BILLINGS, Mont. – Nine high-school players have inked letters of intent for the 2019-20 academic year, announced Montana State University Billings baseball head coach Aaron Sutton on Monday.
 
"Our coaching staff worked extremely hard this last year, and we are all excited to see it come to fruition in this recruiting class," said Sutton, who is in his third year in charge of the Yellowjacket program. "We feel like we are getting some really good players who will come in and fill some needs right away. Bigger than that, each one of these guys is a tremendous human being who comes from an outstanding family. Our 'Jacket baseball family got a lot better this week."
 
2019 MSUB Baseball Recruiting Class

Player	Position	Hometown	High School
Luke Bucher	Infielder/Pitcher	Seattle, WA	Bishop Blanchet High School
Koby Croft	Middle Infielder	Billings, MT	Billings West High School
Trey Lauren	Pitcher	Monroe, WA	Monroe High School
Mason Powell	Infielder/Outfielder	Gillette, WY	Thunder Basin High School
Hunter Runion	Pitcher/Outfielder	Silverton, OR	Silverton High School
Logan Siblerud	Pitcher	Kalispell, MT	Flathead High School
Randy Stultz	Infielder	Bigfork, MT	Bigfork High School
Nolan Thebiay	Pitcher/Outfielder	Wilsonville, OR	Wilsonville High School
Michael Zaske	Pitcher	Billings, MT	Billings Central Catholic High School

Luke Bucher
Seattle, Washington
6-0 – Infielder/Right-Handed Pitcher
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Bucher is a three-sport standout at Bishop Blanchet High School, competing in football and cross country in addition to baseball. Bucher holds a lifetime earned run average of 3.09 and an opponents' batting average of .204 with his senior season still ahead of him. His accolades include making the Perfect Game all-tournament team, and being named the PNW Underclass Pitcher of the Game with a complete game shutout.
 
Coach Sutton on Bucher: "Luke is another two-way player in this class. He has the ability to play the left side of the infield with his arm strength, and really fits our approach at the plate. On the hill, he is continuing to make strides and we wouldn't be surprised if he competes for innings early in his career."
 
Bucher on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because it is a great, competitive environment, and I know the coaching staff will help me become the best player I can possibly be."
 
Koby Croft
Billings, Montana
6-1 – Middle Infielder
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Kroft competes for the Billing Scarlets American Legion team, where he has played primarily shortstop over the last four seasons. He is an all-conference and academic all-state honoree, and has been one of his team's offensive leaders the last three seasons.
 
Coach Sutton on Croft: "Koby can really flash the leather at shortstop. He has had our attention since we arrived in town because of the way he goes and gets a baseball in the infield. He has some growth to make physically, but once he puts it all together he is going to be a very good ballplayer."
 
Croft on Choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the coaches and the quality program they are building. I am looking forward to what these next four years have in store."
 
Trey Lauren
Monroe, Washington
6-4 – Right-Handed Pitcher
Intended Major: General Studies
 
Lauren is a multi-sport athlete at Monroe High School, competing in both baseball and football for the Bearcats. He has spent four seasons as a pitcher and first baseman under head coach Eric Chartrand, and two years as a lineman on the football team under coach Michael Bumpus.
 
Coach Sutton on Lauren: "Trey has all the tools to be really special. He has plus arm speed and bat speed coming out of high school, and that plays at our level right now. As he continues to grow and mature, we feel he can be a guy who can make an immediate impact in our program. We know both sides are ready to get to work next fall."
 
Lauren on choosing MSUB: "I want to be part of building the MSUB baseball program for the future, and the facilities are top notch. I love to fish, hunt, and snowboard. I look forward to continuing my athletic career at MSUB."
 
Mason Powell
Gillette, Wyoming
6-1 – Infielder/Outfielder
Intended Major: Secondary Education
 
Powell competes in baseball, basketball, and hockey at Thunder Basin High School, and plays legion baseball for the Gillette Roughriders. He is a two-time all-state selection in baseball, and entering his senior season has a career .348 batting average. Through his first three years, Powell is averaging 82 hits and 56 RBIs per season, and holds a .962 fielding percentage primarily as a corner infielder. On the mound, he has a 14-2 record with a 1.59 ERA.
 
Outside of athletics, Powell is a model student as he is the student body president and was the student body vice president in 2017 and sophomore class president in 2016. He is a four-time honor roll selection with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
 
Coach Sutton on Powell: "Mason has so much untapped potential, it is just a matter of getting it all out of him. His versatility allows us to move him all over the field. The fact that he comes from a very good program over in Gillette gives us confidence he will be prepared for the college jump."
 
Powell on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB for reasons both on and off the baseball field. I plan to be a high-school math teacher and coach, and MSUB's rich history as a teaching college will help prepare me for my chosen profession. I also chose MSUB because this baseball team's reputation and winning mentality is exactly what I want to be a part of day-in and day-out. The coaching staff's level of professionalism and organization is exactly what it takes to create a championship atmosphere, and I desire nothing more than to compete for and contribute to this outstanding program. Lastly, I chose MSUB because I love the town of Billings and the surrounding area. I am looking forward to being a Yellowjacket."
 
Hunter Runion
Silverton, Oregon
5-11 – Left-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder
Intended Major: Criminal Justice
 
Runion is a two-sport standout at Silverton High School, in both baseball and football. In 2018 he was a first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference pick in both baseball and football, and he was selected to play in Oregon's Futures Game for top prospects.
 
As a junior in 2017 Runion had a pair of shutouts on the mound, and notched 54 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings pitched. Offensively, he led his team in batting average at .346, and had 11 doubles while slugging .543 and reaching base at a clip of .417. He also had four assists from the outfield.
 
On the gridiron playing primarily as a free safety, Runion led his team with six interceptions. He also earned honorable mention all-league as a return man, thanks in part to a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
 
Coach Sutton on Runion: "Hunter is a very athletic pitcher with an extremely fast arm and the ability to really manipulate a baseball. His competitive nature is second to none, and he will have the opportunity to come in and compete for a role early in his career."
 
Runion on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the 'Jacket baseball coaching staff and overall team atmosphere. During my visit, I was welcomed by both the coaches and players, who made me feel at home. They explained to me what it meant to them to not only be a team, but a family as well. The entire coaching staff played a major role in my decision to commit. They understand the players and support all of them both on and off the field."
 
Logan Siblerud
Kalispell, Montana
6-2 – Right-Handed Pitcher
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Siblerud is another versatile athlete, as he has competed in baseball, football, and basketball for multiple years during his prep career. He is a two-way player as both a pitcher and first baseman on the diamond, plays wide receiver and defensive back in football, and is a guard on the hardwood.
 
Coach Sutton on Siblerud: "Logan is another three-sport guy who competes at a very high level in all of them. As a pitcher he had a very good junior campaign, and our staff feels like his best baseball is ahead of him. The athleticism and frame he has projects to throw really hard, and as he is able to commit more time to baseball he has a chance to be a special arm."
 
Siblerud on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because it felt like the right fit for me after my first visit. I was really impressed with the coaching staff and the direction the program is heading. I also thought MSUB would be a great opportunity for me to excel in the classroom. I am beyond excited to see what the next four years have to offer."
 
Randy Stultz
Bigfork, Montana
5-10 – Infielder
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Stultz competes in baseball, basketball, and football at Bigfork High School, and was an all-state shortstop last season. He led his legion team in extra base hits, with 21 doubles, seven triples, and five home runs. He also had team-highs in batting average at .365, walks with 38, stolen bases with 25, and RBIs with 44.
 
Stultz is an all-star in all three of his sports, earning all-state as a running back and all-conference as a guard on the basketball team.
 
Coach Sutton on Stultz: "Randy is a three-sport guy who knows how to flat-out compete. He is a very fundamental infielder who can swing and play all three spots. His ability to hit is what really excites us. Not a lot of players in his class have the type of bat speed and feel for their swing that Randy brings to the table."
 
Stultz on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the great coaching staff, atmosphere, and culture, as well as being able to play in my home state and representing Montana baseball. MSUB is a great place for me to grow in the classroom and on the field."
 
Nolan Thebiay
Wilsonville, Oregon
6-4 – Right-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Thebiay competes in both basketball and baseball at Wilsonville High School, and will earn his eighth total letter this spring. He was a second-team selection in both 2017 and 2018 as a pitcher, and an honorable mention all-league outfielder last year. In the summer of 2018, he led his team in home runs and RBIs. In basketball, Thebiay helped his team to a runner-up finish at the 2018 state tournament.
 
Coach Sutton on Thebiay: "Physical specimen are two words that really describe Nolan. He has a chance to be a two-way player for us. On the mound, he has a power fastball and will develop the ability to pitch. Offensively, we felt Nolan had some of the best bat speed in the entire Northwest. Our coaching staff is looking forward to his growth in both areas next year."
 
Thebiay on choosing MSUB: "I really enjoyed my whole visit. I had that feeling of comfort and warm welcome. I knew that this is where I'd like to be for the next four years. The coaching staff and players were great, and very up front with the program's expectations. I am really looking forward to MSUB and can't wait to be a Yellowjacket."
 

Michael Zaske
Billings, Montana
6-2 – Right-Handed Pitcher
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Zaske will remain in his home town for his collegiate career, as he has competed for the Billings Scarlets for the last three seasons. His career highlights include shutouts against Medicine Hat as a sophomore and as a junior in Colorado.
 
Coach Sutton on Zaske: "We are excited to keep Michael at home. He will be a sinker/slider arm and will be valuable to the pitching staff. He can really rip his slider and hasn't really learned how to utilize his body. The ceiling is very high for Michael and we know he is excited to grow as a player in our program."
 
Zaske on choosing MSUB: "Choosing MSUB felt very right to continue my education and to pursue my career in college baseball. MSUB will give me the opportunity to build relationships with my future teammates, and the faculty on campus. Choosing MSUB keeps me close to home. I am excited to get started here at this campus, and start the new chapter of my life. I am very excited and humbled for the chance to continue with my passion of playing baseball. I am very honored to be chosen to be part of MSUB's baseball team, and to show my worth on and off the field."
 
MSUB's baseball team won its third Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season title in the last four years in 2018, going 33-18 overall and establishing the school record for wins in a season. The 2019 campaign begins on February 9-10 with a three-game series at Colorado School of Mines. A complete 2019 MSUB baseball schedule can be found online here.