Yellowjacket Softball Drops Two More at BYU-Hawaii (February 25, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – After losing two conference games by one run yesterday, the MSU Billings softball team dropped its second double-header at BYU-Hawaii 4-2 and 5-0.  The Yellowjackets finish their first road swing of the year with a 1-9 overall record and 1-7 in the PacWest.  BYU-Hawaii improved to 9-4 overall and remained unbeaten in the PacWest at 6-0.

On Monday, the Yellowjackets lost two heartbreakers 3-2 after giving up the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.  In Tuesday’s first game, MSUB again jumped ahead of the Seasiders by scoring two runs in the top of the first.  Joey Ehnes, who was 3-for-3 in the game, reached as the leadoff hitter.  She was driven in by Michelle Falsken’s double for a quick 1-0 lead.  Falsken advanced to third and scored on a sacrifice fly from Sara Hanley to put MSU Billings ahead 2-0.

Even though the Yellowjackets were solid at the plate, banging out nine hits, they couldn’t manufacture any more runs.  They left seven runners stranded in the game.  Falsken was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.  Cami Rainey was 2-for-3.

Megan McCrae allowed just three hits over six innings, but walked three and gave up four earned runs.  The Yellowjackets also committed three errors.  McCrae is now 1-4 with a 3.59 ERA.  Tracy Bonomi pitched seven inning to earn the win for the Seasiders.

BYU-Hawaii plated three runs in the bottom of the first in game two and Seasider pitcher Regina Molifua only allowed three hits in seven innings of work as BYUH coasted to the 5-0 shutout.  Yellowjacket pitcher allowed seven hits and four earned runs even though she struck out seven and walked just one in six innings.

MSUB catcher Theresa Campbell was 2-for-3 at the plate, and Falsken was 1-for-3 for the Yellowjackets’ only offense.  Meanwhile, the middle of the Seasiders’ offense was highly effective.  The numbers four through seven hitters each drove in a run and seven different players hit safely in the game. 

The Yellowjackets will return to Billings briefly before leaving for Richland, Wash., to play in the Central Washington Invitational February 28 through March 2.  They open with Humboldt State and Western Washington on Friday.