Lady Jackets Ink Two Softball Players (May 25, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings softball coach Jeff Aumend announced the signings of two more players to national letters of intent on Wednesday.  Steph Gosselin of Victoria, British Columbia, and Crystal Bentley of Kirkland, Wash., will join the Yellowjackets as freshmen next season. 

Gosselin will graduate in June from Stelly’s Secondary School in Victoria, BC.  Last season she batted .308 for the club team Island Devils.  The 5-foot-8 infielder/outfielder had a .418 on base percentage and is a candidate to play for Team BC in the 2005 Canada Summer Games.

“We like multi-position players who can hit, and Steph fits that profile,” said Aumend.  “She’s a tough kid from Canada who also plays a defender’s position in soccer.  She gives us great depth in both the infield and the outfield and as a hitter, and she handles the dreaded down-and-away pitch which she’ll see a lot of from the better Division II pitchers.”

Bentley will graduate in June from Lake Washington High School in Kirkland.  A four year softball letter winner, the 5-5 infielder has been a team captain the past two seasons.  She has played both third base and shortstop and was named the team’s Most Inspirational Player as a junior. 

“Crystal is the most confident thrower I’ve ever recruited,” said Aumend.  “She is a shortstop who will challenge for a starting spot at third base, defensively.  She loves softball and really likes Montana.”

The Yellowjackets were 36-14 overall in 2005 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in the program’s five year history.  The Jackets finished third at the NCAA West Regional, losing in the semifinals to eventual champion San Francisco State.  MSU Billings graduated nine seniors, including starters at third base and shortstop.