Written by Iain Dexter, Sports Information Intern

MONMOUTH, Ore. – With a walk-off double in the 11th inning by junior outfielder Cody Sullivan, the Western Oregon baseball team rode the momentum to a first-day sweep over Montana State University Billings in Great Northwest Athletic Conference, 7-6 in 11 innings & 8-1, Friday afternoon on the WOU Baseball Field.

Sullivan finished the day 2-for-6 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Senior third baseman Garret Harpole continued to swing a hot bat after being named the conference's Player of the Week, ending the two games a combined 4-for-8 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Senior outfielder Matt Taylor finished a combined 3-for-10 with four runs scored and two runs batted in.

GAME #1 – WESTERN OREGON 7, MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 6 (11 INNINGS)

Game #1 was highlighted by Sullivan's walk-off double in the bottom of the 11th inning. Sullivan ripped a line drive down the left-field line with two outs, sending Harpole home from first base.

Junior first baseman Nathan Etheridge led the way offensively in the first game, finishing 3-for-6 with two runs and two runs batted in. Harpole also ended 3-for-6 while Taylor and Sullivan each added two hits.

Junior pitcher Darrien Moran started the game for the Wolves, lasting six innings, allowing five runs with four being earned. He received a no-decision after leaving the game still trailing 1-4.

The Wolves scored five runs through the seventh and ninth innings after scoring just one run through six innings. Etheridge drove in two runs with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game up at six a piece.

Junior pitcher Shawn Domke picked up his first win of the season in relief, throwing one scoreless inning in the top of the 11th, striking out two batters while walking one.

GAME #2 – WESTERN OREGON 8, MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 1

The Wolves cruised in Game #2, riding a strong performance from senior starting pitcher Jesse Pratt, who pitched a complete game on the way to his fourth win. Pratt allowed one earned run on two hits, with six strikeouts and three walks.

WOU batters were patient at the plate, drawing six walks in Game #2. The Wolves scored eight runs on just four hits, relying on working counts and four errors by the Yellowjackets defense.

Taylor finished with a hit, two runs and two runs batted in. Senior second baseman Jacob Whisler scored two runs and finished 1-for-2 at the plate with a triple and a sacrifice.

Western Oregon scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back, holding an 8-0 lead until the seventh inning, when the Yellowjackets broke the shutout.

The Wolves return to action tomorrow afternoon, wrapping up their four-game series against MSUB. First pitch has been moved up and hour to 11 a.m. due to impending weather.