FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu February 3, 2017 MSUB drops opening 2 games at Desert Stinger MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
The Yellowjackets opened their 2017 season at the Desert Stinger.
MSUB opens with a four run first inning against Sioux Falls but can’t hang on as the Yellowjacket softball team opens the season with a pair of losses at the Desert Stinger. LAS VEGAS. – Junior Megan Dettling hit a 3-run bomb in the opening inning against Sioux Falls, but the Panthers closed with three solid inning to take the first game away 6-5. The Yellowjackets battled back from a 10-run third inning from Sonoma State in the second game, logging 13 hits in a high-scoring 19-12 loss in the night cap Friday during Day 1 of the Desert Stinger at Majestic Park in Las Vegas. “Overall, it was a good first day out,” MSUB head coach Jessica Rayman said. “Although the end result was not what we wanted, we competed in both games. It was good to get out on the dirt and play together. We still have a lot of work, but I feel good about where we are at this point.” GAME 1: University of Sioux Falls 6, MSU Billings 5
After a pair of singles from Heather Tracy and Bella Rovens, Dettling began her junior campaign with a 3-run shot to right field to give the ‘Jackets a 3-0 advantage. A RBI-single from Katlyn Stringari turned into MSUB’s fourth run of the game as the short stop advanced her way around the bases on an error from left field. Sioux Falls added its first run in the third inning on a sac fly from Sydney Nieveen. Stringari reached first base on an error in the bottom of the third inning and a double into left center from Vanessa Almario sent Stringari across the plate for her second run of the game taking the score to 5-1. The Panthers got their offense started in the top of the fifth inning. USF used a double from Emma Schifferele and a walk and hit by pitch to load the bases. A RBI single from pinch hitter Kenna Heath followed by two RBI’s from Frankie Michelson pulled USF within two runs, 5-4. A second double from Schifferle in the top of the sixth inning tied the game at five. At the top of the seventh inning, USF took the lead 6-5. The Yellowjackets loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, but couldn’t bring anyone home to tie the game. Amanda Barham and Dettling reached base on errors and Devlin walked to complete the offense. Dettling finished 1-for-4 with three RBI’s. As the designated player, Almario was 1-for-2 with a RBI. Dettling (0-1) went the complete game in the circle for MSUB with seven hits, six runs, and five strikeouts. For the University of Sioux Falls (1-0), Breanna Black finished the game, recording the win with three innings pitched, and no hits or runs. Game 2: Sonoma State 19, MSU Billings 12 A big 10 run third inning followed by six runs in the fifth inning were part of a high-scoring game for Sonoma State. Cameron Cassinelli posted a grand slam in the game for MSUB in the third inning to bring the score within three before the Seawolves drew away again scoring nine runs in the last four innings. Tracy led off the MSUB offense with a triple to jump start the MSUB offense in the bottom of the first inning. A two-run shot by Devlin to right center gave the Yellowjackets an opening 2-0 lead before Sonoma State exploded for 10 runs on nine hits for an eight-run advantage. Undaunted the Yellowjackets countered with five runs in the bottom of the inning to draw the deficit down to three, 107. A single to left from Barham started the charge. Rovens earned a single to right field and Dettling walked to load the bases. Barham scored on an error to keep the bases loaded as Devlin reached first. Cassinelli brought everyone home as she connected for a grand slam, bringing MSUB within three runs. Sonoma widened the gap back to five on a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning and added six in the fifth inning to make the margin seven runs. Rovens was 3-for-4 in the game. Cassinelli finished 2-for-4 with four RBI’s. Freshman Maddy Lincoln was credited with three and 1/3 innings in the loss with six hits and eight runs.
UP NEXT: MSUB plays two games tomorrow. The Yellowjackets face the University of Mary at 12:30 Mountain time followed by Azusa Pacific at 5:30 p.m. Mountain time. Live video and stats for both games can be found at portal.stretchinternet.com/msub. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--