February 24, 2008

Yellowjackets Blow Four-Run Lead in 8-4 Loss to Saint Martin’s

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LEWISTON, Idaho – A four-run lead proved not to be enough as Saint Martin’s rallied for an 8-4 victory over Montana State Billings in the final game of the Lewis-Clark State Tournament Sunday morning. With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 1-3 on the year and finish fourth in the tournament. SMU improves to 4-4 on the year.

MSUB opened the game with a run in the first inning courtesy of an error by SMU to start the game. After Cole Pryor reached on the error, and stole second, Seth Moir roped a ball right field scoring Pryor for a 1-0 lead.

Three more runs crossed the plate for MSUB in the second inning as Jeff Ridgeway tripled down the right field line, followed by a Nick Rupert single scoring Ridgeway. Pryor had a RBI single and Jonathan Schlender reached on a RBI fielder’s choice. SMU committed two errors inning that helped score the runs.

The Saints got on the board in the third inning on a fielder’s choice courtesy of two back-to-back walks by Yellowjacket hurler Brian Strom.

SMU tied the game in the sixth inning plating three runs with the help of two Yellowjacket errors. A two run single to left field and a throwing error paved the way for the runs.

The Saints took the lead in the seventh inning scoring four runs on just one hit with two more MSUB errors to take an 8-4 lead.
The game saw a combined 11 errors, five for MSUB and six for SMU. The teams combined for 12 runs and 14 hits. Of the 12 runs in the game, only six were earned.

Pryor led the Yellowjackets’ attack going 2 for 5 from the plate with a RBI.

Strom went five and two thirds innings allowing four runs – only one earned, three walks and three strikeouts. Leo Hansen (0-1) surrendered the game-winning run going just one third of an inning.

The Yellowjackets will look to get back on track after dropping three straight Mar 1-8 at the RussMatt Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz.