BILLINGS, Mt. – Northwest Nazarene endured a tough extra-inning loss in game one before responding with a strong all-around performance in game two, splitting the day with the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets by scores of 9–8 (11 innings) and 8–3.
Game One: 9–8 (11 Innings) (G. Brubaker 1-3)
Northwest Nazarene came up just short in a back-and-forth battle that stretched into extra innings, falling 9–8 in 11 innings despite a late rally.
The Nighthawks struck first in the opening inning when Adrian Arechiga reached on an error, allowing Carter Walsh to score. MSU Billings responded quickly, putting up two runs in the first and adding another in the second to take a 3–1 lead.
After a quiet stretch, NNU erupted in the fifth inning with a five-run frame to seize control. Carter Walsh and Kaleb Karpstein each delivered RBI singles before Kyle Becker broke things open with a two-RBI double to right center. A defensive miscue allowed another run to score, giving the Nighthawks a 6–3 advantage.
The Yellowjackets answered immediately and then surged ahead in the sixth inning. A combination of timely hitting and defensive miscues led to a three-run inning, capped by a two-run home run that flipped the score to 8–6.
Northwest Nazarene refused to back down. Henry Henkel drove in a run in the eighth to cut the deficit to one, and the Nighthawks tied the game in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Arechiga, forcing extras.
In the 11th inning, MSU Billings delivered the decisive blow with an RBI single to reclaim the lead and take the first game of the series.
Gavin Brubaker led the offense with four hits and two runs scored, while Becker drove in two runs. Walsh and Mestas each added multi-hit performances as the Nighthawks totaled 11 hits in the loss.
Game Two: 8–3 (C. Talley 9–0)
The Nighthawks bounced back in game two with a commanding 8–3 victory, fueled by timely hitting and a dominant outing on the mound from Corbin Talley.
MSU Billings once again struck first with a pair of runs in the opening inning, but NNU answered immediately. Tate Lewis delivered an RBI triple in the second before Jake Mestas tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
Northwest Nazarene took control in the third and fourth innings. Elliot Brown drove in a run with a single, and the Nighthawks capitalized on defensive errors to extend the lead. Kaleb Karpstein added an RBI single to make it 5–2.
The offense continued to produce in the sixth inning, adding three more runs behind RBI hits from Karpstein and Brown, along with a sacrifice from Arechiga to push the lead to 8–3.
Talley was steady throughout, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs and striking out six to improve to 9–0 on the season.
At the plate, Arechiga led the way with three hits and an RBI, while Karpstein and Brown each drove in two runs. The Nighthawks collected 13 hits in the win, showcasing a balanced offensive attack.
Northwest Nazarene will look to carry the momentum from game two into their next matchup against the Yellowjackets tomorrow as they continue their push toward the top of the GNAC standings.
Nighthawks of the Day
Corbin Talley: 7.0 Ip, 6 SO, 3 ER, Win
Gavin Brubaker: 4-8, 2 Runs, 2 2B
Kaleb Karpstein: 3-9, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs, BB
