Jacket Baseball Adds Four (8/4/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings baseball coach Chris Brown announced this week that three transfers and one high school player have signed to play for the Yellowjackets next season.  Nick Harris and Jordan Shine will transfer from Miles Community College, Chris Harang will transfer from North Iowa Area Community College, and Chase Castloo will enter as a freshman.

Shine is a 2002 graduate of Great Falls High School.  A 6-foot-1 utility player, he played two seasons at Miles CC.  He earned all-conference honors as a freshman when he batted .351 with 20 extra base hits.  Shine and Harris helped the Pioneers to the regional championship last season.

“Jordan is a guy that we feel should be able to step right into the lineup and contribute from day one,” said Brown.  “He had a great career at Miles CC, and although he had a disappointing ending personally, he was still able to find a way to contribute to their Region XIII Championship team.  It is this selfless attitude that has helped him become the person, leader, and player that he is.  Jordan has a lot of ability and should be fun to watch this spring.”

Harris is a 2003 graduate of Helena High School.  He is a 6-0 outfielder and right handed pitcher who played two seasons at Miles CC.

“We are excited to have Nick choose to join the Yellowjacket baseball program,” said Brown.  “He will be a good addition to our team in that he can play in the outfield and also pitch.  We look for Nick to be an immediate contributor on and off the field.  He has played for successful legion and JC programs, so he knows what it takes to win.  He is a team player that is willing to do anything to help his team win.”

Harang is transferring after two seasons at NIACC.  He was an all-region honorable mention selection in 2005.  A native of Glenview, IL, the 6-0 utility player was an all-state player at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL.

“Getting a player of Chris’s potential is exciting in that he is a quality person, student, and athlete that will have an immediate positive impact on and off the field,” Brown said.  “He is a big strong kid that drives the ball to all fields with good power.  He is a versatile athlete that can play both corners, catch, and DH as well as bat in the middle of the order and give us some much needed pop.  We are excited to have him choose MSUB and the Yellowjacket baseball program.”

Castloo, a 5-11 utility player, is a 2006 graduate of Havre High School.  He played American Legion baseball for the Havre Northstars, batting .374 last year.  As a pitcher he led the Northstars in innings pitched, posting a 4-4 record.