GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team dropped both games of a Saturday doubleheader to No. 9 Colorado Mesa University, falling 7-2 in the opener before a 14-3 defeat in the game three of their four game series.
 
The Yellowjackets (6-8) scattered 17 hits across the two contests, including five extra-base hits, but the nationally ranked Mavericks capitalized on key scoring opportunities in both games to secure the sweep.
 
"We had our chances in both games today, when you play a good team like Colorado Mesa you just can't give away outs and we gave up a few of those today," said head coach Derek Waddoups.
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 2; CMU 7
In game one, MSUB tallied nine hits but unfortunately left eight runners on base. Adam Rowland led the offense, going 3-for-3 with an RBI. Cole Ayala finished 2-for-4, while Landon Carter was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Ryker Fortier went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a walk.
 
Colorado Mesa broke through in the third inning with a two-out, two-run single to take a 2-0 lead. The Mavericks added another run in the fourth, but MSUB responded in the top half of the inning. Carter drew a walk and Ayala followed with a single before Rowland laced an RBI single down the left-field line to cut the deficit to 3-1.
 
The 'Jackets pulled within one again in the sixth. Carter singled to open the inning and advanced on an Ayala base hit. With two outs, Fortier delivered an infield RBI single to score Carter and make it 3-2. Colorado Mesa answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly, then created separation with two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth to seal the 7-2 decision.
 
Brennen Chappell (2-2) started and pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Blake Sweat worked 1.0 inning, giving up two runs on two hits with two walks. Carson Waples threw the final 1.0 inning, allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout.
 
"Chappell pitched well in game one," Waddoups said. "We had some bad luck and were so close to being great but needed to execute a few more things defensively."
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 3; CMU 14
In the nightcap, MSUB struck first with a two-run opening frame. After Fortier reached and advanced into scoring position, Jack Nehler singled to center to bring home the first run. Kaden Bertram followed with a single, and Espn Fisher added an RBI single to give the Yellowjackets a 2-0 lead.
 
Nehler paced the offense in game two, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Bertram was 2-for-2 with a double and was hit by a pitch. Fisher finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, while Fortier went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
 
Colorado Mesa answered with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the game, then pushed across one in the third to take the lead. The Mavericks broke the game open in the fifth, scoring five runs on a series of bunts and singles, and added six more in the sixth to extend the margin to 14-2.
 
MSUB added its final run in the seventh when Nehler singled home a run, but the deficit proved too large to overcome and the Yellowjackets would ultimately come up short 14-3.
 
Cade Queen (1-1) started and pitched 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Malcolm Bartholomew followed with  1.0 inning and gave up four runs on four hits, Hayden Mullins recorded 1.1 innings, and Cody Snow finished the final 0.2 inning, allowing one hit with one strikeout and one walk.
 
"Game two was a great game until the fifth and sixth innings," Waddoups said. "Credit to Mesa as they executed the bunt game and we didn't do a good enough job of recording outs. Overall I love how we are developing offensively and we just need to bounce back tomorrow."
 
THE BUZZ: Adam Rowland was named Intermountain Health Player of the game for game one and Jack Nehler was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will round out their four-game series in Grand Junction, playing the series finale against #9 Colorado Mesa at 11:00 am on Sunday at The Diamond.