BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings baseball team delivered both a dominant performance and late-game heroics Friday, rolling past Colorado School of Mines 13–2 before earning a thrilling 10–9 walk-off victory in 11 innings to sweep the doubleheader at Dehler Park.
The Yellowjackets (26-20) showcased their offensive depth and resilience across the two games, scoring 23 runs while overcoming a late deficit in Game 2 behind another clutch swing from
Jason Wright.
"I was so proud of our resilience throughout the day," head coach
Derek Waddoups said. "It is great seeing the players bond together, encourage each other, and win together. We are looking forward to our final home game of the season tomorrow. It will be a great time to celebrate an outstanding group of seniors."
GAME ONE: MSUB 13; MINES 2
In the opener, MSUB controlled the game from the middle innings on. After breaking a scoreless tie with two runs in the third, the 'Jackets responded to a Mines run in the fourth with a steady offensive push, plating three runs in the sixth before erupting for eight runs in the seventh inning. The explosive frame was fueled by patience at the plate, defensive miscues by Mines, and timely situational hitting as MSUB blew the game open.
Wright led the charge in game one, going 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI.
Adam Rowland was a catalyst at the bottom of the lineup, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI.
Espn Fisher added a 2-for-4 effort with two RBI, while
River Smith went 1-for-4 with a run, RBI and a walk.
Nate McDonald contributed a triple and scored twice in the win.
On the mound,
Sam Coxen was in command, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing just two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk to earn the win.
Carson Waples followed with a scoreless eighth, and
Lance Schaaf closed out the victory with a clean ninth inning.
"Our offense came through with timely hitting and production throughout the game," said Waddoups. "With Rowland turning the lineup over we were able to score a lot of runs, and it makes it easy when
Jason Wright has another outstanding day. Coxen was electric on the mound in game one and gave us the start we needed to kick off the weekend and our bullpen outings from Waples and Schaaf were exceptional."
GAME TWO: MSUB 10; MINES 9
MSUB jumped out to a commanding 6–0 lead through three innings, capitalizing on early opportunities and putting Mines on its heels. But the Orediggers chipped away and eventually surged ahead, scoring five runs in the seventh to tie the game before adding two more in the eighth to take an 8–6 advantage.
The 'Jackets refused to fold, after pushing a run across in the eighth, MSUB tied the game in the ninth inning when
Ryker Fortier lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home the equalizer, sending the contest into extra innings. Mines regained the lead in the 11th on an unearned run, setting the stage for late-inning drama once again.
In the bottom of the 11th,
Adam Rowland ignited the rally with a single and promptly stole second base to move into scoring position. That set the table for Wright, who delivered in the biggest moment of the day.
Wright crushed a two-run walk-off home run to right field, lifting MSUB to a 10–9 victory and sending the Dehler Park crowd into celebration. The blast marked Wright's second walk-off home run in the last two weeks.
Wright turned in a remarkable performance in Game 2, going 4-for-7 with a home run, double and six RBI, accounting for more than half of MSUB's runs in the win. Fortier finished 1-for-5 with two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base, while
Nate McDonald went 2-for-6 with two runs scored.
Landon Carter added a 1-for-3 effort with a run, RBI and a walk, and
Kaden Bertram chipped in an RBI.
Brennen Chappell got the start and was sharp early, going 6.0 innings while allowing one run on six hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
Malcolm Bartholomew worked 0.2 innings, allowing five runs (one earned).
Scott Klinker steadied things with 2.0 scoreless innings, while
Carson Waples added 1.1 innings, allowing one unearned run.
Hayden Mullins earned the win, recording the final two outs in the 11th inning.
"Chappell was excellent and we truly pitched well out of the pen," Waddoups said. "We had some bad luck defensively with balls dropping that ultimately let them back into the game. We had so many clutch at bats to secure the win, Rowland with the two out single and the stolen base, and Wright with the game winning home run."
THE BUZZ: Adam Rowland was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game one and
Jason Wright was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game for game two.
UP NEXT: MSUB will look to carry the momentum into the series finale against Colorado School of Mines on Saturday at Dehler Park where the Yellowjackets will honor their seniors 30 minutes prior to the scheduled first pitch at 4:00 PM.
