BILLINGS, Mont. - The Northwest Nazarene University baseball team divided a Great Northwest Athletic Conference twinbill at Montana State Billings on Saturday, winning the opener 12-8 before falling 8-5 in the fourth and final game of the series at Pirtz Field in Billings.

 

Kyle Holloway (3-4) earned the win and Ty Grant picked up his first save of the season as the Crusaders won the opener 12-8 and secured a winning season for the Crusaders who are now 28-20 overall and 12-16 in GNAC play.  The Crusaders will finish above the .500 mark for the first time since 1983 (18-12) and for the 15th time in 62 years of baseball history at NNU.

 

Ryne Phillips led the NNU offensive effort in the opener, going three-for-four with three RBI.  Tim Puckett and Cole Smith each had two hits, including Puckett's third home run of the season.  Ryan Bailey also added a two-run home run, his first round tripper of the season.

 

Steve Schott (3-6) took the loss for the Yellowjackets (12-32, 3-19 GNAC), who were led by Matt Schoonover's four-for-five effort at the plate.

 

Game two saw the Crusaders trail 2-0 before surrender six runs in the sixth inning.  NNU answered with five in the seventh, but it wasn't enough and Andy Pottenger (4-3) was saddled with the loss.  Jimmy VanBeek and Zach Aahkus paced the Crusaders as VanBeek was three-for-three with one RBI and Aakhus went two-for-three with two RBI.

 

Brian Howe (2-2) earned the win for MSUB as Jonathan Schlender and Stefan Malkuch each had two hits, including Malkuch's first home run of the season, a solo shot in the second.  Joe Via added a grand slam in the sixth, accounting for four of the 'Jackets six runs in the inning.

 

The Crusaders will travel to Utah Valley State on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader against the Wolverines before having the weekend off to enjoy the NNU graduation ceremonies.  NNU will complete the season on May 9th and 10th, hosting Central Washington in a four-game GNAC series at Vail Field in Nampa.

 

Game One

Northwest Nazarene 12, Montana St. Billings 8 (Apr 26, 2008 at Billings, Mont.)
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Northwest Nazarene.. 120 101 520  - 12 16  6      (28-19, 12-19 GNAC)
Montana St. Billings 000 170 000  -  8 11  6      (11-32, 2-19 GNAC)
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Pitchers: Northwest Nazarene - VanOeveren; Holloway(5); Grant(8). Montana St. Billings - Scott;
Barham(7).
Win-Holloway  Save-Grant  Loss-Scott(3-6)  T-3:05  A-102
HR NNU - Puckett; Bailey.
HR MSUB - Nelson; Ridgeway.
Game: NNU47

Game Two

Montana St. Billings 8, Northwest Nazarene 5 (Apr 26, 2008 at Billings, Mont.)
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Northwest Nazarene.. 000 000 5 -  5  8  2      (28-20, 12-16 GNAC)
Montana St. Billings 011 006 X -  8  9  1      (12-32, 3-19 GNAC)
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Pitchers: Northwest Nazarene - Pottenger; Slonaker(6). Montana St. Billings - Howe; Clark(7).
Win-Howe(2-2)  Save-Clark  Loss-Pottenger  T-1:45  A-100
HR MSUB - Via; Malkuch.
Game: NNU48