Yellowjacket Baseball Opens Friday at Metro State Tournament

BILLINGS, Mont. – The 2009 Montana State Billings baseball season gets underway Friday at 11 a.m. with a doubleheader at Metro State in the Metro State Baseball Kick Off Classic.  The Yellowjackets then will play a doubleheader against Nebraska-Kearney Saturday at 11 a.m. to conclude the tournament.

2009 Preview
According to head coach Chris Brown, the 2009 season looks to be one of cohesiveness and promise for the Montana State Billings baseball team.  In their second season in a challenging Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the Yellowjackets return 16 veterans who played last year, four talented athletes who redshirted in 2008 and 14 promising new recruits.

Brown begins his fourth season at the helm of the Yellowjackets baseball program, while Luke Wheeler enters his third season as assistant coach.  Both share the excitement of working with a team that is positioned to advance in the GNAC with a defined clarity of purpose, improved atmosphere and superior team chemistry.

“I think our biggest addition for this season is the subtraction of some team members who had talent, but just didn’t translate it into playing well as a team and in achieving wins,” Brown said.  “I really think that with our returning guys and the new faces we’ve added this season, we’ve managed to charge the atmosphere with a harder working, scrappier group who are focused on playing the game the right way—as a team.” 

Coming off a challenging season where the ‘Jackets went 14-38 overall and 5-25 in conference play, turning it up a notch was the priority during fall practice.  The focus was definitely on what Brown refers to as “getting work done and showing improvement as a cohesive unit.”  The improvement can be seen in a MSUB lineup where the impetus is on “playing for each other, more than for themselves.”

One of the highlights of the 2009 season is the team’s return to Dehler Park.  The new stadium and playing surface will definitely add to the upbeat atmosphere and level of performance. 

“This is such a great facility,” Brown said.  “It will be nice to feel that we’re back home, so to speak.  I think it will bring a level of comfort to the guys to play in a venue that makes you want to turn it up a notch.  Even our opponents are looking forward to playing there.”

Brown describes the MSUB strengths revolving around defensive strength, solid speed in the outfield, ability to pick and throw really well in the infield and an emphasis on working to make both the “routine and the spectacular play from time to time.”  Additionally, depth is a strong point for the 2009 Jackets.  With upgrading on the mound, the ‘Jackets will have fresh closers for positive end-of-game outcomes.  Infield and outfield depth in the lineup, coupled with solid position flexibility will be huge assets for the Yellowjackets.

“In the infield this year we have four or five guys who can play multiple positions, with three or four who can interchange at short and second,” Brown said.  “Our outfield depth also gives us five or six guys who can step in at both the corners or all three positions.  It’s also huge to have our pitching upgraded with the addition of transfers Jeff Bjorklund, Andrew Hernandez and Archie Smith, as well as having Brian Howe and Mike Cease healthy again. ”

One of the challenges facing any team with so many new faces is the task of coming together to form a new identity.  “We’re working to define our identity,” Brown said.  “We’ll see whether we’re going to be a team that jumps on people early and puts pressure on the whole time, or a team that battles, scrapes and scratches, pulling it out at the end.”

Two returning athletes are among those who gained all-conference recognition in 2008.  Senior Levi Johnson was named second team all-conference, while sophomore outfielder Jeff Ridgeway garnered all-conference honorable mention acknowledgement.

Leadership
Although no team captains will be designated this season, Brown considers seniors Steve Scott and Bryce Thomas to be key athletes who work hard and lead by example. Brown is encouraged that the entire team is working on assuming leadership roles, reasoning that it improves the team’s chemistry when everyone is accountable to his fellow teammates.

Pitching Staff
Scott and sophomore Brian Howe are both expected to lead on the mound this season.  “They will have a lot of weight on their shoulders,” Brown said.  “When they get the ball, we expect them to go out and do their thing, giving us a chance to win.”

Several athletes return to the pitching staff from redshirt status or previous injuries.  “Having senior Brian Strom and junior Mike Cease healthy and in consistent form will be huge,” Brown said.  “Cease was our closer two years ago and he was lights out then.  Because we didn’t have a closer to come in and shut it down last year, having Cease back will be big.  We’re also looking to senior Stefan Malkuch to contribute to the end-of-game setup/closer role, as well as having lots of bats.”

Also on the mound in ’09, look for returning junior Cody Clark to serve as a “major relief guy and spot starter from time to time,”  while junior transfers Jeff Bjorklund and Archie Smith will get significant innings as they bring strength at the front end of the rotation.  Returning sophomore Triston Spehar  will also contribute on the mound and look to  freshman newcomer Andy Vennum, who comes to the program with a 4.0 in the fall, to contribute in a number of ways as he adjust to the next level of play.

Catcher
Three athletes will battle for position at catcher this season.  All three bring experience and the kind of interchangeability that will be valued contributions.  Senior Joe Via is back in form following some aggressive rehab on a shoulder issue, while junior transfer Ty Sobieraj and senior transfer Andre Hernandez bring experience and tenacity to the lineup. 

Infield
A good portion of the infield returns this season.  At first base, junior Kyle Ailes and Johnson will establish themselves from the start.  Where Johnson brings consistency, both are capable defensively and have offensive production as a priority. 

“The decision about second and short is really wide open at this point,” Brown said.  “If we were playing tomorrow, it would probably be Matt Schoonover at short and Cole Pryor at second.  With Brian Dukart and Thomas adding to the mix, it may end up to be a battle between Schoonover and Dukart for short and Thomas and Pryor at second.”

At third base, Brown anticipates senior Nick Harris to bring talent to the position, although freshman Jesse Finley could compete for time, as well.  Look for four ‘Jackets to get serious looks in the outfield:  “Mr. Consistency,” Ridgeway; Malkuch; junior Ryan Dennehy and junior Patch Wirtzberger.  Junior transfer Chris Round and sophomore transfer Chris Stine bring talent to vie for time in the outfield, as well.

Redshirts and Newcomers
Several athletes are expected to contribute as they come in from redshirt status last season.  Freshmen Nate Kolata, Ryan Skillern, Trey Gregg and Tyler Rutledge will join the lineup, bringing insights and skills learned in ’08.  Freshmen newcomers Joel Barnett, Josh Dunkelberger and Dalton Robinson complete and complement the ’09 Yellowjacket lineup.

Schedule
The Yellowjackets will again be competing in a challenging GNAC, facing such teams as Central Washington, Saint Martin’s and Northwest Nazarene, as well as perennial conference powerhouse, Western Oregon.  Metro State University will also be a power to contend with in 2009.  The season will also feature a full Division II schedule, with no NAIA competition and one Division I challenge.  The first 28 games will be on the road, with the home opener slated for March 31, with MSUB facing Colorado Christian, a team the ‘Jackets swept in three games last season.  The ‘Jackets appear poised to advance in the GNAC by utilizing core assets of depth, speed in the field, position flexibility, ability to “do a lot of things on the base paths,” and a talented group of veterans and newcomers focused on positive “TEAM” efforts and outcomes.