McBride’s Shutout Earns Jacket Win (4/14/06)
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BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings baseball team scored 12 runs in each game of Friday’s doubleheader but could do no better than split the twin bill with Lincoln University, falling in game one 19-12.  The Jackets struck back with a vengeance in game two cruising to the 12-0 win.  The split improves the Jackets to 10-26 overall and 8-18 in the league.  The Blue Tigers are 14-24 on the season and tied with the Jackets at 8-18 in the Heartland Conference.

The teams played games of night and day.  The two teams combined for a barn-burning 31 runs and 40 hits in the first game.  The Blue Tigers’ Daniel Struemph hit his first collegiate home run that resulted in a grand slam.  Lincoln dinged a total of three home runs in the first game, racking up a double, triple and two stolen bases to give them the win.  The Tigers were led by Derek Nordquist who went 5-for-6 with one run, five RBI and a home run.  Josh Hendrix took the win (2-6) giving up four runs off eight hits.

The Yellowjackets fired multiple long balls out to the fence, but the pitching staff didn’t match the offense.  The Jackets were led by Jake Samuelson (Jr., Helena, MT) who went 4-for-5 with one run and three RBI.  Willie Crtalic (Jr., Billings, MT) was 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBI and a double.  Nathan Herbig (Jr., Noxon, MT) took the loss for the Jackets giving up 12 runs off 11 hits.

“In the first game we had a good approach at the plate and hit well,” said Yellowjacket head coach Chris Brown.   “Our pitching was ineffective in game one and both the hitting and pitching go hand in hand, so if we don’t do both then we don’t get the win.”

As the shadows were cast over Cobb Field, the Jackets came out to play ball in the second game.  Kyle McBride (Jr., Billings, MT) pitched his third shutout of the season earning him the four-hit win in game two.  A slew of defensive changes for the Blue Tigers did not affect the Jackets' roll.  Luke Sansaver (Jr., Wolf Point, MT) went 3-for-4 with three runs, one RBI and one stolen base.  Designated hitter Mike Wardell (So., Billings, MT) went 2-for-3 scoring two runs and driving in two RBI.

“I am really proud of the way the guys bounced back in game two,” added Brown.  “Kyle (McBride) pitched a heck of a ball game, and defensively we made the plays behind him.  If the pitcher knows that the guys are getting the job done both defensively and offensively, it makes his job that much easier.  We had multiple double plays and those are huge confidence builders for the players.  I hope to continue the hot streak in tomorrow’s doubleheader.  We will be looking for good outings from David Ducharme and Ben Lewerke.”

The Yellowjackets and Blue Tigers will tangle again Saturday in doubleheader action at Cobb Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.