NAMPA — Crusader coach Tim Onofrei had hoped for more.  Onofrei and the Northwest Nazarene baseball team left the field instead a bit disappointed Saturday, settling for a split at home with Montana State-Billings in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference twinbill.

It was the second split for the teams, as the Yellowjackets grabbed the opener 6-1 before NNU bounced back to take the nightcap 8-2.

“We're at home, we expect to do more than just split if we're going to be the team we think we can be,” Onofrei said. “Now we have to take care of business on the road.”

NNU (20-12 overall, 4-8 GNAC) now hits the road for doubleheaders Friday and Saturday at GNAC front-runner Central Washington.

Defensive miscues caught up with the Crusaders in the opener, Onofrei said, as Chris Mahelona pitched strong and did not give up an earned run in the setback.

Zack Aakhus hit a solo homer, his ninth of the year and fifth this week, for the  lone run.

In the nightcap, Alex VanOeveren earned the complete-game win, not giving up a run until the seventh.

NNU plated a run in each of the first two innings, then broke it open in the sixth as the 'Jackets intentionally walked Aakhus to load the sacks and Jimmy VanBeek made them pay with a grand slam.