Yellowjackets Sweep NNU, 10-3, and 4-2

Game 1

Game 2

Nampa, Idaho. – Montana State Billings opened the 2009 Great Northwest Athletic Conference season with a sweep of host Northwest Nazarene Friday evening as MSUB won 10-3 and 4-2 in conference action.  With the wins, MSUB improves to 8-10 on the year and 2-0 in conference play and drop the Crusaders to 6-7 on the year and 0-2 in conference play.

"We had two good pitching performances tonight and mixed it up to keep NNU off balance," head coach Chris Brown said. "Cody Clark came in for the save and we got into NNU's bullpen and it's a good start to conference play."

NNU took an early 2-0 lead on a pair of runs in the first and second innings, but a five spot by the Yellowjackets in the fourth inning prove to be the difference in the opener as MSUB scored eight runs through the middle frames for an 8-2 lead and tallied two more runs in the eighth en route to the 10-3 win.

In the pivotal frame, Chris Round hit a two RBI double, followed by a Brian Dukart RBI single and an Andrew Hernandez RBI single as well. In the eighth, MSUB added two more runs courtesy of a Joe Via home run, his second round-tripper of the year.

Nick Harris went 4 for 5 with two runs scored, while Matt Schoonover and Stefan Malkuch went 2 for 4 and 2 for 5 with Malkuch scoring three RBI in the process. 

Brian Howe (2-1) went the distance in the opener, allowing six hits, three runs – two earned, two walks and he fanned six. 

In the nightcap, MSUB used three runs in the third inning and one in the seventh to pull away from NNU for the sweep.  MSUB used a two run double by Via in the third to propel the Yellowjackets to a 3-0 lead, helped out by a NNU miscue. 

NNU scored two runs in the sixth to make things interesting, but a Malkuch RBI double in the seventh gave the Yellowjackets the insurance run they needed for the 4-2 victory. 

In the nightcap, Cole Pryor and Joe Via led the way with two hits apiece.  Brian Strom went six innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, three walks and four strikeouts to pick up his first win since 2007.  Cody Clark earned the save in relief going one inning and fanning two.

The Yellowjackets and Crusaders will conclude the four game series tomorrow at 12 p.m. with a doubleheader.  MSUB opens the home slate Mar. 31, versus Colorado Christian at newly renovated Dehler Park.