April 26, 2008

Softball Sweeps Western Washington in Key GNAC Series

     Game One
     Game Two

BILLINGS, Mont. – With a conference doubleheader sweep of visiting Western Washington Saturday afternoon, the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets still are alive for a Great Northwest Conference championship.  MSUB downed the Vikings in thrilling fashion, 9-7 and 5-2.  With the wins, the Jackets improve to 25-20 on the year and 14-8 in the conference. 

The Vikings plated three runs in the first on a three-run home run by Meghan Flem for the early lead.   

The Jackets roared back in the second as Terina Stacks doubled to left center, followed by a two-run home run by Stephanie Gosselin for a 3-2 score.

WWU added two more in the third and the Jackets countered with one in the bottom of the frame for a 5-3 score.  The Yellowjackets blew the game open with five runs in the bottom of the fourth highlighted by a triple from Stacks and a RBI double by Jenna Haacke for a 8-5 score.

The Vikings scored two runs in the fifth cutting the deficit to 8-7 as they hit a RBI single, followed by a bases loaded walk.  The Yellowajackets added the crucial insurance run in the bottom of the inning on a fielder’s choice RBI bunt by Jessica Frank, scoring Gosselin for the 9-7 victory.

Gosselin went 3-for-3 in the game with two RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Yellowjackets.  Rebekah Tsatsa went five and a third, allowing six hits, five earned runs, one walk and she fanned eight.  Lindsey Trenary (3-4) picked up the win in relief.

In the nightcap, the Jackets scored single runs in each of the first three innings on an error and two home runs, one by Kelly Parsons and the other by Frank for a 3-1 lead.  WWU cut it to 3-2 in the fifth on a fielder’s choice RBI. 

Two more runs crossed the plate for the Yellowjackets in the sixth for a 5-2 lead on a fielder’s choice and a passed ball.

The Vikings had the tying runs on in the seventh, but were unable to get anything going.

Frank led the way in the nightcap with two hits a RBI and two runs scored.  Lisa Moore (11-5) went the distance, scattering six hits, two earned runs, three walks and six strikeouts.

The teams will be back in action tomorrow with a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. at Cenex Stadium.