BURNABY, B.C. – Simon Fraser and Montana State Billings split a closely contested Great Northwest Athletic Conference softball doubleheader Saturday at Beedie Field.

The hosts started Senior Weekend off with a 4-1 triumph in Game 1 before the Yellowjackets (12-33, 5-17 GNAC) rebounded to take Game 2 by a score of 4-2. SFU (16-18, 7-11 GNAC) is two wins behind Central Washington (18-22, 9-11 GNAC) for the fourth and final berth to the conference championship tournament.

"We came out really strong in the first game, and in the second one too, but then it got away from us a little bit. Tomorrow, we'll bounce back and work towards getting two wins," said pitcher Anissa Zacharczuk.
 
GAME 1 | Simon Fraser 4, Montana St. Billings 1

SFU broke open a 0-0 tie with three-consecutive run-scoring singles in the fourth inning.

Georgia Ogg put SFU ahead with a hit to second base to plate Janique Balcaen. Megan Duclos then drove a single to right field. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, who doubled earlier in the inning, came home to make it 2-0. Then Alex Ogg bounced an RBI single up the middle for SFU's third run, which was scored by Georgia Ogg.
 
Brittanee Fisher of MSUB led off the fifth inning with a home run to cut her team's deficit to 3-1. But Hannah Boulanger restored SFU's three-run advantage quickly. She recorded her fourth home run of the season to start the home half of the fifth. The solo shot was also her third home run in four contests.
 

SFU starting pitcher Zacharczuk was excellent in the circle on Saturday, surrendering just four hits and a single run. MSUB loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh inning. But Zacharczuk struck out Morgan Quimby and induced a force out at home to end the game.
 
"I thought it was a great team win, with excellent defence behind me and good run support. It was nice to get a victory on the home diamond on Senior Weekend," said Zacharczuk.
 
Georgia Ogg led SFU with a pair of hits in three at-bats.
 
GAME 2 | Montana St. Billings 4, Simon Fraser 2

Marin Penney of the Yellowjackets hit two home runs to provide all the offence for her team in a 4-2 win.

SFU and MSUB traded runs to open the scoring with a Penney solo home run coming in the second inning.

Chelsea Hotner provided a reply for SFU in the bottom of the third, hitting a double to right center field. Alex Ogg, who led off with a bunt single, scored from first base.

The big offensive blow came in the fourth as Penney knocked a three-run home run over the fence in left center field.

Alex Ogg's sacrifice fly into foul territory in left allowed Megan Duclos to touch home plate in the fifth. However, the home side was unable to get any closer.

SFU pitcher Julia Hansen was outstanding in relief, throwing 3.2 innings of shutout softball. She had four strikeouts and gave up three hits.

Hotner and Alex Ogg had two hits apiece to lead SFU.



The teams will contest another doubleheader Sunday at 11 a.m. At the end of Game 2, SFU will be honouring its senior players: Boulanger, Alex Ogg, Georgia Ogg, Hanna Finkelstein, Hotner, Kirkpatrick, Lauren Schwartz, and Zacharczuk.

For the latest information on SFU Athletics, visit https://athletics.sfu.ca. You can also find us on social media at @SFU_Athletics.

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