April 25, 2008

Softball Splits with Seattle; GNAC Championship Hopes Still Alive

     Game One
     Game Two

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings softball split a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader with Seattle University Friday afternoon at Cenex Stadium.  SU won the opener 13-5, while the Jackets took the nightcap 10-2.  With the games, the Yellowjackets improve to 23-20 on the year and 12-8 in conference play.  Seattle is 29-11 overall and 11-5 in the conference. 

The Redhawks jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first with three runs on four doubles for a 3-0 lead.  Two home runs propelled SU to four more runs in the third for a 7-0 lead.  The Redhawks added one in the fourth before MSUB got on the board with a RBI single by Terina Stacks.  SU added another two runs in the fifth, but the Jackets countered with two more in the bottom of the inning as well with a Kelly Parsons’ two-run blast for a 10-3 score.  

SU added three runs in the sixth for a 13-3 lead, but the Jackets continued to fight hard scoring two runs in the bottom half on a Jenna Haacke solo home run and a RBI single by Stephanie Gosselin for a 13-5 score.

The nightcap was just the opposite as the Jackets got on the board first with four runs in the initial inning on two RBI singles, a double and a sacrifice fly.  MSUB plated three more runs in the third for a commanding 7-0 lead, highlighted by a Gosselin two-run home run. 

Seattle got on the board with two runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a 7-2 deficit, but the Yellowjackets continued to pour it on, plating three more runs for the 10-2 victory.  

Lisa Moore (10-5) takes the victory in the nightcap, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts.  Gosselin was a perfect 4 for 4 in the game with four RBI to lead the offense.

The Yellowjackets continue the homestand with a crucial conference doubleheader with Western Washington tomorrow at noon.