TOPEKA, Kan. – The Montana State University Billings softball team was twice defeated in it's second day of action at the Washburn Invitational, dropping games against University of Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State University on Saturday.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-12) would open the day's action with a 7-0 defeat against the Jennies, before dropping the second contest of the day against the Bearcats (10-5).
 
Game One: UCM 7, MSUB 0
 
A scoreless first inning from both squads would give way to a five-run second inning from Central Missouri, who would score on a two-run homer before back-to-back RBI doubles and an RBI single would push the Jennies in the driver's seat. MSUB would settle back in with Wynter Hurst in the circle, who would follow the second with three consecutive scoreless innings, but with just two hits in the game, the Yellowjackets would struggle to generate offensive momentum, with the Jennies scoring a pair of runs in the sixth inning to add onto their lead before claiming victory.
 
Marleigh Nieto would total both of MSUB's hits in the game, going 2-3 at the plate. Meanwhile Hurst would finish with 4.2 innings pitched in relief, allowing a pair of runs on six hits.
 
Game Two: NWMSU 10, MSUB 2
 
An early double steal attempt would force the Yellowjackets into an early hole in the top of the first inning. MSUB would keep things close over the next few innings, but a pair of solo home runs in the third and fourth innings from the Bearcats would see Northwest Missouri State take a 3-0 lead. But in the bottom of the fourth, the Yellowjackets would attempt to make a comeback, with Josie Theilen plating the Yellowjackets first RBI of the game on an RBI single to score Wynter Hurst, before Grace Hood would score an unearned run on an error by the Bearcats to see the Yellowjackets close to within one run. But the long ball would continue to hurt the 'Jackets, with a pair of homers pushing the Bearcats ahead 7-2, with Northwest Missouri State shutting out the Yellowjackets down the stretch and plating three more runs on their way to collecting a 10-2 victory.
 
Hurst would total three hits in the game, going 3-4 with a run, while Marleigh Nieto would also finish with a multi-hit game, going 2-3 with a double and reaching base once more on a walk. Hood would hit 1-3 with a walk and a run, while Theilen would go 1-3 with a run. Alexis Tovar would draw a walk to reach base once. Danica Butler would throw a season-high 4.2 innings in the start, before Avery Gray would enter to finish off the final 2.1 innings, striking out a pair of batters.
 
THE BUZZ: Nieto was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one, while Hurst earned the honor for game two.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets finish off their weekend in Kansas with one more game, facing off against University of Central Oklahoma on Sunday February 22 at 10 AM MT (11 AM CT) at Washburn Rural High School. Live statistics will be available here. The will be no live video available.