MSUB softball drops opening 2 games at CWU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu April 8, 2016 Yellowjacket softball drops 2 at Central Washington MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2

Senior Cori Gammon was 2-for-2 at the plate in Game 1 at Central Washington.

Multiple innings of stranding runners combine with a hot-hitting Central Washington team deals MSUB softball a pair of conference road losses.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – In the first game MSUB had runners on base, but weren’t able to bring them in, and in the second game a late momentum charge from Central Washington dealt the Yellowjackets a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference 8-0 (5 innings) road losses Friday.

“Today was a rough day for us as a team,” MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. “We left a lot of runners on base offensively and defensively CWU took advantage of opportunities to score. We held their offense at bay for the first part of each game, however they made adjustments and we were unable to respond. Today we set several mini goals as a team and worked hard to accomplish them, we just need to get our offense started earlier and gain some momentum going into tomorrow's games.”

After the day’s games, Montana State University Billings falls to 10-26 overall and 2-14 in the GNAC. Central Washington rises to 27-10 and 11-7 in the GNAC. Game 1: MSUB 0, CWU 8 (5 innings) MSUB had runners in scoring position several times in the game, but were unable to string the hits together to bring them home. The Yellowjackets left seven runners on base compared to just two from the Wildcats.

Lead-off batter senior Cori Gammon was 2-for-2 in the game and drew a walk. Bella Rovens and Myrissa Prince were both 1-for-2.

Gammon led off the game with a walk. Rovens tried a bunt, but reached base on an error by the third baseman and moved Gammon to second. Both runners advanced on an illegal pitch, but the next three batters were out in the field on popups, stranding an opening two runners in the top of the first inning.

At the bottom of the inning, CWU’s lead-off batter Celine Fowler walked. Next, Kailyn Campbell smoked a double into center field to put runners on second and third. The MSUB defense came up big to catch the runners. The next batter was out on a popup at second base. In right field for MSUB Heather Tracy caught a fly ball and made a terrific throw to home plate to catch the runner heading in to score, saving a run.

Both teams were 3-up and 3-down in the second inning.

At the top of the third inning, like the first inning, Gammon and Rovens found themselves on second and third base with two outs. At the plate, the next batter couldn’t find the right pitch, and the opening two MSUB batters again were left stranded.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Wildcats put runs on the scoreboard. MSUB pitcher Amanda Roark got the first batter on a swinging strikeout. Rachel Johnson landed on first base with a single and caught the defense off-guard stealing second during Fowler’s at bat. A follow-up single from Fowler scored Johnson on a MSUB error. With Fowler on second base, Alexa Olague pushed CWU ahead with a 2-RBI home run for a 3-0 lead.

The ‘Jackets left another two runners stranded in the top of the fourth inning. Prince singled and catcher Haley Rowe battled hard to draw a walk, but MSUB was again unable to plate a run.

Central Washington added to the lead with four runs in the fourth inning. After getting the first two batters on popups, a second 2-out, 2-RBI home run added two. A 2-RBI single from Fowler stretched the lead to 7-0.

MSUB left Gammon on first at the top of the fifth inning after the left fielder singled. CWU ended the game on a RBI walk-off single from pinch hitter Taelor Griffin.

Central Washington struck 11 hits in the game.

Roark was credited with the loss for MSUB, tossing 3 and 2/3 innings, giving up seven earned runs on seven hits. Relief pitcher Taylor Tokach finished the game with 2/3 of an inning and one hit. Kiana Wood (16-3) earned the win, tossing the complete shutout game, scattering four and fanning three.

Game 2: MSUB 0, CWU 8 (5 innings)

Both teams were scoreless heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, but CWU was able to capitalize on a momentum shift, running the tables the rest of the way through the game.

In the bottom of the third inning, CWU loaded the bases, but Roark was able to pitch the team out of the jam, getting a final fly out to right field for Tracy to catch.

The Wildcats plated two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. MSUB catcher Haley Rowe did throw a runner out at second base for the second out of the inning and Rovens in center field snagged the last out.

Central Washington ended the game on a big sixth inning, scoring six runs on six hits and an error. Center fielder Fowler connected on her first hit of the game, a walk-off RBI single for the win.

Tracy was 2-for-2 in the second game for MSUB. Rovens and Rowe each recorded a hit. MSUB left one runner on base in the game.

Roark (3-14) started the game and earned the loss in 4 and 2/3 innings of work, allowing six earned runs on seven hits. In the circle for CWU, Brielle Copodonna (7-7) collected the shutout win tossing a complete game with four hits.

NEXT UP: MSU Billings continues with a second doubleheader at Central Washington on Saturday, Apr. 9, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Pacific time.

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