MONMOUTH, Ore. – It was a strong start to the conference part of the schedule for the Western Oregon University baseball team as they cruised to a pair of dominating wins against Montana State Billings by scores of 10-1 and 8-2 on Friday at the WOU Baseball Field.
WOU piled up 18 runs on 21 hits and also took advantage of 10 errors committed by the Yellowjackets on the day to score 10 unearned runs. Both starters were locked in with Arturo Alvarez going 6.2 innings to get the win in the opener and then Bryce Bond tossed 4.2 innings to grab the win in the nightcap.
Spencer Weston tallied five hits, while Anthony Zellner added four. Jackson Holstad and Jacob Maiben each drove in three runs, while Zach Valdez scored four runs.
WOU (8-6, 2-0 GNAC) opened the scoring in the first game with a run out of the gate. Weston singled and later moved to second before scoring on a two-out single up the middle by Holstad for the 1-0 lead.
Montana State Billings (8-10, 0-2 GNAC) came back with two runs in the second inning to take their only lead on the day.
The Wolves tied the score in the home half of the inning. After Zellner singled to open the frame, he later made it to third on a failed pickoff attempt error. On the next play, Levi Cummings hit one to shortstop that turned into a fielding error and allowed the tying run to score.
WOU took the lead for good in the third. Derek Maiben walked and later twin brother Jacob Maiben walked. Zellner singled up the middle to bring in the go-ahead run. Leighton Moniz reached on a fielder's choice grounder to shortstop that later turned into a throwing error that brought in the fourth run of the game. Ryan Witt tallied an RBI sacrifice fly to left to close the three-run inning and give WOU the 5-2 lead.
It would remain that way into the sixth when the Wolves tacked on two more runs. With two outs, Valdez walked and moved to third on a single by Derek Maiben and fielding error by the center fielder. Holstad was hit-by-pitch to load the bases for Jacob Maiben who singled to shortstop for an RBI and on the throw over, it got away from the first baseman for another error which allowed a second run to score for the 7-2 lead.
WOU closed the scoring in the seventh. With two outs, another rally started with Weston doubling to right-center. Valdez was hit-by-pitch and Derek Maiben walked to load the bases. Holstad singled up the middle to bring in a pair of runs. Jacob Maiben closed the scoring when he singled to shortstop to score Derek for the 10-2 lead.
The bullpen closed the door from there with Sebasten Boivin and Dwayne Angebrandt going the final 2.1 innings. Alvarez collected his second (2-0) win of the season, allowing just the two earned runs and tallying two strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Boivin went the next 1.1 innings, allowing no runs and Angebrandt worked a scoreless ninth inning.
WOU outhit MSUB 13-6 with Holstad, Jacob Maiben, Zellner, Weston and Derek Maiben all tallying two hits. Holstad drove in three runs and Jacob Maiben added two. Derek Maiben scored three runs.
Hayden Foltz had two hits to lead the 'Jackets and on the mound, Dylan Barkley started and ended up with the loss (1-2) allowing seven runs (four earned) in 5.2 innings. Blake Rainey and Logan Siblerud went the final 2.1 innings.
In the second game, WOU broke open a scoreless game with a trio of big innings to win going away. Bond and Matthew Houlihan went toe-to-toe over the first three innings with neither pitcher allowing a run. The Wolves picked up all the offense they would need in the fourth.
Cummings battled back from down 0-2 to work a full-count walk. Weston laid down a perfect bunt single to put runners at first and second. Derek Maiben followed with a sacrifice bunt, but ended up reaching as there was no play available to load the bases. After an out, John Stark reached on a fielder's choice on a ball hit to third and on the throw home, it got away to allow two runs to score on the error. Jacob Maiben executed a perfect safety squeeze bunt on the next at-bat which brought in brother Derek for the 3-0 lead.
The 'Jackets picked up their only run in the fifth to make it a 3-1 game.
WOU put the game out of reach in the home half of the fifth. Valdez and Witt walked on 4-0 counts and then on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Cummings, another error loaded the bases. Weston followed with a grounder out to short that turned into an error on the throw home that got away to allow two runs to score. Derek Maiben closed the inning with an RBI sacrifice fly to right for the 6-1 lead.
The Wolves closed the scoring in the sixth. Zellner and Valdez opened the inning with singled and Witt ended up reaching on a fielder's choice that later turned into an error to allow Zellner to score. After an out, Weston singled through the left side to rive in Valdez to provide the final margin of 8-1.
Bond tallied his first win (1-0) of the season working the first 4.2 innings, allowing just the one earned run with eight strikeouts. Chris Hardin got the final out of the fifth and then Seth Kuykendall worked a pair of scoreless innings, not allowing a baserunner and picking up four strikeouts.
Weston tallied three hits, while Zellner added two hits. Weston, Jacob Maiben and Derek Maiben all drove in a run. Valdez and Cummings all scored two runs each.
Foltz, James Anderson and Cooper Dulich all had a hit for the 'Jackets and Foltz drove in the only run. On the mound, Houlihan took the loss (1-2) allowing five runs (all unearned) in four innings. Ty Wilson went the final two innings.
WOU and MSUB will close their four-game GNAC series tomorrow (Saturday) when they will play another doubleheader starting at noon at the WOU Baseball Field.
