Second split for softball at Dixie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu February 13, 2016 On Day 2 at Dixie, softball splits a pair of games MSUB Softball on Facebook MSUB Softball on ISSUU Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

Sophomore Cameron Cassinelli smashed three home runs in the two games on Day 2 of the DSU tournament.

First baseman Cameron Cassinelli smashed three home runs during the middle day of the Dixie State tournament. The Yellowjackets open with a loss, but rebound with a strong offensive showing in Game 2.

ST. GEORGE, Utah. – Sophomore Cameron Cassinelli let loose for three home runs on the middle day of the Dixie State tournament being held at the Canyons Softball Complex. In Game 1 against their host, the Yellowjackets held a 7-3 lead heading into the last inning, but the No. 2 Red Storm rallied for six runs and held MSUB scoreless in the bottom of the inning to hand the ‘Jackets a 9-7 loss. In the second game of the day, everyone in the lineup got a hit as the Yellowjackets rebounded with a 16-4 (5 innings) win against Western New Mexico.

Game 1: Dixie State 9, MSU Billings 7

Cassinelli blasted a 3-RBI shot in the bottom of the third inning and added a 2-RBI rocket to the same place in left center for five of the seven RBI in the game for the Yellowjackets. The first baseman was 3-3 in the game with three runs scored.

The Yellowjackets held a 7-3 lead, putting up runs in the second, third and fifth innings before three unearned runs from the Red Storm in the bottom of the seventh inning turned out to be the game winning runs for Dixie State.

In the second inning, Cassinelli crossed home plate on a single from shortstop Jessica Bagnell for the first run of the game. In the bottom of the third inning, Cori Gammon singled to left field and Megan Dettling reached first base on a bunt that pushed Gammon all the way to third. A single from Ryland Estrada brought Gammon home for the second MSUB run. At the plate, Cassinelli swung at the first pitch and launched a 3-RBI home run to finish the inning.

Dixie State closed the gap in the top of the fourth inning, scoring three runs on three singles and an error.

Cassinelli hit her second home run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning that scored Dettling from first base to open up the 7-3 lead.

Down by four, No. 2 Dixie State rallied at the top of the seventh inning. With two on base, Kristie Johnson started the charge with a home run. Josey Hartman crossed the plate on a single and the Red Storm added three more unearned runs for the win.

The Red Storm outhit MSUB 10-9. The Yellowjackets did strand six runners, while DSU left three. In the circle, MSUB’s Taylor Tokach was credited with the loss while Madi Dove earned the win for the Red Storm.

“Our team played well throughout and I am proud of the adjustments they have been making at the plate each game,” MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. “Dixie knows how to put pressure on teams and we just have to be ready to respond well under pressure, especially late in the game. Overall, we played a great game. Our bats are starting to come back around and I am very happy about that.”

Game 2: Western New Mexico 4, MSU Billings 16 (5 innings) After the set-back against DSU, the Yellowjackets found themselves down 4-3 in the first inning against Western New Mexico before exploding in the next three innings for an additional 13 runs.

Everyone on the MSU Billings (5-7) lineup recorded a hit. Cassinelli added her third home run of the day, a solo shot in the fourth inning, and three other players tallied a multiple-base hit in the game.

Third baseman Kelsey Devlin struck two doubles with Myrissa Prince and Dettling adding one each. Right fielder Heather Tracy recorded a triple and finished 3-4 in the game with three runs scored.

Cassinelli was also 3-4. Prince and Dettling both had three RBI. Gammon and Tracy scored three runs apiece.

The Yellowjackets picked up stolen bases from Bella Rovens and Tracy, with Gammon adding two. MSUB was efficient on the bases, standing just five runners while Western New Mexico (3-10) left six.

MSUB outhit WNMU 17-7.

In the circle for MSUB, Tokach (1-1) recorded the win tossing all five innings, scattering seven hits while allowing just one earned run. WNMU’s Domi Shone was credited with the loss, pitching three innings allowing 12 runs on 12 hits.

“The team came back strong in the second game this afternoon,” Gasner said. “Taylor came out and threw five great innings, keeping Western New Mexico hitters off balance. Cameron had a great day at the plate with three home runs in two games today. The team continues to get stronger each game and this is a great time for our bats to come around as we get ready to close out a long road trip against Hawaii Hilo tomorrow.”

THE BUZZ: Cassinelli earns St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day honors…the first baseman was 6-7 with seven RBI and four runs…she had three home runs and now leads the Great Northwest Athletic Conference on the season with four total.

UP NEXT: MSUB plays one more game at the Dixie State tournament before returning home. The Yellowjackets face Hawaii Hilo for the second time in three days with a 10 a.m. game on Sunday. On Day 1 of the tournament, MSUB defeated UHH 3-0.

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