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Baseball Adds Six More for 2009-2010

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head baseball coach, Chris Brown, announced the addition of six more players for the 2009-2010 season bringing the total to 15 so far for this class.  Jordan Kessler, Blake Nelson, Ryan Pollock, Andrew Sanchez, Jacob Vulk and Kevin Zukaitis all inked with the Yellowjackets.

“This group of guys almost completes our recruiting class this year and we couldn’t be happier,” Brown said.  “We have addressed all the areas we needed to as well as adding depth and experience at every position.  We have also been able to balance out our roster from top to bottom which was a priority.  The other thing about this group of guys that we are proud of is that they are not only good ball players, but good students and strong character guys as well.  We look for big things from this year’s recruiting class this year and in the future.” 

Kessler joins fellow 2010 recruit, Jonathon Crews, from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo.  There, Kessler hit .283 with two doubles, one triple, 11 RBI in 99 at bats with 28 hits as a sophomore.  As a freshman he hit .263.

The Broomfield, Colo., native, lettered in baseball for three years as he was named all-conference as a senior at second base.  He also was a team captain and earned the Eagle Award as a senior.  He hit .426 as a senior with 12 doubles, two triples, one home run and 11 RBI. 

“Jordan is a strong kid that can swing it and pick it,” Brown said.  “He has the ability to play multiple positions and is a hard-nosed kid that will bring some toughness and attitude to the field every day.  We anticipate Jordan making an immediate impact on and off the field.”

Vancouver, Wash., native, Nelson, played the last two years at Tacoma Community College where he played for two years.  He tallied 16 RBIs with one home run in 124 at bats in his junior college career.   Nelson prepped at Skyview High School where he lettered for three years in baseball.  He hit .404 as a senior with three home runs, 17 RBI and nine stolen bases.

He was named GSHL first team all-league catcher in 2007 and was the team Defensive MVP, as well as team captain in 2006-07.  Nelson helped lead his team to a second place finish in districts in 2006 advancing to the bi-districts playoff.

“Blake will provide us with depth and experience at multiple positions,” Brown said.  “He comes from a successful program in the competitive NWAAC.  He is also a strong student that works hard on and off the field.”

Pollock, a native of Butte, Mont., played two years at Miles Community College where he was an all-conference selection and a third team All-America selection as a pitcher. He played legion baseball for the Butte Minors where he helped lead his team to a third place finish at state in 2006.    Pollock also lettered two years in football and basketball at Butte High School.

"Ryan is the consummate competitor that never settles for anything but his best," Brown said.  "He has overcome some adversity injury wise and that shows in how he goes about his daily business on and off the field.  We expect Ryan to have a major role on our pitching staff this spring.”

Sanchez, a Riverton, Utah, native also played at Miles Community College where he pitched 30 innings, with a 3.30 ERA and a 2-0 record as a sophomore.  He tallied 16 strikeouts in 13 games for the Pioneers last season.

“We are happy that Andrew has chosen MSUB and know that he will be a great addition to our team,” Brown said.  “He was the primary bull-pen for MCC and we anticipate him filling a similar role here.  Andrew is a great person and will be a good fit on our team.”

Sanchez prepped at Riverton High School where he was named to the 5A All-Stars Team in 2007 and was the Riverton Player of the Year.  He helped lead the team to a fourth place finish at state and batted .453 as a senior.

Helena, native, Vulk, returns to Montana after two years of junior college baseball at two different schools.  Vulk played one year at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Neb., and one year at Chandler Gilbert Community College in Chandler, Ariz. 

Vulk tallied a 1-1 record in 15 appearances with one start at CGCC this past season.  He pitched 28.2 innings with 17 strikeouts.

“Jake is a guy that we envision stepping into the front end of the rotation and eating up innings.  He has become a “pitcher” rather than a thrower since his time in Legion ball.  He works hard in the classroom, weight room, and on the field.  He has the right attitude and is just starting to realize his potential as a player,” Brown said.

Truman State transfer, Zukaitis, started 36 games and appeared in 12 games as a relief pitcher as a freshman for the Bulldogs.  He tallied 11 strikeouts and batted .287 with 35 hits and was fourth on the team with 20 RBIs.  As a sophomore he appeared in eight games with eight strikeouts in 11 innings.  He played in 40 games with 34 starts with 24 hits, four doubles and 13 RBI. 

Zakaitis prepped at Burke High School in Omaha, Neb., where he played first base, designated hitter and pitcher.  He was a two-year starter in football and helped lead his team to state in baseball in 2006.  He also played four years of legion baseball. 

“Kevin is a big strong kid that can play multiple positions.  He is a guy that will provide us with depth and experience in the field, on the mound, and at the plate.  Kevin is a strong student that takes his studies seriously,” Brown said.