MSUB SPORTS – Filled with All-Americans and top Great Northwest Athletic Conference award winners, the Yellowjacket baseball all-decade infield features some of the best players in the history of the school and the conference.
 
The infield unit consists of five starters – one at each position as well as a designated hitter – four players on the bench, and four honorable mention selections.
 

Day	Release
Monday, November 9, 2020	Pitchers & Catchers
Tuesday, November 10, 2020	Infielders
Wednesday, November 11, 2020	Outfielders
Thursday, November 12, 2020	Lineups & Gold Glove Team
Friday, November 13, 2020	Full All-Decade Roster

 

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Daniel Cipriano
Position: First Baseman
Hometown: Aguora Hills, California
Playing Years: 2019-2020 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Cipriano Is A Consensus All-American

Feature Story: New Faces: Daniel Cipriano Among Most Feared Hitters In D2 Baseball

Putting together one of the best seasons in GNAC history, Cipriano won the GNAC Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and was a consensus All-American selection by all three voting organizations during the 2019 campaign. Cipriano broke the school record and tied the GNAC record with 18 home runs, while posting an OPS of 1.355 and driving in 52 runners.
 
Cipriano's .405 batting average and .528 on-base percentage helped the Yellowjackets win the GNAC regular season and tournament titles, and reach the first NCAA regional tournament in program history. He was a consensus first-team all-region pick, a four-time GNAC Player of the Week, and a two-time National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association West Region Player of the Week.
 
Although the 2020 season was cut short after 18 games, Cipriano maintains one more season of eligibility and will return to the Yellowjacket lineup. The career statistical minimums at MSUB require 250 at-bats, so Cipriano falls just short of qualifying with 233 so far in his career. Cipriano needs just 17 more at-bats to reach that threshold, and as of right now his current career batting average of .386, on-base percentage of .500, and slugging percentage of .803 would all far and away be the highest in MSUB history.
 
Cipriano is no slouch with the glove either, making just four errors in 306 chances for a career fielding percentage of .987 to rank him fifth in MSUB history.
 
Derek Waddoups (Cipriano's Head Coach 2020): "Cipriano is an outstanding mentor to our team. His ability to remain calm and collected in the big moments have made him all the more special. He has outstanding power and the ability to hit for a high average. For the big body that he is, he moves really well on the base paths and around the bag at first base. Being honored on the all-decade team is awesome for him, he will go down as one of the greats here at MSUB, in the GNAC, and across D2 baseball."
 
Aaron Sutton (Cipriano's Head Coach 2019): "Arguably the best season in GNAC history. Cip was a complete hitter and was the guy who sparked us coming off an 0-11 start. One of the best hitters I have ever coached."


 

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Brody Miller – Team Captain, Player of the Decade
Position: Second Baseman
Hometown: Missoula, Montana
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Miller's Career A Cornerstone For Yellowjacket Baseball

The first defining moment in MSUB baseball history came in 2015, when Miller and the Yellowjackets delivered the first championship in school history. Miller was the best player on the best team in the conference that season, and simply put his overall contributions to the program throughout a four-year career are second-to-none.
 
Miller is the only MSUB player to win the GNAC Player of the Year award twice, and to be named an All-American in two different seasons. He is MSUB's career leader in hits (249), RBIs (158), total bases (375), walks (110), intentional walks (14), sacrifice flies (13), games played and started (190), at-bats (718), runs (139), doubles (49), double plays turned (88), and defensive assists (477), while ranking second in hitting (.347), home runs (25), on-base percentage (.436), and defensive chances (840), and sixth in slugging (.522).


 
Miller's 59 RBIs during the 2015 season are still a school record, as he led the Yellowjackets to their first winning season in school history at 27-23 and a one-game victory in the final conference standings over perennial power Western Oregon.
 
Upon completing what still stands as the greatest career in program history, Miller was voted the GNAC Male Athlete of the Year, joining MSUB women's basketball star Bobbi Knudsen as the only two players in MSUB history to be named the top athlete in the conference.
 
Rob Bishop (Miller's Head Coach 2012-15): "Brody accomplished the rarest feat in college athletics in my opinion in that he was a four-year starter and was productive each of his four years. He is the most instinctual hitter I have ever coached and was a guy that could probably still jump in there and make hard contact with a 90 mph fastball. He made more than one team pay for pitching to him with the game on the line. Just a great player and one of the best hitters ever to play Montana Legion baseball."


 

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Kaleo Johnson
Position: Third Baseman
Hometown: Alameda, California
Playing Years: 2018 (1 season)
 
The third All-American in the all-decade infield, Johnson had a season that paralleled Cipriano's with his 2018 campaign. Johnson was named the GNAC Newcomer of the Year, after becoming the first player in the conference's history to win the triple crown. Johnson's .412 batting average is an MSUB single-season record, his 17 home runs broke the school record before Cipriano surpassed that mark the following season, and his 54 RBIs were third-most in MSUB single-season history.
 
Johnson became the first player in MSUB history to be a consensus All-American, as he received second-team honors from both the D2CCA and the NCBWA, and honorable mention from the American Baseball Coaches Association. Johnson broke the MSUB and GNAC records and led the D2 west region with a slugging percentage of .845, and his OPS of 1.352 was second highest in all of Division II baseball.
 
Upon completion of his historic season, Johnson became the second player in MSUB history to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft. After Adam Cox was picked in the 25th round, Johnson was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 32nd round with the 960th overall pick on June 6, 2018.
 
Perhaps what is most enamoring about Johnson's season is the fact that he didn't start the first 11 games of the year, after transferring to MSUB at the holiday break and being in the program for less than one month before the season started. If Johnson's numbers on the season were factored into a per-game basis, and he had started all 52 games, he would have had 21 home runs, 77 hits, 69 RBIs, and 67 runs scored – all of which would be MSUB records.

Aaron Sutton (Johnson's Head Coach 2018): "Best bat speed I have ever seen. Truly a pro in every aspect and will be a fun one to watch his career develop in the Rays organization."


 

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Colby Robison
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Rexburg, Idaho
Playing Years: 2011-2013 (3 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Colby Robison: Hot Bat In Cold Weather (Billings Gazette - February 27, 2011)

Playing alongside Miller in the middle infield for two seasons, Robison helped re-write the MSUB record books after transferring from College of Southern Idaho. The GNAC Newcomer of the Year and first-team all-conference pick his sophomore season in 2011, Robison started all 47 games while leading the team with a .335 batting average and 58 hits.
 
By his senior season, Robison was a two-time first-team all-GNAC and two-time second-team all-region selection. He was paramount in helping MSUB make its first-ever conference tournament in 2013, and he was a three-time GNAC Player of the Week selection as well.
 
Robison remains among MSUB's all-time leaders, ranking third in triples with eight, fourth in RBIs with 111, fifth in hits with 168, total bases with 257, stolen base percentage at .872, doubles with 34, games started with 136, and at-bats with 509, seventh in batting average at .330, runs with 93, eighth in slugging percentage at .505, and 10th in home runs with 13.

Robison on his MSUB career: "Coach Bishop told me that even on my worst day I needed to be better than the person that wanted my position on his best day. That has always stuck with me."

Rob Bishop (Robison's Head Coach 2011-13): "Colby had tremendous talent defensively, at the plate and on the bases. He was a rare player that could be elite in all facets of the game. Anyone that has met Colby knows he has an infectious personality that was fun to be around. My favorite memory of Colby was after a series at Regis University where we won 3 of 4 games, Regis' head coach offered to trade any 3 of his guys for Colby. It was a funny moment but really a testament to the kind of game changer Colby was on the field."
 
Where is he now? Robison resides in his home town of Rexburg, Idaho where he is the president of Horizon Power. He is married with two daughters and a son.
 

 

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Ryan Myers
Position: Designated Hitter/First Baseman
Hometown: Walnut Creek, California
Playing Years: 2017-2018 (2 seasons)
 
Myers gets the nod as the starting designated hitter on the all-decade team, although defensively at first base it is a virtual tie between him and Cipriano. The latter is a seeming-reincarnation of Myers, who set the tone as one of the most feared hitters in the GNAC during his two-year career with the 'Jackets.
 
Widely considered by teammates and coaches alike as the most intelligent hitter in the lineup, Myers is MSUB's all-time leader in both slugging percentage at .667 and on-base percentage at .497. It took him just two seasons to break Miller's all-time home run record, as he clubbed 27 while driving in 88 and batting .330 in his career.
 
Myers earned all-region honors in each of his two seasons with the 'Jackets, including first-team honors as a senior in 2018. In perhaps the most lethal 1-2 punch in program history, Myers hit .354 with 16 home runs while protecting Johnson in the lineup.
 
Myers was a centerpiece in the lineup of MSUB's third championship of the decade, and he had a streak of 27 consecutive games reaching base to tie for the third-longest streak in school history. Myers finished his career with a fielding percentage of .982 in 650 chances, ranking him No. 11 in school history.
 
Myers on what stood out on his MSUB teams: "Our toughness and the amount of fun we had. Nobody ever complained about the circumstances we faced. There were times where we had to shovel snow for hours just to be able to practice, and other times where we had to dig up an entire field on a road trip and clean it up the day before a series just to make it playable. It actually felt like it brought us closer and created a tight bond because we had to rally around each other if we wanted to have any type of success. The amount of fun we had, whether it was picking on each other to keep the mood light on road trips and tough games, or bonding during our off days, I can genuinely say that my time at MSUB was fun."

Aaron Sutton (Myers' Head Coach 2017-18): "Ryan really was that impact player who changed the way we ran our offense. One of the most feared hitters in GNAC history in my opinion. He truly paved the way for the future guys like Johnson and Cipriano."

Where is he now? Myers resides in Walnut Creek, California, where he is an EMT for Royal Ambulance in San Leandro. He is on track to become a firefighter in 2021.

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Conner Linebarger
Position: Second Baseman
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Playing Years: 2017-2019 (3 seasons)
 
One of the most humbly tough players to ever suit up for the Yellowjackets, Linebarger was as steady as they come during his three-year career as an infielder. Constantly playing injured and at less than 100 percent, Linebarger never complained once en route to ranking sixth in MSUB history with 134 games started.
 
He shined brightest during the most important stretch of games in the decade, as he was named GNAC Championships Most Valuable Player after helping deliver MSUB's first-ever conference tournament title in 2019. He was also a two-time all-conference pick including first-team in 2018, earned a GNAC Player of the Week award, and was a two-time academic all-conference selection.
 
Linebarger hit .318 in his career, while slugging .475 and reaching base at a clip of .400. He ranks fourth in times hit by a pitch with 24, fifth in runs scored with 97, sixth in hits with 150 and total bases with 224, seventh in at-bats with 472, and RBIs with 89, and 10th in doubles with 28.
 
Aaron Sutton (Linebarger's Head Coach 2017-19): "Have never coached a tougher player than Conner. Absolute competitor who sacrificed his body day in and day out to help his team get a win. His presence was felt day in and day out."


 

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Corey Morris
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Richland, Washington
Playing Years: 2015-2016 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Shortstop Corey Morris Brings Competitive Edge To Diamond For Yellowjackets

One of the top defensive players in school history, Morris transferred to MSUB in time for the 2015 campaign and immediately absorbed the starting shortstop role. He was a first-team all-GNAC selection in his debut season, while hitting .353 and starting 40 games at short on the Yellowjackets' inaugural championship team.
 
Overall in his two seasons Morris hit .305 with 11 doubles and 43 RBIs, while starting 89 games and reaching base at a clip of .389. Morris posted a career fielding percentage of .941, his 257 assists are sixth-most in school history, and his 44 double plays turned are ninth-most in MSUB history.
 
Morris was also part of one of the two triple plays that the 'Jackets have ever turned, as he combined with Miller and first baseman Kevin Toon for a game-ending triple play on April 24, 2015.

Morris on what stood out about his MSUB teams: "The amount of talent that we had up and down the lineup, as well as the pitching staff. Also how the team found that happy balance of being competitive and holding each other to high standards while still having the time of our lives out on the diamond."

Rob Bishop (Morris' Head Coach 2015-16): "Corey was one of those players that just made winning baseball plays. His statistics do not represent his value to our program. He anchored the shortstop position for us and was one of the most consistent guys in college baseball at making the routine plays and having productive at bats. Corey was an intense competitor that had a knack for keeping his teammates loose."

Where is he now? Morris resides in his home town of Richland, Washington, where he is a production supervisor for Lambweston.


 

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Wyatt Setian
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Post Falls, Idaho
Playing Years: 2018-2020 (3 seasons)
 
Feature Story: New Faces: MSUB Baseball Freshman Wyatt Setian

Setian made the starting shortstop role his own immediately upon arriving in the program, and played his way into being a second-team all-region pick. Setian was a key figure on MSUB's back-to-back championship teams in 2018-19, and was the team's leadoff hitter in 2019 when he earned first-team all-conference recognition.
 
Setian batted .290 during his MSUB tenure, while ranking fifth in doubles with 34, sixth in home runs with 19, seventh in slugging at .509, runs scored with 93, and total bases with 221, ninth in RBIs with 82, and 10th in at-bats with 434.
 
Defensively at shortstop, Setian ranked seventh in school history with 239 assists and turned 36 double plays.
 
Derek Waddoups (Setian's Head Coach 2020): "Wyatt is an intense competitor that produced for the Jackets both offensively and defensively. He was a key part of the championship teams and helped contribute to the first regional appearance for our program. He is a hard nose competitor that performed in the biggest moments."
 
Aaron Sutton (Setian's Head Coach 2018-19): "Wyatt was the first recruit we committed when we got to Billings and from day one he strived to get better every day. Had a tremendous sophomore season and really believe he has the chance to play baseball after college."


 

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Kyle Durbin
Position: Third Baseman
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Playing Years: 2015-2016 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: At Third, Durbin Is Invaluable Leader For Yellowjackets

The heart and soul of MSUB's 2016 championship team, Durbin was a natural leader from the moment he transferred to MSUB after two years at College of Eastern Utah.
 
After starting 42 games on the team's 2015 championship squad, Durbin was a first-team all-GNAC third baseman in 2016 after leading the league in on-base percentage at .476. Durbin hit .378 in his senior season, while slugging .517 and posting a .947 fielding percentage in 113 chances at the hot corner.
 
Durbin's .327 career batting average ranks ninth in school history, and he is fifth in on-base percentage at .426. Like Morris, Durbin also made headlines when he turned a 6-3 triple play with Toon while playing shortstop on February 8, 2015.
 
Durbin on his proudest individual moments: "I do not know what I would consider to be my proudest individual moment. I would say being on ESPN's top-10 plays for turning that triple play. However, I was always blessed with fantastic teammates and found myself in a lot of fortunate positions to succeed. I was never a believer that the success was because of me, I was just lucky to be a part of such a great team."
 
Rob Bishop (Durbin's Head Coach 2015-16): "Kyle made a tremendous impact on our program in the two years he was at MSUB. Kyle was one of those hitters that had an uncanny ability to get big hits when our team needed them. He was a great teammate that was just a baseball junkie and couldn't get enough of the game."
 
Where is he now? Durbin resides in Billings where he is an assistant store leader at Scheels.


 

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Kevin Toon
Position: First Baseman
Hometown: Walla Walla, Washington
Playing Years: 2014-2016 (3 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Fine Toon-ed Approach: Yellowjacket Senior A Rock At First Base, In Lineup

Another key member of MSUB's back-to-back championship teams, Toon was a versatile asset to the team who could slot in at any of the infield positions. A career .294 hitter, Toon drove in 75 runs and his 134 hits are eighth-most in school history. Defensively, Toon had a career fielding percentage of .993 to rank No. 2 in school history, committing just five errors while ranking fifth in MSUB history with 767 total chances. Toon was on the receiving end of both triple plays in MSUB history, which occurred during the 2015 season.
 
Rob Bishop (Toon's Head Coach 2014-16): "Tooney was a big part of some really good teams at MSUB. Kevin was a pure hitter that transitioned from middle infield to first base because of injury. He quickly became an elite defender at first that saved our team runs every single weekend. His plate discipline and ability to get big hits stand out as things that I remember. Another guy that had a great personality and really enjoyed the camaraderie of the game."


 

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Colter Sternhagen
Position: Second Baseman
Hometown: Helena, Montana
Playing Years: 2013-2016 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Sternhagen Swinging Strong In Final Season With 'Jackets

A reliable starter during his four-year career as an infielder, Sternhagen saw time at both second base and third base. After overcoming a season-ending injury in 2014, Sternhagen started 41 games to help the 'Jackets claim their first-ever conference title in 2015. He followed that with his best collegiate season, earning second-team all-conference after starting 49 games and driving in 37 runs while playing second base in 2016.


 

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Matt Schoonover
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana
Playing Years: 2006-2010 (5 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Where Are They Now? MSUB Hall Of Fame Select Matt Schoonover

The first baseball player inducted into the MSUB Hall of Fame, Schoonover's senior season fell at the outset of the decade in 2010. Schoonover led the team in hitting that year at .342, with a dozen doubles in his 43 games started. Schoonover would be a lock at a starting infield position on the 2000s all-decade team.


 

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Chris Arpan
Position: Third Baseman
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Playing Years: 2019-2020 (2 seasons)
 
After having the majority of his 2020 season cut off, Arpan, like Cipriano, needs a handful more at-bats before he qualifies among the MSUB career statistical leaders. When he gets to the 250 at-bat mark, his career numbers of a .330 batting average, .621 slugging percentage, and .440 on-base percentage will all be in the top-10. Arpan has already hit 14 home runs, 10 of which came when he started at third base on the 2019 NCAA regional tournament team.
 
Derek Waddoups (Arpan's Head Coach 2020): "Chris has some special power at the plate. The ball comes off his barrel different than most guys. His ability to change the game with one swing is often how he will be remembered. The thing that stands out to me is his soft hands defensively. He has a really good feel at third base and is able to contribute on both sides of the game. He sets a high standard for the group with his work in the weight room and his understanding of nutrition. He is a game changer that has helped lift this program to where we are."
 
Aaron Sutton (Arpan's Head Coach 2019): "True power hitter who solidified our lineup. Be special to see what he could do with a fully healthy season. Was always the guy you wanted up with the game on the line as he came through in the clutch numerous times."


 

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About the MSUB All-Decade Team Project
The top student-athletes from each of Montana State University Billings' current varsity athletic teams from 2010-2019 have been selected, and 14 all-decade teams will be revealed throughout the course of the fall of 2020. Each sport's all-decade team is comprised of the top-performing student-athletes, with weight given to individual athletic achievement and accolades, team achievement, academic achievement, as well as community service. For more information on MSUB's all-decade project, and to view each sport's all-decade teams, view the all-decade project webpage online here.