FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, February 6, 2017 ‘Jackets can’t avoid big innings in 2 losses at Dixie
Dixie State uses three different innings of three or more runs, including an 11-run third inning in Game 2, to take a pair of games from MSUB in softball action on Monday. ST. GEORGE, Utah – A stellar pitching performance by Brooklyn Beardshear in Game 1 and an 11-run third inning in Game 2 gave host Dixie State University a doubleheader sweep of Montana State University Billings on Monday afternoon at Karl Brooks Field in nonconference softball action. The Trailblazers (4-0) had three separate innings in which they scored three or more runs on the day, defeating MSUB 82 in the opener and rolling to a 13-5, five-inning win in the nightcap. “We have proven that we can compete offensively with anybody, but now we just need to trust in our defense that we can hold a lead,” commented MSUB head coach Jessica Rayman. “In Game 2, we came out strong and had momentum
into the third inning. We are seeing a lot of really good things, but we need to keep that momentum and put it all together.” The Yellowjackets fell to 1-6 with the losses, and are midway through their stretch of 14 road games in eight days to start the 2017 season. Heather Tracy led MSUB at the plate, going 4-for-7 with a run scored, and Cameron Cassinelli hit her second home run of the season. Madison Kelly recorded the first hit of her career, a two-run double in Game 2. Game 1 – Dixie State 8, MSU Billings 2 A four-run first inning set the tone for Dixie State, and the Blazers added four more runs over the final two innings to win the opening game in the doubleheader. Arista Honey supplied all the offense the home team needed with her first-inning grand slam, as DSU took advantage of a hit batter and two walks by MSUB pitcher Megan Dettling that loaded the bases. The junior right-hander settled down after the erratic first inning, not allowing another runner past second base until Jessica Gonzalez’s solo home run in the fifth inning. Cassinelli’s second home run of the year came in the top of the second inning, but it was all the offense the ‘Jackets could muster through the first six frames against DSU’s Beardshear. Control issues again hampered Dettling in a three-run sixth inning, as the bases ran full on another walk and two more hit batters. A two-run single by Mallory Paulson and a sacrifice fly from Gonzalez added three more insurance runs and put the game out of reach. The Yellowjackets scraped out a run in the top of the seventh with two outs, as Amanda Barham picked up an RBI-single to left field. Pinch runner Emma Tucker came home to score for the third time this season, after replacing Myrissa Prince on first base. Dettling fell to 0-2 with the loss, and had one strikeout, eight walks, and three hit batters in six innings pitched. Beardshear earned her second victory of the season, and finished with a pair of strikeouts while walking none and scattering seven hits in the complete-game effort.
Cameron Cassinelli hit her 20th career home run in Game 1 on Monday.
Prince was the only player with multiple hits in the first game, as the Blazers won despite posting just five hits against Dettling.
Game 2 – Dixie State 13, MSU Billings 5 (5 Innings) Despite taking their first and only lead of the day up 5-1 in the top of the third inning, MSUB couldn’t overcome the Blazers’ 11-run outburst in the bottom of the frame in the five-inning defeat. Dixie’s Alexandria Melendez exited after 2 2/3 innings, but just one of the five runs she surrendered earned. Alexis Barkwell came on to pitch the final 2 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit and a pair of walks while striking out two Yellowjackets in earning the win. Tracy was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, and was the only ‘Jacket with multiple hits in Game 2. Maddy Lincoln (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Taylor Tokach finished the game over the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Kelly busted open a four-run lead with a two-run double in the top of the third, as she plated Nicole Tiffany and Cassinelli. Three of the team’s four runs in the frame were unearned, after a fielding error by DSU extended the inning. The Blazers responded in the bottom of the frame however, plating 11 runs and wrestling the lead away from the ‘Jackets. Shelby Yung started the inning off with a base hit, and five singles, three walks, and a hit batter later the score read 8-5 in favor of DSU. The Blazers weren’t finished there however, as pinch hitter Bailey Gaffin drilled a two-out grand slam down the right-field line that cleared the bases and capped off the rally. Janessa Bassett finished 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, and Gaffin, Paulson, and Honey had two hits apiece. The Blazers also stole three bases in the second game, and only struck out two times against the Yellowjacket hurlers. THE BUZZ: Kelly was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day, as she notched the only multi-RBI hit for MSUB…Prince kept a nine-game hitting streak that dates back to the last four games of the 2016 season alive, as she has a hit in all five of her games this year…the home run was the 20th of Cassinelli’s career…Rovens is now No. 4 in MSUB history with 171 career hits…the ‘Jackets are now 3-16 all-time against Dixie State. AHEAD: The Yellowjackets are off Tuesday, before playing seven games from Feb. 8-11 in St. George. MSUB will square off against University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Mountain time and will face St. Edward’s University immediately afterwards at Karl Brooks Field. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--