BILLINGS, Mont. – Both games started differently, but ended up having the same result. The Western Oregon University baseball team held a lead in game one, before Montana State Billings rallied to take the 8-7 victory on a walk-off single. Then in game two, the Wolves erased a four-run deficit to tie the game late before MSUB got another walk off hit, this time a solo home run to take the 5-4 win in the nightcap of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference series Friday.
Behind several solid innings from starter Mike Peterson, the offense got things going for the Wolves (19-14, 10-8 GNAC) in the third in game one. Levi Cummings hit a grounder to third that was misplayed and Cummings took advantage of no one playing second and advanced a base on the error. Jacob Maiben cashed in with an RBI single to right-center for the 1-0 lead.
Montana State Billings (19-17, 11-7 GNAC) answered with a run in the fourth to tie the game at one.
In the sixth, WOU started a two-out rally. With a pop out and groundout marking two quick outs on just three pitches, the Wolves ended up turning the inning into a three-run outburst. Logan Ho got things going with a solid single to center. Jackson Holstad then ripped a double to right-center to put runners at second and third. Anthony Zellner battled, down 0-2, eventually getting the count back to 2-2 before singling up the middle to bring in both runners. Zellner later moved to second on a wild pitch and then a throwing error by the catcher moved him to third. Zach Valdez came through with a double down the left field line to push the lead to 4-1.
The Yellowjackets came right back in the home half scoring three runs on three hits to tie the game against at four.
WOU regained the lead in the seventh. With two quick outs again recorded, the rally started. Justyn Herzog battled to a full-count walk and then moved to second on a balk. Derek Maiben also walked before Ho hit a 0-2 pitch to deep center for a two-run double and a 6-4 lead.
Jacob Maiben opened the ninth with a solo homer over the right-center field fence to stretch the lead to 7-4.
MSUB then put together a rally in the home half of the ninth. A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases for a two-run single to center by Hayden Foltz to cut the lead to one. After an intentional walk re-loaded the bases, a hit-by-pitch brought in the tying run. With the bases still loaded and just one out, Tyler Godfrey delivered the walk off hit with an RBI single to right for the 7-6 win for MSUB.
WOU held the 10-9 edge in hits and MSUB committed the only two errors. Jacob Maiben, Ho and Holstad led the Wolves with two hits apiece. Jacob Maiben, Ho and Zellner drove in two runs each. On the mound, Peterson started and went the first five innings to get the no decision allowing four earned runs with six strikeouts. Sebasten Boivin was the first one out of the bullpen tossing a solid two innings of shutout relief. Matthew Dunaway entered in the eighth and allowed three runs in 1.1 innings. Chris Hardin ended up with the loss (0-5) allowing one earned run.
Foltz, Godfrey and Ethan Babcock-Barrie led the Yellowjackets with two hits apiece. Godfrey drove in three runs. On the mound, Dylan Barkley started and went the first 6.2 innings for the no decision allowing six runs (five earned). Blake Rainey picked up the win (1-1) going the final 2.1 innings and allowed just one earned run.
Game two was completely different. MSUB started strong plating three runs in the first inning for the early lead. They would add another run in the third to extend to the 4-0 lead. WOU got the offense going in the fifth. Jacob Maiben singled and moved to second on a balk. Twin brother Derek Maiben moved him to third with a single through the left side. Both would move up on a wild pitch with Jacob scoring to trim the deficit to 4-1.
The Wolves came all the way back in the sixth. Leighton Moniz opened the frame pinch-hitting a doubled to left-center. He later moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single up the middle by Cummings. After the second out was recorded, Herzog delivered the big hit. After getting the count to 2-2 and fouling off two straight pitches, Herzog connected on a two-run homer over the right field fence to tie the game at four.
After Michael Moore worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and put together a 1-2-3 fifth, he handed the ball to Seth Kuykendall who struck out the side in the sixth to keep the game tied.
After WOU wasn't able to score in the top of the seventh, MSUB had a chance to walk it off in the home half. After the first two batters flew out, Godfrey came through with another walk off hit when he took the 3-2 offering and hit a solo homer over the right field fence to give the 'Jackets the 5-4 win in game two.
Each team had nine hits in game two and neither team committed an error. Derek Maiben led the Wolves with three hits, while Zellner added two hits. Dwayne Angebrandt started on the mound for the Wolves going the first 3.2 innings to get the no decision allowing four earned runs with five strikeouts. Moore went 1.1 innings of scoreless relief with two strikeouts. Kuykendall ended up with the loss (3-3) allowing the one run in 1.2 innings, while adding three strikeouts.
Godfrey led the 'Jackets with three hits and three RBI. Carson Green and Foltz added two hits apiece. On the mound, Matthew Houlihan started and took the no decision allowing three earned runs with seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Tyler Elliott claimed the win (4-0) going the final 1.2 innings, allowing one earned run with five strikeouts.
WOU and MSUB will conclude their four-game set tomorrow (Saturday) with another doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. (Pacific).
