FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu March 19, 2016 MSUB softball drops opening home games to Saint Martin’s MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU GNAC Standings | GNAC Weekly Release Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2
Junior Ryland Estrada struck her first home run as a Yellowjacket in Game 1 against Saint Martin’s.
Saint Martin’s scores big in the sixth inning of the first game and dominates the second game to deliver MSU Billings two losses on opening day at Avitus Group Stadium. BILLINGS, Mont. – A huge sixth inning from the Saints during the first game and a dominating performance in the second game helped deliver two losses by scores of 10-8 and 10-2 to MSU Billings on opening day at Avitus Group Stadium Saturday. The Saints profited from a momentum switch in the sixth inning of the first game and kept-up their performances in the second game.
MSUB did see several strong performances at the plate. Heather Tracy finished 3-6 on the day with a sacrifice hit and bunt and her first home run of the season for the ‘Jackets. Ryland Estrada finished with two RBI’s and her first home run as a Yellowjacket. Myrissa Prince had two RBI’s on two hits. Cameron Cassinelli had three hits, including two home runs to take her season total to six on the year. “We started off strong in the first game and I was really proud of the team for scoring even though we gave up three runs in the first innings,” MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. “Our offense continued to be productive at the plate giving us the 8-3 lead. We just had a little bit of a momentum shift in the sixth inning and as a team we are still trying to figure out how to come back after a tough inning. In the second game, I think we were still hanging on to the first loss. Our energy wasn’t as high. I challenged our team to give 100% all day and I think we did that well in the first game, but we just weren’t able to come back mentally from the loss in the first game.” “Cam came out strong in her first at-bat and hit a hard home run over center field to help start the team offensively,” Gasner continued. “Heather had a great day at the plate with all of her hits and was able to move runners around the bases. I was proud of Ryland for her first home run as a Yellowjacket. Both Nikki and Vanessa came in for us and had good at bats as pinch hitters. Myrissa was another player for us that had a good day at the plate.” Game 1: SMU 10, MSUB 8 Montana State University Billings (7-15, 0-6 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) held a 5-run lead heading into the sixth inning, but Saint Martin’s (18-3, 3-1 GNAC) countered with six runs to go ahead 9-8. MSUB was unable to push back in the bottom of the sixth or seventh innings, and SMU added a run in the top of the seventh for a final score of 10-8. Both teams struck fast in the first inning. The Saints went up 3-0 in the top of the first on a 3-run home run from catcher Jacki Schmaeling. Punching back, MSUB pushed home four runs on home runs by Cassinelli and Estrada. Cori Gammon singled and was brought home on the first home run of the day by Cassinelli. Megan Dettling reached based on an error and Estrada connected for her first home run of the year to give MSUB the 4-3 opening lead. The teams went scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning as the Yellowjackets added four runs to push their lead to 8-3. Cassinelli led things off for the ‘Jackets with a single into right field that reached the fence. Sophomore Amanda Barham went in to pinch run, advancing to second base on a single from Megan Dettling, and reached third on a passed ball. On a full count, Estrada loaded the bases on a walk for Prince. The second baseman opened up for a 2-run double into left field. Jessica Bagnell added two more runs on a long single into right center for the MSUB 5-run advantage. Taking the lead back in the sixth inning, Saint Martin’s pushed six runs across on four hits. The Saints took advantage of four walks and a hit by pitch added to three singles and a double. SMU added one run in the seventh on a RBI single from Mary Dettling for the 2-run win. In the circle for MSUB, Megan Dettling (4-6) was credited with the loss as she tossed 5 and 2/3 innings, giving up nine runs on six hits. Taylor Tokach finished the game for MSUB, tossing 1 and 1/3 innings, scattering five hits and giving up one earned run. Lindsey Miller (2-0) earned the win for the Saints finishing the game with 2 and 2/3 innings of work, not allowing a run and fanning one. The teams were even in hits with 11 with SMU leaving 10 runners on base and MSUB standing eight. Game 2: SMU 10, MSUB 2
The Saints opened the second game with another strong outing in the first inning. Saint Martin’s was able to score four runs on four hits. The Yellowjackets climbed to within two on solo home runs from Tracy and Cassinelli in the bottom of the third inning, but that was as close as MSUB would come. The Saints added runs in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings. Mary Dettling and Lindsey Miller both finished 3-for-4 in the second game. SMU was error-free in the second game after committing three in the first game while MSU Billings had six errors in the second game. Tracy and Bella Rovens were both 2-for-3 in the second game. Pinch hitter Nicole Tiffany came in and connected on a single to center field to lead off the seventh inning. In the circle, Loryn Williams (7-1) tossed a complete game for the Saints finishing with two earned runs on seven hits while fanning six. Amanda Roark (1-7) earned the loss for MSUB in four innings of work, allowing three earned runs on eight hits. Cassinelli tossed three innings for the ‘Jackets to finish the game. THE BUZZ: Estrada earned St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day honors. UP NEXT: MSUB hosts Saint Martin’s again on Sunday, Mar. 20 for another doubleheader beginning at noon. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--