YAKIMA, Wash. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team split a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Yakima County Stadium, dropping a 6–5 heartbreaker in the opener before responding with an 8–4 win over Central Washington in the nightcap to claim the series victory.
The Yellowjackets (9-10, 3-1 GNAC) totaled 21 hits across the twin bill and hit nine extra base hits on the day, including a home run from
Cole Ayala. In the opener, MSUB built a late two-run lead before Central Washington plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth to rally for the 6–5 victory. The nightcap started similarly with back-and-forth baseball, until the 'Jackets used a five-run sixth inning to secure the series split.
"I am proud of how we played throughout the opening weekend of conference play," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. "We let game three get away from us today, but Queen gave us a great start. The three spot that we gave up in the eighth was disappointing and ultimately led to our defeat."
GAME THREE: MSUB 5; CWU 6
The 'Jackets broke through in the third inning as
Nate McDonald singled to open the frame and later scored on a
Ryker Fortier RBI double to center field.
Jack Nehler followed with an RBI double to right, giving MSUB a 2–0 advantage. Central Washington answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half to tie the game at 2–2.
After the Wildcats grabbed a 3–2 lead in the fifth on an unearned run, MSUB pulled even in the sixth. McDonald doubled to right-center and came home when
Kyle Henington laced an RBI double down the right-field line, knotting the game at 3–3.
The Yellowjackets regained control in the seventh.
River Smith drew a two-out walk before
Cole Ayala launched a two-run home run to left field, his first of the season, to put MSUB ahead 5–3. Central Washington, however, capitalized on a pair of hits in the eighth, highlighted by a two-run double, to surge back in front 6–5.
MSUB put the tying run in scoring position in the ninth as Nehler doubled to right, but the Wildcats closed the door to secure the win.
McDonald paced the offense in game one, going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Nehler finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, while Fortier went 1-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Ayala was 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI, and Henington went 1-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
On the mound,
Cade Queen started and worked 4.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with one walk and eight strikeouts.
Malcolm Bartholomew (0-1) pitched 3.1 innings in relief, surrendering four runs (three earned) on seven hits with one strikeout.
Blake Sweat recorded the final two outs, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings without allowing a hit.
GAME FOUR: MSUB 8; CWU 4
In the nightcap, MSUB answered a four-run fifth inning from Central Washington with a decisive five-run sixth to earn the 8–4 victory.
After being held scoreless through four innings, the Yellowjackets broke through in the fifth.
Nick Reed doubled to right and moved to third before
Ryker Fortier laid down a bunt single to bring him home. With two outs,
River Smith delivered a two-run single to right field, pushing MSUB in front 3–0.
Central Washington countered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on three hits and a sacrifice fly to take a 4–3 lead.
The momentum swung quickly in the sixth.
Jason Wright opened the inning with a single and Reed followed with another base hit.
Nate McDonald's bunt single loaded the bases before
Kyle Henington lined an RBI single to right to tie the game. Fortier walked to reload the bases, and Nehler singled to left, driving in a run while another scored on a fielding error to put MSUB ahead 6–4. After Nehler and Fortier executed a double steal,
Kaden Bertram ripped a two-run single to left-center to cap the five-run outburst and extend the lead to 8–4.
Reed led the way offensively in game two, going 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored. McDonald finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Fortier went 1-for-2 with an RBI, two runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases. Nehler was 1-for-1 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Bertram drove in two runs, going 1-for-4, and Smith was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
On the mound,
Owen Combs started and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Carson Waples faced one batter and allowed one earned run.
Hayden Mullins (2-1) closed out the victory with 2.2 innings of one-hit relief, allowing no runs with one walk and one strikeout.
"I am proud of our next man up mentality, seeing
Nick Reed step up with a 3-3 game was huge for us in game four," Waddoups said. "We had a big pinch hit single from Wrigth in the sixth that really got us going. I loved the toughness of our team and how we bounced back to win game four to take the series on the road."
STAT LEADERS
H: Nate McDonald (4)
R: Nate McDonald (4)
RBI: Six players tied (2)
IP: Owen Combs (4.1);
Cade Queen (4.0)
SO: Cade Queen (8)
W: Hayden Mullins (W)
THE BUZZ: Cade Queen was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game three and
Nick Reed was named Intermountain Health Player of the game for game four.
UP NEXT: MSUB continues GNAC play next weekend when they return home to host Saint Martin's for a four-game series beginning Friday at Pirtz Field.
