Yellowjackets Sweep Grand Canyon with Last-Inning Heroics

Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Eight runs in the top of the seventh propelled the Montana State Billings baseball team to a 14-8 come-from-behind victory over Grand Canyon in the nightcap of a twinbill Saturday afternoon.  With the victory, the Yellowjackets swept the doubleheader and take three of four in the series. 

Grand Canyon (5-9) opened the scoring in the nightcap with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the third, courtesy of a three run home run by Matt Fox, followed by a RBI triple from Jo Jacobson.

MSUB (4-8) didn’t sweat it as Kyle Ailes hit a solo shot and Bryce Thomas singled and Chris Round scored on one of five GCU miscues for a 4-2 score.  The ‘Lopes plated three more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 7-2 lead courtesy of a Jacobson two RBI double to left field and a Ta McGregor RBI single.

That’s when MSUB took over offensively as it scored four runs in the sixth on five hits and two costly errors by GCU.  RBI singles by Ty Sobieraj, Ailes and Thomas got the Yellowjackets to within 7-6.  GCU added a run in the bottom of the sixth for an 8-6 lead heading into the final inning.

MSUB batted around in the seventh, scoring a season-high eight runs in the inning on five hits and left the bases loaded.  Matt Schoonover singled to right field scoring two runs and Round doubled to left field scoring two runs to highlight the inning.

For the day, the bats came alive for MSUB as it belted 31 hits and scored 28 runs with no errors on the day.  In the nightcap, Stefan Malkuch (1-1) picked up the win in relief of starter Archie Smith.  Malkuch went two innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, six strikeouts and one walk.  Smith went five innings, allowing seven hits, seven earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts.

Offensively, Round and Thomas led the way with a 3 for 4 game with two RBI.  Ailes went 2 for 4 with two RBI as well.  Jacobson went 3 for 4 with three RBI and Fox went 1 for 3 with three RBI in the losing effort. 

Errors plagued the ‘Lopes again as they committed nine errors in the doubleheader, leading to 13 of 28 unearned runs.

The Yellowjackets begin a neutral site four game series with Mary Sunday at 12:30 p.m., at the Gene Autry Complex in Mesa, Ariz.  The series is scheduled to conclude Monday at 12:30 p.m., with another doubleheader.