MONMOUTH, Ore. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team came up short in both ends of a GNAC doubleheader Friday, falling 10-7 and 5-0 to Western Oregon at WOU Baseball Field.
 
The Yellowjackets (19-19) showed offensive firepower in game one with 13 hits and a late push but were unable to overcome a nine-run first inning by the Wolves. In game two, MSUB was held to just four hits in a shutout loss as Western Oregon secured the sweep.
 
"Snow did an outstanding job in game one, giving us a chance to come back," said head coach Derek Waddoups. It's tough to win when you spot them nine runs in the first inning, but I was proud of how our guys continued to compete, bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth."
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 7; WOU 10
In the opener, MSUB wasted no time getting on the board. Jason Wright led off with a double and later scored on Kaden Bertram's RBI single, while Nick Reed added a sacrifice fly to give the Yellowjackets an early 2-0 lead. Wright continued his strong day at the plate in the second inning, blasting a solo home run to center field to extend the advantage to 3-0.
 
Western Oregon responded immediately and decisively in the bottom of the first, sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs on four hits while capitalizing on defensive miscues and free passes. The Wolves added another unearned run in the third inning to take a commanding 10-3 lead.
 
MSUB refused to go quietly, chipping away as the game progressed. Bertram launched a solo home run in the sixth inning, and the Yellowjackets mounted a significant rally in the eighth. Nate McDonald and Andrew Witt opened the frame with singles before Keeton Bell delivered a pinch-hit single to load the bases. Wright followed with a clutch two-RBI single, aided by an outfield error, and Fortier brought home another run with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 10-7.
 
The comeback effort ultimately stalled, as Western Oregon recorded the final outs to secure the win.
 
Wright paced the Yellowjackets' offense, going 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored.
Bertram finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored, while McDonald went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. Witt added a 1-for-2 performance with a run scored, and Fortier chipped in an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.
 
On the mound, Scott Klinker (0.1 IP) took the loss after allowing seven runs, six earned, on three hits with two walks. Owen Combs was charged with two additional runs without recording an out. Cody Snow stabilized things out of the bullpen, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing just one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts and five walks. Blake Sweat closed the game with a scoreless eighth inning.
 
"Game two we just couldn't get timely hitting when we needed it to get on the board," Waddoups said. "We had the one rough inning in the middle of the game, but Coxen was outstanding outside of that. Hats off to their starter, he threw a great game. We just need to minimize damage defensively and have some more timely hitting tomorrow."
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 0; WOU 5
In game two, the Yellowjackets struggled to generate offense against Western Oregon starter Logan Larrance, who tossed a complete-game shutout. MSUB managed just four hits and put together limited scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
 
The Wolves broke through in the fourth inning, plating five runs on four hits while taking advantage of four walks and timely hitting to build a 5-0 lead.
 
MSUB's best chance came in the sixth inning when Fortier and Nehler recorded back-to-back singles and Bertram drew a walk to load the bases with one out. However, the rally was halted by an inning-ending double play, keeping the Yellowjackets off the scoreboard.
 
Wright led the offense in game two, going 1-for-3. Fortier and Nehler each went 1-for-3, while Landon Carter provided the lone extra-base hit, finishing 1-for-2 with a double.
 
Sam Coxen (5.1 IP) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and four walks. Malcolm Bartholomew worked 0.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out one to close out the game.
 
MSUB will look to bounce back as the series continues Saturday against Western Oregon.