BILLINGS, Mont.— The Central Washington University baseball team dropped both of their opening games in the four-game set against the Yellowjackets. The Wildcats look to bounce back tomorrow for games three and four.
GAME 1 – CENTRAL WASHINGTON 7 | MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 8
Dillon Larsen took the hill for the 'Cats in game one. The offense got going early, not missing a step over these last three weeks the 'Cats put up two runs quickly. Zach Berryman tripled to lead off the game and with a double by Michael Copeland, the crimson and black had struck first. Mitch Lesmeister came in with a single to plate Copeland before the inning ended and the 'Cats led 2-0. The 'Jackets fought back quickly, plating four runs in the bottom of the first to retake the lead after one.
Unwilling to play from behind, the 'Cats struck back immediately scoring two more in the top half of the second. Yi-Fan Pan led off the inning with a walk. Trevor Tripoli hit a single and Zach Berryman walked behind him, leaving the bases loaded. Michael Copeland stepped up to the plate and with a perfectly placed single, drove in Pan and Tripoli to tie the game back up at four each.
The 'Jackets hit a solo long ball in the fifth to retake the lead. In the seventh, Trevor Tripoli led off with a single forcing the 'Jackets to go to the pen. Zach Berryman got right to it with a single to put Tripoli on third. Michael Copeland hit a beautiful fly ball to score Tripoli on the sacrifice. In the eighth a hit by pitch for Tyler McClain and a pinch-hit single by Riley Wingerson forced the 'Jackets into their pen once again. Trevor Tripoli singled through the right-side plating McClain. The 'Jackets scored two more on a long ball and a single to retake the lead heading into the ninth, 7-6.
In the top of the ninth Mitch Lesmeister drew a lead off walk to put the tying run on base. Tyler McClain was able to double driving in Lesmeister and tying the game and 7-7. Unfortunately, the 'Cats were unable to score again and in the bottom of the tenth, the 'Jackets walked it off with a single. The 'Cats fell 8-7.
GAME 2 – CENTRAL WASHINGTON 4 | MONTANA STATE BILLINGS 6
The 'Jackets jumped out in front early scoring four runs in the first inning off of a walk and four singles. The 'Cats offense finally got going in the second with a pair of singles by Michael Peter and Zach Berryman. Peter reached base and advanced to second on a walk to Adam Fahsel. Berryman finished the job driving in Peter. The 'Cats trailed 4-1.
In the third a walk ended up punishing the 'Cats as a two-run long ball by the 'Jackets extended their lead 6-1. In the fifth inning Michael Copeland and Austin Ohland hit a pair of singles to start off strong. Michael Peter walked to load the bases and Trevor Tripoli wore the next pitch to walk in Copeland. The 'Cats still trailed 6-2.
The 'Cats made a run in the sixth to cut the deficit. Adam Fahsel led off the inning with a single which was followed by a double from Zach Berryman to score one for the 'Cats. Michael Copeland singled through the right side to move Berryman over to third. Mitch Lesmeister drew a walk to load the bases and Tyler McClain lifted one deep enough to right field to score Berryman. Unfortunately, the 'Cats wouldn't add on anymore and fell to the 'Jackets 6-4.
SERIES FINALE TOMORROW
The 'Cats and 'Jackets close out the four-game set tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM. You can follow along with live stats HERE or watch live HERE.
