Yellowjackets Red Flag the Toros

Game 1

Game 2

CARSON, Calif. -  Montana State Billings got back on the winning track as they swept a doubleheader from Cal State Dominguez Hills, 2-0, 3-2 Wednesday afternoon.  This is the third win in as many games for the Yellowjackets over the Toros.  MSUB remains on the road, Fri.-Sun., Feb. 13-15 to compete in the Lead Off Classic in Phoenix, Ariz.

In the first game, the first run did not cross the plate until the top of the fourth inning.  An error, single and a fielder’s choice loaded the bases for MSUB with no outs.  Kelly Parsons hit a deep fly to centerfield.  Leslie Davis tagged up after the catch to score, making it 1-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Toros made an attempt to tie the score.  After a ground out, back-to-back singles put two runners on with one out.  Rebekah Tsatsa got a fly out and a strikeout to end the threat. 

In the top of the sixth, the Yellowjackets loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice, error and a walk.  CSUDH caught a foul ball to make it two outs.  On the next batter, the catcher couldn’t handle the pitch and let the ball go to the backstop.  Terina Stacks came home from third on the play to make it 2-0.

Steph Gosselin went two-for-three to lead the offensive charge.  Tsatsa (2-1) threw a four hitter with four strikeouts for the victory.  It was her second shutout of the season.

“We got just three hits but we hit the ball hard,” said head coach Anthony Stone.  “Our hard hitting forced a lot of errors.  That is what happens when you put the ball into play.  Rebekah threw another tough game for us.  We faced some hard situations but found a way out of it.  It is tough to win on the road but pitching and defense like we had today makes it easier.”

In the second game, Montana State Billings drew first blood.  In the third inning, with two outs, Leslie Davis drew a walk.  Gosselin came to the plate and crush the ball over the fence for a two-run shot.

Cal State Dominguez Hills would answer in the bottom of the fourth.  Jennifer Frazier led off with a single through the left side. MSUB got the next two batters out but Regina Farfan put a pitch over the fence to tie the game up.

In the sixth inning, Alyssa Frank led off for the Yellowjackets.  She took her third pitch and drove it out of the ball park to make it 3-2.  The Toros put a runner on with one out in the bottom of the sixth but couldn’t push her across.  CSUDH then went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

“Our mental strength was tremendous in this game,” said Stone.  “Even after we gave up the two run shot, we never let down.  They gained some momentum and we took it right back with the home run from Alyssa.  That shot and the one from Steph were big hits for us.  We knew it was just a matter of time before our bats started finding holes, gaps and going over.  Negative thinking just never appeared in this contest for us.”

For Montana State Billings (5-2), Gosselin went 2-for-4, score a run and drove in two while Davis, Frank, Lisa Moore and Whitney Whittemore each collected a hit.  Kasie Conder (2-0) gave up four hits, two runs and struck out six in the winning effort.