BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team delivered one of its most thrilling wins of the season with a dramatic 9–8 walk-off victory over No. 23 Northwest Nazarene in game one before dropping game two 8–3 in a GNAC doubleheader Friday afternoon at Dehler Park.
The Yellowjackets (22-20) picked up a signature win over a nationally ranked opponent in the opener, erasing multiple deficits and outlasting the Nighthawks in an 11-inning battle behind timely hitting and clutch late-game pitching.
After no blood in the 10
th,
Jack Nehler led off the bottom of the 11
th inning with his second extra-base hit of the game.
Kaden Bertram was then intentionally walked, followed by a pair of strikeouts before
Nate McDonald hit a clutch two-out single through the left side to bring Nehler home for the victory.
"I loved the resilience of our team in game one today," said head coach
Derek Waddoups. "It was a back-and-forth game that could have gone either way, but our bullpen was outstanding and we just continue to get production 1-9."
GAME ONE: MSUB 9; NNU 8
MSUB came out aggressive early in game one, scoring twice in the first inning on an RBI single from Bertram and a sacrifice fly by
Nick Reed before adding another run in the second to take a 3–1 lead. After Northwest Nazarene responded with a five-run fifth inning to seize momentum, the 'Jackets answered in a big way.
Trailing 6–4 entering the sixth, MSUB capitalized on defensive miscues before Nehler delivered the biggest swing of the game to that point, launching a two-run home run to center field to give the Yellowjackets an 8–6 lead. The back-and-forth contest continued as the Nighthawks plated single runs in the eighth and ninth innings to tie the game at 8–8 and force extra innings.
In the 11th, Nehler once again sparked the offense with a leadoff double to left center. After an intentional walk put two runners on,
Nate McDonald stepped to the plate and delivered the defining moment of the afternoon, ripping a walk-off single through the left side to score Nehler and secure the 9–8 victory over the No. 23 team in the nation.
Jason Wright paced the offense in the opener, going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a walk.
Ryker Fortier finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Nehler starred in the middle of the lineup, going 3-for-6 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Bertram added a 2-for-5 performance with an RBI and a walk, while McDonald went 2-for-6 with a double and the game-winning RBI.
Espn Fisher chipped in a hit and scored twice.
On the mound,
Sam Coxen battled through 6.0 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits while striking out three.
Malcolm Bartholomew provided a steady bridge out of the bullpen, tossing 2.0 innings and allowing one run.
Carson Waples was outstanding in relief, earning the win with 3.0 innings of work, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out four and shutting the door in the final frames.
GAME TWO: MSUB 3; NNU 8
In game two, MSUB once again struck first, plating two runs in the opening inning as
Ryker Fortier delivered an RBI double and
Kaden Bertram followed with an RBI single. Bertram's hit marked a major milestone, as it was the 100th hit of his career at MSU Billings and the 68
th hit of his breakout senior campaign.
Northwest Nazarene answered quickly with two runs in the second and gradually pulled away, scoring in four different innings including a decisive three-run sixth inning to build an 8–3 advantage.
Fortier continued his strong day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored.
Landon Carter added a 2-for-3 performance with a double and an RBI. Bertram finished 1-for-3 with an RBI in his milestone game, while
Jason Wright,
Jack Nehler and
Nate McDonald each recorded a hit, with McDonald also scoring a run.
Brennen Chappell took the loss, going 4.0 innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out seven.
Cody Snow allowed two runs in 1.0 inning of relief, while
Andrew White gave up one run over 1.0 inning.
Scott Klinker closed the game with a scoreless seventh inning, striking out one.
"Game two we just game them too many opportunities from defensive miscues," Waddoups said. "Chappell did a great job keeping us in the game and I though we did a great job offensively against the best arm in the league. We just needed to make a few more plays defensively."
STAT LEADERS
H: Jack Nehler (4);
Jason Wright (4);
Ryker Fortier (4)
R: Jason Wright (3);
Ryker Fortier (3)
RBI: Ryker Fortier (3)
IP: Sam Coxen (6.0)
SO: Brennen Chappell (7)
W: Carson Waples (Win)
THE BUZZ: Jack Nehler was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one and
Ryker Fortier was named Intermountain Health Player of the game for game two.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to build off their signature win as they continue their GNAC series against Northwest Nazarene with another doubleheader Saturday at Dehler Park. First pitch is set for 12:00 pm, live statistics can be found
here, and the live stream can be found
here.
