February 12, 2008

New Conference, New Faces, New Challenges for 2008 MSUB Baseball Team

THE COACHES AND CONFERENCE CHANGE

The Montana State Billings Yellowjacket baseball team is poised to begin its inaugural season in the Great Northwest Atlantic Conference under the direction of third-year head coach Chris Brown which was reinstated three years ago following an absence of 30 years. Assistant coach Luke Wheeler is in his second season with the program. The move to the GNAC comes on the heels of a fourth-place Yellowjacket finish in the Heartland Conference, with a 16-20 league record and overall season of 24-26 in 2007.

With Brown at the helm, handling “a little bit of everything,” both coaches will share in defense responsibilities in the 2008 season. Wheeler is slated to cover hitting, while additional assistance will come from former player Jake Samuelson, who played for the Yellowjackets the last two years and earned all-conference recognition in 2007. Samuelson will take on catching duties and help with other areas, as well.

The excitement is palpable as the Yellowjackets prepare to compete in the GNAC against such teams as Central Washington, St. Martin’s, Northwest Nazarene and Western Oregon University in conference play. Coach Brown believes the GNAC is a good fit for the ‘Jackets, as it’s geographically a little closer and levels the playing field by including teams that battle the same types of weather-related issues that MSUB regularly encounters.

In the Heartland, there were three top teams year in and year out, but Brown doesn’t see that hierarchy in the GNAC and considers it to be more even from top to bottom.  The ‘Jackets are energized for the pre-conference season. Unlike the Heartland, where their conference games began right away, conference play in the GNAC will not begin for MSUB until March 15th. This slating affords the team time to become acclimated and to perfect their game before entering conference play. In addition, the GNAC offers recruiting opportunities much closer to home in the Northwest.

STRENGTHS AND STYLE OF PLAY

Coach Brown sees the GNAC as a more hitter-dominant style of play than the Heartland.

“Our move could be compared to going from the National League to the American League,” said Brown. “We won’t change the way we play, but will continue to play good defense and drive the ball gap to gap. We plan to stretch the defense offensively and come out aggressively on the base paths. Good pitching beats good hitting every day. All in all, it will be a good fit for us.”

Despite losing all but two position players and a majority of the staff to graduation, the Yellowjackets return 11 letter winners from a year ago and four starters. While former shortstop talent Kyle Pryor, capable catcher Jake Samuelson, and outstanding pitcher Ben Lewerke will be sorely missed this season, along with much of the Yellowjacket outfield, Brown is looking positively upon a solid core of returning veterans and an array of talented recruits.   

“Defensively we should be able to pick it and throw it with anyone,” said Brown. “We’ve got six to seven glove guys that can pick and throw, and in the outfield we shouldn’t have many balls drop. Defense and our team speed is as good as any I have coached. We will be aggressive on the bases and look to steal when the opportunity presents itself.”

Depth is also a strong point for the 2008 ‘Jackets.

“On paper this is the most talent and depth we have had since I have been here,” Brown said. “I honestly think we are two-deep at every position and that’s a good thing when not having a lot of returners at a lot of positions.”

BATTERY

The Yellowjackets boast six returning pitchers from the 2007 staff that had a 5.56 run average. With standout junior Mike Cease out this year with a Tommy John surgery (UCL), the returning pitchers who look to make an immediate impact in the GNAC include senior Jeremy Knowles,  and juniors Brian Strom and Steve Scott. Cease, who earned team and conference-leading six saves in 11 appearances last season, should be looking strong for the 2009 campaign.

Knowles started eight games, had a 1-4 record and a 6.02 earned run average last season, while Strom started nine games, turned in a 4-5 record and a 4.88 ERA. Strom was ranked third in the conference in shutouts (2), and fifth in opponents batting average (.262). Scott made nine appearances last season, had four starts, a 1-1 record and a 4.55 ERA.

Also vying for starts on the mound will be returning sophomore Cody Clark, as well as junior returnees James Lester and Bobby Henderson. Last season Clark made six appearances and was 2-1 with a 3.29 ERA, Lester had eight appearances (five starts) and was 2-3 with a 12.17 ERA, while Henderson made two relief appearances. Freshman recruits Brian Howe and true freshmen Triston Spehar also are expected to compete for time on the mound. Redshirt freshman Chase Castloo could see time on the hill as well.   

According to Brown, the first 14 games will be a “feeling out process” when everyone will get a chance to start and compete in the pitching mix. Look for senior Nathan Herbig, as well as senior newcomers Leo Hansen and Hap Purden to contribute in the Bullpen. Herbig, who was a starter for the ‘Jackets in 2006, but sat out last year due to a summer injury, returns for the 2008 season. He was 2-8 with an 8.33 ERA two years ago and is expected to make a contribution if he can get back to where he was.

Hansen is considered a darkhorse who has a lot of athletic ability to contribute to the lineup, while Hap Purden’s contribution lies in a rubber arm capable of throwing all of the time. Junior recruits Andy Barham, who pitched 22 1/3 innings for Columbia Basin College with a 4.03 ERA, and Stefan Malkuch, who had a 4-0 record, four saves and a 4.05 ERA at Spokane Falls CC, are both from NWAACC East Region teams. Barham and Malkuch are expected to bring experience and depth in the outfield, at the plate, and on the mound.
The catcher lineup includes returning sophomore catcher-outfielder Patch Wirtzberger, Junior College all-star transfer Joe Via and Miles’ National Junior World Series team member Steve Larson.

“Each of our catchers will get a shot,” said Brown. “Each has his own strengths. Steve (Larson) is a very sound and solid defensive player, Joe (Via) swings it and hits the ball for power and average, and Patch (Wirtzberger) is wirey, lean and athletic. He runs very well and finds a way. I expect all three to vie for time and get an opportunity behind the dish.”

INFIELD

Look for returning senior Seth Moir to start at first base this season. Moir, who started his career at Saint Martin’s, hit .333 and had two home runs and 26 RBI last season, can provide the expertise for the role as starting first baseman. Although he has had some issues with his arm, Moir will be joined by returnee, Kyle Ailes in pursuit of key positions. Also look for sophomore Matt Kakalecik, who started two years ago, to compete around the horn, as well as Miles Community College recruit Levi Johnson.

“First base will be a situation where everyone gets an opportunity,” said Brown. “One could be first base and another will be DH and we will have the versatility to flip-flop every game or whatever works best. My philosophy is that all of our infielders can play anywhere.”
At second base, leadoff hitter Matt Schoonover and standout JC recruit Cole Pryor (brother of former Yellowjacket Kyle Pryor) are the frontrunners, but newcomers Nick Rupert, Bryce Thomas and Ryan Duncan are expected to battle for time there, too.

As one of last seasons’ top two hitters, Schoonover earned first team Heartland all-conference honors, batting .378, with four home runs and 24 RBI. Pryor, who earned all-conference, all-region and Mon-Dak Conference MVP honors at Miles CC, is expected to provide solid depth and expertise. Transferring from Minnesota State-Mankato, Rupert hit .270 and stole 27 bases in 2007.

“The same names will be contenders at shortstop and third base,” said Brown. “But the frontrunner would probably be Schoonover at third and Pryor at second.  There are really lots of combinations, so it will come down to what works the best defensively and who swings it the best.”

Junior newcomers Nick Harris and Levi Johnson could also see time at shortstop and third. Harris and Johnson are two more of the outstanding Miles CC recruits to join the MSUB lineup.

Although DH/UT positions will be by committee to begin with, Brown hopes to solidify these starter posts for added consistency this season. Again, the Yellowjackets boast several solid contenders. Brown also envisions Schoonover and Pryor possessing all-conference potential for 2008.

OUTFIELD

The 2008 version of the ‘Jackets will showcase the talents of five newcomers and the sure glove of returning catcher/outfielder Patch Wirtzberger. Expect Columbia Basin CC recruit Jonathan Schlender and freshman Jeff Ridgeway to make a solid impression in the outfield.

“Schelender is a 5-tool, draftable guy who runs well, hits for power, hits for average and throws well,” said Brown. “Jonathan (Schlender) will be a key contributor for us on and off the field. He leads by example, but also by voice. Ridgeway runs as well as anyone, swings for power and average. On defense, he can get balls he has no business getting. Both guys can change a game.”

Add juniors Tyler Nelson, Nathan Enslow and Stefan Malkuch to the mix and the strength of the outfield comes together. Joining the Yellowjackets from the College of Eastern Utah, Nelson batted .282 in 40 games to earn Scenic West Athletic Conference all-conference honors last season, while Enslow joins the lineup following two years at University of Charleston (W. VA), where he batted .333 his freshman year.

CAPTAINS

Team captains include seniors Seth Moir and Jeremy Knowles, as well as juniors Bryce Thomas and Jonathan Schlender.

SCHEDULE

Coach Brown expects the first 14 games on the road to provide the team with a chance to try different rotations and combinations as they hone their skills for conference play. It should be a solid chance to define positions and get the team dynamics set. Although he acknowledges that travel is always a challenge and sees no “gimmie” games on the schedule, the Yellowjackets will continue to assert themselves and compete every day.

“Winners expect to win and there is no reason we shouldn’t be towards the top of the conference, if not the top,” said Brown. “We have the expectation that we will be in the mix from the start and our goal this year is a regional berth.”