MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings softball team battled hard against University of Montana in a midweek doubleheader, but would be unable to pull out a victory in either of the team's final non-conference games of the regular season.
 
The Yellowjackets (3-34, 1-11 GNAC) would be run-ruled in both of the team's contests on Tuesday against the Grizzlies (14-24, 4-2 Big Sky), losing 8-0 and 9-1 respectively on the day. Highlighting the day for the team would be the career achievement for Marleigh Nieto, who would cross the 100-hit mark in her career with a three-hit day. The senior would become the 35^th player in program history to collect 100 hits or more as a Yellowjacket.
 
Game One: UM 8, MSUB 0 (5 Innings)
 
A scoreless top of the first would give way to a solo homer in the top of the first that would give the Grizzlies an early lead, one that they would double in the bottom of the second on a two run double. Nieto, who entered the game with 98 hits, would collect 99 in her first at bat, before collecting hit 100 following back-to-back singles with Wynter Hurst in the top of the fourth. But three consecutive strikeouts would see MSUB's opportunity go to waste, before a three-run bottom of the frame would put Montana ahead with an even bigger cushion. Three more runs in the bottom of the fifth would see the Griz spell an early end to the game, putting the run rule into effect as they walked-off game one with an 8-0 win.
 
Nieto would collect hits in both of her plate appearances, while Hurst would go 1-2, as would Jillian Karsjen, who would grab MSUB's lone extra-base hit with a double. In the circle, Danica Butler would start and throw four innings, allowing five hits and five runs (three earned) while striking out three batters.
 
Game Two: UM 9, UM 1 (5 Innings)
 
Game two would see the Grizzlies jump out to a large lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring six total runs in the bottom of the frame, led by a three-run home run as the first six batters of the game reached base. It would set a sizable early cushion for Montana to hold the Yellowjackets at bay, with the Griz adding on two more runs in the top of the second inning to build their lead up even further to 8-0. MSUB would get a run back in the top of the third inning, loading the bases after a walk by Josie Theilen and singles by Wynter Hurst and Marleigh Neito would load the bases, before Theilen would advance home after a wild pitch. But two consecutive outs would see MSUB plate just the lone run in the inning, and following two scoreless innings, a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning would see Montana walk it off for their second five-inning run rule win of the game.
 
Ashley Akers would bat 1-1, while Nieto would hit 1-2 and Hurst would bat 1-3. All three of their hits would be singles. Meanwhile, Theilen and Danica Butler would each reach base on walks. Elaina Troxell would enter in relief for an effective appearance in the circle, throwing 3.1 innings and allowing just a single run on one hit and two walks.
 
THE BUZZ: Nieto was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game in game one, while Hurst was recognized in game two.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets will return to conference play with a home series against Western Washington University at Yellowjacket Softball Field, kicking off the series with a doubleheader on Friday, April 10, with games scheduled for 12 PM and 2 PM. Live video will be available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics are available here. Tickets can be purchased online here.