Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)

BILLINGS, Mont. (May 6) -- The Central Washington University baseball team built an early five-run lead in game two, but Montana State University Billings scored six runs in the final four innings to defeat the Wildcats, 11-8. The Yellowjackets also won game one by a score of 8-5.

Central Washington fell to 12-32 on the season, 5-25 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. MSUB improved to 18-23, 9-18 in GNAC.

MSUB scored four runs in the second inning of game one to take an early advantage. Central responded in the third inning, cutting its deficit to two runs on a RBI double by sophomore Jimmy Ryerson (Seattle/Roosevelt HS), who later scored on a passed ball.

Freshman Clifton Coulter (Camas/Union HS) helped the Wildcats get within one run of the Yellowjackets in the fourth inning with a two-RBI double to left-center field to make the score 5-4. Coulter then added his third RBI of the game in the sixth inning, but the Wildcats were outscored 3-1 in the final six innings of the game.

Central built an 8-3 lead after 1 1/2 innings in game two, scoring three runs in the first inning and five in the second. Juniors Glen Reser (Spokane/Mead HS) and Brady Kincannon (Federal Way/Decatur HS) both drove in runs on a sacrifice fly in the opening inning. Reser and junior Chaz Ocbina (Tacoma/Wilson HS) each drove in a pair of runs on singles in the second inning, and Gau also had a run-scoring infield single.

MSU Billings pitchers silenced Central's bats over the final four innings, not allowing a single baserunner, retiring the final 13 Wildcat batters of the game. The Yellowjacket offense scored at least one run in all but one inning, with two or more runs in four different frames to win, 11-8.

Gau finished the twinbill 5 for 9 with three runs scored and a RBI. Coulter, who started at designated hitter in game one, was 2 for 3 driving in three runs, while Reser and Ocbina each finished with one hit but had three and two RBI, respectively.

CWU was outhit on the day, 30-14, with MSUB recording 15 hits in each game. The Wildcats struggled defensively, totaling seven errors which translated into seven unearned runs for the Yellowjackets.

Chris Stine and Jordan Kessler each had five hits and combined to drive in seven runs in the two games for Montana State Billings. Kevin Zukaitis added four hits and four RBI and three runs scored.

Central Washington finishes its 2011 season on Saturday with another doubleheader against Montana State Billings at 1 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (noon Pacific).