March 6, 2008
 
Madonna Takes Two From Yellowjackets

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CHANDLER, Ariz. – Madonna University handed the Montana State Billings two losses on Thursday afternoon, 5-0 and 4-3 in nine innings. With the losses, the Yellowjackets fall to 3-7 on the year, while the Crusaders improve to 8-4.

“We bounced back after a tough first game and back and showed some toughness,” head coach Chris Brown said. “In the first game, their guy did a great job of keeping us off balance, hats off to him, he had a day.”

The Crusaders led off the first game of the twinbill with three runs in the first inning as Zack McMillin opened the game with a double, followed by a RBI single from Ryan Morrow. Moments later, Kevin Zerbo teed-off on the Cody Clark offering for a two run home run over the left field fence.

Things looked promising for the Yellowjackets in the third after a leadoff double by Steve Larson, but was picked-off second to end the threat. The Jackets had a base runner in the first but was caught stealing to end the threat, too. In the fourth, Cole Pryor had a leadoff single and then was caught stealing becoming the third Yellowjacket that was either picked off our caught stealing in the game.

Madonna added run in the fifth on a single, stolen base and an error. The Crusaders added another run in the sixth on a RBI double down the left field line for a 5-0 lead.

MSUB went down in order in the seventh, falling 5-0. It was the first time this season that MSUB had been shutout. In addition, the Yellowjackets tallied a season-low two hits and had just three runners on base in the game. All three runners were picked off.

Clark (1-1) went the distance in the losing effort in his first collegiate start. He allowed five runs – four earned, one walk and three strikeouts. Will Kennedy (1-0) picked up the win for Madonna, going the distance, allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out a season-high 12. He faced the minimum 21 batters in the seven inning game.

In the nightcap, the Yellowjackets got a single in the second inning by Kyle Ailes and then advanced to third on a two base error by the pitcher, but MSUB was unable to get the run home. Ailes’ single marked the first time today that the Yellowjackets had more than three batters come to bat in an inning.

Madonna broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second with a RBI single to the left side by Drew Fry for a 1-0 lead.

With one swing of the bat in the top of the third, Andy Barham tied the game with a solo shot to left field at 1-1. The Jackets had three hits in the inning and left runners stranded at second and third.

The Crusaders regained the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth as the Yellowjackets committed two costly errors that leaded to the run. Yellowjacket hurler Brian Howe got out of the inning with just one run as the Jackets turned their second double play of the game.
Barham again led off the fifth inning with a single and advanced to third on a two base throwing error by pitcher Sean Maher. Ryan Duncan walked and the Crusaders were caught napping as Barham stole home to tie the game at two.

A two out single up the middle by McMillin gave the Crusaders a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth. MSUB head coach Chris Brown made a call to the bullpen for Bobby Henderson. Howe went five and two thirds, allowing three runs – two earned, four walks and three strikeouts.

The Yellowjackets had one last chance in the seventh. Down to their last out and last strike, Matt Schoonover lined a double to left field to keep the rally alive. Levi Johnson lined a single to center field tying the game at three off Madonna reliever Carl McDevitt.

Henderson retired the Crusaders in order in the seventh, moving the game to extra innings for the first time this season.

Kyle Ailes reached base on an error to begin the eighth, but were unable to get anything across.

The Crusaders loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with nobody out. Pinch-hitter Scott Boyer lined a down the first base line for the game-winning run, 4-3.

Henderson (0-1) takes the loss, while McDevitt picks up the victory in relief. The Yellowjackets had nine hits in the game after having just two in the first game. Schoonover went 3 for 4, while Barham was 2 for three with two runs and a RBI.

“We battled and had some clutch hits and fought tooth and nail until the end,” Brown said.

The Yellowjackets look to snap a three-game skid tomorrow morning as they conclude the RussMatt Invitational with a doubleheader against University of Mary at 9:30 a.m. at Snedigar Park.