BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings softball team would lay claim to a series split against Western Washington University after wrapping up the team's series with a Saturday doubleheader of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (5-36, 3-13 GNAC) would get off to a tough start, with the Vikings (22-15, 8-4 GNAC) taking control of game one early and never looking back in an 11-2 victory to begin the day. But in similar circumstances to their doubleheader the previous day, the 'Jackets would battle back to claim victory in the second leg of the day's action, with the team combining to hit four home runs in a 9-7 victory over the Vikings.
 
Game One: WWU 11, MSUB 2 (5 Innings)
 
The Vikings would jump out to an early lead, plating a run in both the first and second inning while continuing to hold off the Yellowjacket's at the plate, keeping the home team scoreless to start the game. But after keeping it close to start the game, the Vikings offense would explode with eight runs across the next two innings, scoring in each of the game's five innings as they would take an 11-0 lead in the top of the fifth as they looked to spell an early end to the game. MSUB would get on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth with a two-run home run from Wynter Hurst, but it would be too little too late for the 'Jackets, who would fall by a final score of 11-2 in the opening game of the day.
 
Hurst would finish the game 2-3 with a run and two RBIS, while Marleigh Nieto would also hit 2-3. Meanwhile, freshman Cazz Rankosky would hit a perfect 2-2 with a triple and a run in the game. Grace Hood would hit 1-2 in the game for MSUB, who would collect seven total hits in the game. In the circle, Danica Butler would throw a team-high 2.1 inning, while Elaina Troxell would throw one inning and allow just one run, while Hurst would also enter the game late to record two outs with now runners reaching base.
 
Game Two: MSUB 9, WWU 7
 
MSUB would start the game with a bang in the top of the first inning, with four of it's first five runners reaching base. After a pair of singles and a fielder's choice, Cazz Rankosky would hit a grand slam to center field, immediately giving the Yellowjackets a 4-0 lead to work with. The Vikings would load the bases to begin the top of the second inning though, before three consecutive hit by pitches would see them plate three runs, cutting MSUB's lead to just one run. But a two-run shot in the bottom of the second inning from Josie Theilen would see the 'Jackets restore some of it's cushion, moving ahead 6-3.
 
Both teams would then trade runs in the third inning, with MSUB collecting it's third home run of the game on a solo shot by Grace Hood to respond to Western Washington and keep the lead at three. But the gap would be short lived, as a leadoff homer from the Vikings in the top of the fourth would help the visitors spark a three run inning, evening things up at seven. In need of a response, MSUB would get just that from the senior Marliegh Nieto, who would hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth to restore MSUB's lead. After neither team scored in the bottom of the fifth, the Vikings would look to grab momentum back in the to of the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs in the inning. But the weather would become a factor, with lightning in the area forcing the team's to delay competition for over an hour.
 
Returning back from the break in a precarious situation, MSUB would escape the jam, with Avery Gray picking up a big strikeout to escape the inning with no damage and keep control of their lead. Nieto would then double in the bottom of the sixth, advancing to third on a groundout before a wild pitch would send her home, adding another run to MSUB's total, before a 1-2-3 bottom of the frame would see the 'Jackets finish off the victory, and claim a series split with the Vikings.
 
Another sac fly in the bottom of the third, this time from Cazz Rankosky, would see MSUB tack on another run in the bottom of the third. Then on the next at bat, Tovar would add two more runs to the Yellowjacket's total with a two-run shot to right field, putting MSUB in run-rule territory. A two-run home run by the Vikings would see the visitors tack on a pair of runs to try and extend the game, but after a three up, three down top of the fifth inning in the field for MSUB, the 'Jackets first two at-bats would be a walk from Gray, and a double by Karsjen to put two runners in scoring position. Theilen would send one runner home on an RBI groundout, before the senior Marleigh Nieto would advance the winning run to home after hitting a ball through the infield the opposite way, giving MSUB an exciting walk-off win in dominant fashion over the Vikings.
 
In the circle, two pitchers would help the 'Jackets pitch a strong game, with Shelby Wasilewski collecting her first win on the season after throwing three innings, allowing just one run and striking out a pair of batters on four hits. She would then give way to Gray, who would allow only one run and one hit in the final two frames, striking out a pair of batters herself.
 
At the plate for MSUB, Tovar would bat 1-3 with three RBIs and a run, hitting her second homer of the year. Hurst would bat 2-3 with two RBIs, while Karsjen would also bat 2-3 with two runs and an RBI. Akers would hit 1-2, Theilen would hit 1-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run, while Grace Hood would reach base three times, going 1-2 with two walks and scoring a pair of runs. Gray would reach base three times on walks, scoring one run, and Cazz Rankosky would plate an RBI while reaching base on a walk.
 
Nieto would bat 2-3 in the game, with her home run accounting for her lone RBI, and scoring three runs. Meanwhile, Grace Hood would hit 3-4 with a double, pair of runs and an RBI, while Rankosky would go 1-4 with her grand slam accounting for a career-high four RBIs. Theilen would hit 1-3 with a walk, totaling two RBIs and a run, Wynter Hurst would hit 1-4 with a run, and Cami Hearn would hit 1-2 in the game. Jillian Karsjen would also score a run in the game, reaching base on a walk. In the circle, Gray would finish with 5.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs on five hits, collecting her first win of the season.
 
THE BUZZ: Hurst was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for the first game, while Nieto earned the honor for game two… Nieto increased her batting average to .472 on the season, second highest in the GNAC, while her 51 hits rank third in the conference… Hurst and Hood are now tied for a team-leading 20 RBIs, while Hood's eighth home runs rank top of the team for MSUB, and third in the GNAC.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets are set to commence their final home series of the season next week, facing off against Northwest Nazarene University in a four-game series set to commence on Friday, April 17, with games set for 1 PM and 3 PM at Yellowjacket Softball Stadium. Live video is available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics are available here. Tickets can be purchased online here.