MONMOUTH, Ore. – Backed by a strong start and a couple of big offensive innings, the Western Oregon University baseball team was able to come back with a solid 7-1 win in game two Saturday against Montana State Billings to take the Great Northwest Athletic Conference series. The Yellowjackets won the opener Saturday, 18-2.
In game two, Nick Parr was nearly unhittable in his five innings of work as he allowed just an early solo home run in the first inning. That would be the only baserunner until a walk in the fifth as he worked three straight 1-2-3 innings. Parr collected his first win (1-0) of the season in the process and added six strikeouts.
"I think my off-speed pitches were really setting the tone. I was able to get first pitch strikes and really competing out there," Parr said.
While Parr was locked in on the mound, WOU (6-4, 5-3 GNAC) generated the offense they would need in the third. Jayden Hanna began the inning with a single and then a bunt by Blayze Arcano turned into a hit as he hustled down the line to put runners on first and second. Derek Maiben moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt. A balk followed bringing Hanna home and moving Arcano to third. Jacob Maiben walked and a roped double into the right field corner by Connor McCord scored Arcano and moved Jacob Maiben to third. Justyn Herzog brought in the third run of the inning when he hit a sacrifice fly to left leaving WOU with a 3-1 lead after three.
The Wolves closed the scoring in the fifth. Derek Maiben opened the inning with a walk and then moved to second when brother Jacob Maiben laid down a sacrifice bunt. McCord was at it again when he took a 0-1 pitch through the left side for an RBI single scoring Derek Maiben from second. Herzog followed with a single up the middle to put runners at the corners. Josh Berman then cranked his first homer with the Wolves when he took a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for a three-run shot and a 7-1 lead after five.
"It was awesome. I love the culture here and this is my family. I couldn't be more excited to do something cool for them. It isn't for me anymore, it's for this team," Berman said.
Ryan Shipley would come on in relief of Parr in the sixth and allowed just a walk in the sixth to work two scoreless innings.
WOU held a 7-1 edge in hits with McCord leading the way with a pair of hits. Berman drove in three runs and McCord added two.
Carson Green had the only hit for MSU Billings (4-16, 4-8 GNAC) which was the home run in the first inning. On the mound, Logan Siblerud started and ended up with the loss (1-2) allowing three runs (all earned). Braelen Pippin went the next two innings and allowed four earned runs before Tyler Elliott went the final inning.
In the first game of the day on Saturday, the 'Jackets were able to plate three in both the second and fourth innings to open a 6-0 lead. Trailing 7-0 in the sixth, the Wolves got on the board in the home half.
Arcano singled and then an error at shortstop put runners at first and second. Jacob Maiben flied out to right to put runners at the corners. McCord hit a single through the right side to score Arcano. After a strikeout, David Gibons added an RBI single through the left side to score Derek Maiben.
Despite the runs in the sixth, Montana State Billings was able to put the game away with four runs in the eighth and seven more in the ninth for the 18-2 win.
The 'Jackets held a 16-6 advantage in hits with Gibons leading WOU with two hits. Both Gibons and McCord had the RBI in the game.
Will Riley led MSU Billings with four hits and Green drove in three runs. On the mound, Dylan Barkley grabbed the win (1-2) for the 'Jackets going seven innings and allowing two unearned runs.
Logan Hatley started for WOU and ended up with the loss (1-1) going the first five innings and allowed six earned runs. Seth Kuykendall, Joe Kinsky, Dylan Myers, Christian Hammerich and Dominic Miller all saw time on the mound in game one.
WOU will remain at home for the coming week as they will host Saint Martin's in a GNAC four-game series starting on Friday at 1 p.m.
