March 7, 2007

Billings, MT - Freshman outfielder Kaitlyn Richardson (Chandler, AZ) powered the University of Mary to a double-header sweep today of Montana State University – Billings. Richardson hit three home runs and drove in seven runs as the Marauders defeated the Yellowjackets 5-4 in eight innings in game one and 5-3 in the second game.

The sweep by the Marauders extends the softball team’s winning streak to seven games.

Game one was tight throughout. The Yellowjackets took a 1-0 lead after the first inning before the Marauders would go up 2-1 following single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. MSU-B would tie the game in the bottom of the seventh on a U-Mary error with two outs. That would just set the stage for the start of Richardson’s heroics.

The first three hitters for U-Mary in the eighth would reach base, but a double-play turned by MSU-B gave the Yellowjackets a chance to get out of the inning unscathed. Richardson wouldn’t allow that to happen, though, as she cracked a two-out three-run shot to put U-Mary up 5-2. It was her lone hit of the game. MSU-B fought back, hitting a two-run home run to close the gap to one run, but the Marauders would close out the inning without further damage.

Freshman catcher Andrea Brunskill (Valley Center, CA) was 2-for-4 with a run scored in the game. Sophomore 3B Michelle Meza (Sacramento, CA) was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore pitcher Hatty Rossow (Lakeville, MN) threw a complete game for the win, allowing just two earned runs and six hits in eight innings.

The second game started very similar to the first. MSU-B again scored the game’s initial run in the bottom of the first. U-Mary was unable to respond until the fifth, when the Marauders would explode for four runs.

2B Meghan Ward (Escondido, CA) would lead off the fifth inning with a double and moved to third on a single by Meza. A base hit to right field by Leslie Benavidez (Albuquerque, NM) scored Ward to tie the game at one. After the Marauders made two outs, Richardson responded with her second two-down three-run homer of the day, providing U-Mary with an insurmountable 4-1 lead.

Richardson would add a solo blast in the seventh to complete the scoring for the Marauders. She would finish game two 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs.

Meza was 3-for-4 in the second game. Brunskill was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Sarah Moder (Glendale, AZ) picked up the win for the Marauders, spinning a seven-inning complete game. She allowed just two earned runs and six hits.

U-Mary is now 13-5 overall this season. MSU-B slips to 9-13.

The Marauders are now off until March 17 when the team plays four games in Colorado Springs.