smith delivered an RBI single to make it 16-3. The 'Jackets added three more in the fifth behind a two-run single from Nehler and a run scoring on a passed ball. Ayala put the finishing touch on the offensive showcase in the sixth with a solo home run to right-center, extending the margin to 20-3.
River Smith paced the 22-hit attack, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored. Fortier was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored. Nehler finished 2-for-4 with a triple, four RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Ayala went 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Rowland was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI, while McDonald went 3-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs scored. Henington added a 2-for-4 performance with a double and an RBI.
Cade Queen earned the win in game two, pitching four innings and allowing three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk.
Owen Combs followed with a scoreless inning and one strikeout.
Cody Snow worked one inning, allowing one hit and one walk without surrendering a run.
Colby Garey-Wright closed the contest with a scoreless seventh inning, giving up one hit.
"Queen had a great start and threw a quality four innings for us," said Waddoups. "On top of our quality starts, Waples, Combs, Snow, and Garey-Wright all were fantastic out of the bullpen which also added to our success on the mound."
STAT LEADERS
Hits: River Smith (5)
Runs: River Smith (5)
RBI's: Jack Nehler (7)
Innings: Brennen Chappell (8.0)
Strikeouts: Brennen Chappell (11)
Win/Save: Brennen Chappell (W);
Cade Queen (W)
THE BUZZ: Brennen Chappell was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one and
Cole Ayala was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
UP NEXT: MSUB rounds out its home series against Regis University with game four scheduled for 12:00 pm tomorrow at Pirtz Field.
