LACEY, Wash. – In an emotional day of baseball, the Saints fell 11-4, and 15-9 to close out the series against Montana State Billings on Saturday.
 
The minds of everyone where not only focused on the game, but also thinking of Ken Garland, who passed away on Friday night. The Saints (3-17, 2-10) pitching struggled all day to contain the bats of Montana State Billings (13-9, 8-4), allowing a total of 26 runs on 31 hits throughout the day.
 
The Yellowjackets jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after the top of the fourth innings. MSUB led off the game with three runs in the first inning and added one in the third and one in the fourth.
 
Saint Martin's managed to trim the lead to 6-4 by the end of the sixth inning, starting with a two runs in the fourth inning, The first run came on a balk, followed by a RBI double by Ryan Colvin, scoring Austin Feist. Colton Peha connected with an RBI single in the fifth and Jake Leonard delivered a RBI single in the sixth to give SMU a chance.
 
However, the Yellowjackets ended the comeback hopes with a three run seventh inning and two more runs in the eighth to win 11-4.
 
Ryan Dorney (0-3) earned the loss after starting three innings, allowing five runs, all earned on seven hits. Aaron Shoup pitched the next four innings, giving up six runs, four earned with six strikeouts. Garrison Ritter and Zach Stevenson combined to throw two shutout innings of relief.
 
SMU struck first in the back end of the doubleheader, scoring three runs in the first two innings. The Yellowjackets stung back with five runs in the third inning to regain the lead, one they never relinquished. The Saints managed to come within one run after a RBI single by Ryne Oshiro in the bottom of the third.
 
However, it was the closest the Saints would get to their second win of the series, with the Yellowjackets adding three in the fifth and sealing the victory with a seven run sixth inning. The Saints managed to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by a two RBI triple by Steven Sordahl.
 
Tanner Inouye (1-1) picked up the loss, after cruising through the first two innings, but was unable to get out of the third. Going 2.1 innings, Inouye allowed five runs, all earned on seven hits and three walks. Robbie Shineman threw 2.2 innings, before Benjamin Wadowski and Luke Hare recorded one out in the seventh and gave up seven earned runs. Zach Robinson and Adam Eskil were called in to close out the game.
 
The Saints travel to Central Washington for their first road GNAC games of the season next week. The first doubleheader is scheduled for March 24 at noon.