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Yellowjacket Baseball Receives Four
Commitments (7/24/08)
BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head
baseball coach, Chris Brown, announced Wednesday that Joel
Barnett, Jesse Finley, Charlie Johnson and Bryce Thompson all
have committed to the Yellowjackets for 2008-09.
Barnett, a native of Belgrade, Mont., can
either pitch or play in the infield. He went to Belgrade
High School and played legion baseball for the Belgrade Bandits.
In addition, he played for the Big Sky Baseball where helped
lead his team to the Far West Classic championship in 2007 and
was named Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2008.
“Joel has a much upside as anyone we have
ever had,” Brown said. “He is big strong kid (6’5” 240)
that will contribute on the mound, in the field, and at the
plate. Joel is our “diamond in the rough” and we are
excited to have him join our program. We look forward to
helping him progress and fulfill his potential. He has the
potential to become a game changer on the mound and at the
plate.”
Finley, a Billings native, earned the
Frederick J. Urbaska Baseball Scholarship which is awarded to a
Billings Legion player. Finley went to West High School
and played for the Billings Scarlets legion team. Finley
had a .361 average last season with one home run and 35 RBI
while playing third base. He had 13 extra-base hits,
including 10 doubles.
“We are very excited to have Jesse choose
MSUB and the Yellowjacket Baseball Program,” Brown said.
“He is a strong student and a fun player to watch on the field.
Jesse is an athletic kid that can play different positions and
is well-rounded “ballplayer”. We feel Jesse is starting to
come into his own as a ballplayer and look forward to him
continuing that progression here.”
Johnson also played at West High School
where he played legion baseball for the Billings Lobos.
During the 2008 season, Johnson batted .450 with 53 RBI’s and
eight home runs which is the most home runs in a season for the
Lobos. He was named Offensive Most Valuable Player of the
Belgrade Firecracker Tournament in 2007 and earned the Golden
Glove Award that same year at the hot corner. In 2008,
Johnson was named to the Cody All-Tournament team as well.
“Charlie is a very talented young man that
has just started to realize his potential as a ballplayer,”
Brown said. “We are thrilled that has chosen MSUB and know
that he will be a great fit here. He is a strong student
that works extremely hard at everything he does and we expect
that work ethic to translate into success at the collegiate
level. Charlie is an athletic kid that brings a lot of
intangibles to the table.”
Thompson, a Great Falls, Mont., native,
played football at Great Falls High School where he was a
three-year letterwinner and was a first team all-state selection
in 2007. In baseball, Thompson batted .412 with 65 RBIs
and 20 extra-base hits this summer for his legion team. In
2006, he helped lead his team to a third place finish at state.
“Bryce is a guy that we have had our eye on
for a few years now and are thrilled to have him choose MSUB,”
Brown said. “He is an extremely talented young man that is
strong defensively and has shown a mature approach at the plate.
He is a strong student that works hard on and off the field, so
he fits the bill perfectly. Bryce is guy that people will
enjoy watching in the years to come.”
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