MSUB SPORTS – As a collective group, the Yellowjacket pitching staff improved drastically throughout the course of the 2010s decade. Not surprisingly, the pitching staff's improvement was correlated with the team's success over the second half of the decade.
 
The all-decade pitching staff consists of seven starters – four in the starting rotation and three on the bench – as well as three top relief pitchers. Three catchers were selected to the all-decade team as well.
 

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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  Brady Muller
Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Playing Years: 2012-2015 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Muller MSUB's Career Ace On The Mound

The first great true starting pitcher of the decade, Muller broke most of the school pitching records upon the completion of his career during the 2015 season. He was the ace of the Yellowjacket staff during the team's first-ever conference championship in 2015, as he was a first-team all-GNAC pick after leading MSUB with 79 strikeouts and 79 innings pitched during his senior campaign.
 
Muller's 232 career strikeouts have only been surpassed by Cody Cooper, and he still holds the all-time records for wins with 20 and games started with 41. Muller also authored five complete games during his MSUB career, and his 269 2/3 innings pitched are the most in program history as well.
 
Muller became the first Yellowjacket in the modern era to play affiliated professional baseball, when he was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017. Muller started 15 games and logged 73 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings pitched for Arizona's Rookie Ball affiliate Missoula Osprey in the Pioneer League.
 
Muller earned all-conference in each of his four years in the program, including a pair of first-team selections. He was also a two-time academic all-GNAC pick.
 
Rob Bishop (Muller's Head Coach 2012-15): "Brady Muller was a bulldog on the mound with great stuff but his biggest strength is his desire to win and never quit attitude. On a great day he was dominant and could put up 15 k's and not give up a run. On his worst days he was still really good which is the highest compliment I could give a pitcher."

 

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Cody Cooper
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Playing Years: 2014-2017 (4 seasons)
 
The program's all-time strikeout king, Cooper finished his career No. 3 in GNAC history with a school-record 237 career strikeouts. One-hundred six of those came during his all-region junior season, in which he became the third player in league history to reach 100 strikeouts in a season.
 
After starting 10 games on MSUB's 2015 championship team, Cooper aced the staff in 2016 and helped pitch the squad to a repeat regular-season title. Cooper pitched on three GNAC tournament teams, and finished his career ninth in school history with a 4.82 earned run average. Cooper also had eight 10-strikeout games, including a personal-best 13 on April 16, 2016 against Northwest Nazarene.
 
In addition to being a two-time all-conference pick, Cooper earned four GNAC Pitcher of the Week awards, was picked as the MSUB Baseball Player of the Year at the Buzzies in 2016, and was a two-time academic all-GNAC pick.

Cooper on his MSUB career: "The 'Jackets were always the definition of what you want a team to be. We would all hold each other accountable while still having a great time together both on and off the field. Coach Bishop and Coach Sutton really drove that mentality home in my time as a 'Jacket. That's why we didn't just have great baseball teams, but we were always at the top of the conference academically as well."

Rob Bishop (Cooper's Head Coach 2014-16): "Cody is a guy that made huge strides each year that he was in the program. His junior year was my final year coaching at MSUB and Cody was dominant in every fashion on the mound. His stubbornness and tenacity were his best attributes on the mound. He could be counted on to go deep into the game for his team and always had a pile of strikeouts by the time he left the game."

Aaron Sutton (Cooper's Head Coach 2017): "The K King, Cooper was dominant on the mound throughout his career. His name will be in the record books for years to come and was an absolute pleasure to coach and be around."

Where is he now? Cooper resides in Omaha, Nebraska, where he is a student in the doctorate of physical therapy program at Creighton University.

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Steen Fredrickson
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Ashland, Oregon
Playing Years: 2016-2019 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: MSUB's True Ace: The Making Of Steen Fredrickson

The only one in school history to earn the GNAC Pitcher of the Year Award, Fredrickson is the third ace on the all-decade staff. The right-hander evolved into an utterly dominant force by the end of his career, and helped pitch the Yellowjackets into their first-ever regional championship.
 
Among the numerous stellar outings in his career, one of his very best came in his penultimate start. Facing Western Oregon in the GNAC semifinals, Fredrickson delivered seven shutout innings of one-hit baseball, striking out nine as the 'Jackets strolled to a 10-0 victory to reach the conference tournament title game.
 
Fredrickson's 8.86 strikeouts per nine innings ranks him No. 2 in MSUB history, and his 19 career wins are one fewer than Muller's all-time record. Fredrickson also ranks third in games started with 31 and strikeouts with 209, and fourth in innings pitched with 212 1/3 and batters faced with 978.
 
He was a two-time all-region selection, three-time GNAC champion, and was a member of four conference tournament teams. Fredrickson also earned four GNAC Pitcher of the Week awards, was a three-time academic all-conference pick, and as a senior he was named the MSUB Male Athlete of the Year at the Buzzies.
 
Fredrickson on what he's most proud of in his career: "Making it to the program's first-ever regional. Helping to improve the culture of the program."
 
Rob Bishop (Fredrickson's Head Coach 2016): "Steen is one of the guys that started his career with me and ended his career with Aaron Sutton. A great personality and teammate and dominant on the mound. During his final two years in the program Steen was one of the best (if not the best) pitchers in the GNAC and throughout the west region. His success was not a surprise to me as Steen is of the highest character and work ethic."
 
Aaron Sutton (Fredrickson's Head Coach 2017-19): "Steen was the workhorse of the pitching staff. He came ready to work every day and was one of those guys you could always count on. Definition of what it meant to be a part of 'Jacket Baseball and a player you love to hang your hat on."
 
Where is he now? Fredrickson resides in Billings where he is a commercial credit analyst at First Interstate Bank.


 

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Tanner Johnson
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Belgrade, Montana
Playing Years: 2015-2016 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: 'Jackets Ride Johnson's Electric Right Arm As Pitching Staff Staple

A secondary ace on both the 2015 and 2016 championship teams, Johnson was a go-to starter pitching alongside both Muller and Cooper. Known for his deceptive delivery and filthy movement on his breaking ball, Johnson was a key fixture in both championship teams he pitched on.
 
Transferring from Salt Lake Community College in 2015, Johnson was a first-team all-conference pick after leading the team with a 3.99 ERA and striking out 54 hitters in 65 1/3 innings without surrendering a home run.
 
Perhaps the greatest start of Johnson's career came on May 5, 2016, in the opening game of the final regular-season series against Saint Martin's. The right-hander struck out 11 and walked none, while giving up just one run in a nine-inning complete game in the series opener. That set the tone for a four-game series sweep, which proved to be required for the Yellowjackets to claim their second-straight regular-season title.
 
Johnson's career ERA of 4.10 is second in MSUB history among pitchers who threw at least 90 innings, and in just two seasons he racked up the fifth-most strikeouts with 130.
 
Rob Bishop (Johnson's Head Coach 2015-16): "Tanner was a workhorse on the mound for the Yellowjackets. His combination of competitiveness and stuff made him really tough on lineups in the GNAC and Tanner played a huge role in our overall team success. He could always be counted on to go deep into the game and was one of those guys that you literally had to drag off of the mound when he was done for the day. I always appreciated Tanner's desire to compete and help his team win games."


 

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Adam Cox
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher/Designated Hitter
Hometown: Encino, California
Playing Years: 2014-2018 (5 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Cox, Johnson Make History As First MLB Draft Picks For MSUB

Not only did Cox become the most dominant closer in school history, but he was the greatest ever two-way player the Yellowjackets have ever had. Cox was also the first player in MSUB history to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft, when the Philadelphia Phillies called his name in the 25th round with the 737th overall pick on June 6, 2018.
 
Cox racked up a program-record 15 saves in his career, while appearing in the third-most games with 54. He also had 110 strikeouts in just 82 2/3 innings pitched, while giving up just two home runs and holding opposing hitters to a .226 batting average.
 
Cox was a three-time GNAC champion, anchoring the team's bullpen in 2015, 2016, and 2018. After a stellar redshirt freshman campaign on the mound in 2015, Cox shook up the GNAC by hitting .371 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs while also picking up five saves in 27 1/3 innings pitched as a sophomore in 2016. That was good enough to earn him second-team all-region honors, and he was tabbed a preseason All-American prior to the 2017 season.
 
Cox finished his career with the fourth-best batting average in school history at .337, while ranking fifth in slugging at .556. He was a two-time GNAC Player of the Week, a three time academic all-conference pick, and a two-time academic all-district selection as well.
 
Rob Bishop (Cox's Head Coach 2014-16): "Cox was dominant as a hitter and as a pitcher during his time at MSUB. After an up and down freshman year Adam really hit his stride in all facets. Tremendous velocity on the mound and the ability to single handedly win games with his bat. Adam was a difference maker in every sense of the word for the Yellowjackets."

Aaron Sutton (Cox's Head Coach 2017-18): "Program changer. One of the most electric and talented players I have been around. First Jacket to hear his name called in the MLB draft."

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Landon Peterson
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Playing Years: 2015-2019 (5 seasons)
 
The program's anchor behind the plate for half the decade, Peterson caught all five pitchers in the starting rotation throughout his career. Peterson is the only player who competed on all four of the Yellowjackets' championship teams during the decade, and was the team's captain in every sense of the word by his senior campaign.
 
Peterson earned time in 13 games as a true freshman in 2015, before starting 42 as a sophomore and calling pitches during Cooper's historic season on the mound. A season-ending knee injury kept Peterson out of action in 2017, but he returned to the field in 2018 to help the 'Jackets claim their third conference title.
 
Saving his best season for last, Peterson earned second-team all-GNAC while starting 35 games his senior season, while hitting nine doubles and four home runs and slugging .500. Peterson is MSUB's all-time leader in putouts with 780 and runners caught stealing with 35, and his 65 walks drawn at the plate are third-most in school history.
 
Rob Bishop (Peterson's Head Coach 2015-16): "Landon was a hard-nosed catcher that made every pitcher on our staff better. His intensity and hustle made him a guy that our pitching staff embraced immediately after his arrival on campus."
 
Aaron Sutton (Peterson's Head Coach 2017-19): "Landon committed five years to Jacket Baseball and left his mark on the program and his teammates around him. The ultimate captain behind the dish who the pitching staff respected tremendously."


 

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Bryon Baker
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Butte, Montana
Playing Years: 2013-2017 (5 seasons)
 
Another one of MSUB's pitching pioneers, Baker constantly battled injury throughout what blossomed into an all-conference career.
 
While Baker played a small role on the field during the team's initial championship in 2015, he was a key reliever in front of Cox during his junior year and the 2016 championship. His time to shine came during his final campaign however, when he slotted into the starting rotation and earned honorable mention all-conference selection.
 
As a starter, Baker struck out 43 in 54 innings pitched, while carrying a 4.33 earned run average. He limited the opposition to a .215 batting average, while logging a pair of complete games in his final collegiate season.
 
Baker was a two-time conference champion and was a member of four MSUB teams that reached the conference tournament.
 
Baker on his fondest MSUB memories: "Building great friendships with my teammates and coaches that I will have for the rest of my life. As much as the bus trips sucked, spending countless hours on the road with my teammates always made for great memories/stories. Whether at school, baseball, or my free time, I always made the best memories with my time at MSUB. Billings will always hold a special place in my heart."
 
Rob Bishop (Baker's Head Coach 2013-16): "Bryon is a guy that fought injury his entire career as a pitcher for the Yellowjackets. When he was healthy Bryon was as dominant on the mound as anyone in the GNAC. A fearless competitor with great stuff. Bryon's toughness brought a lot to our pitching staff whether he was on the field or in the dugout."

Aaron Sutton (Baker's Head Coach 2017): "The guy everyone on the team wanted to have the ball when the game was on the line. Truly developed into the leader of our ballclub his senior season and helped us with the transition in year one."

Where is he now? Baker resides in his home town of Butte where he works in construction.


 

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Jared Winslow
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Libby, Montana
Playing Years: 2015-2019 (5 seasons)
 
Similar to Baker, Winslow filled any and every role needed by his team throughout his five years in the program. He was a redshirt during the team's inaugural championship in 2015, before helping MSUB reach the conference tournament in each of the next four years and winning three championships in his career.
 
Winslow's primary year as a starter in the rotation came as a junior in 2018, when he earned honorable mention all-conference. Winslow ate up 52 innings among his 10 starts, while earning five wins. He appeared in 13 more games as a senior in 2019, and was on the mound for the most consequential moment of the decade. With Peterson catching, Winslow delivered the final out of the 2019 GNAC Championships, giving MSUB its first-ever conference tournament title and trip to the NCAA regionals.
 
Winslow's 14 career victories are third-most in school history, and his rate of 7.89 strikeouts per nine innings is sixth-best in program history.
 
Winslow on his fondest MSUB memories: "Winning four conference titles and being part of the first team to make a regional. Also, getting to play with amazing teammates for my entire career at MSUB."
 
Rob Bishop (Winslow's Head Coach 2015-16): "Jared was a valuable part of several Yellowjacket pitching staffs. He was used as a starter and a reliever and would do whatever was necessary to help his team win. Jared was fearless on the mound and one of those guys that other guys were drawn to. He helped create a great culture and chemistry in addition to his prowess on the mound."

Aaron Sutton (Winslow's Head Coach 2017-19): "Can't think of Jacket Baseball and not think of Willy. Gave you everything he had each and every day and to top it is just the absolute best human being. He represents what being a student-athlete should be."

Where is he now? Winslow lives in Missoula, where he is in his second year as a doctoral physical therapy student at the University of Montana.


 

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Archie Smith
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Palmyra, Nebraska
Playing Years: 2009-2011 (3 seasons)
 
A starter on the early Yellowjacket teams during the decade, Smith was a reliable right-hander whose career numbers stack up against the program's best.
 
Among pitchers to throw at least 90 innings, Smith's 4.34 career ERA is No. 3 in school history as is his .248 batting average against. Smith recorded nine wins and threw four complete games, while throwing 120 1/3 innings in his three seasons on the mound.
 
Smith was an honorable mention all-conference selection, earned a GNAC Pitcher of the Week award, and totaled 78 strikeouts in his career.
 
Smith on his MSUB career: "I would like to thank Coach Brown and Coach Bishop for their hard work and support through my time at MSUB. It challenged me to push myself when things get tough."
 
Rob Bishop (Smith's Head Coach 2011): "Archie is one of the most unassuming players I have ever coached. Off the field Archie is easygoing and relaxed but once he crossed the white lines Archie was as tenacious a competitor as I have been around. He always wanted the ball in a big spot and had the utmost confidence that he could get the job done. And he usually did."
 
Where is he now? Smith resides in Montana where he is a wireless program manager for Payment Alliance International.
 

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Travis Vincent
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: McMinnville, Oregon
Playing Years: 2012-2013 (2 seasons)
 
A top-notch reliever during his two seasons with the 'Jackets, Vincent was one of the most relied upon arms coming out of the bullpen during his career.
 
Vincent racked up five saves in his two years, and as a senior in 2013 he coupled four victories with three saves in 28 2/3 innings pitched. He posted a 1.88 ERA that season, en route to second-team all-conference recognition as he helped the 'Jackets make their first-ever conference tournament appearances.
 
Overall in his career Vincent posted a 2.23 ERA in 48 1/3 innings pitched, while striking out 33, walking just 10, and posting a .238 batting average against.
 
Rob Bishop (Vincent's Head Coach 2012-13): "Travis was a submarine style right-hander that gave hitters a really tough look. Travis' dominance during his time at MSUB was a big reason that our team was so successful in the GNAC. One of the best guys/teammates you will ever be around and tough as nails on the field."

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Andrew Schleusner
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
Playing Years: 2017-2020 (4 seasons)
 
A four-year starter, Schleusner still has his final season at MSUB ahead of him after his would-be senior year in 2020 was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. So far he has put together a .291 career batting average, and is in the top-10 in school history in both doubles with 30 and RBIs with 82. Behind the plate, his 24 runners caught stealing are third-most in school history.
 
After Peterson's season-ending injury in 2017, Schleusner was tossed into the mix and asked to platoon at catcher as a true freshman. By his sophomore season in 2018 he was a second-team all-GNAC catcher, and as a junior in 2019 he was a first-team and honorable mention all-region selection.
 
Schleusner has helped MSUB reach three conference tournaments, and win a pair of championships including the 2019 title that clinched the NCAA regional berth. He is a two-time GNAC Player of the Week and was also picked as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association West Region Player of the Week on April 7 of his junior year in 2019.
 
Schleusner on his MSUB team: "We all work extremely hard and treat each other like family. I can't think of one specific individual moment, but being part of multiple wins and championships feels good."
 
Derek Waddoups (Schleusner's Head Coach 2020): "Andrew is one of the best leaders that I have come across in my coaching career. He is an outstanding baseball player; however, the thing that separates him is his ability to inspire and elevate his team with his work ethic. He has a strong arm and has shown his ability to be athletic and move around the diamond. He has contributed in a variety of ways to the winning tradition of our program."
 
Aaron Sutton (Schleusner's Head Coach 2017-19): "When I think of Andrew the first word that comes to mind is grit. Guy who always wanted the tough route. Earned his teammates' respect for who he was as a player and teammate and always gave you a chance to win a ballgame."
 
Where is he now? Schleusner is a management major, who has aspirations to pursue firefighting and real estate upon completing his degree.


 

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Sam Muskat
Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Playing Years: 2017-2020 (4 seasons)
 
Muskat made headlines in the very first outing of his collegiate career, when he threw five perfect innings of relief against nationally-ranked Colorado Mesa University and earned GNAC Pitcher of the Week.
 
Since then he has thrown 101 innings almost exclusively out of the bullpen, while ranking fifth in school history with 50 appearances. He has struck out 87 hitters while issuing just 37 walks in his career, while recording five saves along the way.
 
Muskat appeared destined for his finest season yet in 2020, as he held a 1.35 ERA and a .136 batting average against in 13 1/3 innings over his five appearances before the season was canceled. A rare triple major in political science, Spanish, and sociology, Muskat is a three-time academic all-conference pick as well.


 

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Trevor Nix
Position: Catcher
Hometown: Tigard, Oregon
Playing Years: 2014-2015 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Number 6 Trevor Nix: From Little League World Series To Yellowjacket Baseball 

A two-year difference maker playing primarily at catcher, Nix was a big part of the team's inaugural championship during the 2015 season. He was a first-team all-conference selection that spring, after hitting .333 with four home runs, 12 doubles, and 26 RBIs in 40 games.
 
Nix earned a GNAC Player of the Week and NCBWA West Region Player of the Week award, and committed just one error in 109 chances for a .991 fielding percentage.


 

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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.