Wolves Bite Yellowjackets for Series Sweep, 5-2, 2-1

Game One

Game Two

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon extended its lead in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Montana State Billings Saturday afternoon, 5-2 and 2-1.  With the losses, MSUB fell to 14-18 overall and 8-8 in conference play.  WOU improved to 18-7 and 11-1 in the league.

“We played a lot better today,” head coach Chris Brown said.  We just didn’t get the timely hits when we needed them.  Steve (Scott) and Archie (Smith) threw good games and gave us a chance.”

WOU took an early 1-0 lead in the third inning of the opener courtesy of a balk and an error by the Yellowjackets.  The Wolves plated three more runs in the fourth courtesy of another Yellowjacket miscue as a bases loaded walk followed by a sacrifice fly and a RBI ground out for a 4-0 lead.

The Yellowjackets had a great scoring opportunity in the sixth as they loaded the bases courtesy of a walk, an error and a single all with less than two outs.  However, Wolves’ hurler, Mike Eisenhauer, settled down and got the next two batters to fly out to end the threat.

Western Oregon added another run in the bottom of the sixth for a 5-0 lead, but a two out rally in the top of the eighth produced the first run of the game for MSUB.  Andrew Hernandez doubled to left field scoring Matt Schoonover who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.  An error by WOU put runners at the corners as the Wolves went to the pen.  Jesse Nunley came in relief of Eisenhauer and struck out the ninth Yellowjacket of the game to get out of the jam.

MSUB’s ninth inning got off to a great start as Jeff Ridgeway and Levi Johnson reached on errors.  A Joe Via single scored Ridgeway for a 5-2 score with nobody out.  Nunley got three consecutive outs (two fly outs and a groundout) to end the game.

The Yellowjackets out-hit WOU 10-4 in the opener, but left 14 runners stranded on base to just three by WOU.  MSUB left runners on base in eight of the nine innings.  Hernandez led the way for the ‘Jackets with a 3 for 4 outing and a RBI.  Pryor, Johnson and Schoonover each had two hits.

Archie Smith (2-3) took the loss as he went seven innings, allowing scattering four hits, five runs – only one earned, three walks and one strikeout.  The two Yellowjacket miscues proved costly as they led to four unearned runs in the game.

Eisenhauer (2-1) earned the victory as he went 7.2 innings, allowing nine hits, one earned run, one walk and he fanned a game-high eight.

In the nightcap proved to be a pitcher’s duel as both starters went the distance.  WOU took an early 1-0 lead in the first on a RBI single by Jason Moseby.  The Yellowjackets evened the game in the fifth opening the frame with back-to-back singles.  An error by WOU plated the equalizer as Chris Round scored from third with nobody out.  WOU got out of the jam as Jacob Pettit picked off Ty Sobieraj at third, followed by a strikeout.  Bryce Thomas then singled to left and Pryor grounded out to third to end the threat.

The game remained tied as the Yellowjackets went down in order in the sixth and seventh innings.  Things got interesting in the bottom of the seventh as Bill Clontz led off the inning with a single, but was then cut down at second on a great throw by Hernandez.  After a hit batsman, Yellowjacket hurler, Steve Scott, got himself out of the jam as he picked off the runner at first for the second out and a groundout sent the game to extra innings.

The Yellowjackets had a chance to take the lead in the top of the eighth with a possible two out rally.  Pryor walked, followed by a Hernandez infield single, putting the go ahead run at second.  Johnson lined to first to end the inning.

In the bottom of the frame, the Wolves played small ball as a walk followed by a sacrifice bunt put the team in business.  An intentional walk and a hit batter loaded the bases for Kyle Boe who walked in the winning run.

For the game, Scott (3-3) takes the loss going 7.1 innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, five walks and two strikeouts.  Pettit (5-0) takes the win, going eight innings, allowing six hits, one unearned run, one walk and he fanned three.

Round led the way offensively going 2 for 3 with a run scored. 

The Yellowjackets will return home and look to get back on track as they face Northwest Nazarene, Fri., Apr. 10, at 3 p.m. at Dehler Park.  MSUB swept NNU earlier in the season in Nampa, ID.