PORTLAND, Ore. – Continuing to showcase excellence both on the field and in the classroom, the Montana State University Billings baseball team had 15 student-athletes named to the 2026 Academic All-GNAC team, presented by Barnes & Noble College.
 
The Yellowjackets' 15 selections highlight the program's strong commitment to academic success, with a mix of veteran leaders and first-time honorees earning recognition. Headlining the group is Lance Schaaf, who becomes the program's lone three-time Academic All-GNAC selection. Schaaf is joined by Lane Seim, Cole Ayala, and Kaden Bertram as repeat honorees, each earning the distinction for the second consecutive season.
 
To be eligible for Academic All-GNAC honors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 while competing in at least their second season at their current institution, emphasizing both consistency and dedication in the classroom.
 
"Balancing the life of a student-athlete comes with many demands, opportunities, and challenges," said head coach Waddoups. "As a program, it is an outstanding honor to have 15 of our players earn GNAC All-Academic honors. It says a lot about their individual character and work ethic in the classroom and away from the field."
 
Among the returning honorees, Schaaf leads the way with a 3.87 cumulative GPA while pursuing a degree in Health & Human Performance with an emphasis in teaching. Close behind that mark is Seim, who also holds a 3.83 GPA in HHP. Ayala, an Environmental Studies major, carries a 3.78 GPA, while Bertram maintains a 3.61 GPA as an Accounting major.
 
Bertram has also translated his discipline in the classroom into a breakout performance on the field this season. The senior currently leads the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in multiple offensive categories, including batting average (.434), slugging percentage (.788), OPS (1.261), and home runs (9), cementing himself as one of the league's top performers.
 
In total, 11 Yellowjackets earned Academic All-GNAC honors for the first time in their careers. Leading the newcomers is Mason Brosseau, who holds the highest GPA on the team at an impressive 3.90 while studying Business Management.
 
Brosseau is followed by River Smith (3.88, Health & Human Performance), Nate McDonald (3.84, General Business), Brennen Chappell (3.80, Business Management), and Ryker Forter (3.78, HHP – Teaching), all of whom have made significant contributions both academically and athletically.
 
Smith and McDonald have been key contributors at the plate this season, hitting .298 and .299 respectively. Smith has totaled 20 runs scored and 30 RBIs, while McDonald has added 23 runs and 17 RBIs, providing steady production in the Yellowjackets' lineup. On the mound, Chappell has emerged as a cornerstone of the pitching staff. The right-hander has logged 45 innings, compiling 53 strikeouts and four wins while throwing two complete games. Forter has been another standout performer, ranking third on the team with a .372 batting average. He also leads the team in runs scored with 34 and has been perfect on the base paths, going 18-for-18 in stolen base attempts.
 
Additional Academic All-GNAC honorees include Brinkley Evans, Andrew White, Logan Keller, and Jaxon Meyer, all of whom maintain grade point averages above 3.50. Evans holds a 3.70 GPA in Business Finance, White carries a 3.69 GPA in Business Management, Keller owns a 3.61 GPA in Criminal Justice, and Meyer posts a 3.52 GPA in Business Finance. Rounding out the group are Braxton Bybee and Hayden Mullins. Bybee holds a 3.32 GPA while studying Health & Human Performance, and Mullins carries a 3.20 GPA as a General Business major.
 
"Balancing a full academic load with the demands of our season, training schedule, and competition is not easy," Waddoups said. "These players have shown the ability to excel not only as athletes, but as students as well. They continue to set the standard of what it means to be a 'Jacket Baseball player and student-athlete. These honors are a credit to the individual student-athlete and the academic support they receive at MSU Billings."