Southeast Montana News

‘Jackets Split Opening Day of Bubble Invitational

The Montana State University Billings softball teamed kicked off their first day of games at Minot State's Bubble Invitational 2 with a win against Minot State, before falling to fellow Montana school Carroll College.

The Yellowjackets (3-6) began the day successfully, defeating the hosting Beavers 6-2 behind a dominant pitching performance from Alyssa Etheridge, before finishing their opening day with a 15-4 defeat to the Saints.

Game 1: MSUB 6, Minot State 2

Alyssa Etheridge pitched a gem to lead the 'Jackets to a victory in game one. The senior threw seven innings, striking out eleven batters, the second most in her MSUB career. Etheridge allowed just five hits, and didn't allow a run to cross until the final inning of the game. "Alyssa did a fantastic job of working the zone." Said Yellowjackets head coach Lisa McKinney. "She did a great job of getting us outs, and our defense backed her up well."

Offensively the 'Jackets got a pair of runs in the early innings, with Lauren Blaschak scoring on a wild pitch in the first inning. The following frame, Kilee Imada crossed home on a double steal move. The 'Jackets wouldn't manage to score again until the fifth inning, but Etheridge kept MSUB in the lead, allowing just two hits in the middle stretch of the game. With a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings, the 'Jackets were able to build up their lead, and despite a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, Minot State wouldn't get close enough to a comeback.

Shelby Marquardt went 3-4 in the game, collecting a pair of RBIs. Imada went 2-4, collecting a run. Blaschak and Claire Bagnell each picked up a pair of walks, turning each of their turns on base into two runs.

Game 2: MSUB 4, Carroll College 15

The 'Jackets and Saints battled close early. Carroll scored four runs in the top half of the second inning, by a two run double from Blaschak in the bottom half kept the 'Jackets within reach. But MSUB couldn't convert baserunners to runs efficiently, leaving 11 runners on base, while the Saints converted their base runners, including a six run seventh inning to sink the 'Jackets.

Blaschak went 3-4 in the game, with the two RBIs in the second inning. Marin Penney went 2-3, with a solo home run in the sixth inning plating her lone RBI. Teegan Seeton also went 2-3, stealing a base and scoring a run. Entering the game in a pinch-hit situation, Jazlyn Kalehuawehe grabbed an RBI single.

"We got behind early in game two," Said McKinney, "And we kept it close early, but couldn't find a way to make a comeback. Carroll did a good job of putting the ball in play on us, and we left too many runs stranded on base."

THE BUZZ: Marquardt was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game for the first game… Penney was selected as Player of the Game for the second outing… Etheridge lowered her season ERA to 3.80… She has gone the distance in each of her starts this season…

Original source can be found here.