Wildcats’ walk-off HR spells sweep for ‘Jackets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Friday, March 31, 2017 Wildcats’ walk-off HR spells sweep for ‘Jackets

Central Washington’s James Smith III hits a walk-off, three-run home run in Game 2, helping the Wildcats complete a doubleheader sweep of MSUB’s baseball team Friday.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – James Smith III ended Friday’s doubleheader at the CWU Baseball Field with a three-run, walk-off home run to give host Central Washington University a sweep of the Montana State University Billings baseball team in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

After losing Game 1 12-3, the Yellowjackets (10-17, 8-9 GNAC) had a 7-3 lead entering the bottom of the seventh in Game 2. The Wildcats (16-11, 10-7 GNAC) rallied with six runs in the inning however, stealing MSUB’s chance at salvaging a split.

Ryan Myers homered in each game for MSUB, and sophomore Jalen Garcia hit his first career home run in Game 1. Jake Levin went 5-for-8 with five RBIs and a grand slam to pace the Wildcats, and also threw a complete game in the opener on the hill.

Game 1 – Central Washington 12, MSU Billings 3 CWU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but the first homer of the day from Myers and an RBI-double from Andrew Schleusner evened the score in the top half of the second.

Levin helped himself out with a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the inning, giving CWU the lead for good up 6-2. Levin’s big hit was preceded by a single, walk, and hit batter, as CWU got to MSUB starter Cody Cooper early on. The senior right-hander pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing nine runs on nine hits with one strikeout and three walks.

The ‘Jackets stayed afloat with a run in the top of the third on Garcia’s solo home run, but the 6-3 deficit was as close as MSUB got the rest of the way.

Levin retired seven of the next nine hitters he faced, before back-to-back walks with one out in the sixth inning. MSUB couldn’t move the runners over however, and Levin retired 11 of the final 13 batters in the game allowing only a walk and a batter to reach on a dropped third strike to finish the complete game.

Senior Zach Robinson drove in two runs and stole a base in Game 2 on Friday.

A bases-loaded walk drawn by Smith and a sacrifice fly by Michael Heinevetter plated two runs in the fourth, and CWU put the game out of reach with four more in the seventh to make it 12-3. Levin had another RBI on a double in the seventh, and the Wildcats sent eight batters to the plate in the frame.

Dylan Freyre and Smith each had a pair of RBIs to complement Levin’s big game at the plate. The senior scattered five hits and three runs over nine innings, with seven strikeouts and three walks while throwing just 116 pitches.

Garrett Baldry logged 1 2/3 innings of relief, giving up three runs on three hits and throwing 33 pitches.

Game 2 – Central Washington 9, MSU Billings 7 (7 Innings) All six runs in CWU’s remarkable comeback were plated with two outs, as the Wildcats ended the game with six straight hits to stun MSUB. With the tying run on third and the winning run on first, Smith cleared the left-field fence with his fifth home run of the year to end the contest.

The Yellowjackets jumped ahead with a four-run fifth inning, as Conner Linebarger led off with a double and scored on a bunt single by Zach Robinson. Garcia lifted a sacrifice fly into left center, and Myers followed with his second long ball of the day to make the score 5-1.

Responding immediately, CWU stayed within striking distance on a solo home run by Christopher Dalto and an RBI-single

by Yi-Fan Pan in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Insurance runs on a base hit by Caje Golden in the sixth and a balk by CWU reliever Seth Pedersen in the seventh weren’t enough to bolster the lead for MSUB, as the ‘Cats completed the doubleheader sweep in unlikely comeback fashion.

CWU starter Mackenzie Gaul struck out six and walked just one, allowing five runs on six hits in five innings pitched.

Tanner Watson started for MSUB, giving up three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings before handing the ball off to Steen Fredrickson to throw the final two frames.

Golden was the lone Yellowjacket with multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Myers and Robinson each had a pair of RBIs, and Golden and Casey Merritt each stole a base for the Yellowjackets.

THE BUZZ: Myers was tabbed the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the day…MSUB is now 38-43 all-time against CWU, and is 19-23 in games played in Ellensburg...MSUB’s losing streak reached four games with the losses Friday.

NEXT UP: The series concludes with another doubleheader on Saturday, scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Mountain time. Live video with play-by-play commentary and live statistics will be available online through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here.

--@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--