Yellowjacket Baseball Signs Two (June 3, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings baseball coach Chris Brown announced Friday that two more Montanans have signed letters of intent to play for the Yellowjackets next season.  Jonathan Clark of Anaconda and Patrick Wirtzberger of Havre will join the Jackets for their inaugural season next year.

Clark, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound pitcher, is a 2001 graduate of Anaconda High School.  A four-year letterman in football, basketball, and track, he originally attended Carroll College on a football scholarship.  He left Carroll after one year to play baseball at Columbia Basin College, where he suffered an arm injury that has kept him sidelined for the past two seasons. 

“The addition of Jon gives us even more depth on the mound,” said Brown, who had signed Clark to play at Bemidji State before he took the MSU Billings job.  “Jon is a pitcher that has the stuff to dominate hitters.  He has an above average fastball, an excellent curve ball, and a very good change-up.  He has the ability and confidence to throw any of these pitches at any time in the count for strikes.  Not only is Jon an impact player, but he is a leader good student.”

Wirtzberger, a 5-11, 165-pound catcher, graduated from Havre High School in May.  He lettered twice in football and twice in track for the Blue Ponies.  He helped the Havre Northstars to the Legion district championship and a fourth place finish at last year’s state tournament.  As a junior he batted .398 for the Northstars, scoring 82 runs and driving in 44 RBI.

“Patrick gives us a versatile athlete that has a high upside,” said Brown.  “He is a good runner that is just starting to tap into his physical abilities as a player.  We look forward to having him be a part of the Yellowjacket Baseball program for a long time.  He is a smart player that comes from a very good baseball community and program.  Patrick is a hard worker that will make positive contributions on and off the field.”