By: Evan O'Kelly, Director of Communications
MSUB SPORTS – MSUB has benefitted throughout the 2010s decade from strong, multi-talented players at all of its infield spots. While the infield has typically been strong defensively, it has historically been infielders hitting in the middle portion of Yellowjacket lineups.
The all-decade infield unit features five starters and five bench players, including designated players.
This Week's Schedule
| Day |
Release |
| Monday, November 2, 2020 |
Pitchers & Catchers |
| Tuesday, November 3, 2020 |
Infielders |
| Wednesday, November 4, 2020 |
Outfielders |
| Thursday, November 5, 2020 |
Lineups & Gold Glove Team |
| Friday, November 6, 2020 |
Full All-Decade Roster |
The Starters
Emily Osborn
Position: First Baseman
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)
Feature Story: Around The Horn: Emily Osborn
A four-year starter at first base, Osborn saw the field immediately as a freshman on the 2012 regional team and never looked back. Her 181 games started are tied for third most in program history, and was one of a select few players from the decade to be a member of both the 2012 and 2015 championship teams.
Among MSUB's career leaders, Osborn ranks second in RBIs with 136, third in at-bats with 571, total bases with 314, and home runs with 30, fourth in hits with 190, sixth in runs scored with 111, and doubles with 30, and 10th in slugging at .550. Defensively she was solid with the glove as well, ranking eighth in MSUB history in fielding percentage at .978, and she is the all-time leader with 1,046 total chances and 968 putouts.
Osborn saved her best year for last, as she hit .364 with a GNAC-leading 14 home runs while adding 40 RBIs as a senior in 2015. Osborn's .673 slugging percentage also led the conference, and her 111 total bases ranked third. On April 19 in a home game against Great Falls, Osborn had the 131st RBI of her career, breaking Kelly Parsons' program record of 130.
In addition to her on-field success – she was a three-time GNAC Player of the Week and all-conference pick – Osborn was an academic all-district selection and a three-time academic all-GNAC performer as well.
Lisa McKinney (Osborn's Head Coach 2012-15): "Emily is the best first baseman that we have had in our program. She wasn't afraid to sell out for any play, she knew when to come off the bag for a bad throw, and was softball aware during the game. Not only was she a great first baseman but she was also one of our top hitters during her time."
Bekah Gasner (Osborn's Assistant Coach 2012-15): "Emily could change a game in one at bat. She was a powerful lefty who patiently waited for pitchers to make a mistake against her. At first base, she was a wall. Her teammates knew that if they could stop a ball and get it over to her in time, she would take care of the rest."
Aubrey Conceicao
Position: Second Baseman
Hometown: Temecula, California
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)
Feature Story: Around The Horn: Aubrey Conceicao
Playing on the right side next to Osborn for the same four-year stretch, Conceicao was one of the best hitters to ever play for the Yellowjackets.
Always reliable for putting together a stellar at-bat, Conceicao had the third-highest career batting average at .365 while playing in 141 games in her four seasons. Making her mark in the record books, Conceicao also ranks sixth in triples with four, seventh in hits with 163 and RBIs with 103, and 10th in on-base percentage at .398.
Conceicao arrived on the scene as a sophomore in 2013, when she made headlines by winning the NCAA national statistics award for toughest to strike out. Conceicao struck out just one time in 119 at-bats that season, which was the best strikeout-to-at-bat ratio in the country. That theme continued throughout her entire career, as Conceicao struck out only 17 times in 446 at-bats. Among the 135 MSUB players to have at least one strike out as a hitter, Conceicao ranks 75th on the list and has far more at-bats than any of the players with fewer career strikeouts.
A two-time all-conference selection, Conceicao had her most productive season as a senior just like Osborn. She hit .369 with career highs of four home runs and 44 RBIs, while starting all 52 games on the championship team at second base. Conceicao was a strong student, earning academic all-GNAC three times, and she was also twice named the MSUB Softball Player of the Year at the Buzzies.
Conceicao on her MSUB career: "I'm most proud of being a part of two teams that won the GNAC championship both my freshman and senior years."
Lisa McKinney (Conceicao's Head Coach 2012-15): "Aubrey was an amazing second baseman that covered a ton of ground in the middle infield. She was one of our most consistent hitters as well. During her time she earned the right to be called the toughest to strikeout in all of Division II with only one strikeout in the entire season!"
Bekah Gasner (Conceicao's Assistant Coach 2012-15): "Aubs was a great teammate and everyone loved her. She was such a consistent player, both offensively and defensively, and you could always count on her to get on base and do her job. She earned the award for 'toughest to strike out' during her sophomore year, which is a testament to her discipline at the plate and awareness as a hitter. She was a silent threat and fun to watch."
Where is she now? Conceicao resides in her home town of Temecula, California, where she is a board certified behavior analyst working for Comprehensive Autism Center. She earned a master's degree in applied behavior analysis and specializes in working with young children who have autism.
Taylor Hoke
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Chehalis, Washington
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)
Feature Story: Around The Horn: Taylor Hoke
The first of just two Yellowjackets to be named GNAC Player of the Year during the decade, Hoke was a four-year starting shortstop unparalleled at her position within the history of the program.
Immediately impacting the team as a freshman, Hoke hit .340 while starting 36 games as a freshman on the 2012 championship team. She saved her best season for last, hitting .369 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs as a senior in 2015. She started all 52 games at shortstop, and was voted by the GNAC coaches as the league's top player as she lifted the 'Jackets to the conference tournament title.
Hoke hit .339 in her career, while ranking eighth in hits with 162, ninth in runs scored with 92 and RBIs with 94, and 10th in walks with 42. Defensively, Hoke's 273 assists are third-most in school history, and she turned 20 double plays which is the second-most among any middle infielder in school history.
Conceicao's double-play partner for three seasons, Hoke was a three-time all-conference pick, and was an all-region selection after her stellar senior season. Hoke's defense was crucial during the Yellowjackets' playoff run in 2015, as she made zero errors in 30 chances during the team's seven postseason contests.
Lisa McKinney (Hoke's Head Coach 2012-15): "Hoke actually came in as a third baseman but she realized during her time that we needed a shortstop and she was up for the challenge. Moving Hoke over to shortstop solidified our defense. She made all the routine plays and the great plays. Hoke always wanted the ball on the infield, no matter the situation. She was also a good spark plug for our offense."
Bekah Gasner (Hoke's Assistant Coach 2012-15): "Hoke was easily one of the smoothest and most reliable shortstops at MSUB. She was recruited as a third baseman, but after her freshman season, she wanted to take on a different challenge and expand her range. It was a move that everyone benefitted from. Offensively, she became a threat to everyone she faced and she got to the point where she didn't see too many quality pitches to hit. Hoke was so successful because she got really good at hitting 'balls' really well."
Kelsey Devlin
Position: Third Baseman
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana
Playing Years: 2014-2017 (4 seasons)
A cornerstone power hitter for the 'Jackets throughout her four-year career, Devlin started 154 games and played in 164 at third base during the middle years of the decade. After getting a sniff of action as a freshman in 2014, Devlin put together three standout all-around seasons in a row and was an all-conference selection.
In her first year as a full starter, Devlin played her part on the 2015 championship team with seven home runs and 34 RBIs while posting the highest batting average of her career at .356. Devlin hit 11 home runs in each of her next two seasons, on her way to finishing No. 3 in school history with 30 long balls.
Devlin was a .331 career hitter, who ranks fifth in runs scored with 112, sixth in RBIs with 106, seventh in slugging percentage at .569 and total bases with 278, and eighth in hits with 162. Defensively, Devlin's 202 career assists are sixth-most in program history as well.
Lisa McKinney (Devlin's Head Coach 2014-15): "Kelsey is another one of the local Montana kids that came in with fire and played a strong third base. Her height not only helped her cover more ground at third but it also helped with her power at the plate. Kelsey was the player that found a way to get the ball in the gap or over the fence when our team needed to be picked up."
Bekah Gasner (Devlin's Assistant Coach 2014-15, Head Coach 2016): "One of my most favorite personalities to coach! I am so proud of where she started as a freshman to the person she has become today. There's no doubt that she belongs on the all-decade team. I love that she still checks in periodically with life updates or comes to my office for long talks when she's in town. I love that she's doing exactly what she set out to do when she first became a Yellowjacket, and I love that she's still looking for new challenges in life."
Cameron Cassinelli
Position: Designated Player/First Baseman
Hometown: San Tan Valley, Arizona
Playing Years: 2015-2018 (4 seasons)
Feature Story: Cam Bam
The preeminent power hitter, Cassinelli is MSUB's all-time leader in home runs with 40 and RBIs with 156. A four-year starter playing primarily first base, Cassinelli had an impact as a freshman on the 2015 championship team and continued to improve in each of her subsequent seasons.
One of Cassinelli's most important contributions to the program came at the tail end of her freshman season, when she went 4-for-8 with two home runs and seven RBIs in MSUB's three victories at the GNAC Championships. That earned her the GNAC Championships Most Valuable Player award, as she helped carry the team into the regional championship for the second time in the decade.
Cassinelli's best individual season came in 2017, when she batted .383 with 13 home runs and a program-record 51 RBIs. Those numbers were good enough to earn Cassinelli first-team all-GNAC and first-team all-region selection. She hit 10 more home runs her senior year, and on April 15, 2018, she broke the career record as she hit the 36th long ball of her career.
Overall Cassinelli also ranks second in total bases with 325 and times hit by a pitch with 15, third in slugging percentage at .662, walks with 71, and on-base percentage at .440, sixth in hits with 172, seventh in doubles with 29, eighth in batting average at .350 and in games started with 169, and ninth in games played with 180.
Cassinelli on her MSUB career: "My fondest memory is 'Team 15' – winning GNACs was my favorite year by far. If I could relive my freshman year over and over I would without doubt. My favorite thing about the team I was on was the friendships I made that will last a lifetime. Most of us are still in touch.
Lisa McKinney (Cassinelli's Head Coach 2015): "Cam came in and made a name for herself quickly and introduced the 'Cassinelli Cry.' The amount of power that Cam had is hard to come by. Her fun loving and goofy attitude kept our team calm, while her power at the plate motivated them and brought the excitement."
Bekah Gasner (Cassinelli's Assistant Coach 2015, Head Coach 2016): "What a career. She was an intimidating power lefty who capitalized on pitchers' mistakes and made them pay. She was determined to leave her mark at MSUB, and now her name is all over the record books. I was always glad she chose to come to MSUB, so our pitchers never had to face her in a game."
Where is she now? Cassinelli resides in her home town of San Tan Valley, Arizona, where she is a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Florence Police Department.
The Reserves
Kaycee Hoffman
Position: First Baseman
Hometown: Canby, Oregon
Playing Years: 2010-2011 (2 seasons)
In just two seasons, Hoffman established herself as one of the top power hitters the program has ever seen. After transferring from Chemeketa Community College as a junior in 2010, Hoffman started 50 games and led the team with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs.
Hoffman earned first-team all-GNAC her junior year, and was a second-team selection as she followed with a strong senior campaign in 2011. Hoffman had a knack for finding a way to get on, as she is MSUB's all-time leader in on-base percentage at .449.
In the MSUB record books, Hoffman also ranks second in slugging percentage at .670, fourth in batting average at .364, and seventh in home runs with 23 and times hit by a pitch with 11.
Hoffman on her MSUB career: "I played with some of the most incredibly talented athletes. Kelly Parsons behind the plate – her arm was one of the best. Meg Harasymczuk – her power at the plate. Bobbie Lee – in center field she was someone you could always count on. Whitney Whittemore – at shortstop she was someone I looked up to because of her grit. And so many others."
Lisa McKinney (Hoffman's Assistant Coach 2010, Head Coach 2011): "Kaycee is one of our two-year transfers that left a mark on our program. She was the type of player that came to practice and found a way to improve herself each and every day whether that was on defense or offense. She brought a calming factor to our team because we knew we could rely her to get the job done."
Bekah Gasner (Hoffman's Assistant Coach 2010-11): "Kaycee was a very fun and coachable player. She was a very tough first baseman and a solid power hitter. She gave us two awesome years of long ball consistency at the plate and was able to step up in scoring situations and move runners in."
Where is she now? Hoffman resides in Tillamook, Oregon, where she is a stay-at-home mother and a dairy farmer.
Myrissa Prince
Position: Second Baseman
Hometown: Sparks, Nevada
Playing Years: 2015-2018 (4 seasons)
Feature Story: Sparks Shining Bright As MSUB Softball Pipeline
The heir apparent to Conceicao at second base, Prince was one of the team's most consistent players both offensively and defensively in her four-year career. Overall she played in 158 games and started 152, primarily upon the graduation of Conceicao after the 2015 season.
Prince turned heads her sophomore season in 2016, batting .338 with six home runs and 33 RBIs while starting 48 games at second. Overall in her career Prince hit .290 with 11 home runs and 73 RBIs, and was a perfect 7-for-7 in the stolen base department. Defensively, Prince owned a career fielding percentage of .956, while ranking fourth with 252 assists and turning the most double plays of any middle infielder with 21.
Prince twice earned GNAC Player of the Week honors, and she was a three-time academic all-conference selection.
Prince on her MSUB career: "My fondest memory at MSUB was playing for the regional championship in Monterey, California my freshman year."
Lisa McKinney (Prince's Head Coach 2015): "Myrissa might be one of our most overlooked players. She had a large range at second base and a quick transfer – you didn't even know she had already gotten rid of the ball. Myrissa, much like Aubrey, was a very consistent hitting second baseman. She came to the field and did her job well each and every day, at practice and at the games."
Bekah Gasner (Prince's Assistant Coach 2015, Head Coach 2016): "Myrissa was a calm, smooth, and reliable second baseman. She had such fast hands that she made impossible plays possible. She was such a smart baserunner and was sneaky fast; I loved that. She was a hard worker, both in the classroom and on the field. I'm so proud of her accomplishments – after her time at MSUB as she's gone on to pursue her doctorate. Her family is incredible, and I always loved seeing them at games supporting Riss and all her teammates."
Where is she now? Prince resides in Reno, Nevada, where she is on her way to completing her doctorate degree in occupational therapy.
Jenna VanEykeren
Position: Second Baseman
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Playing Years: 2009-2012 (4 seasons)
Like Prince, VanEykeren was a stalwart Nevadan second baseman who was a model of consistency over her four-year career. VanEykeren carried a .291 career batting average, while contributing 13 home runs and 72 RBIs in her 149 games played.
As a freshman in 2009, VanEykeren started 22 games and hit .270 on the Yellowjackets' regional qualifier team. Fast forward to her senior year in 2012, and she saved her best collegiate season for last. On the way to another regional appearance, VanEykeren had career highs in batting average at .313, home runs with five, and RBIs with 33. She started 47 games primarily at second base, and drew 17 walks while striking out just 11 times.
VanEykeren on her MSUB career: "I always enjoyed the diversity of players on the softball team. No matter who was on the team, I was able to connect with them on a personal level outside of softball. I feel a lot of girls felt this same way, which was what made us such a great team year in and year out. Our time together was more than just what we were doing on the field. We cared how each other were doing off the field, about each other's families, and each other's academics."
Lisa McKinney (VanEykeren's Assistant Coach 2010, Head Coach 2011-12): "Jenna had an interesting career at MSUB as well, coming in as a catcher and moving to second base. Her baseball background made her one of the smoothest second basemen in our program. Having her move to second was good for our infield because she immediately became the second leader of the infield without hesitation. She was a clutch hitter coming up with the hit to win it in the end in several games. And if you played with or against Jenna, you knew to never throw the change up because she would make you pay!"
Bekah Gasner (VanEykeren's Teammate 2009, Assistant Coach 2010-12): "Jenna V. was another one that I had the opportunity to play with. She started as a catcher her freshman year and made a seamless transition to the middle infield. It's not very often that a catcher makes the move to second base and is immediately successful. Her softball IQ was (still is) through the roof, which made her successful in both positions. One of my favorite in-game memories was during a night game at SFU. The infield was playing in, but she laid out for a hard-hit ball up the middle that would have cost multiple runs and created a huge momentum shift."
Where is she now? Now Jenna Brew, she resides in Billings where she is a patient access supervisor at St. Vincent Healthcare.
Nicole 
Colpron
Position: Third Baseman
Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
Playing Years: 2011-2012 (2 seasons)
A two-year player after transferring from Mount Hood Community College, Colpron had an immediate impact as a junior in 2011 and followed as a key player on the regional qualifier as a senior in 2012. Earning second-team all-GNAC honors in her first season with the 'Jackets, Colpron batted .355 with six home runs and 24 RBIs in 2011.
Colpron finished her two-year stint as a 'Jacket with a .341 batting average, while hitting 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. Defensively playing primarily at third base, she had 50 putouts and 50 assists in her two seasons, and she earned a GNAC Player of the Week award.
Colpron on what she is most proud of in her MSUB career: "Probably when I got injured my senior year and didn't let that stop me from being the best team player possible. I learned that I can still be a leader even though I wasn't playing, and that understanding your role is one of the most important things you can do as a teammate."
Lisa McKinney (Colpron's Head Coach 2011-12): "Cole is also a two-year transfer that came in with Meg (Harasymczuk). They came in as rivals but quickly became friends. Cole was a solid third baseman for us taking away the 5/6 hole and bunts from the opposition. At the plate, Cole had the chance to change the game with one swing, and she did that often for our team. Her constant positive attitude and jokes, with days like 'I punched the bee' brought joy and laughter to our team daily."
Bekah Gasner (Colpron's Assistant Coach 2011-12): "Cole was a very selfless player and always put the good of the team first. She was competitive, and always had a positive attitude. She was the comic relief when we needed it, both on and off the field, and a great mentor to the younger third basemen. It was fun to pitch to her during scrimmages and alumni games; we had a fun competitive relationship."
Where is she now? Colpron resides in Vancouver, Washington, where she is a connection center mentor for the Ridgefield School District.
Brittanee Fisher
Position: Designated Player/First Baseman
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Playing Years: 2018-Current (3 seasons)
Feature Story: New Faces: MSUB Softball Freshman Brittanee Fisher
A current Yellowjacket, Fisher has been a steady force of power in the MSUB lineup through the first three years of her collegiate career. Fisher has played in 105 games and started 100, playing primarily first base and also slotting in as the designated player.
Fisher has collected 20 home runs and 61 RBIs so far, and has amassed a .291 batting average. Because the 2019 season was halted early on, she still has two years of eligibility remaining in her MSUB career.
Fisher's debut season in 2018 turned heads, as she hit .311 with 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. That earned the Billings native honorable mention all-conference as a true freshman, and she has emerged into a centerpiece in the MSUB lineup three years later.
Fisher on her MSUB career: "The past few years have been great because of our team's chemistry. We may not be around each other all of the time, but we have a bond that allows us to speak to each other when we are struggling that is really unique. I've never been on a team where we could communicate like that, and it has been really awesome being around a group of people who allow you to be yourself."
Lisa McKinney (Fisher's Head Coach 2020): "Britt is one of our current local Billings players and I am eager to see how she finishes her story at MSUB. She has a ton of potential at the plate, being able to change the game with a swing of the bat. Her growth as a leader last year was tremendous and I look forward to seeing more."
Bekah Gasner: "Britt was a Yellowjacket from the start. She grew up in our program attending camps and watching games from the sidelines. I'm so glad she stayed in town for her college career. What she's already done in this program to earn a spot on the all-decade team has been a huge accomplishment, but I know her best softball is still yet to come and I'm excited to keep watching her excel."
Where is she now? Fisher is a physical education major at MSUB, and has hopes to pursue her master's degree upon graduating.
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.
