Big Sky Times

Yellowjackets Split Doubleheader to end Road Trip

The Montana State University Billings baseball team split a doubleheader against Cal State University San Marcos, finishing their season opening road trip to California.

 

The 'Jackets (3-3) finished the series with a 1-3 record against the Cougars (4-3). They dropped the opening game 9-15, before earning a 5-1 victory in the second game of the day, finishing a stretch in which the Yellowjackets played six games in just five days.

 

"We really challenged our guys with the amount of games we played in a short time span." Said Yellowjackets head coach Derek Waddoups. "We had a couple get away from us, but overall this was a successful early trip. We learned a lot about who we are as a team."

 

Game 1: MSUB 9, CSUSM 15

 

Game one began close, with the teams playing close through the first three and a half innings. The 'Jackets kept pace in the early going due to a pair of home runs from Parker Bleggi and Kaden Kirshenbaum. But tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the third, San Marcos found some consistency on both sides of the ball. The Cougars scored seven runs over the next three innings, holding the 'Jackets offense to a standstill in the process.

 

The 'Jackets mounted a comeback attempt, when the offense found it's footing again in the sixth. Zack Blaszak and Carson Green each had RBI hits in that inning, and Tyler Godfrey's towering three-run home run in the top of the seventh put the contest back within reach, with the 'Jackets down 8-10 in going into the bottom half of the inning. But after tacking on another run in the seventh, a three-run bomb from Ethan Rivera would extend the gap once again, and despite the 'Jackets adding another run in the ninth, it wouldn't be enough as Cal State San Marcos clinched a series victory.

 

Kirshenbaum went 2-3 in the game, with three runs, the home run, and one RBI. Bleggi was 1-5 with the home run and a pair of RBIs. Godfrey was 2-5 including his three-run shot. Behind them, AJ Wagenmann went 1-2, as did Colby Kiesling.

 

"Game one we had some bad luck in," said Waddoups, "But we also didn't make some plays, and they took advantage of that. They put the ball in play more often, and won the freebie war. That's the difference here. I still like the way we strung some runs together on offense, just couldn't do enough at the end of the game."

 

Game 2: MSUB 5, CSUSM 1 (7)

 

The second game of the day between the two teams was a defensive battle instead. After scoring a run each in the first inning, neither team would be able to get much going. But the Yellowjackets would get things going in the middle innings. Payton Flynn slapped an RBI single in the fourth, and in the following frame, James Anderson and Bodee Wright each hit RBI singles to put the 'Jackets up 5-1, a scoreline that would hold for the rest of the game. "It was good to see Payton and Bodee step up to get those RBIs." Said Waddoups. "We really need them."

 

Cy Miller got the start, throwing five innings, allowing five hits and one run while striking out four. Trevor Cassell came in to finish out the game, striking out three in two innings of work. "Cy was dominant in this game." Waddoups said. "HE commanded the bottom of the zone and changed speeds well. He loaded up the bases in the fifth with nobody out, and got out of that without allowing a run, so I was really impressed with his clutch and his ability to keep them off the board."

 

Wright led the way, going 2-3, with three RBIs and a run. James Anderson was 1-2, with his RBI hit along with a pair of walks and a steal. Kirshenbaum was 1-2 in the second game. Wagenmann picked up a hit and a run for the second game in a row. Freshman Cole Dawson impressed in the field, making a number of athletic plays at short. "We preach a next man up philosophy." Said Waddoups. "It's great to see different guys step up, and I thought Cole really did that today."

 

Going .500 in a compact schedule, Waddoups was impressed with how his team competed. "I consider this a successful early road trip overall. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season with this team. We grew a lot this week, and I think well show that over the next couple series."

 

THE BUZZ: Kirshenbaum was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day for his combined efforts, where he went 3-5, walking twice, with three runs, a home run, and an RBI… Miller picked up both a save and a win in the trip to California, throwing the most combined innings of any MSUB pitcher… Bodee Wright leads the 'Jackets in batting average after their first weekend of play, hitting .571 in five games… Kirshenbaum leads the team in home runs with 2, while Anderson's seven RBIs are a team high.

Original source can be found here.