LACEY, Wash. — MSUB baseball capped its series against Saint Martin's with a statement 10–3 victory in Saturday's nightcap, a win that not only secured a 3–1 series triumph but also marked head coach
Derek Waddoups' 136th career victory, making him the winningest coach in program history. The Yellowjackets rebounded from a narrow 4–3 loss in the opener to close the day with authority and a historic milestone.
Edging out coach Rob Bishop who held a career record of 135-153 from 2011-16, Waddoups rewrites the record book with a historic 136
th career victory.
COACH WADDOUPS ON THE MILESTONE: "Anytime you reach a milestone in life it gives you an opportunity to reflect on the journey that brought you to this point. In sports we celebrate wins, but I believe there is so much more to coaching. I am beyond grateful for the relationships that MSUB baseball has brought to my life and it starts with the players. I love what each of them contribute to the overall experience and I have been blessed to work with so many outstanding people along the way.
The Yellowjackets (18-17; 12-8 GNAC) totaled 20 hits and 13 runs across the two games, showcasing both resilience and offensive firepower while earning a historic milestone for the program in game two. MSUB piled up five extra-base hits in the second game alone and limited Saint Martin's to just six hits in the finale.
"We pitched the heck out of the baseball this weekend," said coach Waddoups. "Coach Greisman did a wonderful job preparing the staff over the week. He really emphasized executing in the bottom of the zone with our guys and they responded. I loved seeing them pitch to ground balls and commanding in the bottom."
GAME THREE: MSUB 3; SMU 4
The 'Jackets manufactured their offense midway through the opener, breaking a scoreless tie in the fifth inning.
Jason Wright sparked the rally with a leadoff double before
Ryker Fortier followed with a single to put runners on the corners.
Jack Nehler brought home the first run on a groundout, and
Kaden Bertram added an RBI single to make it 2–0.
After Saint Martin's answered with a run in the bottom half,
River Smith extended the lead in the sixth inning, launching a solo home run to right field to push the advantage to 3–1. MSUB's pitching staff held firm into the ninth before late defensive miscues proved costly.
Bertram led the offense in game one, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Smith finished 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, while Wright went 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Fortier added a 1-for-3 performance with a walk and a run scored.
On the mound,
Cade Queen delivered a strong start, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and four walks.
Malcolm Bartholomew followed with 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out three.
Carson Waples (0-1) was charged with the loss, surrendering three runs (none earned) on two hits with two walks in 0.2 innings, and
Owen Combs recorded the final out.
GAME FOUR: MSUB 10; SMU 3
The Yellowjackets wasted no time turning the page in game two, erupting for seven runs in the second inning in one of their most explosive frames of the season. MSUB collected eight hits in the inning, stringing together consistent contact and capitalizing on a Saint Martin's error to build a 7–1 lead.
Bertram jumpstarted the rally with a double, followed by RBI hits from Reed, Smith and
Nate McDonald. With the lineup turning over,
Jack Nehler added an RBI single before Bertram capped the inning with a two-run double, highlighting a relentless offensive surge.
MSUB continued to apply pressure in the third inning as Smith launched his second home run of the day, a solo shot to right field to extend the lead to 8–1. The Yellowjackets added insurance in the fifth on McDonald's RBI triple and plated another in the sixth to seal the 10–3 victory.
Smith turned in a standout performance, going 2-for-2 with a home run, a double, two RBI, three runs scored and two walks. Bertram also finished 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI. McDonald went 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored, while Reed was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Wright added a 2-for-3 performance with a double, a run and a walk, and Nehler drove in a run as part of his 1-for-4 outing.
On the mound,
Scott Klinker (1-2) earned the milestone victory for the Yellowjackets, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
Andrew White provided 1.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen with one strikeout, and
Blake Sweat closed the door with a scoreless seventh inning, allowing one hit while striking out one.
"We had so many players step up offensively this weekend," Waddoups said. "I was proud of our team effort and the quality at bats that we took.
Jason Wright specifically has stepped up and has had a tremendous impact on our production. He is just one example of how deep and talented our lineup is. I love coaching, I love seeing young men develop and grow, and I'm excited to see what we can do as a team down the stretch."
THE BUZZ: River Smith was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game three and
Kaden Bertram was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game four.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will stay on the road, heading to Monmouth, OR to take on Western Oregon from April 16-18.
