May 9, 2008          

Softball Inks Grotbo for 2008-09

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head softball coach, Tony Stone, announced Friday that Helena, Mont., native, pitcher Josie Grotbo has signed a national letter of intent with the Yellowjackets. 

“Not only is Josie a very talented pitcher, she’s also a great student with a tremendous work ethic,” Stone said. “Throughout the recruiting process, she showed me that the most important things to her were getting her education and playing softball, which is the mindset of the players I want playing for this program. We are happy she chose to stay in the state of Montana to achieve her educational and athletic goals.” 

Grotbo prepped at Helena High School where she lettered all four years in softball and two in basketball.  She was a second team all-conference selection in 2007, as she had a 10-4 record with three saves and a 1.88 ERA.  Grotbo pitched 62 innings as a junior and fanned 132 while walking just 25. 

This season, she is 4-2 with a 1.30 ERA and has fanned 58 in 48 innings pitched.  Grotbo had 12 strikeouts against Great Falls High School as she tossed a two-hitter and she fanned 10 against Flathead in a four-hitter performance.  In addition to pitching, Grotbo also can hit as well as she carries a .429 average with 10 RBIs and 18 hits this season. 

Grotbo not only excels on the field, but also in the classroom as she has been on the honor roll all four years at HHS, as well as National Honor Society and MTAD (Mentoring Teams Against Drugs).  In addition, she has played three years in the orchestra and went to districts and state.  She also was an academic all-state selection in basketball.