Roadrunners Run Past Yellowjackets in Doubleheader Sweep, 6-4 and 2-1

DENVER, Colo. – The Metro State baseball team posted a doubleheader sweep over visiting Montana State Billings Sunday afternoon to conclude a four game series.  With the losses, MSUB falls to 1-3 on the year, after winning the opener Friday.  Metro State improves to 6-4.

In the opener, the Yellowjackets jumped on the Roadrunners first like they did in the previous two games.  Senior Joe Via doubled to left center, scoring senior Levi Johnson for a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.

In the fifth the Yellowjackets added three more runs as sophomore Jeff Ridgeway plated two runs with a single on an error by the right fielder after Ridgeway got new life after the Roadrunner second baseman dropped a foul ball.  Senior Cole Pryor hit a fielder’s choice to score fellow senior Stefan Malkuch who singled and stole second to begin the inning.

Metro State plated five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead.  For the second time in as many games, MSC used a big inning to secure the victory.  A single and a double began the inning for the Roadrunners, followed by a Matt McConnell three run home run.  Mike Coffey put down a bunt to sophomore hurler Brian Howe, who couldn’t handle it for an error moments later.  Jordan Stouffer added the second long ball of the inning for two runs and a 5-4 lead.

The Roadrunners added another run off a sacrifice fly in the sixth to take the opener, 6-4.
Howe went 4.1 innings, allowing six hits, four runs – three earned, one walk and four strikeouts.  Junior Cody Clark (0-1) took the loss in relief as he went two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits, two runs – one earned.  Junior Jeff Bjorklund pitched the sixth inning with one strikeout.

MSUB had just four hits in the game.

In the nightcap, the Metro State drew first blood as it scored a run in the second off an error.  In the top of the third, MSUB evened the score with a RBI single by senior Andrew Hernandez who tried to stretch it into a double but was thrown out to end the threat.

Metro added a sacrifice fly by Stouffer courtesy of two walks and a couple of steals to score Chris Redding for the game winner.

The Yellowjackets did have runners at second and third in the sixth, but were unable to get anything across.

Senior Brian Strom (0-1) went the distance, allowing four hits, two runs – one earned, five walks and two strikeouts.  Hernandez went 2 for 2 with a RBI at the plate for MSUB.

The Yellowjackets head to Division I Northern Colorado next weekend for a four game series beginning Friday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.