BILLINGS, Mont. – With the season's opening games just around the corner, the Montana State University Billings softball team will begin their 2023 season at the Concordia Kickoff Classic in Irvine, California.
The Yellowjackets see their first action February 3, when they take on Chico State at 11 AM, and University of Hawaii at Hilo at 4 PM. The 'Jackets full 2023 schedule can be found online here.

"This is our second year at the Kickoff tournament hosted by CUI." Said Yellowjackets head coach Lisa McKinney, entering her ninth overall season. "They do a great job of running the tournament and have a wonderful venue in Great Park. We have a tough schedule in Irvine this year, but we are excited to be out on the field and really test what we have been working on. This tournament is always a nice escape from the cold winter months in Montana and our team is excited to get on the road."

The Yellowjackets are looking to bounce back after a 13-34 record in 2022. MSUB went 6-18 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, falling short of qualifying for the GNAC Championships. The 'Jackets were ranked sixth in the GNAC preseason coaches' poll released in January.

"Our team has grown a lot this fall and winter." Said McKinney. "We were able to be outside during January this year and we almost never get to be outside before our first tournament so that was a major bonus for us. We have been scrimmaging more which has benefited both our pitching staff and our hitters. We are very pleased with where our offense is currently. Our ultimate goal this season is to make it to the GNAC tournament and beyond."

The 'Jackets say goodbye to six seniors from last season's team, including first baseman Brittanee Fisher, the program's all-time leader in home runs. Allie Hughes and Skyler Jenkins depart from the outfield, while Sidney Pollard, Morgan Quimby, and Sydney Norwood leave openings in the infield.

But that doesn't mean that the cupboard is bare for the 'Jackets. They return a number of contributors from the previous year's team. Last season's GNAC newcomer of the year Maycen O'Neal returns behind the plate for the 'Jackets for her senior season. O'Neal was one of the top clutch hitters on the team with a .314 average with runners in scoring position giving her 20 RBIs on the season.

Junior Marin Penney, an all GNAC honorable mention player, returns after starting at third base last season. Marin comes back with power potential after belting six home runs last season while holding a .239 batting average and 21 RBIs.

Also smacking six home runs last season is sophomore Jazlyn Kalehuawehe, who returns after a breakout freshman year. With an impressive, powerful swing, she looks to continue to be a force to reckon with in the Yellowjacket lineup.

Kilee Imada saw time at second base and shortstop last season for MSUB. The junior is one of the top defenders on the 'Jackets roster. She'll look to continue to grow from last season where she hit three home runs.
Lauren Blaschak saw time in the outfield and at shortstop last season. She brings more power into the lineup with an outstanding .612 slugging percentage from last season. After healing from an injury last year, Lauren has spent more time in the infield and looks to take on the full-time role at shortstop.

The 'Jackets have several names in the mix for the outfield. They return three players who saw time last season: senior Shelby Marquardt and juniors Claire Bagnell and Payton Meyer, who each saw time last year. Marquardt brings a different look into the lineup, being one of the only lefty hitters on the roster, while Bagnell is one of the most accurate outfielders on the team and brings more power to lineup. Meyer has lined up at a variety of positions during her time with the Yellowjackets, but she enters this season looking to make the outfield her permanent home.

Meanwhile, a deep incoming crop of freshman has a chance to make a splash in the outfield as well. Malia Cavan is a true lefty, something unique to this 'Jackets roster, and comes with both an exciting glove and bat. Kayli Mueller and Teagan Seeton are a pair of versatile players, who have potential to play in both the infield and outfield this season. Marleigh Nieto, a Billings native, joins after being selected Montana's Offensive Player of the Year at the high school level.

The other new faces on the team are catcher Kayla Stoker, who provides a strong arm behind the plate, and second baseman Madelyne Elbert, who played both varsity softball and baseball in her time at Pomona High School.

Three seniors make up the pitching staff for MSUB. Alyssa Etheridge is back after earning an all-GNAC honorable mention in 2022. Etheridge led the staff last season with a 3.42 ERA, striking out 93 batters and collecting five wins. Julia Qualteri also had five wins last season, giving up the least amount of home runs and extra base hits among returning pitchers. Shelby Martin rounds out the senior class and carries huge potential into this season with both her arm and her bat. Martin pitched in 11 games last season, starting four. She came on strong late in the season providing multiple game tying and game winning hits, finishing with a .333 batting average. She thrived as a hitter last year and is bringing that momentum into 2023.

Coach McKinney believes that despite the youth of the team, this is a group brimming with potential.

"We are young and versatile this year. This is probably the most utility players we have ever had on one team, which brings that much more competition to practice. Our pitchers have the ability to keep a low scoring game, and our offense is strong and can take advantage of mistakes quickly. While the defense is almost entirely new, they have worked hard together to work as a unit. I am looking forward to seeing them put it all together and show everyone else what they are truly capable of doing."

THE BUZZ: The Yellowjackets play five games in the Concordia Kickoff Classic, before staying in Irvine for a double header against Concordia University… They next travel to Minot, North Dakota to play in the Bubble Invite… The 'Jackets are scheduled to play their first home games on February 25 and 26, when they take on Saint Martin's University at Avitus Group Stadium.

UP NEXT: The 'Jackets begin the 2023 campaign with games on February 3, playing Chico State at 11 AM, and University of Hawaii at Hilo at 4 PM. Links to the full tournament schedule, live streams, and live statistics can be found on the Concordia Kickoff Classic tournament home page, or on the softball team's schedule page.