BILLINGS, Mont. — Following a dominant weekend against Saint Martin's University, Montana State University Billings seniors
Kaden Bertram and
Brennen Chappell continue to earn recognition for their standout performances. After sweeping the Great Northwest Athletic Conference weekly awards, the duo was also named West Region Player and Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
As stated by GNAC Associate Commissioner for Communications, Evan O'Kelly:
On the mound, Chappell continued his strong start to the season with another dominant outing. The senior right-hander struck out 14 batters in Friday's win over Saint Martin's, marking the highest single-game strikeout total by any GNAC pitcher this season.
Chappell threw his second consecutive complete game, allowing three runs—two earned—on five hits while walking just one batter across seven innings. He threw 105 pitches in the victory and recorded his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season. With 45 strikeouts so far this year, Chappell currently ranks third in all of NCAA Division II.
"Chappell had an outstanding start for us on Friday," Waddoups said. "He really attacked the strike zone and pitched ahead the entire day. It has been a real confidence boost to see him pitch consistently and to continue to control the baseball."
Bertram powered the Yellowjackets' offense throughout the four-game sweep, recording at least one run-producing play in each contest. The senior delivered an exceptional performance at the plate, going 12-for-16 (.750) with four home runs and 13 RBIs over the weekend.
His biggest performance came in Game 3, when he went a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Bertram also crossed the plate six times, added two sacrifice flies, and recorded three doubles, finishing the series with seven extra-base hits and an eye-popping 1.688 slugging percentage.
Bertram has been one of the top hitters in the conference early this season, currently ranking second in the GNAC with a .429 batting average while leading the league with seven home runs and a .791 slugging percentage.
"Bertram had a great weekend for our team," said MSUB head coach
Derek Waddoups. "He came through clutch in multiple RBI situations. He consistently swung at good pitches and found the barrel often over the weekend, leading to some big power numbers."
Up Next: The Yellowjackets return home to face the Western Oregon Wolves in a four-game GNAC series beginning March 13. The series opens with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Pirtz Field in Billings, MT.
