Yellowjackets Host Hawaii-Hilo in Home Finale This Weekend (April 23, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – The MSU Billings softball team will close out the home portion of its 2003 schedule Friday and Saturday when the Yellowjackets host Hawaii-Hilo in a pair of PacWest double-headers.  The Yellowjackets are in fifth place at 12-15 overall and 3-9 in the PacWest while the Vulcans are in second at 27-16 overall and 11-5 in the PacWest. 

MSU Billings has won nine of its last eleven games including a pair of wins at Dickinson State on Monday.  Hawaii-Hilo lost three of four games on Monday and Tuesday at first-place Western New Mexico. 

The Yellowjackets are anchored defensively by sophomore pitchers Joey Ehnes and Megan McCrae.  Ehnes is 6-3 and has a 2.00 ERA in ten appearances.  McCrae is 6-9 with a 2.48 ERA in 16 appearances.

Stephanie Cochrun leads the Yellowjacket offense with a .419 batting average and a .471 on base percentage.  Theresa Campbell (.328), Layne Pavey (.327), Terilee Ehnes (.318) and Joey Ehnes (.305) are also hitting above .300 for the Jackets, who bat .276 as a team.  Michelle Falsken leads the team with 18 RBI, followed closely by Terilee Ehnes with 16 and Sara Hanley with 15. 

Hawaii-Hilo relies on freshman pitcher Leo Sing Chow who is 13-3 with a 0.56 ERA.  Sing Chow has struck out 65 batters in 97 innings this season.  The Vulcans have four players hitting over .300, led by Nancy Vega’s .369 average.  Wendy Layton and Erin Castillo have each it four home runs and Layton has driven in 26 runs.

Double-headers both days are scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Cenex Stadium on the campus of MSU Billings.