ST. GEORGE, Utah – Preparing for another four-game weekend series, the Montana State University Billings baseball team will take on Dixie State University at Bruce Hurst Field.
The Yellowjackets (0-4) will play Friday at 1 p.m., Saturday at noon in a 9-inning/7-inning doubleheader, and the finale on Sunday at noon. Live stats throughout the series will be
available online here.
"The focus level has been good for our club," said MSUB head coach
Aaron Sutton. "We have had opportunities to work on some things this week that we need to clean up heading into this series. Our guys are really focused on taking care of what we can control, and are ready for the upcoming test against Dixie."
MSUB was swept by No. 12 Colorado Mesa in its opening series of 2019 last week in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Mavericks sneaked away with a 5-4 win in the opener, before picking up an 8-7, walk-off win in 12 innings in the second game. The 'Jackets lost 15-5 and 6-3 last Sunday in the finale of the series.
REGIONAL RANKINGS: The Yellowjackets dropped to a tie for No. 10 in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association west region rankings, released Monday.
2019 West Region Baseball Rankings
GARCIA SHOWS STRONG IN DEBUT: In his first series of the year, senior centerfielder
Jalen Garcia delivered in a big way as he went 9-for-20 in the four games against the Mavericks. Garcia tripled twice to bring his career total to nine, which is three shy of
Luke Reinschmidt's career-record mark of 12. He also homered for the 15th time in his career, and racked up 17 total bases for a slugging percentage of .850.
In the opening game of the year, Garcia swiped a base for the 35th time to set a program record. He broke a tie with Colby Robison, who stole 34 bases from 2011-13.
MOLNAA IMPRESSIVE IN FIRST OUTING: Making his first-ever appearance as a Yellowjacket in the first game of the year, senior right-hander
Jarrod Molnaa turned heads with a nine-strikeout performance. It was the second-most strikeouts by an MSUB player making his career debut, and the third-most by any pitcher in a season debut for MSUB.
POWER IN NUMBERS FOR DILLON: Senior
Matt Dillon slugged three home runs in last week's series, already surpassing his previous career best of two home runs in a year. The Billings native's onslaught included two long balls in the second game of the series, marking the second time in his career he has homered twice in a game.
ARPAN PRODUCTIVE AT TOP OF LINEUP: Hitting in the upper portion of MSUB's lineup last week was junior transfer
Chris Arpan, who led the team with four RBIs. The infielder was productive in key situations, with all three of his hits contributing to run-scoring plays for the 'Jackets.
FREDRICKSON MAKES INITIAL START: Reigning GNAC co-Pitcher of the Year
Steen Fredrickson took a no decision in his first outing of the year, striking out six and giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings. Fredrickson passed Brian Hutchings (2010-12) and moved to No. 5 in MSUB history with 123 career strikeouts. Next on the list is
Tanner Johnson, who rung up 130 batters in his two-year career from 2015-16.
MACKINTOSH STARTS UP: Also making his MSUB debut last week was left-hander
Keven Mackintosh, who gave up three earned runs over five innings. He showed sharp command, with six strikeouts and no walks in his first outing in a Yellowjacket uniform.
Dixie State University Trailblazers
Friday – 1 PM
Saturday – 12 PM – 9-INN/7-INN Doubleheader
Sunday – 12 PM
2019 Record: 6-2
Head Coach: Chris Pfatenhauer, 7th season
2018 Record: 25-25, 21-19 PacWest
Dixie State is off to a strong start to the 2019 season, and is coming off a wild 17-15 win over Cal State Los Angeles in its last game on February 9. MSUB will be the third GNAC team DSU has seen this year, as the Trailblazers took 2 of 3 from Saint Martin's and split a pair of games with Northwest Nazarene.
Jake Engel has paced the Trailblazers offensively thus far, going 11-for-27 in his first eight games with three home runs, eight RBIs and an on-base plus slugging of 1.367. Jagun Leavitt went 5-for-12 in his opening week of play, while Tyler Hollow batted 11-for-31 with seven RBIs to represent DSU's other early offensive standouts.
Jayden Murray is the top arm on the mound for DSU, as he has surrendered just two runs on four hits in 12.0 innings in his first two starts of the year. The opposition is hitting just .103 off Murray, and he has already racked up 13 strikeouts while allowing just one walk. Preston Hannay gave up just one run in five innings in his first start of the year, and Jack Gonzales is a lefty that the 'Jackets will figure to see as he struck out nine in seven innings while giving up four runs in his first two appearances.
The Series: MSUB is 5-22 all-time against Dixie State, with all games being played in St. George.
Last Time Out: The Yellowjackets took 2 of 3 from the Trailblazers last year, winning 15-7 and 14-11 after a 12-11 loss in the opener. Dixie State was ranked No. 15 in the NCAA D2 national rankings at the time.
