BILLINGS, Mont. – The Western Oregon University baseball team utilized a big offensive day to come back and sweep both games on Saturday at Montana State Billings to split the four-game series. The Wolves won a back-and-forth battle in the opener behind three home runs, 8-6, and then used three more long balls to claim the series finale, 10-6.
The back-to-back games with three home runs are new season-highs for the Wolves having previously hit two in a game twice this year. The 13 hits in game one ties a season-high that was also set earlier this year against the 'Jackets.
With the winds swirling throughout both games, WOU (21-14, 12-8 GNAC) took advantage in the first game connecting on back-to-back solo home runs by John Stark and Leighton Moniz in the second inning. That came after Justyn Herzog started the scoring in the first with an RBI single to bring in Jacob Maiben who began the game with a double.
The 3-0 lead lasted into the bottom of the third when MSUB (20-18, 11-9 GNAC) took the lead with four runs on four hits for the 4-3 advantage.
After MSUB added another run in the fourth to stretch the lead to 5-3, it remained that way into the seventh. Jackson Holstad, who had a huge day at the plate, got the offense going with a leadoff double. He quickly scored on the next pitch when Levi Cummings singled down the right field line. With two outs and the bases clear, Herzog doubled to right-center and then scored on the next pitch that was singled to right-center by Derek Maiben to tie the game at five.
The Wolves put the game away in the eighth. Stark singled and moved to third on a double to right-center by Moniz. Holstad delivered the game-changing hit when he crushed a 1-1 pitch deep to right for a three-run homer and the 8-5 lead.
Bryce Bond shut the door the rest of the way, allowing just one unearned run in the ninth for the 8-6 win. Bond went three innings in relief for his second (2-0) win of the season. Arturo Alvarez started and went the first three innings, allowing five runs (four earned). Sebasten Boivin was solid once again in relief working three scoreless innings.
WOU held the 13-8 edge in hits with Jacob Maiben leading the way with three hits. Herzog, Stark, Moniz, and Holstad all added two hits. Holstad drove in three runs.
Carson Green led MSUB with two hits and two RBI. Jackson Betancourt started and went the first seven innings to end up with the no decision allowing five earned runs. Michael Buchanan took the loss (1-1) allowing the three-run HR in the eighth.
In game two, WOU scored multiple runs in four innings to hold off any comeback attempt from the 'Jackets.
Right out of the gate, the Wolves used another HR to get the offense going with Herzog launching a two-run shot over the right field fence for the 2-0 lead in the first inning. He drove in Jacob Maiben who walked on four pitches to start the game.
MSUB came back with a run in the first and then two more in the third to briefly take a 3-2 lead. The Wolves regained the lead and never looked back in the fourth. Logan Ho was hit-by-pitch to start the inning and after two outs, the offense piled up four runs. Moniz walked on four pitches and Holstad connected on another three-run HR to right for the 5-3 lead. Cummings followed with a triple to left-center and then scored on an RBI single through the left side by Jacob Maiben to stretch the lead to 6-3.
Stark added to the lead in the fifth when he smashed a two-run HR to right for the 8-3 lead. He brought in Anthony Zellner who reached on a fielder's choice.
WOU collected two more insurance runs in the sixth. Cummings was hit-by-pitch and then moved to second when Jacob Maiben walked on four pitches. Both advanced on a wild pitch and Cummings scored on a throwing error by the catcher to push the lead to 9-3. Following a pair of outs, Jacob Maiben eventually scored on a wild pitch for the 10-3 lead.
The 'Jackets tried to make things interesting down the stretch plating three runs in the sixth, but Matthew Dunaway worked a 1-2-3 seventh to close out the 10-6 victory.
WOU held the 8-7 edge in hits and MSUB committed the only error. Holstad led the way with two hits and three RBI. Herzog and Stark each drove in two runs. Parker Johnson started and picked up the win (6-2) going five innings and allowing five runs with six strikeouts. Chris Hardin tossed the sixth allowing just one run with a pair of strikeouts and Dunaway finished off a scoreless seventh.
Green again led MSUB with two hits and Blake Murray drove in two runs. Connor Redmond started and ended up with the loss (3-5) allowing seven earned runs. Ty Wilson and Logan Fragomeni went the final 2.2 innings.
With the series split, WOU remains in second place in the GNAC standings holding a one-game lead on MSUB. Northwest Nazarene swept their four-game home series against Central Washington to take a three-game lead in the conference standings.
WOU continues the road swing this coming week when they will travel to Ellensburg to face Central Washington with doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday starting at 12 p.m. each day.
