Jackets Split at Easton Tournament of Champions (Apr. 2, 2005)
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

MODESTO, CA – The Montana State-Billings softball team was just three outs away from shocking the West Region on Saturday, earning a two-game split on the second day of the Easton Tournament of Champions.  The Yellowjackets defeated Hawaii Pacific, 2-1, in the early morning game, avenging two conference losses in Hawaii last week.  MSUB then had fourth-ranked Humboldt State on the ropes in extra innings before losing 3-2.

MSU Billings moved to 19-9 overall and 3-1 at the Easton Tournament.  They will play in the Gold Bracket on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. against Western Oregon.  Sunday's bracket play in single elimination with winners advancing.  If the Jackets are able to get past the Wolves, they will likely have a rematch with Humboldt State in the semifinals.  The Yellowjackets return to Billings on Monday and will host Chaminade on Tuesday and Wednesday at Cenex Stadium.

In the first game, Hawaii Pacific took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning on a Brandi Peiler RBI double.  That was one of just four hits allowed by Yellowjacket starter Joey Ehnes (Sr., Great Falls, MT).  Ehnes tossed seven innings, striking out eight to improve to 15-6.

The Sea Warriors took a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning before the Jackets struck for two runs against HPU reliever Clerisse Lemke.  Jenna Haacke (Fr., Billings, MT) led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, and Anna Henderson (Jr., Frenchtown, MT) replaced Haacke as a pinch runner.  After Layne Pavey (Sr., Spokane, WA) grounded out to third to advance Henderson to second, Stephanie Cochrun (Sr., Lake Stevens, WA) tied the game with an RBI single. 

Sara Hanley (Sr., Kalispell, MT) moved Cochrun to second with a one-out walk.  Shortstop Cami Rainey (Sr., Terreton, ID) ended the game on the next at bat with her second double of the game, plating Cochrun from second.  Rainey continued her torrid hitting, going 3-for-5.  Cochrun had one of her best games of the season, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.  Hanley was 2-for-3 with a walk.  Theresa Campbell (Sr., Great Falls, MT) went 1-for-1 and drew three walks.

In the second game the Yellowjackets struck first with a run in the top of the second inning.  Christy Wankel (Jr., Great Falls, MT) reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced on a Henderson fielder’s choice, and scored when Pavey reached on an error by the second baseman.  The Lumberjacks answered in the bottom half of the second with a two-out RBI single from Victoria Barbaria.

Both pitchers shut down the opposing offenses for the rest of the way.  The Yellowjackets’ Rachel Quarnburg (So., Billings, MT) pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits and two runs, one earned.

Pavey was placed on second to start the eighth inning under the international tiebreaker rule.  With one out, Hanley singled to center and Pavey scored when the centerfielder mishandled the ball.  The Jackets stranded runners on first and third.

Humboldt began its half of the eighth with Barbaria on second base while Ehnes replaced Quarnburg on the rubber for MSUB.  HSU’s Carolyn Cameron reached on an error by Henderson in center, advancing to second and moving Barbaria to third with one out.  Brandi Harrison followed with a double to left to drive in Barbaria and Cameron to end the game. 

The Lumberjacks improved to 37-1 and stretch their winning streak to 25 games.  Ehnes took the loss to fall to 14-7.  Hanley was 2-for-3 at the plate.  Campbell and Pavey were each 1-for-3.  Harrison was 2-for-3 for the Jacks with two RBI.