Season review: MSUB baseball

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, May 30, 2017 Season review: MSUB baseball

The Yellowjackets advance to the GNAC Championships for the third season in a row, with one of the most prolific offenses in school history.

BILLINGS, Mont. – A late-season tear and a trip to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships have come to define Montana State University Billings baseball over the last three seasons, and the 2017 campaign delivered on both fronts.

Since 2015, MSUB has gone 29-7 over its final 12 games in the regular season, resulting in three straight trips to the conference tournament.

This spring was no exception. “We had high expectations going into the year, and one thing this group showcased was its ability to accept challenges and deal with adversity,” commented first-year head coach Aaron Sutton. “The senior group provided tremendous leadership for the underclassmen, and they have a lot to be proud of as a group and all they’ve accomplished in their careers.”

The Yellowjackets rattled off series victories for three straight weekends to close the regular season, making it a 9-3 or better finish over the final stretch for the third year running. The hot streak led MSUB to a tie for third place in the GNAC standings, and the No. 4 seed into the conference tournament.

Matching a school record for games played in a year with 52, the Yellowjackets wound up 23-29 overall and had their third straight winning league record at 21-19 within the GNAC. MSUB started the year with 20 straight games on the road, and posted a record of 8-14 overall away from home. Upon making its home debut on March 18, the ‘Jackets went on to post a record of 12-9 in games at Dehler Park. In nine neutral site games, MSUB went 3-6.

“Getting back home to open league play against Concordia got us going a little bit,” Sutton commented on the strong finishing push during the season. “We had a tough preseason, but being able to take 3 of 4 from Concordia was big for us and the confidence for our guys moving forward. Our guys were able to handle adversity. There were multiple times that we dropped tough games, and lost on walk-off hits, but they stayed with the process, and as a group we made huge strides with our mentality day in and day out.”

A tough preseason schedule began at Colorado Mines, where senior leftfielder Casey Merritt made a statement by going 7-for-11 in his first series of the year and swiping GNAC Player of the Week honors. After missing the majority of the 2016 season with an injury, Merritt wound up as the team’s top hitter this spring with a .342 batting average and a team-high 64 hits including 11 doubles.

The lone four-year starter on the offensive side of the ball, Merritt finished his career No. 7 in MSUB history with a .319 batting average. Among the all-time greats historically, Merritt also wound up first in sacrifice bunts (25), third in runs (99), fourth in walks (58), fifth in hits (145), and stolen bases (26), and seventh in at-bats (455), triples (6), RBIs (71), total bases (189), and doubles (26).

MSUB Career Batting Average Leaders (Min. 250 AB) Rank Name AVG Hits AB Seasons 1 Luke Reinschmidt 0.352 192 545 2014-16 2 Brody Miller 0.347 249 718 2012-15 3 Matt Schoonover 0.335 213 635 2007-10 4 Colby Robison 0.330 168 509 2011-13 5 Kyle Durbin 0.327 111 339 2015-16 6 Jeff Ridgeway 0.320 131 410 2008-11 7 Casey Merritt 0.319 145 455 2014-17 8 Corey Morris 0.305 96 315 2015-16 9 Jake Samuelson 0.302 79 262 2006-07 10 Jordan Kessler 0.299 94 314 2010-11 Merritt finished his career No. 7 in MSUB history with a .319 batting

Though the ‘Jackets went winless in Merritt’s strong opening average. weekend, the team responded with its first two wins of the year in a four-game split against No. 19 Colorado Mesa University. The non-conference schedule wrapped up with three defeats at No. 15 Dixie State University, as MSUB took on a ranked opponent in seven straight games early in the year.

Notching an equally impressive senior campaign as Merritt’s in center field was Zach Robinson, who had a breakout year and started 51 contests while batting .301. Robinson tied a school record with a team-best 17 stolen bases, and led the

squad with 15 doubles and a record-breaking 52 runs scored. Robinson’s 34 walks were third-most in the league, contributing towards an on-base percentage of .421.

In an unprecedented move, three of Robinson’s steals came in the same inning, when he stole second, third, and home against Western Oregon on April 14. His four total steals in the game tied a GNAC record and broke MSUB’s mark of three.

“To have those two at the top of our order, set the table for our entire lineup,” Sutton commented on the first-team allGNAC selections. “They laid the foundation for our program moving forward, and we couldn’t ask for two better individuals on and off the field. Casey and Zach left everything they had at the yard every day they came out. I am happy for them and they are going to have success in whatever they choose to do down the road.”

MSUB Single-Season Runs Leaders Rank Name Runs 1 Zach Robinson 52 2 Luke Reinschmidt 50 3 Luke Reinschmidt 47 Brody Miller 47 5 Kyle Durbin 43 6 Kyle Pryor 42 Austin Rue 42 8 Casey Merritt 40 9 Colby Robison 38 Myles Berkram 38

Season 2017 2016 2015 2015 2016 2007 2013 2017 2013 2015

Zach Robinson tied the single-season record with 17 steals and broke the Along with the proven senior outfielders roamed a single-season runs record with 52. talented newcomer in Jalen Garcia, who stole headlines with his bat, glove, and arm throughout the spring. Limited to just 38 starts with an early injury, Garcia still ranked second on the team with 38 RBIs while hitting .327 with 11 doubles and five home runs in his first year after transferring from Corban University. A threat on the base paths as well, the Billings native swiped nine bags and scored 29 runs while slugging at .503.

The sophomore’s glove work did not disappoint, as he made 82 plays in right field without committing an error. Earning GNAC Player of the Week the final series of the year had as much to do with a pair of timely home runs as it did with perhaps the defensive play of the season. Grabbing a deep fly ball in right, Garcia fired a 250-foot throw in the air to third base to double off a runner attempting to advance against Central Washington.

“Jalen was the newcomer of the year for us,” said Sutton. “We knew he was a good player out of high school, and for him to come back home solidified our outfield. We stuck him in the 3-spot as a sophomore, and we couldn’t have asked for more out of him. He is a tough out, a 5-tool player, and one of those guys who is a coach’s dream to have on the team. We are excited he has two more years with us.”

The veteran presence extended to the mound as well, with seniors Bryon Baker, Cody Cooper, Tanner Watson, and Matt Hape counted on to lead the pitching staff. Coming off the best single season in program history in 2016, Cooper hit his stride down the stretch and finished his career as MSUB’s all-time leader with 237 career strikeouts. The total was good

for third most in GNAC history, and Cooper also finished No. 2 in MSUB with 255 2/3 innings throughout a stellar fouryear career.

The senior right-hander added a pair of 10-strikeout performances to push his career total to eight, and put a fitting finishing touch on the season with a stellar complete-game effort against Western Oregon in the conference tournament in his final outing. “Coop had a tremendous career here, and for him to be the all-time strikeout leader exemplifies that,” Sutton said.

One of Cooper’s complete games came on April 15 at home against Western Oregon, when he received an uncharacteristically high 18 runs of support in a big win. It was the lone triumph for MSUB over the Wolves however, as WOU cruised to an 8-1 series win including the tournament game.

MSUB Career Strikeout Leaders Rank Name Strikeouts 1 Cody Cooper 237 2 Brady Muller 232 3 Brian Howe 143 4 Tanner Johnson 130 5 Brian Hutchings 120 6 Kody Kennedy 113 7 Samuel Paterson 98 8 Steve Scott 86 Bryon Baker 86 10 Archie Smith 78

Seasons 2014-17 2012-15 2008-11 2015-16 2010-12 2010-11 2012-13 2008-09 2013-17 2009-11

Like Cooper, Baker and Watson each also wrapped up Cooper finished No. 1 in MSUB history and No. 3 in GNAC history with 237 career strikeouts. four-year careers as Yellowjackets. Baker battled injury throughout the year, and made eight starts while striking out 43 and walking 27 in 54 innings pitched. The righty earned GNAC Pitcher of the Week honors after a seven-strikeout, complete-game effort against Saint Martin’s on March 12, and finished his career with the sixth-best ERA in school history at 4.60.

MSUB Career ERA Leaders (Min. 90 IP) Rank Name ERA Seasons 1 Ben Lewerke 3.01 2006-07 2 Tanner Johnson 4.10 2015-16 3 Archie Smith 4.34 2009-11 4 Steve Scott 4.53 2007-09 5 Samuel Paterson 4.53 2012-13 6 Bryon Baker 4.60 2013-17 7 Brady Muller 4.77 2012-15 8 Cody Cooper 4.82 2013-17 9 Jake Mills 4.88 2013-15 10 Brian Howe 5.52 2008-11

Baker’s 4.60 career ERA is sixth-best in MSUB history.

Watson contributed on both sides of the ball during his career as a ‘Jacket, and had his best season to date at the plate with three home runs and 21 RBIs in 92 at-bats this spring. On the mound, Watson led the team with a 4.19 ERA and struck out 26 hitters against just 13 walks in 38 2/3 innings pitched.

“You could see that all of the senior pitchers set the bar high for our underclassmen,” Sutton commented on the group of veteran hurlers. “For the younger guys to see the way those guys came to work every day was crucial. I can’t speak enough to how important they were as a group and for us establishing ourselves as a program moving forward.”

MSUB relied on its seniors to get through a tough start to league play, as the ‘Jackets dropped four games against eventual conference champion Western Oregon University on the road. The team bounced back however, winning its next two series including three straight over Concordia after a loss in Game 1. It was one of three series on the season in which the ‘Jackets rallied to win after dropping the opener, and it gave the team momentum heading into one of the most exciting doubleheaders of the year at home against Northwest Nazarene.

After a 7-5 win in Game 1 on March 24, the ‘Jackets and ‘Saders battled to a two-run ballgame in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and runners on the corners, Merritt turned around on an inside pitch into the right-field corner, scoring two runs on a walk-off triple in one of the most exciting individual moments of the year.

Merritt’s walk-off triple was one of the team’s signature moments in the 2017 season.

The veteran experience MSUB enjoyed in the outfield and on the mound was absent in the infield, yet the Yellowjackets produced some of their most promising players around the horn. Junior first baseman Ryan Myers burst onto the scene, leading the team with 11 home runs and earning second-team NCBWA all-region honors in his first year in the program.

Myers led the GNAC with an on-base percentage of .474, and was second in slugging at .623.

Two of Myers’ home runs came in a four-game series at Central Washington University, in which the ‘Jackets endured a pair of walk-off home runs and took a tough 3-1 series loss. MSUB righted the ship in the final series of the year

however, snagging 3 of 4 from the ‘Cats including a pair of one-run wins on Senior Day to make the season series an even 4-game split between the teams.

MSUB’s second-leading power hitter came as a bit of a surprise, as shortstop Caje Golden broke a GNAC record for home runs by a freshman with nine. The former Billings Scarlets middleman started 45 games and drove in 27 runs, and earned second-team all-conference honors. A third of Golden’s home runs came against Saint Martin’s University, as he helped the ‘Jackets win both series and take the season set over the Saints 6-2.

Fellow freshman Max Hartgraves slotted in as Golden’s double-play partner, and kicked his debut season into high gear down the stretch. After an 0-for-4 day on April 8, Hartgraves had hits in 15 of his final 18 games, batting .321 (18-for-56) down the stretch and ending the year with a .261 average.

Also new to the infield was junior third baseman Conner Linebarger, who started 46 games and carried a .320 batting average in 150 at-bats. Linebarger provided consistency in the lineup, reaching base at a clip of .394 and slugging .453 with 11 doubles, three home runs, and 19 RBIs. “Replacing four all-conference guys is tough to do, but now we get to bring all four back and that is a huge benefit for us,” Sutton commented. “Of everyone on the club, the young guys up the middle had the most growth. They trusted the process, stuck to their approach, and both Caje and Max played with confidence down the stretch. We have Ryan and Conner coming back as seniors, and with the leadership they can provide and the potency of our offense, both could be all-conference and all-region type players.”

MSUB Single-Season Home Run Leaders Rank Name HR Season 1 Brody Miller 14 2015 2 Ryan Myers 11 2017 3 Luke Reinschmidt 10 2016 Luke Reinschmidt 10 2015 5 Adam Cox 9 2016 Caje Golden 9 2017 7 Colby Robison 8 2013 8 Drew Fosnes 7 2013 9 Joe Via 6 2009 Colter Sternhagen 6 2013 Brody Miller 6 2014 Myers hit 11 home runs and led the GNAC with a .474 on-base percentage

The ‘Jackets also received a boost from returning slugger in his first year with the team.

Adam Cox, who hit .278 with nine doubles, two home runs, and 17 RBIs in 90 at-bats. Cox slugged .444 and played perfect defense in limited time at first base and second base.

Injuries also hampered the ‘Jackets in the catching department, where veteran Landon Peterson was limited to just eight games and newcomer Kade Hall’s red-hot start was halted 21 games into the year. Hall was batting .319 with four home runs, seven doubles, and 20 RBIs, in his first year after transferring from Treasure Valley Community College.

Sophomore Matt Dillon and freshman Andrew Schleusner were entrusted with the pitching staff midway through the year, and each had bright spots along the way. Dillon hit his first two career home runs in the same game on April 23 against Saint Martin’s, and he also had five doubles and seven stolen bases on the year.

Schleusner’s signature moment came during MSUB’s home clash against Concordia, when he sealed a series win with a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh in the finale. The Kalispell native started 21 games and had two doubles and one home run in his first year.

“All four catchers had good seasons,” Sutton said. “We felt like Landon made adjustments in his swing and was going to have a big year, and Kade was having a player-of-the-year type season. For Schleusner and Dillon to be thrown into the fire, I was impressed with their composure and ability to lead. The makeup of both those guys down the stretch for us was strong.”

Freshman Andrew Schleusner was relied on as catcher in 28 games this spring.

MSUB’s pitching staff was bolstered by a handful of young arms making spot starts and eating up significant innings out of the bullpen. Sophomores Jared Winslow and Steen Fredrickson each proved effective in bursts as starters and in high-leverage situations.

Junior Tristan Shockley was invaluable as a starter late in the year, tossing a pair of seven-inning performances and making crucial appearances in three straight narrow victories.

Freshman lefty Sam Muskat asserted his presence with five perfect innings in his first-ever collegiate appearance, and claimed GNAC Pitcher of the Week honors. He went on to throw 25 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in 12 appearances.

Junior righty Michael Gahan also contributed late in the season, slotting in as the team’s closer and posting a stellar 1.69 ERA in five outings to earn two saves.

“If you look at our bullpen and the guys we have returning, we have a lot of things to be excited about,” said Sutton.

“Sam and Steen threw well for us early against Mesa, and it was encouraging to see Jared get back to being healthy and throw well down the stretch. Tristan was lights out for us late in the year and we are looking forward to his progress this summer. Mick competed well for us out of the bullpen, and he showed us he can be a late-inning guy. Those guys are going to be our glue on the staff coming back.”

The ‘Jackets competed well at the conference tournament, but Myers’ 11th long ball of the year wasn’t enough to solve WOU in a 4-2 loss in the opener. Northwest Nazarene then struck for a four-run third inning in the second game, and the ‘Jackets ended their campaign with a 4-3 defeat.

“Coming into the program in my first year, we wanted to build on the foundation that had been established here,” said Sutton. “We are going to return a lot of guys who will come back next season with experience, which is crucial. It’s an

exciting time at MSUB for baseball. There is a buzz among the players and coaching staff, and we can’t wait to get back to work next fall.”

TEAM FIGURES: MSUB batted .278 as a team and averaged 6.40 runs per game. The ‘Jackets ranked second in the GNAC in slugging percentage at .436 and in on-base percentage at .376, and were No. 1 in runs (333) and RBIs (303). The team’s 157 extra-base hits, 65 stolen bases, and 82 times hit by a pitch were the most in the league as well. On the mound, the ‘Jackets had a staff ERA of 6.11, opposing batting average of .295, and accumulated 293 strikeouts in 409 2/3 innings pitched. MSUB fielded at a clip of .949 and led the conference in assists with 507.

RECORDS RE-WRITTEN Individual Game Runs – 4 (16 times) Most Recent: Zach Robinson (Western Oregon, 4-15-17) Home Runs – 2 (16 times) Most Recent: Matt Dillon (Saint Martin’s, 4-23-17) Walks – 4, Brian Dukart (Saint Martin’s, 3-20-09); Kevin Toon (at Western Oregon, 3-13-15); Kade Hall (at Western Oregon, 3-6-17) Stolen Bases – 4, Zach Robinson (Western Oregon 4-14-17) Individual Season Games – 52, Zach Robinson, 2017 Games Started – 51, Brody Miller, 2013; Zach Robinson, 2017 Runs – 52, Zach Robinson, 2017 Stolen Bases – 17, Kyle Prior, 2007; Zach Robinson, 2017 Most chances, no errors – 82, Blake Loran, 2013; Jalen Garcia, 2017 Most wins, no losses – 5, Jared Winslow, 2017 Fewest Hits Per 9 Innings (min. 50 inn) – 7.00, Bryon Baker, 2017 Games Started – 14, Cody Cooper, 2017 Individual Career Sacrifice Bunts – 25, Casey Merritt, 2014-17 Strikeouts – 237, Cody Cooper, 2014-17 Most 10 strikeout games – 8, Cody Cooper, 2014-17 Aaron Sutton piloted the ‘Jackets to their third straight GNAC Team Game tournament in his first year at the helm of the program.

Home Runs – 4 (5 times) Most recent: vs. Saint Martin’s 4-23-17 Total Bases – 38, vs. Saint Martin’s, 4-23-17 Sacrifice Bunts – 4 (5 times) Most recent: vs. Northwest Nazarene, 3-24-17 Stolen Bases – 6 (4 times) Most recent: at Concordia, 4-28-17 Strikeouts (Pitching) – 17, at Western Oregon, 5-1-16

Team Season Games – 52 (4 times) Most recent: 2017 Home Runs – 45, 2017 Hit Batters – 82, 2017 Stolen Bases – 65, 2006, 2017 --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--