Yellowjackets Split with Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands

NMHU Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Montana State Billings softball team split a pair of games on the second day of the Lead-Off Classic. MSUB dropped a 5-4 heartbreaker to Eastern New Mexico, but responded with a 7-3 win over New Mexico Highlands.

The Yellowjackets (7-4) dropped the opener 6-5 to Eastern New Mexico, but responded nicely with a 7-3 win over New Mexico Highlands. Freshman Jenna VanEykeren continued her hot bat as she went 2 for 3 with three RBI. Senior Rebekah Tsatsa went 2 for 4 with two RBI as well.

Freshman hurler Josie Grotbo picked up her first win of the season as she went 5.1 innings, scattering three hits, three earned runs with seven walks and five strikeouts. Kasie Conder relieved Grotbo for 1.2 innings allowing one hit and one walk.

The Yellowjackets got on the board in the top of the first as Tsatsa singled through the left side scoring Terina Stacks for a 1-0 lead. NMHU responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but MSUB tied the game in the third as VanEykeren doubled to center, followed by a RBI double from Alyssa Frank.

The Cowgirls (1-5) regained the lead again in the bottom of the inning, but the 'Jackets put together five runs over the final four innings for the 7-3 win. VanEykeren had a two RBI single in the fourth and a RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth to help the Yellowjacket cause.

MSUB concludes the Lead-Off Classic Sunday at 9 a.m. versus Grand Canyon.