Game Notes

 
Billings, Mont. – Montana State Billings baseball team prepares to face a very talented Central Washington University team (26-16, 17-7) for their final regular season series. The Yellowjackets (18-24-1, 14-13) eye the final spot in the inaugural Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, as they start their series with the Wildcats Friday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m.
 
After splitting last week's series with Northwest Nazarene, MSU Billings ensures a spot in the inaugural GNAC Championship Tournament if they win one out of four games against Central Washington, or if Northwest Nazarene loses one out of four games in their May 3-4 series versus Saint Martin's University. After registering 37 runs off 62 hits the Yellowjackets have improved to No. 2 in the GNAC in team batting with an overall batting average of .290, slugging percentage of .416 and a conference leading .386 on base percentage.
 
Senior left-fielder Austin Rue, currently has a 23 game hitting streak, which is good for fourth all-time in GNAC baseball history. He needs 10 hits to overtake Western Oregon's Grant Glover as the all-time hitting streak leader (32). This past weekend Rue notched his second Red Lion GNAC Player of the Week award in 2013 as he had nine hits in 15 at bats and produced a team high 13 runs (scoring eight and driving in five). He also walked five times from his leadoff slot in the lineup, posting a .714 on-base percentage, and did not strike out against the Crusaders; two of Rue's hits were doubles.
 
Drew Fosnes leads the team in batting average (.338), slugging percentage (.588), triples (5) and home runs (5). In the GNAC Fosnes ranks No. 1 in triples, No. 3 in slugging percentage and home runs, and No. 6 in batting average. Nationally he ranks No. 13 in triples. Justin Harcharik has quietly put together solid numbers in 2013, batting .315 and slugging .452.
 
The hurlers remain third in the GNAC in overall team pitching with a 5.43 ERA, and .288 opposing batting average. Samuel Paterson (5-5) has been dominant on the mound in his final season as a Yellowjacket, and recorded his first career shutout, only allowing three hits as MSUB destroyed Northwest Nazarene 16-0 (4/20/13). For his efforts, Paterson brought home Red Lion GNAC Pitcher of the Week honors, which gives MSUB its seventh player of the week award recipient in 2013.
 
On the season, Paterson ranks No. 7 in the GNAC in opposing batting average (.273), and No. 8 in the conference in ERA (4.67) and No. 9 strikeouts (37). He has pitched three complete games and only allowed 28 earned runs (tied for seventh in GNAC) on the year.
 
Brady Muller (5-3) has been the team's best pitcher ranking first on the team in ERA (3.53), innings pitched (66.1), earned runs allowed (26), strikeouts (51) and opposing batting average (.233). In the conference he ranks No. 1 in opposing batting average and innings pitched, No. 4 in ERA and earned runs allowed, and No. 5 in strikeouts.
 
Central Washington is playing good baseball in 2013, and were recently ranked No. 10 in the April 22 NCBWA West Region Top 10 Ranking. In the month of April, the Wildcats have won eight out of 11 contests and rank No. 1 in the GNAC in team batting (.322 batting average) and team pitching (3.97 ERA). MSUB and Central Washington split their first series in 2013, with the Wildcats winning the last two contests. Marc Garza (No. 1) and Ethan Sterkel (No. 5) are two of the best hitters in the GNAC according to batting average. Garza boasts a .386 average and Sterkel tallies a .343 batting average.
 
Skye Adams (4-2) and Tyler Roberts (3-4) have excelled on the mound, ranking No. 1 and No. 2 in ERA in the conference. Adams has a 3.21 ERA with 31 strikeouts; and Roberts has a 3.42 ERA with 55 strikeouts (ranked third in the GNAC). Stuart Fewel (5-1) has been the team's overall best pitcher ranking No. 6 in the GNAC in ERA (3.77).
 
Saturday's, April 27 double-header will mark the final outing for 10 Yellowjacket student-athletes. The 2013 senior class consists of: No. 1 Austin Rue,  No. 2 Samuel Paterson, No. 3 Mack Unruh, No. 9 Colby Robison, No. 11 Bobby Ragasa, No. 13 Travis Vincent, No. 17 Orrin Pyrah, No. 28 Justin Harcharik, No. 31 Kole Mickolio and No. 32 Devon Hedin.
 
“Huge series this weekend against Central Washington; they are a terrific team, leading the GNAC in many categories, and we are playing to advance to the GNAC Championship Tournament during the second week of May,” stated head coach Rob Bishop. “We get the opportunity to honor our seniors on Saturday which is a highlight to each season and will make our final home doubleheader of the year even more special.”
 
MSUB and Central Washington will start the series Friday, April 26 at 1:00 p.m. at Dehler Park. If Yellowjacket fans are unable to attend, they can follow the links (Video & Live Stats) to stay tuned in to all the live action.