LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Black Hills State University softball team began day two of the Desert Sting Tournament with the first game of the day's double-header to Notre Dame de Namur (Calif.) at 5:30 p.m. MT, followed by a night game versus host school, Montana State University Billings at 8:30 p.m. MT. 

GAME 3 

In the first game of day two, and third-overall game on the tournament, the Jackets lost at the hands of undefeated, Notre Dame de Namur (Calif.), by a score of 14-12. 

While the Yellow Jackets had 11 hits in the contest – three more than NDN – it was NDN that took advantage of eight walks to go with eight hits on way to scoring 14 runs. 

BHSU's sophomore, Kaitlin Farrar, pitched three innings and took the loss in the game while giving up seven earned runs, while walking six to go with two strikeouts. Stefanie Witman finished the game by going the final four innings and giving up three earned runs on three hits. 

NDN jumped out to a fast start after scoring four innings in the first two innings before the Yellow Jackets score five runs in the third to get within striking distance.  Right fielder, Cassie Smith, led the way for the Jackets after going 2-of-4 with three RBIs and one double. 

Second-basemen, Katie Campo, finished with two RBIs after also going 2-of-4 from the plate as catcher Sara Schmid scored two runs after going two hits and one RBI.  Left fielder, Nia Shumpert, led her team with three runs scored after going 2-of-4 from the plate, including a triple. 

The winning pitcher for NDM was Shelby Reall, who pitched a complete game surrendering all 11 hits and 11 earned runs while walking four and striking out seven. 

GAME 4 

The Yellow Jackets opened their fourth game of the tournament versus host school, Montana State University Billings, by jumping out to a 5-2 lead after the first inning before MSUB scored seven runs in the final two innings to secure the victory, 11-8.

Yellow Jacket third baseman started things off in the first with a one run triple, hitting home right fielder Cassie Smith.  Erica Everson then had an RBI single a batter later to give the Jackets a quick 2-0 lead.   After a Katie Campo walk, senior shortstop, Ryan Cook, then singled to center field to grab 2 RBIs after Campo and Everson crossed home plate.

With a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first, MSUB fought back with a lead-off double by Kelsey Devlin that scored one and a BHSU throwing error allowed her to make it to third before an Emily Osborn single scored Devlin to make it 5-2 after one. 

The rest of the way, runs for the Jackets were tough to come by as they scored one more in the third inning after a Brooke Grant single scored Brittney Geersen.  In the fourth inning, Shaffer hit a double that scored Smith, which was then followed by another RBI single by Cook that scored Shaffer. 

Yellow Jackets Smith, Shaffer, Campo, Cook, and Geersen all had two hits in the contest as Cook led the way with her three RBIs.  Geersen also pitched three innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits. 

Losing pitcher for the Jackets was Savanah Eckhardt, who went two innings and allowed seven hits and seven earned runs while walking three.  Stefanie Witman also pitched one inning and gave up just two hits. 

MSUB was offensively by Brittney Sanders, who finished 2-of-4 from the plate and had one homerun and four RBIs.  The winning pitcher for MSUB was Mary Bywater who moved to 3-0 on the year and went 3.2 innings with two hits and zero earned runs and three strikeouts. 

Next up the Jackets will close the tournament playing their fifth and final game versus Western Oregon today at 3 p.m. MT.

For all tournament information, scores, and full schedule, please visit the tournament's headquarters, here.

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