BILLINGS, Mont. — Three members of the Montana State University Billings baseball team earned recognition among the top players in the region, as
Jack Nehler,
Sam Coxen, and
Kaden Bertram were named 2026 All-West Region selections by the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA).
The trio, each coming off First Team All-GNAC honors, helped guide the Yellowjackets to a 26-23 overall record and an 18-11 mark in conference play, continuing the program's steady rise within the West Region.
Nehler led the way with Second Team All-West Region honors from both the NCBWA and CCA following a standout senior campaign. The infielder started all 49 games and hit .360, collecting 68 hits, 14 doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 51 RBI. He posted a .440 on-base percentage and a .524 slugging percentage, finishing among the GNAC leaders in hits, RBI, on-base percentage, and OPS (.964). Nehler also drew 28 walks and committed just four errors defensively.
Capping one of the most accomplished careers in program history, Nehler leaves MSUB as a four-time All-Conference selection, including two First Team honors, and a two-time All-West Region pick (2024, 2026). He was also a four-time GNAC Player of the Week, a two-time GNAC Championships All-Tournament Team selection, and an Academic All-GNAC honoree.
The Gresham, Oregon native closes his career as MSUB's all-time leader in batting average (.380) while ranking second in hits (237), runs scored (129), RBI (138), doubles (46), and total bases (334). He also ranks among the program's top performers in multiple categories, including third in games played (169), games started (158), and at-bats (624), fourth in on-base percentage (.434), and inside the top 10 in slugging percentage (.535). Defensively, Nehler holds program records in chances (1,137), putouts (1,052), and double plays turned (91).
Coxen earned Second Team All-West Region honors from the NCBWA after emerging as MSUB's top starter on the mound. The sophomore right-hander led the team with 80.1 innings pitched, posting a 5-4 record with 79 strikeouts and a 4.48 ERA. He held opposing hitters to a .259 batting average while consistently anchoring the Yellowjackets' weekend rotation.
His 79 strikeouts rank fourth in a single season in program history, while his 80.1 innings pitched tie for sixth. Already making his mark in the record books, Coxen ranks eighth all-time with a 4.70 career ERA, ninth in opponent batting average (.260), sixth in strikeouts per nine innings (8.71), and sixth in career wins (12).
Bertram rounded out the group with NCBWA All-West Region Honorable Mention recognition following a breakout senior season at first base. He hit .423—ranking 26th nationally—while tallying 74 hits, 16 doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs, driving in 52 runs. Bertram also posted a .488 on-base percentage and a .697 slugging percentage, finishing near the top of the GNAC in multiple offensive categories, including OPS (1.185) and total bases.
In the MSUB single season record book, Bertram ranks second in batting average (.423), trailing only teammate
Jason Wright. He also sixth in single season slugging percentage (.697), sixth in on base percentage (.488), fourth in total hits (74), ties for eighth in doubles (16), and ties for fifth in RBIs (52).
