Baseball: Saints sweep series from Yellowjackets

March 16, 2008

Lacey, WA – Saint Martin’s posted another solid offensive day as they scored 24 runs on their way to two Great Northwest Athletic Conference victories, 13-3 and 11-7, over Montana State Billings Sunday at Saints Field to complete the four game series sweep.

The Saints scattered 15 hits in game one and jumped out early with three runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a Yellowjacket error and a two run double by Luke Abbott.

They added two runs in both the third and fourth innings highlighted by a triple to center by Brandon Kuykendall and a two RBI single by Nate Baker.

Andy Cole drove in two runs while Carlo Ramirez and Baker drove in one run each in the fifth inning to give SMU the 12-0 lead.

Billings was able to put up a crooked number in the sixth as Matt Schoonover sent one over the left field wall for two runs. Their only other run would come on a single to center by Levi Johnson in the same inning.

Scott Leshner went six innings to earn the victory allowing just five hits and one walk with six strikeouts. Baker went 4 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored for the Saints. Cole, Kuykendall and Tom Barlow added three hits apiece with Cole and Kuykendall each driving in two runs and scoring twice.

MSUB came out swinging in game two and got three runs across in the first inning. SMU got three of their own in the bottom of the third. With runners on first and third Kuykendall singled up the middle to score Shane Schoeneberg. Craig Yuhas then tripled to left center drive in two more runs.

Saint Martin’s would tack on eight runs over the next three innings on nine hits including a two run triple by Schoeneberg, a RBI double by Barlow and singles by Kuykendall and Andrew Braegelmann that drove in runs.

Nick Bolthouse got the win throwing six innings and giving up eight hits while striking out four.

Every batter for SMU picked up at least one hit and either drove in a run or scored a run in the game.

Saint Martin’s improves to 12-7 on the season and 8-3 in the GNAC. They are on the road next weekend as the y head to Monmouth, OR to take on Western Oregon University in a four game series.