Yellowjackets Drop Doubleheader to Saint Martin’s

Game One
Game Two
Photo Gallery

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings baseball team dropped a doubleheader to visiting Saint Martin’s Saturday evening at Pirtz Field.  SMU won the opener under protest by MSUB, 15-9 and built a 7-0 lead in the nightcap only to see it evaporate, but did pull out an 8-7 win.  With the losses, MSUB stands at 14-14 overall and 8-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while SMU improves to 11-10-1 overall and 6-2-1 in conference play.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, there was a call involving runner interference resulting in MSUB filing an official protest as a result of the call on the field. 

MSUB opened the game with a run in the first as Stefan Malkuch laced a single up the middle scoring Cole Pryor for a 1-0 lead.  SMU came right back in the top of the second with two runs, helped out by a Yellowjacket miscue and a double by Jake Owens for a 2-1 lead.

The Yellowjackets regained the lead in the bottom of the inning as the theme of the day for both teams was scoring runs with two outs.  Matt Schoonover took advantage of the two out situation with a two RBI double for a 3-2 lead.

SMU plated eight runs in the third inning on just two hits and one Yellowjacket error as MSUB starter, Archie Smith, struggled as he went just 2.1 innings, allowing three hits, nine runs – three earned, six walks and two strikeouts.  Jeff Bjorklund cqame into the game in relief and surrendered a three run home run by Shane Schoeneberg for a 10-3 score.

MSUB continued to fight as it scored two runs in the fourth.  Again with two outs, Nick Harris hit a two run double to left for a 10-5 score.  SMU had the answer in the fifth with three more runs courtesy of an Owens RBI single and a two run blast from Luke Abbott for a 13-5 lead.’

The Yellowjackets would score four more runs, including a two run home run by Joe Via, but fell 15-9.  MSUB outhit the Saints, 16-11, but committed five errors that led to nine unearned runs for the SMU. 

Bjorklund pitched 6.2 innings in relief as he allowed eight hits, six runs – three earned, two walks and he struck out seven.  Harris led the way offensively going 3 for 6 with three RBI and a run scored.  Schoeneberg went 3 for 4 with three RBI and four runs scored to lead the Saints.  Kevin Jones (2-1) takes the victory as he went six innings, allowing 11 hits, six earned runs, two walks and he fanned six.

The Saints picked up right where they left off in the nightcap as they scored seven runs in the first two innings helped out by a three run home run by Owens and he also had a RBI single.

The Yellowjackets wouldn’t go quietly as they scored seven unanswered runs with three runs in the second and third innings each.  Chris Round blasted a three run homer and Via hit his second home run of the day, a two run shot to get the ‘Jackets back into the game.

Harris reached on an error, scoring Andrew Hernandez for the tying run in the fourth.  However, the Saints would answer in the fifth as another Yellowjacket error led to the game winning run.  After MSUB got the friendly double play, Jordan Green reached on the costly miscue that resulted in him advancing to second and an Andrew Braegelman single to center scored Green.  Malkuch made a great throw from center and there was a play at the plate as Green slid under the tag of Hernandez for an 8-7 score. 

Via went 2 for 4 in the nightcap with two RBI and two runs scored.  Hernandez went 2 for 2 with a run scored as well.  Owens paced the Saints with a 3 for 4 outing and four RBI.

Steve Scott (3-2) takes the loss as he went five innings allowing 10 hits, eight runs – six earned, two walks and two strikeouts.  Jeff Brooks (4-1) get the win in relief as he went 4.1 innings, allowing four hits one unearned run, one walk and a strikeout.

The Yellowjackets have the week off and will open play at Dehler Park, Mar. 31, against Colorado Christian.  First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.