MODESTO, Calif.—Playing a conference doubleheader in a neutral setting, Western Oregon softball split a makeup series against Montana State Billings, 11-2 and 6-10, at the Rainbow Fields on Thursday.

With the results, Western Oregon moved to 15-7 on the season and 6-4 in GNAC play. MSU Billings finished the day with an 8-15 overall record and a 2-8 mark in GNAC games.

In the first of three days of action at the Tournament of Champions, WOU will continue its California trip with two games on Friday. The Wolves will face Sonoma State at 2 p.m. and Cal State East Bay at 4:30 p.m. at the Pedretti Sports Complex.

Game 1: Western Oregon def. MSU Billings, 11-2 (5 inn.)
Haley Fabian tossed a 2-hitter while the Western Oregon offense scored in all five innings to defeat MSU Billings, 11-2, in the opening game on Thursday.

The Wolves came out swinging with five runs in the opening inning alone. Giving Fabian all the run support she would need, Mariah Deleon and Kennedy Coy both connected for 2-run hits in the opener.

Sydney Bowers drove in a run with a double in the 2nd while Cheyanne Rimer recorded an RBI with a bases-loaded walk in the 3rd to help WOU extend its advantage to 8-2 through three frames.

Tyler Creach got into the action with an RBI single in the 4th before Deleon returned with a solo homer for the team's final run in the top of the 5th. Deleon finished with a 3-for-4 line at the plate that included three RBI and two runs scored.

Armed with the early lead, Fabian struck out seven batters and allowed just three hits to improve to 7-2 on the season.

Game 2: MSU Billings def. Western Oregon, 10-6
Overcoming a 4-2 deficit, MSU Billings used a 6-run 6th inning to defeat WOU, 10-6, for a split on Thursday.

With two runs in the top of the 1st, Western Oregon took the early lead for the second straight game against the Yellowjackets. WOU's opening scores came via a double by Mariah Deleon and a passed ball that allowed Cheyanne Rimer to dash to the plate.

Rimer returned in the 2nd inning with a run-producing single to left that plated Tyler Creach, who reached earlier on a walk.

MSUB got two runs back in the bottom of the 3rd and evened the contest with two more in the 4th inning.

Tied 4-4, WOU regained the lead in the 6th with a clutch two-out double by Jenna Kelly that allowed Ayanna Arceneaux and Ryanne Whitaker to score.

The second lead was short-lived, however, as MSUB scored all six of its runs in the 6th inning while batting with two outs on the board. Senior catcher Madison Kelly provided the biggest swing in the stanza with a 3-run homer to left.