BILLINGS, Mont. – The Central Washington University baseball team (24-24, 15-17 GNAC) concluded the 2025 regular season Friday evening, splitting the doubleheader against the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (30-18, 21-11 GNAC), as the Wildcats prepare for postseason action next week in the GNAC Championship being held at home in Ellensburg, Wash.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:
Game 1
Final: Central Washington (7), Montana State Billings (6)
Records: CWU (24-23, 15-16 GNAC), MSUB (29-18, 20-11 GNAC)
 
Game 2
Final: Central Washington (2), Montana State Billings (11)
Records: CWU (24-24, 15-17 GNAC), MSUB (30-18, 21-11 GNAC)
Location: Dehler Park, Billings, Mont.
 
GAME 1:
SCORING:

• The Yellowjackets opened the scoring as Zack Blaszak singled to center field to score Bodee Wright in the third inning.
• Max Bledy answered in the fourth with a solo shot to left field to tie it at one run apiece.
• Central followed with two runs in the fifth inning with Justin Birch grounding out as Andre Garza scored, then Brandham Ponce hit a sacrifice fly to allow Marcus Manzardo to score from third base to make it 3-1.
• The 'Jackets flipped the script in the bottom half of the fifth, though, scoring three runs with Wright and Jack Nehler getting RBIs and Nehler then scoring on a throwing error from Manzardo to make it 4-3.
• MSUB was not finished as they hit two solo home runs from Ryker Fortier and Jarret Elmer to extend the lead to 6-3 in the sixth inning.
• The 'Cats found their rhythm in the eighth, as Ponce reached on a fielder choice and Birch scored on a throwing error by Parker Bleggi to bring CWU within two runs.
• Bledy followed with a single up the middle to drive in Ben Leid and Ponce and tie the game at 6-6.
• Andrew Sharp finished off the scoring run in the eighth with a drive down the right field line to score Bledy, as the Crimson and Black held back the Yellowjacket offense to win game one 7-6.

 
HITTING:

• Manzardo, Bledy, and Sharp all recorded two hits while Birch, Leid, and Brady Hinkle each got a hit.
• Bledy, Sharp, Birch, and Ponce all recorded an RBI.
• Blaszak and Wright led the 'Jackets with two hits apiece while Nehler, Fortier, Elmer, Bleggi, and Ryan Jeffrey each earned a hit.
• Blaszak, Elmer, Fortier, Nehler, and Wright all recorded an RBI for MSUB.

 
PITCHING:

• Logan Pierce pitched the first six innings, allowing nine hits, six runs, and zero walks while earning two strikeouts against 28 batters.
• Gabe Bustamante pitched the next three innings, allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out two batters to earn the win over the Yellowjackets.
• Cy Miller pitched the first five innings for the 'Jackets, allowing six hits, three runs, and one walk while striking out four of the 22 batters faced.
• Andy Evans pitched the next three innings, giving up four runs on three hits, with only one run being earned, and striking out one batter.
• Wright pitched the final inning for MSUB, allowing no hits or runs, while walking one batter.

 
GAME 2:
SCORING:

• Montana State Billings didn't waste any time in the second game, scoring four runs in the first inning with Kaden Kirshenbaum        getting an RBI, Ryan Jeffrey getting another, and Nate McDonald getting two to make it 4-0.
• Central answered in the second inning as Travis Helm hit a single to left field to score Logan Blank to trail 4-1.
• The 'Jackets unloaded the offense in the third, scoring six more runs to make it 10-1. McDonald would get another RBI, along with Bodee Wright and Kirshenbaum, while Jack Nehler got two RBIs.
• The Wildcats finally got an answer in the sixth as Bledy hit a single to left-center field to score Ponce from second base to make it 10-2.
• MSUB answered in the bottom of the frame after loading the bases, as Bleggi walked to score River Smith from third base, as the Yellowjackets closed out the game in the seventh inning, winning 11-2.

 
HITTING:

• Six Wildcats recorded a hit, led by Helm with two, followed by Manzardo, Ponce, Bledy, Blank, and Garza with one apiece.
• Bledy and Helm each recorded an RBI in the game.
• The Yellowjackets had eight batters record a hit, including Nehler, Kirshenbaum, Jeffrey, and McDonald, who all recorded two.
• McDonald had a strong game at the plate, recording three RBIs while Nehler and Kirshenbaum each recorded two RBIs.
• Wright, Jeffrey, and Bleggi each recorded an RBI.

 
PITCHING:

• Drake Anderson pitched the first 2.2 innings, allowing 11 hits, 8 earned runs, while striking out one of the 22 batters faced.
• Luke VonGoedert pitched the next 2.1 innings, allowing no runs or hits and walking one batter, while striking out two of the eight batters he faced.
• Joe Rajo followed, pitching one-third of an inning, allowing one hit, and walking two batters.
• Justin Birch pitched the final two-thirds inning of the game, walking a batter and striking out a batter as well.
• Kevin McClellan pitched the first four innings for MSUB, allowing three hits, one run, and walking one batter while striking out two of the 17 batters he faced.
• Gunner Thompson pitched the next inning, allowing no runs, hits, or walks, while striking out three batters.
• Cole Bertram followed, pitching one inning, allowing two hits, one run, and no walks.
• Cole Bakker closed out the final inning for the 'Jackets while allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out two batters.

 
SERIES HISTORY:

• Montana State Billings leads the all-time series 74-66.
• The Wildcats are 31-37 in Billings against the 'Jackets.
• Central is 2-8 in its last 10 games against MSUB.
   

UP NEXT:
The Crimson and Black are back home in the 2025 GNAC Championships, being held in Ellensburg on May 8-9. The Wildcats will take on the Yellowjackets in their first match of the tournament on Thursday, May 8, with the first pitch set for 10:00 a.m.