Yellowjacket Softball Splits on First Day of Lead-Off Classic

Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Montana State Billings softball team split two games on the first day of the 2009 Lead-Off Classic as it dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision to Dixie State, but rebounded with an 11-2 thumping of Western New Mexico in five innings.

“It’s very tough to lose a ball game like that,” head coach Anthony Stone said.  “We had a few uncharacteristic miscues late, but even still we loaded the bases in the last inning with a chance to win.  I think that’s what I’m liking most about our road trip right now, we haven’t played our best softball yet, but we’re still in every game right to the end.  Even though we have been on the road for a long time, we are still finding way to put pressure on the other team, road weary and all.”

The Yellowjackets bounced back nicely as they crushed Western New Mexico in five innings, 11-2.  WNMU jumped out early with two runs in the first inning on a RBI double and a RBI single for a 2-0 lead.

From then on, the Yellowjacket bats took over coupled with some defensive miscues by WNMU to the tune of five errors which led to eight unearned runs for MSUB.  The ‘Jackets put two on in the second with nobody out when freshman Jenna VanEykeren belted her first collegiate home run, a three run shot to put MSUB up for good. 

Two errors proved costly for the Mustangs in the third as junior transfer Whitney Whittemore reached on an error, scoring senior Stephanie Gosselin from third for a 4-2 lead.  Three more runs plated in the fourth for MSUB as Gosselin belted her team-leading third home run of the year – a two run shot.  Senior Leslie Davis also scored a run on a nice sacrifice fly as senior Shay Oberg came around to score for a 7-2 lead.

WNMU went down in order in innings two through four offensively as Yellowjacket freshman hurler, Kasie Conder, picked up her third win of the season, scattering four hits and fanning five.  

In the fifth, the Yellowjackets scored four more runs for the decisive 11-2 score.  Two more errors proved costly as senior Rebekah Tsatsa and Whittemore scored on an error by the relief pitcher and Davis doubled to right field, scoring two runs.

Davis led the way offensively going 3 for 3 with three RBI.  Oberg was 2 for 3 with a run scored.  Gosselin and VanEykeren each had home runs.

“We had two freshmen step up in this game,” Stone added.  “Jenna hits a three run home run and Kasie threw another good game for us.  I like to see the younger players making contributions.  I don’t think we are on target yet offensively, but when you have everyone involved and taking their turn to help us win, it makes it a little easier when some of our veterans are still working to find their groove.  Overall, we did some good things today, but I don’t think these girls are satisfied yet.  We have three games left on this trip and we want to finish strong before we come back to Billings.

The Yellowjackets continue Saturday with two games versus Eastern New Mexico (10 a.m.) and New Mexico Highlands (12 p.m.) and are scheduled to conclude the tournament Sunday at 9 a.m. versus Grand Canyon.