Cardinals Take Two From Jackets (4/4/06)
Box Score 1
Box Score 2
SAN ANTONIO, TX – No rest for the
weary was the theme of the Montana State-Billings
softball team as they played 12 games in seven days.
The Jackets dropped both Heartland
Conference games against No.
fifteen-ranked University of the Incarnate Word Tuesday
in San Antonio, Texas. Rain delays, extreme heat and
humidity, and thousands of miles traveled took its toll
on the Jackets as they narrowly lost to the Cardinals in
game one falling 6-5 and were overpowered 8-4 in game
two. The Lady Jackets are 8-28 on the season and 1-11
in the Heartland Conference while the Cards improved to
34-12 overall and 8-4 in the league.
The Cardinals jumped out to the
early 3-0 lead on runs scored in the first two innings.
Allison Britt drilled a triple to left field bringing
home Amanda Mayfield. On the next at bat, Britt crossed
homeplate on a sacrifice bunt from Erin Whitt. The Lady
Jackets got themselves on the board after a scoreless
two innings. Aysha Maddox (Jr., Richland, WA) was hit by the
pitcher and advanced to second on a Cardinal error. Jenna McCartney (Jr., Victor, MT) flied out to
centerfield and a second Cardinal error allowed Maddox
to score. In the bottom of the fourth, Incarnate Words’
Britt and Whitt scored giving the Cardinals the four-run
lead. The Jackets needed a big inning and that big
inning came in the fifth. The Cardinals were caught on
their heels as Stephanie Gosselin (Fr., Brentwood Bay, BC) singled
to get on base. McCartney was walked advancing Gosselin
to second. Rachel Quarnburg (Jr., Billings, MT) hit a double to
bring in Gosselin. Jenna Haacke (So., Billings, MT) was intentionally
walked to load the bases. Christy Wankel (Sr., Great Falls, MT) singled
allowing McCartney to score. Megan Moeller (Jr., Ontario, OR) singled bringing in
pinch runner Terina Stacks (Fr., Washougal, WA). Wankel scored
for the Jackets on a fielding error by the Cardinals
bringing the score to an even five apiece. In the
bottom of the sixth, Whitt singled, stole second, and
came home on a Melissa Perez single giving the Cardinals
the winning run.
Pitcher Rebekah Tsatsa (Fr., Eagle, ID) took the loss for
the Jackets scattering 13 hits over six innings,
allowing six runs. The Jackets five runs were scored by
five different players with Wankel going 1-for-4 with
one run and one RBI. The Cardinals’ Amanda Sparks
(14-6) earned the win allowing five runs off six hits.
Britt went 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI.
A strong third inning by the
Cardinals may have doused the hopes of a second game
comeback by the Jackets. The Cards put away five runs
off four hits in the third to take the 6-0 lead. In the
top of the fourth, Wankel put one over the fence for her
fourth homerun of the season and put the Jackets on the
board. Lisa
Moore (Fr., Bakersfield, CA) sent three Cardinal
batters back to the dugout and in the fifth inning, the
Jackets’ Cari Dunlap (Jr., Billings, MT), and Gosselin each
singled to sit at first and second base. McCartney
doubled for two RBI. Quarnburg was grounded out with
McCartney advancing to third. Haacke singled for an
RBI, bringing the Jackets within one. In the bottom of
the sixth, Perez homered for two RBI and the
doubleheader sweep.
McCartney went 1-for-4 with one run
and two RBI with Wankel going 1-for-3 in game two with
one run, one RBI, and a homerun. Moore (5-12) took the
loss for the Jackets allowing eight runs off nine hits
in six innings. Moore struck out three batters.
Perez (19-6) earned the win for the
Cardinals scattering four runs off six hits. Perez
struck out six Jacket batters. Perez was just as
impressive at the plate going 2-for-4 with two runs, two
RBI, and one homerun.
The Yellowjackets have a two-day
break before hosting Oklahoma Panhandle (4-31, 4-10 HLC)
April 7 and 8 at Cenex Stadium. The doubleheader is set
for 3 p.m. and is Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day.
Faculty and Staff with a current ID will be admitted
free along with their families. A BBQ will be available
for a nominal fee. |
