BILLINGS, Mont. - The Western Oregon softball team fell to host Montana State Billings in a pair Great Northwest Athletic Conference games Saturday. The Wolves lost the first game 6-3 before dropping the second game 8-4.

Western now sits at 12-28 (9-19 GNAC) on the year while the 'Jackets improve to 24-20 (19-13 GNAC) with the wins.

Game One
MSUB got a dominant pitching performance from Amanda Todd, along with some powerful bats, to take Saturday's opener 6-3.

The 'Jackets got on the scoreboard in the first inning behind an RBI bunt from Nicole Colpron with a potential second run being called out at the plate on the same play. MSUB would go on strand three runners in the inning.

Freshman Ashley Gardner started the third inning for Western with a single through the left side. After two strikeouts, sophomore Andrea Bailey knocked a single through the right side, advancing George to third. During senior Tierra-Lyn Cuba's subsequent at-bat, Bailey stole second, allowing George to make it home, knotting the game at 1-1.

The hosts responded with a four-run frame in the bottom of the third, getting an RBI single from Hoffman to take a 2-1 lead before a trio of runs scored on two separate errors, putting MSUB up 5-1.

Western got a two-out solo home run from junior Bailey Rueck in the top of the fourth to trim the 'Jackets' lead to 5-2, but MSUB answered with a solo home run of its own in the bottom of the inning. It was MSUB's 52nd home run of the season, a new GNAC record.

Both offenses stalled until WOU started their half of the seventh with junior Kelsie Didion reaching first on an error. After a strikeout, freshman Tia Misfeldt was hit by a pitch, pushing Didion to second. Junior Kendra George delivered an RBI single through the right side, plating Didion and advancing Misfeldt to third. Two consecutive outs, however, would end any hope for a late-game comeback.

Todd (7-6) went the distance for the 'Jackets, striking out 11 batters while giving up five hits and two walks. The 11 K's were a season high for the freshman.

Freshman Alex Hillmick (7-11) was saddled with the loss for Western. In six innings of work, Hillmick gave up nine hits and four walks, striking out one. She was charged for just two of MSUB's six runs.

Rueck's home run was her fourth of the season. She now has 15 career home runs, good for fourth all-time at WOU.

The Wolves turned a rare 5-4-3 triple play in the bottom of the sixth, their first of the season.

Game Two
Western got a pair of home runs from junior Kelsie Didion but the 'Jackets stayed true to form, using their strong hitting to take Saturday's nightcap 8-4.

MSUB struck first, scoring two runs in the opening frame, one behind a sacrifice fly to right field and the other on a wild pitch.

The first of Didion's two home runs came in the top of the second. After junior Bailey Rueck hit a one-out single up the middle, Didion powered one over the left field wall, tying the game at 2-2.

The hosts regained control in the third. Frank hit an RBI triple to left field before Nicole Colpron's two-run shot to right center put MSUB up 5-2.

The Wolves refused to go away, getting two more runs by way of Didion's second homer, a two-out, two-run roundtripper down the left field line, cutting MSUB's lead to 5-4.

The hosts would have the final say, however, notching three more runs in the fifth behind Meg Harasymczuk's three-RBI homer, giving the 'Jackets a four-run advantage that would be too much for WOU to overcome.

The two home runs were the first of Didion's career at Western. All told, she accounted for two hits, two runs, and four RBIs.

Rueck continued her strong play of late, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. She went 3-for-6 on the day.

Junior Kelsey White (1-1) took the loss for WOU in her fifth start of the season. She gave up eight hits and five walks in six innings, striking out two.

MSUB's Annaleisha Parsley (10-9) got credit for the win, allowing six hits and two walks. She fanned six.

Next Time Out
The Wolves return home to Monmouth for a pair of doubleheaders against GNAC foes Simon Fraser and No. 21 Western Washington. WOU faces the Clan on Thursday (April 28) at 1 p.m. Saturday (April 30) will see Western say goodbye to its three seniors in a twinbill against the Vikings, beginning at 11 a.m.