Jackets and Vikings Split Twinbill on Senior Day, 2-5 and 2-1

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Photo Gallery

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings softball team ended its 2010 season with a split Saturday afternoon at Cenex Stadium. On senior day, the Yellowjackets dropped their game one tilt with Western Washington University 2-5, but bounced back to win the night cap 2-1, sending off seniors, Whitney Whittemore and Stevie Howard with a win.

“It was nice to finish the season with a win,” said head coach Anthony Stone. “All year long we've been taking leads and losing them, but we were able to hold onto it today. We faced some tough calls but we battled back and didn't let them get us down. I’m really proud of Stevie (Howard) and Whitney (Whittemore) for everything they’ve done for this program and they’ll be hard to replace next year. They’ve brought a lot to this program and have been a huge part in its success. Now we just need to get healed up and rested up to go again next season." 

The Yellowjackets finished their 2010 campaign with a 22-29 record overall and finished the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season with a 19-21 record. The Vikings finished their season going 27-25 overall and 22-17 in conference.

Amanda Goings once again had a productive day, going 4-for-6 with four singles, a walk and a stolen base. Madison Smith and Kaycee Hoffman were the only other Jackets to have more than one hit in the two games. Smith went 3-for-6 with a run and three RBIs, while Hoffman finished 2-for-4 with a run and a pair of walks.

The Yellowjackets struck first in game one, getting an RBI-single from Smith in the bottom of the second, scoring pinch-runner Ashley Moeller.

The Vikings finally got through in the fourth, getting three runs on four hits off of Lindsey Trenary to take a 3-1 lead.

Western Washington struck again with runs in the fifth and sixth innings as Rothenberger singled home a run and a run came home when Kelly Parsons threw down to second for a caught stealing in the sixth.

Trenary dropped game one to fall to 13-14 on the season, tossing 3.2 innings with three runs, two earned, on six hits and a pair of strikeouts. Josie Grotbo threw 3.1 innings of relief, allowing two runs on five hits and a strikeout.

The Yellowjackets had just five hits as Erica Quint threw a complete game, allowing one earned run and fanning 10 for the second consecutive day.

In the night cap, Grotbo and Vikings pitcher, Sarah McEnroe, were locked in a pitching duel. Combined the two allowed three runs on 11 hits, as Grotbo allowed her one run on just four hits to record her seventh win of the season (7-9).

The Vikings took the lead early, getting their lone run when Dotlich hit an RBI single to right field, scoring Michelle Wrigley.

The Yellowjackets answered back in the second with both of their runs to take the 2-1 lead. Hoffman singled to begin the inning, followed by a Jenna VanEyekeren single that allowed both runners to advance another base because of the throw to third. Smith again came through with a one out two-RBI single through the left side.

The Yellowjackets pitching and defense locked down the victory, holding the Vikings scoreless the rest of the way. Grotbo finished with a strikeout and four walks in her seven innings pitched.