BILLINGS, Mont. - A 16-run, 17-hit performance from the Nighthawks helped earn a day one split against MSU Billings on Friday night.
Game 1: NNU 1, MSUB 2
The Nighthawks were on the losing end of a pitchers' dual that only saw them score one run.
NNU got on the board first in the second inning on a
Lauryn Bergevin solo homer to center field but were unable to add any more runs.
The Yellowjackets scored their first run in the third inning as they worked a leadoff walk and then drove that runner in on a two strike single to tie it up.
In the bottom of the sixth, Billings singled up the middle on a full count. With Kendall Klemp pinch hitting, she doubled down the right field line to score the go-ahead run and go up 2-1.
NNU went down in order to end game one.
Miah Lusk (L, 13-6) pitched 6.0 innings and gave up two runs on five hits with 12 strikeouts.
Game 2: NNU 16, MSUB 2
The Nighthawks flipped a switch in game two. Exploding for 17 hits and 16 runs as they took a 16-2 decision in five innings.
They started strong as
Ava Clark and
Jami Obringer had back-to-back singles. With runners on the corners, Obringer stole second and Clark stole home.
Keana Bell singled up the middle on a full-count to score Obringer from second and
Emma Bumatay homered.
Lauryn Bergevin capped off a five-run inning with her fourth home run of the season.
With a 5-0 lead, NNU drove in three more as
Emma Bumatay launched a three-run homer for her ninth of the year.
Two more Nighthawk runs would score in the top of the fourth as Bergevin grounded out but drove in
Audrey McKibben from third and
Ashley Espino took third.
Braezen Henderson pinch hit for
Lola Crosby and grounded out but scored Espino to go up 10-1.
The Nighthawks added six more in the top of the fifth starting with a Bumatay sac fly to score
Jami Obringer.
Gabi Ramirez,
Kaylee Duncan, and
Molly Buckingham.
Lauryn Bergevin homered again to score Espino.
Billings crossed two runs in the bottom of the fifth but the deficit would be too much to overcome.
Riley McGee (W, 7-5) pitched 5.0 innings while giving up two runs on four hits with one strikeout.
Emma Bumatay tied her career high with two home runs (tied vs Saint Martin's, 3/2/2024) and a career high six RBIs.
NNU is now 25-16 overall and 6-8 in GNAC play. They will finish the road series against MSUB tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
