BILLINGS, Mont. - Jared Joffer doubled home the game-winning runs in the top of the 12th inning to push the Northwest Nazarene University baseball team to a 9-7 win in the opening game of a Great Northwest Athletic Conference doubleheader at Montana State University Billings on Friday afternoon.  The Crusaders would complete the sweep with a 6-4 win in game two.

 

"It took the kids a few innings to get going in game one," commented NNU head coach Tim Onofrei, referring to the engine troubles on the Crusader bus that saw the players arrive in Billings at 2:30 a.m.. "Tyler Liebelt did a nice job and both Ty (Grant) and Nate (Slonaker) were just terrific today.  I'm looking forward to a good effort from the kids tomorrow."

 

Joffer earned the game-winning RBI's and Nate Slonaker (6-2) picked up the win in game one, pushing the Crusaders to 27-19 overall and 11-15 in GNAC action.  Zach Aakhus hit his 13th home run of the season as the Crusaders secured a .500 season with the sweep as eight games remain on the schedule.

 

Ty Grant (2-1) earned the win in the nightcap and Slonaker added his fifth save of the season to his day's efforts as Aakhus and Jimmy VanBeek opened up a 4-4 tie with a double and a home run to lift the Crusaders to the 6-4 victory.  It was VanBeek's fifth home run of the season.

 

The Crusaders and Yellowjackets (11-31, 2-18 GNAC) will complete the four-game GNAC series tomorrow with a doubleheader at noon.