Baseball Tabs Two as Heartland Conference POTW (4/4/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Just one week after earning its first player of the week award, Montana State-Billings swept the Heartland Conference Player of the Week awards for the week of April 3.  Matt Kakalecik and Kyle McBride were chosen as the HLC hitter and pitcher of the week, respectively.  This is the first honor for each and the fourth overall for the Montana State-Billings Baseball program this year.

Matt Kakalecik, a freshman infielder from Great Falls, Montana batted .545 (6-for-11) in four conference road games last week against Lincoln University.  Kakalecik scored twice, drove in four RBI, and hit his first collegiate home run.  In game one against Lincoln, he scored the eventual game winning run assisting the team to the 4-0 win.  The Jackets went 2-2 against the Blue Tigers and are 7-21 overall and 5-15 in conference play.

Kyle McBride, a junior right-handed pitcher from Billings, Mont., helped the Yellowjackets to four shutouts and three one-hitters.  McBride pitched the third of four games against the Blue Tigers and it was the third straight one-hit shutout for the Jackets.  McBride’s victory capped an impressive streak of 28 consecutive scoreless innings by the Yellowjacket pitching staff.  They also allowed only seven hits scattered over those 28 innings.  After allowing a two-out single in the first inning, McBride went on to seat the next 19 batters in order while striking out eight.

The Yellowjackets will host St. Edward’s University (19-14, 14-6) April 7 and 8 at Cobb Field.  The teams are set to square off for the doubleheader at 2:00 p.m.