GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team closed its four-game road series with a 7-1 loss to No. 9 Colorado Mesa University Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.
The Yellowjackets (6-9) were held to five hits in the finale while the Mavericks totaled 10 hits and six walks. MSUB left six runners on base, scoring its lone run in the seventh inning. Colorado Mesa capitalized on early opportunities and used a three-run sixth inning to pull away.
"This weekend obviously wasn't what we wanted from a win/loss standpoint," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. "When you play great teams like Colorado Mesa you have to do all of the little things correctly and we didn't do enough of that this weekend. We have grown and learned a lot of lessons that will benefit us moving forward. The result is tough, but there are so many good things throughout the preseason that we can build on. We are just really looking forward to moving into conference play next weekend."
Game Flow
The Mavericks struck first in the bottom of the second inning. After a leadoff single and a walk, Colorado Mesa pushed across three runs, including an RBI single and a balk that allowed another run to score, to take a 3-0 lead. A solo home run in the fifth inning extended the margin to 4-0.
Colorado Mesa created separation in the sixth. Following a Yellowjacket error and a stolen base, the Mavericks executed a sacrifice bunt to bring home a run before delivering a two-run double to left center, stretching the lead to 7-0.
MSUB broke through in the top of the seventh inning.
Jack Nehler singled to left field to begin the rally, and
Kaden Bertram followed with a double to left that put runners at second and third.
River Smith grounded out to second base to plate Nehler and cut the deficit to 7-1, but the Yellowjackets were unable to bring home another run despite putting pressure on the Maverick bullpen late.
Offensively, Nehler went 1-for-4 with a run scored. Bertram finished 1-for-3 with a double and was hit by a pitch.
Landon Carter was 1-for-3 with a double and was also hit by a pitch.
Adam Rowland and
Nate McDonald each added a single, while Smith drove in the Yellowjackets' lone run.
On the mound,
Andrew White (1-2) got the start, allowing three earned runs on two hits with three walks and one strikeout in 1.2 innings.
Owen Combs provided steady relief, working 3.1 innings and allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out none and walking none.
Scott Klinker pitched one inning and surrendered three runs — two earned — on two hits with one walk.
Blake Sweat tossed a scoreless inning, giving up one hit and two walks.
Colby Garey-Wright closed the game with a scoreless frame, allowing no hits and hitting one batter.
STAT LEADERS
H: Five players tied (1)
R: Jack Nehler (1)
RBI: River Smith (1)
IP: Owen Combs (3.1)
SO: Andrew White (1)
THE BUZZ: Owen Combs was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after throwing 3.1 relief innings while allowing just five hits, one run, and zero walks.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets return to action Feb. 27 when they begin a four-game GNAC series at Central Washington in Ellensburg, Wash.
