BILLINGS, Mont. – The Yellowjackets got the better of the Saints' pitching staff in the opener of the final day of action between the two teams. However,
Ryan Dorney threw five shutout innings and the Saints scored four first inning runs on their way to 6-2 victory to earn a split on the day.
Montana State Billings put up 17 runs in the first game to clinch the series after taking the first two yesterday. Saint Martin's managed to score five runs, four of which came in the fifth inning alone. But SMU quickly put the loss behind them and refocused in the series finale. Dorney, getting his first start of the season, tossed five scoreless frames.
Colton Peha delivered two RBIs, including a solo shot in the seventh as the Saints pulled away with a 6-2 victory.
In the opener, the Saints made their first splash with a bases-clearing double from
Isaac Hegamin in the fifth inning. Next batter,
Austin Feist, drove in Hegamin with a single through the left side to cap off the four run innings. Their final run came in the ninth on a foul out, allowing
Dakota Hill to score from third.
Saint Martin's wasted no time getting themselves in a position to win in the second game, scoring four runs in the opening frame.
Ryan Colvin led off a RBI single up the middle, and followed by Peha driving in
Ryne Oshiro on the sac fly.
Aaron Renaud delivered the two RBI single to right center to put SMU on top 4-0.
Peha connected on his team-leading third home run of the season in the third inning to extend the lead to 5-0. The final bit of run support came in the seventh when Feist capitalized on a wild pitch and scored.
Montana State Billings, after putting up 17 runs in the opening game, was unable to crack Dorney for five innings, and
Luke Hare in the sixth. It was not until the seventh that MSUB managed to score two runs before ultimately falling 6-2.
Dorney (2-1) picked up his second victory of the season, while striking out six, walking none, and only allowing two hits. Hare went two innings, giving up two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
The Saints return to action at home next weekend, hosting Central Washington on April 13-14. Live stats and video of the games will be available on smusaints.com.
