April 26, 2008

Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. - Western Washington University first baseman Meghan Flem (So., Hood River, OR/Hood River Valley) took sole possession of the school career home run record and drove in four runs, but it wasn't enough as the Vikings lost 9-7 to Montana State University Billings in the opener of a Great Northwest Athletic Conference softball doubleheader Saturday at Cenex Field.

Western fell to 22-17 overall and 10-7 in league play on a cold and windy day.

MSUB improved to 24-20 overall and 13-8 in GNAC action. The Yellowjackets, who are 8-3 at home, have won 18 of their last 23 games after getting off to a 6-15 start.

The Vikings took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first as Flem hit a three-run homer, her fourth this season and the 13th of her career, breaking a tie with Carlena Herd (1999-2002). It was just Western's second home run in the last 31 games, both by Flem.

Leading 5-3 after three innings, the Vikings gave up five unearned runs in the fourth inning.

Shay Oberg tied the game with a sacrifice fly on what should have been the third out. Jenna Haacke followed with a run-scoring double and Terina Stacks had a two-run triple as MSUB took an 8-5 lead.

Western scored twice in the fifth and could have had more, having the bases loaded with just one out.

Pitcher Jessica Rosencrants (Jr., Sequim), who left after 3-2/3 innings, got the loss (11-7) for the Vikings.

MSUB reliever Lindsey Trenary (3-4) picked up the win with starter Rebekah Tsatsa returning later in the game to record her first save of the season.

Western's Michelle Wrigley (Fr., Bothell/Inglemoor) was 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

MSUB's Stephanie Gosselin, who hit a two-run homer in the second, was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI. Stacks was 2-for-4, having a double to go with her triple, scoring one run and driving in two.