Jacket Baseball Signs Former West HS Standout (June 13, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings baseball coach Chris Brown announced Monday that Michael Wardell has signed a letter of intent to play for the Yellowjackets next season.  Wardell is a 2001 graduate of Billings West High School and played one season at Dawson Community College in Glendive.

The 5-foot-10, 185 pound outfielder batted .415 and had a .678 on base percentage at Dawson CC as a freshman.  He had a .870 on stolen base percentage (20 for 23) and a .498 slugging percentage.  Wardell played on the 2000 Billings Scarlets team that won the AA Legion State Title.

“Mike gives us a versatile athlete capable of playing all outfield positions and pitching,” said Brown.  “He gives us a left handed bat and arm, which is a plus as well.  Mike has very good speed that will create opportunities on the bases and allow him to cover a lot of ground in the outfield.  Since he’s a little older, he is physically and mentally mature for a sophomore.  He is also a good student, which fits our philosophy of recruiting good student-athletes that can excel on and off the field.”