Jackets Drop the Deuce (4/8/06)
Box Score 1
Box Score 2
Game Photos

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings baseball team played a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of game Saturday, dropping both ends of the Heartland Conference doubleheader to St. Edward’s University.  The Jackets lost a grueling game one 17-1 and a late rally in the second game was not enough to split wins as they fell 10-6.  The Yellowjackets drop to 9-23 overall and 7-17 in the Heartland Conference.  The Hilltoppers improved to 23-16 on the season and 16-8 in the league.

In game one the Jackets were unable to get anything started offensively as the Hilltoppers mounted a 5-0 lead by the end of the first.  Exchanging pitchers did not change the luck of the Jackets as Hilltoppers’ Bradley Goldsmith, Cole Reeder, and Chris Dinges each hit a home run keeping up the offensive momentum. 

David Ducharme (Sr., Hamilton, MT) took the loss for the Jackets.  Ducharme gave up eight runs off six hits and is 2-5 overall for the season.  Willie Crtalic (Jr., Billings, MT) earned the lone hit for the Jackets and was 1-for 2.  Luke Sansaver (Jr., Wolf Point, MT) had one RBI.

“We didn’t hit the ball well today,” said Yellowjacket head coach Chris Brown.  “We got down and didn’t get the timely hits.  We didn’t pitch, hit or field like we are capable of and that was the difference in today’s game versus yesterday.” 

Game two saw the Jackets come out ready to battle.  The Hilltoppers and Jackets exchanged runs through the first inning.  In the fifth the Hilltoppers capitalized on Yellowjacket errors to score three runs, giving them a 5-1 lead.  It looked as though the loss was headed for the record books when the Hilltoppers scored five runs in the top of the seventh.  However, the Jackets’ Sansaver got the team going with a double down the left line.  Nick Hoskyn’s (Jr., Oelwein, IA) double two batters later brought in three RBI.  It wasn’t enough for the upset as Kyle Slater (Jr., Missoula, MT) grounded out to second, ending the ball game.

Ben Lewerke (Jr., Mason City, IA) took the loss allowing five runs off seven hits.  Lewerke struck out three batters and is 1-1 for the season.  Hoskyn went 1-for-4, driving in three RBI.  Catcher Jake Samuelson (Jr., Helena, MT) was 2-for-3 with one run and 1 RBI.  Matt Kakalecik (Fr., Great Falls, MT), and Mike Wardell (So., Billings, MT) each scored and drove in a run.

“We were unable to take control of the game,” added Brown.  “Ben (Lewerke) threw better than the stats showed and we just didn’t get it done.  Our focus was not where it needed to be as we worried about things that were out of our control.  Tuesday’s game is a whole new opponent and we start with a clean slate.  We will carry over the positives from this weekend and will get back on the saddle.”

The Yellowjackets will host Central Washington University (10-14) in a doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday, April 11.  First pitch is 11:00 a.m. at Cobb Field.