Dukart Named GNAC Player of the Week

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings senior infielder, Brian Dukart, was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday. 

Dukart, a native of Billings and Miles Community College, went 8 for 14 in leading the Yellowjackets to two road victories at preseason GNAC favorite Western Oregon this past weekend.  In Saturday’s 4-3 victory, he had three hits and a sacrifice bunt setting up the game winning run in the fifth inning.  On Sunday, Dukart added two hits in a 15-11 victory in the fourth game of the series securing the split.  He also scored two runs and drove in a run.  Defensively, he had 17 chances at second base without an error for the series.

This is Dukart’s first weekly honor of the season and the third consecutive week a MSUB player/pitcher has earned the weekly honor.  Dukart was named Player of the Week once last season.

Pitchers Archie Smith and Kody Kennedy each have been named Pitcher of the Week.  Smith earned the honor for his efforts in a 2-1 victory at Dixie State where he threw a one-hitter, Mar. 1.  Kennedy struck out a season-high 13 batters and allowed just two hits in a 1-0 shutout at Saint Martin’s Mar. 7.  He combined with Smith for the shutout as Kennedy went six innings. 

The Yellowjackets complete their 21-game road trip at Northwest Nazarene this weekend.  The four game series begins Friday, Mar. 19, at 4 p.m., with the first of two doubleheaders.  The series concludes Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.

MSUB is scheduled to open the 2010 home slate, Mar. 26 versus league-rival Central Washington at 3 p.m., at Dehler Park in a four game series.  MSUB stands at 4-4 in the GNAC, one game behind league-leader Western Oregon.