Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings showed signs of an explosive offensive last week in their series with Colorado Mesa, scoring 12 runs in their final game. The Yellowjackets will need to build off this performance as they enter their series with Dixie State College of Utah this weekend.
 
MSUB and the Red Storm will begin their series with a double-header Friday, Feb. 22 starting at 4:30 p.m. MSUB currently sits at 2-7-1 overall, while Dixie State enters the contest at 5-1 overall, with a four game win streak.
 
The Red Storm are currently ranked No. 3 in the Feb. 18 NCBWA West Region Top 10 Poll, and No. 24 nationally. In the College Baseball Newspaper Division II national poll, Dixie State received six votes for ranking consideration. The Red Storm are a good hitting team with a .349 batting average, .502 slugging percentage and .441 on base percentage.
 
Dixie State has five players with a .300 or higher batting average; as D.J. Andrade leads the team with a .500 average. Garrett Nash leads the team with 13 hits, 11 runs batted in and 19 total bases. The pitching unit as a whole has been solid with 35 strikeouts and a 5.69 earned run average. Mike Dedrick and Sam Friend have started 2013 in a favorable fashion. Dedrick is 1-1 overall with a 2.00 earned run average in nine innings of work. Friend is 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 2.25 earned run average, in eight innings pitched.
 
Despite the Yellowjackets inconsistencies, they have an overall slugging percentage of .449 and an on base percentage of .360, with four players batting .300 or higher. Orrin Pyrah leads the team in batting average at .412; while Bryce Todd leads the team in hits with 11 and has a batting average of .282. Brad Birch leads the team in homeruns (3) and runs batted in (8).
 
The pitching rotation has not started the 2013 season as planned, currently holding a 7.04 earned run average. Brady Muller has had a solid start this year, leading the team with a 2.08 earned run average, starting two games. In 13 innings pitched he has struck out nine batters and is 1-0.
 
“This weekend will be another great test for us,” stated head coach Rob Bishop. “We have a great opportunity to help our own cause by playing well in this series.  Our guys are excited to get back on the field.”
 
Jacket fans can click the link below or the links on the baseball schedule page to get live stats and live audio of select contests.
 
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