FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu April 11, 2016 2 big innings from Wolves drops ‘Jackets MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2
Junior Bella Rovens was 4-for-7 at the plate against Western Oregon.
MSU Billings continues its GNAC schedule with a doubleheader on Monday, falling in both games, but holding a lead through most of the first game and tying the second game before relinquishing the lead late. MONMOUTH, Ore. – Two big innings from Western Oregon pushed MSU Billings back in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader as the Yellowjackets fell 9-6 and 7-3 Monday. In the first game, Montana State University Billings (10-30, 2-16 GNAC) rebounded from a first inning deficit of 4-0 to tie the game at the top of the second inning and then took the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth inning 6-4. Western Oregon was able to counter with a big sixth inning scoring five runs on three hits for the 9-6 win. In the second game, Western Oregon (20-19, 10-8 GNAC) struck first again with two runs in the first inning. Keeping calm, the ‘Jackets tied the game with a run in the second inning and one in the top of the fifth. WOU responded with
another strong inning, scoring five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. MSUB scored one more run in the top of the sixth inning. “As a team we accomplished a lot of great things in Game 1 today,” MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. “After we got down in the first inning, our team responded well and fought back to gain a 6-4 lead throughout most of the game and overall I am very happy with the energy that we had all seven innings. Cori and Bella worked well together today at the top of the line-up and several people stepped-up to get the clutch hits to bring them in. As a team, we are still working to push past the 5th Inning and eliminate a few extra runs, but overall we battled well.” “In Game 2, we continued to hit well at the plate,” Gasner continued. “Bella, Kelsey, Nikki and Haley all had multiple hits this game, however we just didn't have as many clutch hits as we needed and left quite a few runners on base. Our opportunities were there, we just need to make sure to capitalize tomorrow.” Game 1: MSUB 6, WOU 9 MSU Billings came from behind to tie the game at 4-all and took the lead in the fourth inning 6-4, but a big five runs on four hits sixth inning for the Wolves pushed Western Oregon out for the win. After the Wolves jumped on the scoreboard with four runs, MSUB pushed back with four of its own runs in the top of the second inning. Myrissa Prince battled through seven pitches to draw a walk. Third baseman Kelsey Devlin came-up clutch during her first at-bat of the series striking her ninth home run of the season for the first two MSUB runs of the game. Three straight singles from Jordyn Roark, Haley Rowe and Cori Gammon loaded the bases. Bella Rovens plated the next run with the fourth consecutive single. The sixth hit of the inning came off the bat of Cameron Cassinelii as she hit the fifth single of the inning for the fourth run. The ‘Jackets took the lead in the sixth fourth with three more singles and an error from WOU. Rovens and Heather Tracy advanced home after Nicole Tiffany reached base on an error that was mishandled in the infield allowing two runs to cross the plate. MSUB held the lead, including forcing three straight outs in the next inning before the Wolves rallied for five runs in the sixth inning. WOU put two runners on with singles, but two straight errors from the ‘Jackets added a base runner and a run to the score board. Another single and a walk added the final runs for WOU. Both Gammon and Rovens were 2-for-3 in the game. Each scored a run and Rovens a RBI. Rowe was also 2-for-3 and added a walk. Both teams were even in hits with 11 and runners left on base at seven. In the circle for MSUB, Taylor Tokach (2-6) tossed the first 5 innings, scattering 11 hits with six earned runs. WOU’s Sammi Cadwallader (7-2) came into the game, tossing the final two innings earning the win by not allowing a hit or run. Game 2: MSUB 3, WOU 7 After Western Oregon earned two runs to open the game, MSUB added a run in the second and fifth inning to tie the game.
Devlin doubled to left field, Rowe pushed her to third on a single, and Gammon brought her home on a RBI single into center field. The Yellowjackets left a runner on base in each of the next innings until the fifth. Rovens and Tracy singled. A third single from Cassinelli brought in Rovens. Emma Alfonso kicked-off the big fifth inning for WOU with a solo home run. The ‘Jackets had two outs on a ground out and fly out to center field. Lexi Jennings hit the second home run of the inning, a two RBI-shot for a 5-2 lead. Four more singles added two runs for Western Oregon. MSUB added one more run on an error that allowed pinch runner Alyssa Yaeger to score after going into the game for Jordyn Roark. Devlin was 3-for-4 in the second game. Rovens, Rowe, and Tracy all had two hits each. The Yellowjackets outhit the Wolves 12-11. MSUB stranded double-digit runners with 10. WOU left six. Amanda Roark (3-16) tossed the opening 4 and 2/3 innings scattering 10 hits and allowing five earned runs in the loss. Haley Fabian (2-0) earned the win in 6 innings, scattering 11 hits, but allowing just two earned runs. THE BUZZ: Rovens was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Day. UP NEXT: MSU Billings finishes the series at Western Oregon with a second doubleheader on Tuesday, Apr. 12, beginning at the early time of 10 a.m. Pacific time. Live video and stats will be available at GNAC.TV. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--