THE DALLES, Ore. -
Adam Eskil proved to be a tough out after reaching base six times on three hits and three walks and crossed the plate four times as Saint Martin's split with Montana State University-Billings, 8-4 and 5-1, at a neutral site in The Dalles, Oregon.
Game One
The Yellowjackets (5-12, 3-4 GNAC) struck fast and swift with a two-run home run to left field to take an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. The Saints (6-10, 3-5) responded quickly in the bottom half of the second
Zach Raczok grounded out to third, scoring Eskil who reached on a lead-off walk to cut the score to 2-1 after two.
Nico Marchio started off the third inning with a single before
Steven Sordahl reached after being hit by a pitch. Kahi Hirano advanced both runners into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, which set up Eskil, who brought home the runners with a single to right field to give the Saints a 3-2 lead.
The Saints tacked on one more run in the fourth inning after
Shaan Kothari reached base on a hit by pitch and moved up to second a sacrifice bunt from Raczok and later scored on
Micah McNicoll single to left field.
With runners on first and third, Eskil singled to right field to drive in his third run of the ball game and advanced to second on a fielding error by the right fielder. With two runners in scoring position, Kothari broke open the game with a single to left field, scoring both and the Saints lead expanded to 7-2 after five innings. Eskil added the final run after scoring on a wild pitch in the sixth inning.
The Yellowjackets chipped away the lead with a two-run home run in the top of the ninth, but the rally was finished with a ground out to third as the Saints clinched the 8-4 victory.
Tanner Inouye (2-1) was tabbed with the start and rewarded the Saints with a 5.1 inning, two run, four hit and two strike out performance.
Benjamin Wadowski was called on from the bullpen to finish the final 3.2 innings, where he gave up only two runs on two hits while punching out three batters.
Game Two
Once again, MSUB took an early lead in the second inning with a RBI double down the left field foul line, scoring one.
The Saints opened the bottom of the second with a Eskil walk, who reached second on a
Brandon Witherspoon single and third on a Kothari sacrifice bunt. Raczok drove in the Saints' lone run with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Eskil for the fourth time in the day.
With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, a bases-clearing triple to right field proved to be the tipping point as the Yellowjackets took a 4-1. MSUB added one more run in the fifth with a RBI single to second base to earn the 5-1 win.
Mickey Walker (1-2) picked up the loss after pitching 3.2 innings, giving up four runs on six hits, while walking four and striking out four.
Trevor Young came in for relief, going 3.1 innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits and striking out three batters.
The Saints bats were held in check with only three hits in the seven inning game.
Up Next: The Saints travel to Nampa, Idaho for a four-game series against Northwest Nazarene University to continue GNAC action. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday.
