TURLOCK, Calif. – Dominican softball was unable to hold an early lead in a 2-1 loss Sunday afternoon to Montana State Billings at Pedretti Sports Complex to complete its competition in the Tournament of Champions.

Peyton Mott hit her first homerun of the season for the Penguins (14-26) while Shelby Keltner allowed two runs in six innings pitched with seven strikeouts. Jenna Kister secured the victory for the Yellowjackets (11-24) after allowing three hits over seven innings pitched with seven strikeouts.

Melissa Garcia singled to lead off the game for Dominican and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, but Kister got the next batter swinging before a popup left her stranded. After Keltner retired the side in the bottom of the frame, Mott sent the first pitch she saw down the left-field line and over the fence for the 1-0 Penguin lead.

Skyler Jenkins gave MSUB its first runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third as she doubled down the left field line with two outs, but Lauren Lapinid scooped up a ground ball on the next at bat and made the relay to first to leave her stranded.

Kilee Imada tied the game for the Yellowjackets in the bottom of the fifth with a solo shot to left-center field, but Keltner quickly retired the next three batters including two strikeouts to keep the game level. Brie Frazier kept the momentum rolling for MSUB in the bottom of the sixth with a leadoff single down the third-base line before Allie Hughes singled on a perfectly placed bunt to move her into scoring position. Brittany Fisher singled to shallow right field to bring Frazier home for the 2-1 lead and advanced on the throw to keep the pressure on Keltner. Keltner limited the damage as she sat down the next three batters in order to leave runners stranded at second and third, but Lister struck out the side in the top of the seventh to put an end to any comeback hopes.

Dominican will return home Tuesday to host Cal Poly Humboldt in a doubleheader beginning at noon PDT at Penguin Field.