Yellowjackets Sweep Saints to Close Road Trip (Mar. 9, 2005)
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

LACEY, WA – The Montana State-Billings softball team had high expectations entering the 2005 campaign.  After two road trips—including an important 12 game West Coast swing—the Jackets are off to a 12-5 start.  MSUB swept Saint Martin’s on Wednesday, 11-4 and 5-0. 

“This is probably the best road trip we’ve had in the history of the program,” said Yellowjacket head coach Jeff Aumend.  “We had some key wins in the West Region—wins against teams like Seattle University, Western Washington, and Grand Canyon.  At 12-5 and 9-3 in the region, I think we have a shot to be ranked in the top 10 when the first polls come out in a few weeks.  We have a lot of senior leadership, and they want to go out on top.”

The Yellowjackets used three big innings to run away with the first game.  They scored three runs in the third, four in the fifth and four in the seventh.  Joey Ehnes (Sr., Great Falls, MT) benefited from the run support for her eighth win of the season.  She struck out four in four innings and didn’t allow a run.  Megan McCrae (Sr., Brandon, Manitoba) and Jordan Waverek (Sr., Kalispell, MT) closed out the game’s final three innings, allowing two runs each.

Four different Yellowjackets doubled in the game.  Christy Wankel (Jr., Great Falls, MT) went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.  She drove in two RBI and scored a pair of runs.  Rachel Quarnburg (So., Billings, MT) continued her torrid hitting, going 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI.  Sara Hanley (Sr., Kalispell, MT) also had two hits and scored two runs.

The Jackets jumped to a quick 4-0 lead in game two with a two runs in the first and second innings.  That was more than enough for Ehnes to cruise to her ninth win, improving to 9-3 on the season.  She struck out nine and scattered two hits over seven innings.

Cami Rainey (Sr., Terreton, ID) went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run and an RBI.  Stephanie Cochrun (Sr., Lake Stevens, WA) was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.  Ehnes, Wankel and Theresa Campbell were each 1-for-3.  Campbell homered in the top of the fifth to add an insurance run.

The Yellowjackets will play their home opener on Sunday against Dickinson State.  First pitch for the single game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Cenex Stadium.