BILLINGS, Mont. – After six shutout innings by Lauren Maley, one mistake ended with a walk-off home run in the first game, before Montana State Billings shut down the Saints' comeback attempt in the seventh inning take the doubleheader and series.
 
The Saints' (20-17, 10-10) pitching staff came back strong against the Yellowjackets (18-18, 8-7) after allowing 13 runs in yesterday's loss; however, MSUB found ways to keep the Saints' offense at bay to secure the doubleheader sweep.
 
Saint Martin's first hit of the game came in the fifth inning, when Nicki DeHan singled through the right side. Sabrina Hicks followed it up with a single, putting loading the bases with one out. The Yellowjackets escaped the jam with a double play to third base.
 
Maley had only allowed four hits through six innings, while striking out four batters, including working out of a bases loaded issue in the fifth with a foul out. The Yellowjackets led off the seventh inning with a pinch hitter, which proved to be difference, homering to center field for the walk-off victory.
 
In the second game, Sabrina Hicks, in her first attempt at the plate, hit her first home run of the season, a ball to left field. The Saints led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth when MSUB used back-to-back home runs to score all three of their runs.
 
Saint Martin's chipped away at the lead in the sixth inning when Alyssa French connected on a bases-empty 0-1 count for a home run to left field. The home run was the second of the season. In the top of the seventh, Hicks led-off with a double to left field, putting the tying run in scoring position. MSUB secured the victory with a groundout, fielder's choice and pop out to win 3-2.
 
Kim Nelson (7-5) pitched the first three innings of the game and earned the loss after giving up three runs on four hits. Nelson did eclipse a milestone with her first out in the third inning, surpassing the 500 career innings mark. Nelson is only the second Saint in school history to reach the 500 innings mark. Lindsay Miller pitched the final three innings, allowing only one hits and striking out one.
 
"Lauren (Maley) threw a really good game but our bats went silent and lost a close game in the seventh inning," said head coach Jim Peterson. "We struggled offensively all day and came up short in the second game."
 
The Saints return home for doubleheaders against Simon Fraser and Western Washington next weekend. The Saints are in the thick of postseason contention and have already split with Simon Fraser and swept Western Washington on the road.