BURNABY, B.C. – The Montana State University Billings softball team concluded it's series against Simon Fraser University on Saturday, falling short in a pair of games against Simon Fraser University on Saturday in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-25, 0-4 GNAC) would keep things close in both games as they looked to avoid the sweep. But the 'Jackets would be unable to take a game off of the Red Leafs (6-20, 4-0 GNAC), finish the series on the wrong end of a sweep to open GNAC play.
 
Game One: SFU 9, MSUB 4
 
After a scoreless first inning, the Red Leafs would jump out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on four hits, including three extra base hits to put MSUB in an early hole. But in need of a response, MSUB would get one in the form of a fourth inning three-run bomb from Grace Hood, evening up the game in the top of the fourth inning. But the break would be short lived, with the Red Leafs responding with four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, retaking a lead that they would hold onto for the rest of the game, adding runs in the fifth and sixth innings. MSUB would add one more run in the top of the seventh on another home run, a solo shot from Josie Theilen, but it would be too little too late from MSUB, who would fall short 9-4 to open the doubleheader.
 
Hood would hit 1-3 with three RBIs and a run, while Theilen would go 1-3 with an RBI and a run, each player reaching once more on a walk. Destiny Villas would hit 2-4 with a run, while Wynter Hurst would bat 2-4, Avery Gray would hit 1-3, and Brooklyn Brauer would hit 1-2.
 
Game Two: SFU 7, MSUB 4
 
MSUB would jump out an early 2-0 lead to open game two, with a single from Danica Butler ending up scoring two runs after an error on the play let Wynter Hurst and Josie Theilen cross home plate. But the Red Leafs wasted no time before responding back, halving the lead with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the first before five runs across the second and third innings would put the home team ahead 6-2 in the game. MSUB would battle back to score a pair of runs, with Ashley Akers singing down the left field line in the top of the fifth to score one, before Theilen would double to left to score another in the bottom of the sixth. But despite some late promise at the plate, MSUB would be unable to complete a comeback, falling short to drop once more against the Red Leafs.
 
Hurst would finish the game 3-4 at the plate with a pair of runs, while Theilen would go 3-4 with a run and an RBI. Cami Hearn and Brooklyn Brauer would each collect a pair of hits, batting 2-4 and 2-3 respectively. Destiny Villas batted 1-4, and Cazz Rankosky would hit 1-3 with a run. Ashley Akers and Danica Butler would each go 1-2 with an RBI, with the pair combining to piece together the 'Jackets innings at pitcher as well, where Butler would throw 2.2 innings, and Akers would throw 3.1 innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out three.
THE BUZZ: Hood would earn Intermountain Health Player of the Game honors for game one, while Hurst would receive honors for game two.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB is set to continue conference play next week with it's home opener, playing host to Saint Martin's University in a four-game series beginning on Friday, March 27, with games scheduled for 1 PM and 3 PM. Live video will be available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics will be available here. Tickets for home games can be purchased online here.