MONMOUTH, Ore. — A late-inning surge and a dominant complete-game effort from
Brennen Chappell saw the Montana State University Billings baseball team defeat Western Oregon 5–3 in their series opener at WOU Baseball Field earlier this evening.
The Yellowjackets (19-17, 13-8 GNAC) totaled 10 hits in the contest and capitalized on timely opportunities late, while Chappell controlled the game on the mound, limiting the Wolves to just one earned run across nine innings.
"What a gritty win and performance from Chappell today," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. "He controlled the game and continued to mix and execute pitches throughout their lineup. We made several defensive plays behind him, and it was just a special outing for our team."
Western Oregon opened the scoring in the third inning, using a leadoff double and a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. The advantage held until the fifth when MSUB broke through.
River Smith doubled down the left field line and later came around to score on a
Landon Carter RBI single up the middle, tying the game at 1-1.
The 'Jackets grabbed their first lead in the sixth inning in unconventional fashion.
Ryker Fortier reached on a throwing error, advanced to second on another error, then Fortier swiped his 21
st bag of the season before coming home on a sacrifice fly from
Kaden Bertram to make it 2-1.
Western Oregon responded in the seventh, taking advantage of defensive miscues to plate two unearned runs and reclaim a 3-2 lead. A fielding error extended the inning before a two-out single up the middle brought home both runs, shifting momentum back to the Wolves.
MSUB answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning.
Nate McDonald led off with a single, and after
Jason Wright followed with a hit, Fortier delivered in the clutch with a double down the left field line to score McDonald and tie the game at 3-3.
The decisive rally came in the eighth inning. Bertram singled to start things before
Nick Reed followed with a base hit. After Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Carter stepped in and was also hit by a pitch, forcing in the go-ahead run. Moments later, a wild pitch allowed another run to cross the plate, extending the lead to 5-3.
At the plate, Wright paced the offense going 2-for-5. Fortier finished 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Bertram had a strong day, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Carter drove in two runs, finishing 1-for-3. Smith added a 1-for-3 performance with a double and a run scored, and McDonald contributed a 1-for-4 effort with a run scored.
Jack Nehler also chipped in with a 1-for-3 day.
"I loved the resilience we showed offensively today," Waddoups said. "We did just enough to answer back and just found a way to win. We had a couple highlight at bats from Carter and Smith wearing pitches in the bottom of the eighth that changed the game for us. Overall it was just great to see the team respond and play as a group."
On the mound,
Brennen Chappell (6-4) delivered one of his most efficient outings of the season. The senior right-hander threw all nine innings, allowing three runs—just one earned—on five hits while striking out five and walking four. He worked out of multiple jams and benefited from two double plays behind him to secure the complete-game victory.
STAT LEADERS
H: Jason Wright (2);
Kaden Bertram (2)
R: Five players tied (1)
RBI: Landon Carter (2)
IP: Brennen Chappell (9.0)
SO: Brennen Chappell (5)
W: Brennen Chappell (W)
THE BUZZ: Brennen Chappell was named Intermountain Health Player of the game after tossing a nine-inning complete game with five strikeouts while allowing just one earned run.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to build on the momentum as they continue their GNAC series against Western Oregon with a doubleheader scheduled for 2:00 PM (MT).
