Jacket Baseball Signs Three More Montanans (Apr. 28, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings baseball coach Chris Brown announced the signing of three more Montana players to national letters of intent this week.  Kevin Roberts of Terry, Casey Miller of Miles City, and Josh Wiley of Belgrade will all join the Yellowjackets in their inaugural season next year.

Roberts is a 2002 graduate of Terry High School who played two years at Miles Community College.  The 6-foot-2, 200 pound right hand pitcher is currently in his sophomore season at MCC.  Roberts lettered three years in football and four years in basketball at Terry HS, where he earned all-conference honors in both sports.  He played Legion baseball in Miles City.  He was the Terry High School Salutatorian in 2002.

“Kevin adds depth and versatility to the pitching staff and is a guy that can start, come out of the bullpen, or close games,” said Brown.  “He is a tough competitor that has won at the Legion and junior college levels.  He is an excellent student and person that is focused academically and athletically.  Kevin can throw all of his pitches in any count and excels at keeping the ball down, changing speeds, and utilizing his defense.”

Miller is a 2002 graduate of Custer County High School and also played two years at Miles Community College.  The 5-11, 175 pound pitcher was an all-conference selection at MCC in 2003.

“The addition of Casey to this year’s recruiting class of pitchers gives us another pitcher that has proven he can win at the junior college level,” said Brown.  “He has the ability to go deep in the game and eat up innings.  Casey has an excellent pick off move that helps keep runners at bay and the double play in order.  He has great command of all of his pitches plus movement.  He is also a hard nosed kid that refuses to fail or give in—kind of a bulldog personality.”

Wiley is a 2002 graduate of Belgrade High School where he lettered three years in football and basketball.  He played Legion baseball three years, hitting .330 with 31 RBI.  A 5-7, 170 pound infielder, he played two seasons at College of Eastern Utah where he batted .252.  In two seasons at second base for CEU, Wiley committed just two errors and had a .958 fielding percentage.

“Josh gives us a player that has the ability to play second, short, or third,” said Brown.  “He is solid and steady offensively and defensively.  He’s a contact hitter who runs well and is a threat on the bases.  Josh is a knowledgeable player with a deep passion for the game and a great work ethic.  We are very excited to have him become part of the Yellowjacket Baseball program.”

Brown has now signed six players since he took over last month.  All of his signings so far have been junior college transfers who graduated from Montana high schools.  Four of the six are pitchers, and two are infielders.  Brown anticipates adding a large number of new players in the next few months.  The Jackets begin their non-championship segment next fall and officially begin NCAA play next February.