ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington softball team (5-6) will head back to Ellensburg for a four-game series against the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (5-6) this Friday and Saturday.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Friday, March 3^rd
Central Washington vs. Montana State Billings
12:00 p.m.
Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
LIVE STATS WATCH
 
Saturday, March 4^th
Central Washington vs. Montana State Billings
11:00 a.m.
Gary & Bobbi Frederick Field
Ellensburg, Wash.
LIVE STATS WATCH
 
SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS
 
The Yellowjackets had a bye weekend last weekend after the weather forced their series at home against Saint Martin's to be cancelled. Their most recent games were at the Minot State Bubble Invite II where MSUB went 3-1. They first defeated host Minot State 6-2 before falling to Carroll College by a 4-15 score on the first day. They bounced back with a 6-5 win over the University of Providence followed by a 4-1 win over Bemidji State to end the invite.
 
This will be the 79^th through 82^nd meetings between the two squads as the Wildcats currently hold the 50-28 advantage through 78 meetings. Both teams split in their sole series matchup here in Ellensburg 2-2.
 
Lauren Blaschak leads the 'Jackets bats with a batting average of .412 to go with her 14 hits, one home run, and seven RBI's. Teagan Seeton (.367 BA), Marin Penney (.333 BA), and Shelby Marquardt (.323 BA) all have been consistently good in their at-bats with Seeton and Penney each with 11 hits and Marquardt with 10. Payton Meyer and Penney each have two home runs on the season and Shelby Martin along with Blaschak each have recorded one apiece.
 
Alyssa Etheridge has been the 'Jackets ace this season earning a 3.20 ERA in a 4-3 record. Etheridge has six completed games and one save while allowing 51 hits, 26 runs, 18 earned runs, 10 walks and getting 32 strikeouts in 39.1 innings pitched. Julia Qualteri is the other starter for MSUB having pitched 22 innings and accumulating a 7.32 ERA and a 1-1 record. Qualteri has allowed 34 hits, 28 runs, 23 earned runs, and 11 walks but has six strikeouts.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH JOE DIPIETRO
 
"We're looking to keep up the momentum we gained at NNU and will face a very good MSUB team that will present a lot of challenges to us."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Wildcats will travel to northern California for a four-game series against the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks (2-10) set to start on Friday, March 10^th at noon from the Humboldt Softball Field in Arcata, Calif. First pitch on Saturday will come at 11:00 a.m. with game two on both days following approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.