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2026 MSUB Baseball Season Preview

| By: Hayden Foltz, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
BILLINGS, Mont.- Fresh off one of the most successful seasons in program history, the Montana State University Billings baseball team is eager to return to the field in 2026 with its sights set on another NCAA West Region Tournament appearance.
 
The Yellowjackets enjoyed a historic 2025 campaign, reaching the NCAA West Regional for just the second time in school history and earning the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. MSUB tied the single season wins record with 33 victories, firmly establishing itself among the region's elite.
 
As head coach Derek Waddoups begins his seventh season leading the program, expectations have risen alongside the standard he and his staff have established. The reigning GNAC Coach of the Year guided a team that produced 11 All-GNAC selections and three All-West Region honorees a year ago.
 
While the success of 2025 created new expectations, it also brought significant roster turnover. The Yellowjackets graduated 17 seniors, including several program-defining players, and lost eight athletes who had been part of the lineup for at least three seasons. In response, Waddoups and his staff brought in 14 newcomers—eight transfers and six freshmen—to complement a returning group of 26 players, creating a roster that blends experience with fresh talent.
 
"We got to the standard that we wanted, but now it's time to take another step," said coach Waddoups. "Losing that many seniors and turning over half the roster made the fall a little uncomfortable at first. But as the weeks went on, you could see the relationships forming and the competitiveness rising. Coming out of winter break, this group was hungry and ready, and that made it one of the cleanest starts to a spring season we've had."
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Released January 22, the GNAC preseason poll projects MSUB to finish second in the conference. The Yellowjackets received one first-place vote and totaled 18 points, a sign of growing respect within the league. Despite the lofty conference expectations, MSUB was left out of the initial D2 Baseball preseason national rankings, giving the team added motivation heading into 2026.
 
"To call it a chip on our shoulder, to call it motivation—absolutely," Waddoups said. "But you look at Northwest Nazarene, ranked fifth nationally, and we split with them in the regular season. You look at No. 14 Point Loma, and we split with them at the regional. That gives us a lot of confidence in who we are as a program."
 
To see a full preseason interview, click here.
 
 
Critical Losses
For the first time in four seasons, the Yellowjackets will open the year without GNAC all-time career starts leader Jackson Betancourt, who logged 264.2 innings during his career and earned ABCA West Region All-Defensive Team honors, Second Team All-GNAC recognition, and two GNAC Pitcher of the Week awards.
MSUB also graduates its longtime middle infield tandem of Zack Blaszak and Bodee Wright, who started up the middle for three seasons. Blaszak earned First Team All-GNAC and Second Team All-West Region honors while breaking the program's single-season hits record with 86 in 2025. Wright was also a First Team All-GNAC selection and a 2025 GNAC Championship All-Tournament Team honoree.
 
In the outfield, the Yellowjackets lose one of the most decorated players in program history in Kaden Kirshenbaum, a three-time All-GNAC and NCBWA All-West Region selection, 2025 Preseason All-West Region pick, and 2023 GNAC Newcomer of the Year.
 
"It's tough to see them go, but I'm most proud of their character development and what they're doing after college," Waddoups said. "Betancourt will pitch for the Billings Mustangs, Blaszak signed with the Oakland Ballers, Wright and Kirshenbaum signed professional contracts, and Andy Evans is continuing his chemistry degree in graduate school. Seeing them succeed off the field is incredibly rewarding."
 
 
Returning Arms
mullins Although the 'Jackets head into 2026 without program record holders, they will return key components to their staff.
 Second Team All-West Region and First Team All-GNAC pitcher Hayden Mullins returns after posting a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances, striking out
 37 across 46.2 innings while earning five wins and three saves.
 
 GNAC Freshman of the Year Sam Coxen is back after recording seven wins—the second-most in a single season in program history—while
 striking out 53 batters in nearly 60 innings. Brennen Chappell also returns after earning GNAC Honorable Mention honors and leading the team
 with three complete games while collecting four wins.
 
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Returning Sticks
Senior Jack Nehler returns for his final season already owning the highest career batting average in MSUB history (.389) and ranking fifth
all-time in GNAC history. The three-time All-GNAC and two-time All-West Region selection will anchor the offense alongside Ryker Fortier.
 
Coming off a hot 2025 season, Fortier transitions from the outfield to shortstop after earning Second Team All-GNAC honors in 2025, hitting
.348 with a .421 on-base percentage. Also returning are Kaden Bertram and Nate McDonald. Bertram emerged as a consistent designated
hitter last season, tallying 25 runs, 24 RBIs, and two postseason home runs, while McDonald, a redshirt sophomore, is poised for a breakout
after gaining experience behind a veteran-heavy roster.
 
 
Probable Pitching Contributors
The pitching staff will look different in 2026, but depth and talent remain strengths. Lefty duo Lance Schaaf and Malcolm Bartholomew will return to the bullpen after productive 2025 seasons. Schaaf earned three wins in 10 innings while Bartholomew logged 29 innings in 14 appearances with 16 strikeouts.
 
Transfers Owen Combs, Carson Waples, and Cody Snow are expected to contribute immediately, while redshirt freshmen Cade Queen and Scott Klinker are set to make their collegiate debuts.
 
"We feel like we can really run out a good rotation this year with some big-time power arms in the bullpen," said coach Waddoups. "Coach Greisman is a blessing in my life and to this program and has just done a fantastic job with our staff."  
 
Projected Lineup Contributors
Cole Ayala and Kyle Henington headline the remaining returning position players. Ayala hit .250 in 24 at bats last season, while Henington returns after a redshirt year, having previously hit .271 with 46 hits, 47, runs, and 23 RBIs at Division I USC Upstate.
 
Transfers Keeton Bell and Adam Rowland are expected to bolster the outfield. Bell slashed .373/.490/.556 with 66 runs and 43 RBIs at Antelope Valley College, while Rowland posted a .306 average with 25 runs and 20 RBIs at Southern Maine Community College. Behind the plate, freshmen Espn Fisher and Landon Carter will step into starting roles after MSUB graduated both catchers from last season.
 
"We have so many pieces to our lineup this year to make us dynamic," said coach Waddoups. "We have some elite base stealers that have proven it at multiple levels, and we have some power bats as well. On top of that we just have so much quality leadership throughout our roster this year, and that is going to propel our success."
 
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 Schedule Breakdown: The Yellowjackets 2025 schedule features CCAA and RMAC competition before heading
 into Great   Norwest Athletic Conference play on February 27th.
 
 Jan. 30 – Feb. 1: Four-game series at Cal State San Bernardino
 Feb. 4–6: Three-game series at CSU Pueblo
 Feb. 12–14: Four-game home series vs. Regis
 Feb. 19–21: Four-game series at Colorado Mesa
 Feb. 27–28: GNAC opener at Central Washington
 March 6–7: Four-game home series vs. Saint Martin's
 March 13–14: Four-game home series vs. Western Oregon
 March 20–21: Four-game series at Northwest Nazarene
 April 3–4: Four-game home series vs. Central Washington
 April 10–11: Four-game series at Saint Martin's
 April 17–18: Four-game series at Western Oregon
 April 24–25: Four-game home series vs. Northwest Nazarene
 May 1–2: Three-game home series vs. Colorado School of Mines
  


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