BILLINGS, Mont. – The Western Oregon University softball team ran into an offensive buzzsaw Saturday afternoon in dropping their opening games of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Montana State Billings, 7-3 and 10-2 in six innings.
 
Kelsie Gardner went 4 for 6 with two runs score for the Wolves (9-8, 0-2 GNAC) while Zoe Clark blasted her team-leading fourth home run of the season in game one against the Yellowjackets (11-16, 7-7 GNAC).
 
GAME ONE – Montana State Billings 7, Western Oregon 3
Montana State Billings broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the third with five runs scored on four hits, three going for extra bases. The Wolves answered with two runs in the fourth when Ashlee Lynch reached on an error, Clark walked and Ku'ulei Sioio singled to center. Hailee Watilo, in a pinch-hitting role, singled to right bringing home two to make it a 5-2 lead for MSUB.
 
The Yellowjackets tacked on two runs of their own with a home run to extend the lead back to five, 7-2, after four innings.
 
Clark led off the WOU sixth with a home run to left field, but six of the next seven batters were retired for a 7-3 decision.
 
Sammi Cadwallader took her first loss (4-1) of the season allowing 12 hits while striking out five.
 
GAME TWO – Montana State Billings 10, Western Oregon 2 (6 inn.)
Gardner reached begin hit by a pitch and stole second in the first inning. Lynch singled into center field cashing in Gardner for an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Yellowjackets scored twice on a homer in the second and three more in each of the third and fourth frame before the Wolves responded in the fifth for an 8-2 lead for MSUB. A pair of infield singles from Gardner and Ryanne Huffman preceded Lynch being hit by a pitch. A fly ball from Chandler Bishop to left field allowed Gardner to tag up from third base.
 
The Yellowjackets scored single runs in the fifth and sixth inning to end the game.
 
Bishop struck out three while allowing 13 hits to drop to 2-3 on the year.
 
WOU returns to action Sunday against MSUB with first pitch at 12 p.m. MDT. The game will have a live stream and stats on the internet at WOUWolves.com/Live.