BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team dropped both games of a GNAC doubleheader to Central Washington on Saturday at Pirtz Field, falling 9–6 in the opener and 10–8 in the nightcap.
 
The Yellowjackets (14-15) combined for 19 hits on the day and showed consistent offensive production, but defensive miscues and a pair of momentum-shifting innings by Central Washington proved to be the difference in both contests.
 
"Baseball can be a funny game," said head coach Derek Waddoups. "Coxen pitched better than his result today and we had some hard-hit balls that didn't go our way. We had a lot of good moments, but we just need to be more consistent as a team to get back on the right end."
 
GAME ONE: MSUB 6: CWU 9
In game one, MSUB found itself in an early hole as Central Washington scored twice in the first inning and added another in the second, aided by a defensive error. The 'Jackets answered in the bottom of the second when Kaden Bertram tripled and came around to score on an RBI groundout by River Smith to cut the deficit to 3–1.
 
The momentum swung heavily in MSUB's favor in the third inning. With two outs, Ryker Fortier singled and Jack Nehler followed with a double to put runners in scoring position. After Bertram was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Smith delivered the biggest swing of the game for MSUB, crushing a grand slam to right field to give the Yellowjackets a 5–3 lead.
 
That advantage was short-lived, however, as Central Washington responded in the fifth inning. After loading the bases with a pair of singles and a walk, the Wildcats capitalized with a grand slam to reclaim a 7–5 lead. MSUB was unable to generate offense over the next several innings, managing just one baserunner between the sixth and eighth frames.
 
Central Washington added two insurance runs in the ninth on a two-run homer, extending the lead to 9–5 before MSUB scratched across a run in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly.
 
Smith powered the offense in the opener, finishing 1-for-3 with a grand slam and five RBI. Nick Reed went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base, while Jack Nehler was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Bertram added a triple and two runs scored, going 1-for-3, and Jason Wright chipped in with a pinch-hit single.
 
On the mound, Sam Coxen (3-2) worked 6.0 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on nine hits while striking out six and walking three. Carson Waples tossed the final 3.0 innings, giving up two runs on four hits with one strikeout and two walks.
 
GAME TWO: MSUB 8; CWU 10
In Game 2, the Yellowjackets again found themselves playing from behind after Central Washington scored in the first inning and then broke the game open with a three-run third, highlighted by a home run, and added another run in the fourth to take a 5–1 lead.
 
MSUB struggled to break through early but came alive in the sixth inning. After Jack Nehler was hit by a pitch and Bertram singled, Smith delivered a two-run double to left center to bring the 'Jackets within 6–3. Later in the inning, Nate McDonald came through with a clutch two-RBI single to cap a four-run frame and cut the deficit to 6–5.
 
Central Washington answered immediately in the seventh inning, capitalizing on a leadoff single and a walk before stringing together key hits, including a two-run home run, to score four runs and extend the lead to 10–5.
 
MSUB refused to go quietly in the bottom half of the inning. Fortier led off with a single, and two batters later, Bertram launched a two-run home run to right field to make it 10–7. Smith followed with a double and later scored on an RBI single from Nick Reed, trimming the deficit to 10–8. The tying run came to the plate, but a double play ended the rally and preserved the Central Washington win.
 
Bertram led the way offensively in Game 2, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Smith continued his strong day, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Reed was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while McDonald went 1-for-3 with two RBI. Nehler added a 1-for-3 effort with an RBI, and Fortier chipped in a hit and a run scored.
 
On the mound, Brennen Chappell (4-4) pitched 6.0 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking three. Blake Sweat surrendered four runs on three hits in 1.0 inning of relief with one walk.
 
THE BUZZ: River Smith was named Intermountain Health Player of the game for game one and Kaden Bertram was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings baseball team will look to bounce back tomorrow with another GNAC doubleheader against Central Washington at Pirtz Field with first pitch set for 11:00 AM.