Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings baseball team showed signs of improvement in their most recent series against Western Oregon. Despite losing the series, the Yellowjackets dominated the Wolves in their first contest on Sunday, March 3. MSUB has a tough road trip this week, playing three different opponents and a total of six games.
The Yellowjackets will face Linfield College (10-1, 3-0 NWC) in McMinnville, Ore. on Tuesday, March 5; Concordia University (7-9) in Portland, Ore. on Wednesday, March 6; then play a four game series against GNAC foe Saint Martin's University (2-11) in Lacey, Wash. on March 9-10.
MSUB is still working through growing pains as the team has a .250 batting average, .367 slugging percentage and .342 on base percentage. In the GNAC, they rank third in team batting. Senior infielder
Colby Robison leads the team in hits (18) and doubles (7), while
Brad Birch and
Colter Sternhagen are tied for the team lead in runs batted in with nine on the season.
The Yellowjackets pitching rotation has also been very inconsistent in 2013, ranking fourth in the conference in team pitching with a 6.29 earned run average, allowing opposing teams to bat .283.
Brady Muller has been the strongest pitcher for MSUB, tallying a 2.45 earned run average and 19 strikeouts in 25.2 innings on the mound.
In order for the Jackets to have success on this road trip they will need to be more consistent and put together complete team efforts.
Linfield has a very talented cast and is probably the most complete team MSUB will face at this point in the season. After losing their first game, the Wildcats have won 10 straight. As a team they have a .332 batting average, .453 slugging percentage and a .398 on base percentage. Linfield has eight players batting over .300; led by Jake Wylie and Nick Fisher who both have a .444 batting average. Wylie leads the team with 20 hits and 14 runs batted in. Fisher has a team high .750 slugging percentage while recording 16 hits, seven runs batted in and two home runs (team high).
Defensively the Wildcats have a .975 fielding percentage compared to their opponents .957. The pitching rotation has been extremely stout in 2013, posting a 1.10 earned run average while only allowing 60 hits and an opposing batting average of .180. Aaron Thomassen leads the team with a .95 earned run average and is 3-0 on the year. He has 13 strikeouts in 19 innings pitched.
The Jackets and Linfield will start at 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) Tuesday, March 5.
Linfield Live Stats
MSU Billings will face NAIA opponent Concordia, following Tuesday's matchup. The Cavaliers are currently on a two game losing streak, dropping both games in the double-header against fellow GNAC member Saint Marin's University 5-6, 0-1. Through their first 16 games, Concordia has struggled at the plate, only recording a team batting average of .251. Blake Drake has been consistent in 2013, leading the team in hits (24), doubles (6) and runs (11).
As a whole, the Cavaliers' hurlers have been solid, tallying a 3.93 earned run average and 88 strikeouts in 2013. Jon Yearout leads the charge with a 1.07 earned run average and 24 strikeouts in 25.1 innings of work.
The Yellowjackets and Concordia will start play at 6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) Wednesday, March 6. Fans can click the links below for live stats and a live web stream.
Concordia University Live Stats
Concordia University Web Stream
At the conclusion of the matchup with the Cavaliers; MSUB will head to Lacey, Wash. for their second GNAC series, squaring off with Saint Martin's. The Saints have had a rough start to the season, only notching two wins against Concordia University. Saint Martin's pitching rotation has struggled, amassing for a 7.47 earned run average, allowing opponents to bat .348.
The Saints also have not been able to put together quality at bats; posting a .231 batting average, .300 slugging percentage and .322 on base percentage. In the GNAC they rank last in team batting and pitching. Last season Saint Martin's won one series 3-1 versus MSUB and split the other 2-2. The Yellowjackets and Saints series will start on Saturday, March 9 at 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
MSU Billings fans can click the link below for Live Stats
GNAC Live Stats
