Jackets Swept in Texas (3/13/06)
Box Score 1
Box Score 2

AUSTIN, TX – The Montana State-Billings baseball team played their final two games against St. Edward’s University Monday to complete a 12-game road trip through Texas.  Despite playing strong offense in game two of the doubleheader, the Jackets were unable to chalk up a win falling 7-2, and 9-6.  The Yellowjackets are now 0-16 on the season and 0-12 in the Heartland Conference.  The Hilltoppers remain unbeaten in league play at 8-0 and are 12-8 overall.

The Hilltoppers got the early jump on the Jackets in game one racking up five runs off six hits by the second inning.  In the top of the third, the Yellowjackets’ Jake Samuelson (Jr., Helena, MT) doubled down the left line and a single by Kyle Pryor (Jr., Billings, MT) advanced Samuelson to third.  Luke Sansaver (Jr., Wolf Point, MT) singled Samuelson home for an RBI.  Pryor scored on a passed ball to earn the Jackets only two runs of the ball game.  Leading the Hilltoppers was Puhl who was 3-for-4 with a run and one RBI.  Kyle McBride (Jr., Billings, MT) took the loss for the Jackets allowing seven runs off eight hits in four innings pitched.  McBride stuck out four.

Game two saw six Yellowjacket players combine for the teams six runs.  The Jackets’ Doug Longfellow (Jr., Lewistown, MT) nailed a triple down right field and scored on Kyle Slaters (Jr., Missoula, MT) single.  The next at bat saw Nick Hoskyn (Jr., Oelwein, IA) single up the middle to bring Pryor home for an RBI.  The Yellowjackets had the 2-1 lead until the bottom of the third.  The Hilltoppers scored six runs off five hits to take the lead.  Josh Wiley (Jr., Belgrade, MT) scored in the fifth inning and Willie Crtalic (Jr., Billings, MT) took advantage of two wild pitches in the top of the sixth to advance to second base. Wiley stepped up for a single and two RBI.  Pryor popped up a sacrifice fly to bring Brady Slack (So, Riverton, WY) in for the run.  The Hilltoppers were led by Wood who was 4-for-4 with one run and three RBI.  The Jackets’ Hoskyn was 3-for-4 with two RBI.  David Ducharme (Sr., Hamilton, MT) took the loss giving up nine runs on 11 hits.  Ducharme is 0-4 on the season.  Smith took the win for the Hilltoppers allowing three runs off six hits.  Smith struck out five.

The Yellowjackets return home to host a fan social Thursday, March 16 at Buffalo Wild Wings from 4-6 p.m.  Call the Yellowjacket Athletics department at 657-2369 for more information.  The Yellowjackets begin a six-game home stand against Northwest Nazarene Friday, March 17 at Cobb Field.  The doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m.