March 3, 2008
 
Yellowjackets Split Twinbill with Saint Cloud State

     Game One Box Score
     Game Two Box Score
     Season Statistics 

MESA, Ariz. – The Montana State Billings Yellowjackets split a twinbill with Saint Cloud State Monday afternoon at the Gene Autry Complex. The Huskies won game one 9-4, while MSUB won the nightcap, 8-4.

“We didn’t make the adjustments we needed to and we didn’t take advantage of the opportunities when we had them,” head coach Chris Brown said. “On the mound we need to do a better job on the mound of getting ahead in the count.”

The Huskies got on the board with four runs in the first inning of game one off Yellowjacket hurler James Lester. A pair of singles a hit batsmen and a bases loaded walk, scored the first run, followed by a lineout and a throwing error for the second run. A two run double followed for a 4-0 lead.

St. Cloud State added a run in the top of the second and in the fourth SCSU scored on a solo homer by Lauren Green for a 6-0 lead. It marked the first home run that the Yellowjackets have given up this season.

The Huskies loaded the bases again in the fifth inning with a pair of singles and an error. Brown made a call to the bullpen in favor of Stefan Malkuch. The Yellowjackets turned a double play at home and got out of the jam unscathed.

The Yellowjackets led off the bottom of the fifth with the second hit of the game as Matt Kakalecik roped a ball to left field, followed by Jeff Ridgeway reaching first on a throwing error by SCSU pitcher Chris Koenig. The hit by Kakalecik was the first Yellowjacket to reach base since the first inning (11 at bats). The Huskies got out of the jam with a slow dribbler to the pitcher.

In the top of the sixth, SCSU added another run on a fielder’s choice RBI by Green for a 7-0 lead. Two doubles in the inning produced a second run on a sacrifice fly by Brian Thompson for an 8-0 lead.

SCSU extended the lead to 9-0 in the seventh, but the Yellowjackets came roaring back in the bottom of the seventh hitting for the cycle to begin the inning. Kakalecik led off the inning with a solo home run, the first home run of the season for the Yellowjackts. A triple from Jeff Ridgeway followed, then a double from Kyle Ailes and a single from Bryce Thomas to complete the feat. It was the first time in school history that the Yellowjackets led off an inning hitting for the cycle. The Yellowjackets scored four runs in the inning, but fell 9-4.

Saint Cloud State hurler Chris Koenig (2-1) pitched a masterful first six innings, pitching a shutout, allowing three hits and striking out five. The seventh inning was different story as he gave up four runs (three earned) and four hits in the inning alone.

The Yellowjackets had seven hits for the game with four coming in the final inning. Kakalecik led the way going 2 for 3 with a run and a home run.

The nightcap was a different story as the Yellowjackets bounced back in a big way.

“It was the best and worst game we played all year,” Brown said. “We battled and found a way to win. We executed offensively and put the ball in play.”

Game two began with the Yellowjackets drawing first blood, scoring one run in the first inning on a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt. Seth Moir drove in leadoff hitter Nick Rupert for the game’s first run.

Saint Cloud State came right back in the bottom of the inning evening the score on a ground rule double by Kyle Resser. Moments later, a double by Brian Thompson put the Huskies in front 2-1.

The Huskies’ lead was short lived as Nick Harris belted a triple to right field scoring Andy Barham to tie the game at two in the top of the second inning. Ryan Duncan roped a double to left center scoring Harris from third to put the Yellowjackets up 3-2.

SCSU evened the score in the bottom of the second with an error at the plate. Jacket hurler Steve Scott got out of the jam with just one run scored.

The Yellowjackets went back on top 5-3 with a two run triple by Tyler Nelson in the top of the third. Moments later, Barham lined a single up the middle scoring Nelson for a 6-3 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Jackets retired SCSU in order for the first time today and the first 1-2-3 inning this week.

The Huskies walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out, but Scott got a key strikeout and a long flyout ended the threat as SCSU left seven on base to that point. In the bottom of the fifth, the Huskies got one run back on a pinch-hit single by Ryan Strum. The Yellowjackets made a pitching change for Bobby Henderson who got out of the inning with a slow roller to second base for a 6-4 score.

MSUB played small ball in the top of the sixth as Malkuch hit a sacrifice bunt scoring Cole Pryor from third to increase the lead to 7-4. The Huskies went to the bullpen for Matt Swanson. Moir hit a sacrifice fly to right field increasing the lead to 8-4.   

The Huskies loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, but a huge 6-4-3 double play got the Yellowjackets out of the inning, keeping the 8-4 lead intact.

The Huskies had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh getting the first man on, but a key strikeout by Barham two flyouts ended the game.

Rupert led the game offensively for the Yellowjackets going 3 for 4 with two runs scored. The Yellowjackets belted nine hits in the game, though committed three errors. Scott (1-1) picks up the win, going four and two thirds, allowing four hits, four runs – three earned, seven walks and five strikeouts.

The Yellowjackets have tomorrow off, before playing Mayville State on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Snedigar Complex in Chandler. Fans can log on to http://www.teamline.cc/teampage?teamcode=3735 to listen to the games all week.