Yellowjackets and Marauders Split Final Doubleheader

Game 1
Game 2

MESA, Ariz. – Steve Scott threw a no-hitter through five innings and combined with Brian Howe for a two-hitter as the Montana State Billings baseball team routed University of Mary in the opener of a doubleheader Monday afternoon, 13-1.  The Marauders won the nightcap, 8-4, as the teams split a four-game series at the Gene Autry Complex in Mesa, Ariz.

“We came out and played our best game of the year in the first game,” head coach Chris Brown said.  “We took advantage of our opportunities and capitalized on them.”

The Yellowjackets (6-10) belted 15 hits as eight-of-nine batters had at least one hit in the opener.  Patch Wirtzberger, the only Yellowjacket to have played in all 16 games, went 4 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead the way.  Nick Harris went 3 for 4 with two RBI and one run scored, while Andrew Hernandez was 3 for 3 with two RBI and three runs scored.

MSUB tallied at least one run in all six innings as it was designated the home team for the neutral site game.  The Yellowjackets’ big inning was five runs in the third to blow open a 3-0 lead and followed with four runs in the fifth.

Scott (1-1) went five innings, allowing one earned run, struck out six and walked two.  Howe pitched the final two innings, allowing two hits and he fanned three.

The two hits by Mary (3-8) was a season-best for MSUB.

In the nightcap, Matt Schoonover went 2 for 3 to lead the way in the losing effort.  MSUB had five hits in the game as Marauder pitcher, Kyle Schroeder had the Yellowjackets’ number going six strong innings, striking out seven and walking two. 

“We ran into a tough pitcher and we made some miscues that cost us in the second game,” Brown said.  “Schroeder mixed it up and were couldn’t solve him today.”

The Yellowjackets had leads of 2-1 and 3-1 after the first and second innings and had a 3-2 lead after the third, but a four-run fourth by the Marauders proved to be the difference.

Jeff Bjorklund (2-2) takes the loss in the nightcap, going 3.2 innings, allowing six earned runs with two walks and two strikeouts.  Brian Strom pitched 1/3 of an inning with two walks, while Cody Clark and Mike Cease pitched a combined three innings, allowing two unearned runs with two strikeouts.

The Yellowjackets have a day off Tuesday, before traveling to Nampa, Idaho, for the first Great Northwest Athletic Conference series of the year with Northwest Nazarene Mar. 6-7.  The Yellowjackets and Crusaders split a four-game series in Nampa last season.  Game times are 4 p.m., Friday and 12 p.m. Saturday.