Yellowjackets Upset #11 Cal State San Marcos to Highlight Day
The Montana State University Billings softball team went 1-1 across their second day at the Concordia Kickoff Classic, defeating #11 Cal State San Marcos 14-4, before dropping their second game against Biola University 3-11.
“We had a similar day to yesterday.” Said ‘Jackets head coach Lisa McKinney. “We’re showing a ton of good qualities on both sides of the ball. It’s just a matter of doing that for both games.”
Game 1: MSUB 14, #11 Cal State San Marcos 4
The Yellowjackets wasted no time getting things going against the ranked Cougars. An early offensive explosion saw the ‘Jackets plate 11 runs in the first three innings. Seemingly every ‘Jacket got involved in the action, and by the time San Marcos were able to put some runs on the board, it would be too little too late, as a trio of runs in the sixth would be enough for MSUB to end things an inning early.
“Our offense really came alive in this game.” Said McKinney. “We made adjustments at the plate that paid off for us in a big way. I’m really pleased with how we performed, it was a complete team win.”
Lauren Blaschak continued her hot hitting start to the season, going 2-4 with a pair of runs and RBIs from the leadoff spot. Batting just behind her in the lineup, Kilee Imada also had two runs and RBIs, going 2-3 in the game. Payton Meyer hit her second home run of the season, a two run inside-the-parker to put the ‘Jackets ahead 4-0 in the first. Freshman Makayla Stoker made her MSUB debut behind the plate, collecting one hit, two runs, two walks and an RBI. Marin Penney, Maycen O’Neal, and Teagan Seeton each had two hits. Overall in the game, eight different MSUB players got a hit, five of them multiple, and six players had an RBI.
Alyssa Etheridge had to throw just 77 pitches, and was effective all game. She finished her day throwing six innings, allowing just five hits, three runs, while striking out four. “Alyssa threw another gem on the mound.” Said McKinney. “She’s throwing really well to start the season, and we backed her up well defensively.”
Game 2: MSUB 3, Biola University 11
MSUB stayed close in the beginning, tied 1-1 after two innings. But following that, Biola would score in every inning for the rest of the game, and the ‘Jackets offense was unable to keep pace. It kept the pattern intact from day one, with MSUB winning their first game before losing the second one.
“A few too many errors and miscommunications in game two.” Said McKinney. “I thought the offense had some quality at bats, we just have stay consistent. Tomorrow we plan on going back out there and firing on all cylinders.”
Blaschak was a perfect 3-3 in the game, accounting for each MSUB run. O’Neal also had her second multi-hit game of the day, plating two RBIs. Shelby Martin and Julia Qualteri each threw for three innings in the ‘Jackets loss.
THE BUZZ: Blaschak is hitting .538 across her first four games, leading all MSUB hitters… Meyer has surpassed her previous career highs in home runs (2) and RBIs (5) in just her first weekend of play.
Original source can be found here.
