Game Notes                  Bishop Interview                        Andriolo and Rue Interview
 

Billings, Mont. – Currently tied for third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings, Montana State Billings baseball team (12-19-1, 8-8 GNAC) welcomes Western Oregon University to Dehler Park for their second series of the season to be held on Saturday, April 6 through Sunday, April 7. The Wolves are the GNAC defending champions and currently sit at first in conference standings.
 
After a much needed week off, the Yellowjackets enter the final third of their season, with 14 of 18 contests being held at Dehler Park. As MSU Billings looks to keep their post season goals alive they need to perform well this weekend as they are tied with Northwest Nazarene for third in GNAC standings.
 
The top three teams in the regular season advance to the conference tournament. As a team, MSUB ranks third in both team batting average (.262) and team ERA (5.18). In order to defeat a very solid Wolves team, the Jackets will need to convert all their opportunities as they are second in the GNAC in on base percentage (.361).
 
In their last time out the Yellowjackets split their series 2-2 with Central Washington who then led the GNAC in standings at the time. The Wildcats are currently one game behind the Wolves in conference standings.
 
MSU Billings pitching rotation has been solid all season. Joe Andriolo and Brady Muller are two of the best hurlers in the GNAC, with both ranking in the top 10 in ERA. Muller (3-2) is second on the team with a 3.63 ERA, and Andriolo sits at third tallying a 3.86 ERA. In 329 batters faced they have combined for 51 strikeouts and have only allowed 49 runs and 78 hits. Muller has held opposing batters to a .220 batting average and Andriolo has posted a .255 opposing batting average.
 
Travis Vincent has owned batters out of the bullpen, leading the team with a 1.02 ERA. In 17.2 innings on the mound, Vincent has recorded 11 strikeouts and only allowed 14 hits while holding opposing hitters to a .212 batting average.
 
Colby Robison and Austin Rue continue their strong senior campaigns, as both rank among the top 20 hitters in the GNAC. Robison, ranked No. 9, has a batting average of .322, slugging percentage of .455 and an on base percentage of .379. Rue, ranked No. 17, has recorded 29 hits, 21 runs, two doubles, two triples, two home runs, 15 RBIs and 41 total bases. 
 
Newcomer Drew Fosnes has made an immediate impact on the team, leading the Jackets in slugging percentage (.527), while recording 26 hits and 17 RBIs. 
 
Western Oregon has dominated the GNAC for over a decade, winning 11 consecutive conference titles, 13 overall. The Wolves have won six out of their last eight contests and has the best defensive team in the GNAC. Western Oregon ranks No. 1 in team ERA (3.97) and fielding percentage (.966). Spenser Watkins (2.84 ERA) and A.J. Burke (2.91) lead the charge on the mound, as both rank among the top five hurlers in the conference. Together they have combined for 84 strikeouts.
 
Offensively, the Wolves have been rather pedestrian as they have a team batting average of .258, ranking fourth amongst conference teams. Despite the team's overall batting struggles, Daniel McNabb is the leading hitter in the GNAC with a .365 batting average. In 104 at bats, he has 38 hits, 20 RBIs, and scored 18 runs for a total of 46 bases.
 
“This weekend will be a great challenge for us; Western Oregon is always a great club and this year is no different in that respect,” stated head coach Rob Bishop. “Our series at Monmouth, Ore. was hard fought and I expect the same kind of baseball this weekend. I know our guys are excited to play this final stretch of weekends at home. We hold our destiny in our own hands and being in the mix at the halfway point of the GNAC season is exciting for us.”
 
If Yellowjacket fans can't make it down to Dehler Park they can click the following links (Video, Live Stats), or the links on the baseball schedule page to stay tuned to all of the live action.
 
 
*Note* - Sunday, April 7 is Little League Day. All Little League players, parents, and coaches receive FREE ADMISSION!!
 
 
 
GNAC Standings (as of Apr 02, 2013)
 
                                              GNAC                           Overall
     Team                           W   L   T   Pct           W   L   T   Pct
     Western Oregon......  12   4   0  .750      17  13   0  .567
     Central Washington..  11   5   0  .688      17  13   0  .567
     Northwest Nazarene..   8   8   0  .500      17  16   0  .515
     MSU Billings........           8   8   0  .500      12  19   1  .391
     Saint Martin's......           1  15   0  .062       3  29   0  .094