Saint Martin’s Blanks Yellowjackets, 14-7, 5-1; Sweeps Series

Game One

Game Two

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Saint Martin’s University Saints swept a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon from Montana State Billings, 14-7 and 5-1 at Dehler Park.  With the losses, the Yellowjackets fell to 8-24 on the year and 7-13 in conference play, while SMU improved to 14-18 and 9-8 in conference play.

The Saints came out of the gates on fire as they scored four runs in the first three innings of the opener.  Luke Abbott got things started with an RBI double in the first, followed by a Michael McIver RBI single for a 2-0 lead.  A pair of single runs scored in the second and third innings, one on a wild pitch and an RBI triple from Josh Grenier.  SMU then added two more runs in the fifth and sixth innings for an 8-0 lead.

MSUB came back in the bottom of the sixth with three runs to cut the deficit to 8-3.  Jonathon Crews got things started with a single, followed by a bunt single from Patch Wirtzberger and Brian Dukart reached on a Saint miscue scoring the first run.  Later, Jaret Chatwood singled up the middle bringing Wirtzberger around to score and Chris Round followed with a single up the middle for the third run of the inning.

SMU came right back with three runs in the seventh, highlighted by a two RBI triple from Andy Cole and a sacrifice fly for an 11-3 advantage.  The Saints scored three more runs in the ninth for a 14-4 lead after Matt Schoonover tripled in the eighth and Jordan Kessler hit a sacrifice fly.

MSUB plated three runs in its last at bat as it loaded the bases, followed by a two RBI double to right from Schoonover and a sacrifice fly from Crews for a 14-7 score.

Chatwood, Schoonover and Round each had two hits for MSUB, while Schoonover had two RBI.  Crews and Wirtzberger each scored two runs.  On the mound, Ryan Pollock (0-4) took the loss as he went five innings, allowing nine hits, seven earned runs, two walks and he fanned four. 

Grenier went 4 for 5 in the opener with two runs scored and two RBI to lead SMU.  McIver, Andrew Elke and Andy Cole each had two hits as the Saints tallied 16 hits in the game.  Thomas DeBoer (4-1) earned the victory as he went six innings, allowing five hits, three runs – none earned, two walks and one strikeout.  Antone Saltvick picked up the save in three innings of work.

In the nightcap, SMU plated two runs in the second off MSUB starter Brian Howe.  The first came on a single through the left side and the second came courtesy of a Yellowjacket miscue.

In the third, MSUB got on the board with an RBI single from Schoonover for a 2-1 score.  The Saints, however, broke the game open in the fifth with three runs for the decisive 5-1 score.  

The Saints swept the four-game series in Billings and won the overall series 6-2 this season.  It was the first time MSUB had dropped all four games in a series since being swept at Western Oregon last season, Apr. 4-5, 2009.  SMU now leads the all-time series 19-4.

The Yellowjackets continue their 16-game home stand Friday with a conference four game series versus Western Oregon.  First pitch in Friday’s doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Dehler Park.  The series will conclude Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.  MSUB and WOU split four games earlier this year in Monmouth.