Jacket Baseball Adds Trio of Montanans (7/30/07)

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings baseball coach Chris Brown announced Monday that three Montana players will join the Yellowjackets for the 2008 season. Stefan Malkuch of Kalispell will transfer from Spokane Falls Community College, Jonathan Schlender of Bozeman will transfer from Columbia Basin Community College, and Dustin Lind of Florence will be a true freshman.

Malkuch, a 6-foot-1 outfielder and relief pitcher, graduated from Flathead High School in 2005. He played two seasons at Spokane Falls CC, one as an outfielder and one as a pitcher. As a freshman he batted .301 and was named the team’s most improved player. As a sophomore, Malkuch earned five wins and six saves as a relief pitcher and batted .227.

“Stefan’s addition gives us a versatile guy that is capable of playing anywhere in the outfield as well as a strong arm on the mound,” said Brown. “He will provide us with experience and depth in the outfield, at the plate, and on the mound. He is a hard working guy that brings his lunch box to work everyday, and that mentality will be a positive influence on and off the field. He had a successful two-year career at Spokane Falls CC, and we look for him to continue that success here.”

Schlender is a 6-foot-2 outfielder who graduated from Bozeman High School in 2004. He played two seasons at Columbia Basin CC. As a sophomore, Schlender batted .329 and was named first team all-conference and second team All-NWAAC. He also led Columbia Basin with 18 doubles.

“The addition of Jonathan gives us an experienced player that will make an immediate impact on and off the field,” Brown said. “He is a mature young man that is driven in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the field. Jonathan is a very talented player that hits for average and power, plays solid defense, runs the bases very well, and is a five-tool guy. We look for him to anchor the outfield and be a presence in the middle of the lineup.  He is guy that you go to the ballpark to watch, and he can be a difference maker day in and day out.”

Lind, a 5-foot-11 outfielder, graduated from Florence Carlton High School this past spring. He lettered twice in football and twice in basketball at Florence. As a junior last year for the Bitterroot Bucs Legion team, Lind batted .401 with 53 RBIs. The Bucs were district, state, and regional champions in 2006, and Lind was named the Northwest Regional MVP.

“We are excited to have Dustin choose MSUB and Yellowjacket baseball,” said Brown. “He is a talented young man that has a very high ceiling. He is a very good student that plays the game intelligently. Dustin has had an accomplished Legion career for a very good program. We look for him to continue his success in the classroom and on the field and know he will be a valuable member of the Yellowjacket baseball program.”