Yellowjackets Make it Seven Wins in a Row

Game 1

Game 2

Photo Gallery

BILLINGS, Mont. -  Montana State Billings (13-3 GNAC, 20-8) put it all together as they swept Northwest Nazarene (2-10 GNAC, 4-14), 8-0, 11-2, Saturday afternoon.  The Yellowjackets pounded out 25 hits and gave up just nine as they pushed their winning streak to seven straight.  MSUB remains home, Wednesday, Mar. 18, taking on the University of Mary.  The doubleheader is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.

In game one, Montana State Billings drew blood in the second inning.  Kelly Parsons walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Leslie Davis.  Following a strikeout, Whitney Whittemore sent the ball into orbit over the left field fence to make it 2-0.  MSUB would score one run each in the third and fourth innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, Terina Stacks reached on an error.  Stacks was then forced out at second on a fielder’s choice by Shay Oberg.  Oberg moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Steph Gosselin’s double to left field.

Parsons singled up the middle to score Gosselin.  Amanda Hood came in to run for Parsons and moved to third on a double by Davis.  Rebekah Tsatsa walked to load the bases and another walk, this one to Whittemore, scored Hood.  Amanda Goings singled to center field to plate Davis and end the game at 8-0.

Gosselin was 2-for-3 and drove in two runs, Goings went 2-for-3 and Whittemore drove in three runs.  Kasie Conder (7-2) threw a masterful two-hit shutout, walking one and striking out four batters,

In game two, MSUB lit up Northwest Nazarene like a pinball machine in the first inning.  Stacks led off with a bomb to dead center field.  Oberg singled to left center field, Gosselin was hit by a pitch and Jenna VanEykeren laid down a bunt single to load the bases.

The Crusaders got a line out and pop up to make it two outs.  Crystal Bentley drew a walk to push Oberg across the plate.  With the runner going, Goings laced a shot up the middle.  When the dust settled, VanEykeren and Gosselin had scored, Bentley was at second and Goings at first.  Stevie Howard dropped a single into left field to score Bentley to make it 5-0.

In the bottom of the second, the Yellowjackets once again rallied with two outs.  With Gosselin on second, VanEykeren ripped a single to centerfield to score her.  Hood came into run for VanEykeren and scored on a two-run shot to left center field by Davis.

In the third innings, NNU attempted to break up the shutout.  With a runner at first, Vanessa Shaw crushed the ball down the left field line.  Bobbie Lee ran it down and made a home-run saving catch at the fence.

In the fourth inning, the Crusaders managed to break up the shutout bid.  Sarah Varaday singled up the middle and was replaced on the bases by Kristin Refsland.  Jael Henthorn ripped a triple down the left field line to score Refsland.  Chelsey Anderson singled up the middle to score Henthorn and make it 8-2.

In the fourth inning, Davis singled to left field and moved to second on a single up the middle by Alyssa Frank.  Bentley then ripped a single up the middle to move Frank to second and plate Davis.  Goings walked to load the bases.  Stevie Howard then singled down the right field line to score Bentley and Frank.

Down 11-2, NNU needed to score at least two runs to keep the game going.  The first two Crusaders drew walks to make the scenario possible.  The Yellowjackets then got a fielder’s choice and two pop outs to complete the four game sweep.

Montana State Billings pounded out 16 hits with seven players collecting two hits each.  The two-hit club was Stacks, Oberg, VanEykeren, Davis, Frank, Goings and Howard.  Josie Grotbo (4-1) gave up seven hits, two runs and struck out two batters in picking up the win.

“I’m pretty happy with the way the weekend turned out for us,” said head coach Anthony Stone.  “We had some freshmen contribute in a big way. Amanda Goings, Kasie Conder, and Josie Grotbo all did a great job fulfilling their roles on this team. And what can you say about Bobbie Lee. That girl has had a tremendous amount of adversity to face in the past year, and she has handled it so well. Each time I’ve called her number this season, she has ignited this team in one way or another. Basket catch to win a ball game against CSU Dominguez Hills, steals a home run today, executes a hit and run on an extremely tough pitch yesterday. She’s an amazing person, no doubt.”

“With the rest of our upper classmen taking charge and doing a tremendous job of bringing the younger players along, I’m pretty happy with the way things have been going,” said coach Stone.  “And anyone that knows me will tell you I don’t say that too often, so that tells you this team is pretty special and playing well together. We still have a long way to go  and I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We have a tough doubleheader coming up on Wednesday against Mary, so we’ll enjoy this one for a day and get back to work this week.”

“On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who was involved for helping us prepare the field for this weekend,”  said coach Stone.  “On Wednesday morning, the entire field was covered with snow.  Our athletic director Dr. Gray, sent out a call to our athletic department and they responded.  By Thursday afternoon, almost every inch of snow was gone.  Without them, this weekend would not have been possible.  So for Dr. Gray, our Sports Information gentlemen, Mike Bond and Kit Strief, Volleyball, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Basketball…everyone that was involved, Yellowjacket Softball thanks you.”