BILLINGS, Mont. – MSUB softball fell in both games to Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Concordia (Ore.) by scores of 11-1 and 14-3, both in five innings during Saturday's twin bill at Avitus Group Stadium.
 
Montana State University Billings (10-34, 2-20 GNAC) was kept off-balance at the plate while Concordia (Ore.) (28-17, 13-7) used three innings of four or more runs to overtake the Yellowjackets on the scoreboard. At the plate, MSUB was outhit by the Cavaliers 20-10. The 'Jackets committed six errors while the Cavs limited theirs to two on the day.
 
"In the first game our hitters were not taking advantage of strikes," MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. "We got behind in the count a lot and as a team we weren't able to make adjustments until late in the game. When the team was able to make those changes it nice to see. In the second game we responded a little better in the box. Quite a few of our players did well to get on base. We were just unable to score them in clutch situations. Tomorrow need to come out a little sharper as a pitching staff and as a defense so we can come out with two wins."
 
Game 1: MSUB 1, CU 11 (5 innings) | Game 2: MSUB 3, CU 14 (5 innings)
 
Sophomore Heather Tracy had hits in both games, finishing 3-for-4 on the day, including her sixth home run of the season. The right fielder plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning during the second game.
 
In Game 1, Concordia (Ore.) pitcher Jessica Lambourn (13-5) kept MSUB from finding the right touch in the batter's box. The 'Jackets were limited to three hits. Tracy hit one while third baseman Kelsey Devlin and catcher Haley Rowe were both 1-for-2 at the plate.
 
Devlin hit a single into right field at the top of the fifth inning. Rowe doubled into right field, plating Myrissa Prince who had reached base on a fielder's choice.
 
MSU Billings sent in all four of its pitching staff during the opening game. Amanda Roark (3-17) led-off the game tossing 2 and 1/3 innings and was credited with the loss, scattering six hits and allowing five earned runs.
 
In Game 2, the Yellowjackets recorded seven hits, two behind CU's nine. Tracy and Bella Rovens struck two hits each. Rowe and shortstop Katlyn Stringari were both 1-for-2.
 
Freshman Erin Watterud started at second base during Game 2, finishing 1-for-2 at the plate with a RBI single to right field. Watterud logged her RBI in the fourth inning. Rowe battled through eight pitches to draw a walk and was on third when Watterud struck her single into the outfield.
 
Tracy's 2-RBI home run finished the scoring at the bottom of the fifth inning. Megan Dettling (4-7) tossed four inning for MSUB in the loss.
 
From the Cavaliers, the GNAC's leading hitter Meghan Luebbert added a pair of home runs during the two games, finishing 3-for-5 with 3 RBI. Catcher Courtney Somers also had two home runs on the day. Mattie Boucher (9-7) tossed the complete second game scattering seven hits and allowing three runs.
 
THE BUZZ: Tracy named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
 
Before the game, MSUB's newest member of the team, Bria Koch, threw out the ceremonial pitch. MSU Billings has partnered with Team IMPACT to sign the 10-year old to the team. Koch and her parents Bonnie and Brad were on-hand during the opening game of the doubleheader.
 
UP NEXT: MSU Billings turns around and plays a second doubleheader against Concordia (Ore.) Sunday, Apr. 16, beginning at noon.