FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu March 20, 2016 Grand slam and walk-off home run from Prince in split with Saints MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU GNAC Standings | GNAC Weekly Release Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2
MSUB sophomore Myrissa Prince had a grand slam and the walk-off home run in Game 2 against SMU.
The MSUB offense scores 20 runs on 30 hits during the second day of a four-game series against Saint Martin’s. Sophomore Myrissa Prince hits a grand slam and the walk-off home run in the second game against the Saints. BILLINGS, Mont. – The MSUB offense scored 20 runs on 30 hits during the second day of competition against Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Saint Martin’s. The Yellowjackets fell just short in their first game rally, dropping Game 1 7-6, but came out strong in the second game where Myrissa Prince finished 3-for-4, including a grand slam and the walk-off home run to give MSUB a 14-6 win in six innings. A home run from MSUB catcher Haley Rowe tied the first game at three runs each in the fourth inning of the first game. Saint Martin’s shot ahead on the scoreboard with four runs on seven hits in the sixth inning for a 4-run lead.
MSUB fought back, scoring two runs in the sixth and pushed one more in the seventh inning, before falling just short. In the second game, MSUB jumped out to an 11-1 lead in the fourth inning before the Saints found their footing. SMU scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning to keep the game alive. Holding a 7-run lead, Prince was the first at-bat for MSUB in the sixth inning, connecting for her second home run of the season, her second of the day, and her second in the game for the second baseman in the walk-off win. The Yellowjackets had 30 hits, scoring 20 runs in the twin bill against Saint Martin’s (19-4, 4-2 GNAC). The win against the Saints is the first conference victory for MSUB this season as the Yellowjackets improve to 8-16, 1-7 in the GNAC. For the four-game series, MSUB outhit SMU 48-40. The Yellowjackets were shy just three runs, 33-30. “Overall for the day I was very happy with how the offense performed,” MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. “Our players stepped-up and got hits with runners in scoring position, which is something we have been really working on. It was a great day at the plate for Heather, Cameron, Ryland, Myrissa, and Haley – really everyone had big contributions. I am also proud of the team as they adjusted well to diversity today. Pitcher Amanda Roark gave us a good appearance in the circle in the second game, keeping their hitters at bay. SMU is a good hitting team and I feel like she kept them offbalance for most of the game.” “Overall in the series, I am glad to have earned our first conference win,” Gasner continued. “I am hopeful that it will give our team confidence going forward. Offensively I think our team is playing really well right now. Scoring 30 runs over the two days and having double-digit hits in both games today was a great step forward.” Game 1: SMU 7, MSUB 6 MSUB scored a run in the first and second innings. Megan Dettling drove in Bella Rovens for the first run of the game. Rovens was on second after a single into the gap in left center and advanced to second base on a walk from Cameron Cassinelli. Dettling brought Rovens home with a hard single that went straight up the middle into center field. In the second inning, Prince cleared a triple that went clean to the right center fence. Rowe brought Prince home with a high sacrifice fly to the center field fence. Saint Martin’s picked up three runs to take the lead, but Rowe tied the game in the third inning. Another high ball that looked like it was going to be caught by the Saints’ center fielder went over the fence for Rowe’s second home of the season. SMU recorded a big fourth inning scoring four runs on seven hits. Fighting back, the ‘Jackets added two runs in the sixth inning. Prince led the charge with a single into center field. Cori Gammon walked after a nine-pitch battle, advancing Amanda Barham who had gone in to pinch run for Prince. At the plate, Heather Tracy drove in Barham and advanced Gammon to third on a double to left center. Rovens picked up a RBI, plating Gammon to pull the Yellowjackets to two runs back, 7-5. At the top of the seventh inning, Amanda Roark came in to pitch for Cassinelli. The senior held the Saints scoreless to send the game to the bottom of the last inning. Pinch hitter Vanessa Almario struck an infield single and advanced to second. Prince brought Almario home on a single to left center and put the tying run on first before the Yellowjackets came up just short in their rally.
Kim Nelson (6-2) earned the win for SMU tossing 5 and 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs and scattering 12 hits. Loryn Williams recorded her second save of the season with a one inning, 1-hit performance. Cassinelli (0-1) picked up her first loss in the circle for MSUB, tossing 2 and 1/3 innings, scattering 10 hits and allowing five earned runs. Game 2: SMU 6, MSUB 14 (6 innings) MSUB led 6-0 at the top of fourth inning, before SMU put a run on the board. The Saints added five more runs in the fifth inning, but a dominate performance at the plate and a solid effort by the MSUB defense corralled SMU down the stretch. For MSUB, Tracy kicked off the scoring with her second home run of the series, a solo shot at the top of the first inning. Rowe hit a 2-RBI double in the second inning for the 3-0 lead. The ‘Jackets added three more runs in the third inning. Almario hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Nicole Tiffany who had doubled to lead off the inning. Another 2-RBI double from Rowe scored a pair of runs that drove the score up to 6-0. The Saints put-up an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning, but the Yellowjackets scored five runs on five hits for an 11-1 advantage. Tracy hit a perfect bunt single right in front of the plate to start the fourth inning for MSUB. Tiffany came-through with a single down the right field line to put runners on first and second. Cassinelli plated the first run of the inning on a long single to center field. Estrada hit the fourth single of the game to load the bases. Prince stepped to the plate and crushed a grand slam for her first home run of the season, driving in four runs, clearing the bases for the ‘Jackets and pushing MSUB out ahead 11-1. The Saint fought back in the fifth inning with four runs. SMU benefited from two singles, a double from Mary Dettling, and a 2-RBI home run from Corrie Wilson to keep the game going. Cassinelli smoked her seventh home run of the season, and her third in the weekend, adding two runs after Tracy had reached first base on her third hit of the game. MSUB got back-to-back catches from Tracy and a ground-out to the shortstop to send the game into the next inning. Up first for the ‘Jackets at the top of the sixth inning, Prince hit a high-arching ball that cleared the center field fence for the walk-off home run. In the circle for MSUB, Amanda Roark (2-7) put together a complete game for the ‘Jackets. The senior right-handed pitcher tossed 6 innings, scattering six hits and fanning three with four earned runs. For SMU, Loryn Williams (7-2) earned the loss in 3 and 1/3 innings, scattering 10 hits with 10 earned runs. THE BUZZ: For the day, St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day Prince hit 5-for-7 with a triple, a home run, a grand slam, 6 RBI’s, 4 runs, and 9 assists…Tracy hit 6-for-8 with 2 RBI’s and 3 runs…Cassinelli hit 3-for-4 with 3 RBI’s and a home run…Rowe was 4-for-6 with 2 doubles and a home run…Estrada was 4-for-6 with 2 runs. UP NEXT: MSU Billings hosts Western Washington for a four-game series next week. The Yellowjackets welcome the Vikings beginning on Friday, Mar. 25, at Avitus Group Stadium with the first-pitch being thrown at 1:00 p.m.
“We are excited to go into our next home weekend and build-off our performances from today,” Gasner said. “We want to keep building off our momentum.” --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--