LACEY, Wash. – Montana State Billings got the better half of the Saints in the series opener, 15-6, but the Saints returned the favor, splitting the day with an 11-3 results behind Tanner Inouye's complete game.
 
The Yellowjackets (11-5, 3-3 GNAC) quickly jumped on the Saints (7-7, 2-4) in the opener, dropping seven runs in the second inning. Saint Martin's was unable to ever catch back up. MSU Billings continued to add to their score throughout the game, scoring two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh inning to put the game out of reach.
 
Saint Martin's managed to score six runs on 10 hits in the game, starting with a Ryne Oshiro RBI single down the left field line in the third inning. Jake Leonard, and Cody Chavis each added runs in the sixth inning, then Chayson Dulatre singled home a run in the eighth. Hunter Holmason came through with a two RBI single in the ninth to wrap up the Saints' offensive production.
 
Benjamin Wadowski (0-2) had a quick first inning, only throwing five pitches, but struggled in the second inning. Jacob Woodall came in for three innings of relief in the third, followed by Troy McCormick in the sixth. Max Johnson, and Logan Caravalho combined to throw the final three innings of baseball.
 
In the second game, the Yellowjackets managed to once again score in the second inning, this time though, only one run. The Saints quickly and with force answered back in the bottom half of the frame. Bryant Nakagawa tied the game with a sac fly, and a few batters later, Micah McNicoll delivered the game-changing swing. The senior tripled down the right field line to score three runs and to give the Saints the lead. Oshiro followed with a RBI double to cap off the five run second inning.
 
However, the Saints went right back to work in the third. Nakagawa once again kicked off the scoring with a single to left field, scoring two. Isaac Hegamin drove in one with a single to right, followed by the Saints adding one on a wild pitch. Their sixth run of the inning, and 11th of the game came on a Oshiro groundball.
 
The Yellowjackets managed to scratch off two more runs in the final innings; however, they were never able to get a solid reading on Inouye. Inouye (1-2) put together a gem against one of the best offenses in the West Region. He limited the Yellowjackets to only three runs on 12 hits, two earned, while walking none, and striking out seven. He stranded eight runners on base as the righty went for his first complete game of the season.
 
The Saints and the Yellowjackets resume the four game series on Saturday, at the new start time of 11:00 a.m. Live stats and video of the games will be available on smusaints.com.