Billings, Mont. – After being on the road for the first five weeks of the season, Montana State Billings baseball team returns to the Magic City for their 2013 home opener. The Yellowjackets carry the momentum from last week's accomplishments into Dehler Park as they compete with Northwest Nazarene in a four game series starting Friday, March 15 at 1:00 p.m.
 
MSUB won five of their six match-ups last week, including defeating Saint Martin's University in a conference series 3-1. Senior short stop Colby Robison won Red Lion GNAC Player of the Week honors, recording six hits in 16 at bats and driving in six runs during the week.
 
In 2013 Robison has been one of the most consistent hitters for the Jackets, batting .293 with a .402 slugging percentage and a .337 on base percentage. He currently leads the team in hits (27), doubles (8), runs (16), RBI's (13) and total bases (37).
 
As a whole the Yellowjackets continue to battle inconsistencies at the plate, with an overall .250 batting average. When in rhythm they can light up the scoreboard as they have scored five or more runs in 11 contests. In the GNAC, MSUB ranks No. 1 in RBI's (92), total bases (251) and on base percentage (.360).
 
Colter Sternhagen and Drew Fosnes have also been solid at the plate with each tallying 11 RBI's on the year.
 
MSUB's pitching has been solid all season and rank third in the GNAC with an earned run average of 5.16. The Yellowjackets hurlers have a total of 110 strikeouts while only allowing opposing teams to bat .268. They rank No. 2 in both categories in the conference. Brady Muller and Joe Andriolo are two of the best pitchers in the conference, as Muller ranks No. 2 and Andriolo ranks No. 7 in earned run average.
 
Muller (2.34 ERA) has pitched 34.2 innings and recorded 23 strikeouts while only allowing opposing batters a .205 average. He is currently 1-2 on the season. Andriolo (3.72) has struck out 19 batters in 29 innings, and only allows a .234 batting average. He stands at 2-3 in 2013 with two consecutive wins.
 
Travis Vincent and Lee Busto have also performed well in their time on the mound, with both being unbeaten on the season at 1-0.
 
Northwest Nazarene (8-13, 2-6 GNAC) comes in as the No. 2 ranked hitting team in the GNAC with a .260 batting average, .338 slugging percentage and .336 on base percentage. The Crusaders lead the conference in hits with 182.
 
Northwest Nazarene's pitching has been inconsistent in 2013, as they rank second to last in the GNAC in earned run average (5.99). The Crusaders are allowing opposing batters to hit .311 and have given up 218 hits and 148 runs. Both totals are the most given up by any GNAC team in the season.
 
Logan Parker is having a nice season to date, leading the team in batting average (.365), hits (35) and total bases (42). In the conference he is the second leading hitter. Aaron Vaughn (2-3) has seen the most action on the mound for the Crusaders, pitching 34 innings and recording a team high 21 strikeouts.
 
In their last meeting, MSUB defeated Northwest Nazarene 5-3. Robison went 1-1, scoring one run and batting in another.
 
“We are looking forward to our home opener; Northwest Nazarene will be a tough opponent as always,” stated head coach Rob Bishop. “They are well-coached and have an experienced team. This will be a good challenge for us.”
 
The Yellowjackets and Crusaders will play double-headers on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. First pitch for each contest will start at 1:00 p.m. If fans are not able to attend the event they can catch the live action through the link listed below, or the video link listed next to each contest on the schedule page.
 
MSUB Sports Web Stream and Live Stats