Baseball Adds Four More for 2009-2010

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings head baseball coach, Chris Brown, announced the addition of four more players for the 2009-2010 season bringing the total to nine so far for this class.

“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.” 

Bozeman native, Andrew Ballinger, played four years of basketball at Bozeman High School where he was the 2008-09 Defensive Player of the Year and earned the Hustle Award.  He hit .402 with 54 RBI’s and an on base percentage of .470 as a senior catcher for the Bozeman Bucks Legion team.  He helped lead his team to first in the Eastern Conference in 2009 and a second place finish at state in 2008-09.

“We are excited to have Andy join the Yellowjacket Baseball family,” Brown added.  He is an interesting talent in that he was primarily a back-up his first two years of legion baseball and wasn’t the starter until this year.  Over the course of the summer he developed tremendously and is just starting to tap into his potential as a player.  We are looking for big things from him in the future.”

Jaret Chatwood, a third baseman/utility from Red Deer, Alberta, played his past two years at Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas, where he hit .400 with two home runs and was named honorable mention all-conference.  Chatwood prepped at Innisfail High School in Innisfail, Alberta, and graduated in 2007.

“Jaret is a guy that we are excited about,” Brown said.  “He has that ability to play both corners, as well as catch and DH.  He will give us that “threat” in the middle of our lineup and is a guy that presents an imposing figure in the batter’s box.  He is a solid student that is focused on what he wants, works hard to get it, and is never satisfied.”

Kyle Gieselman is a well-traveled pitcher who played baseball in both Arizona and Wyoming in high school and played one year at Eastern Arizona College where he had the 15th-best strikeout per inning ratio at 1.82 this past season.

Gieselman graduated from Higley High School in Gilbert, Ariz., where he was a second team all-region pitcher in 2008 and a first team all-conference outfielder.  He had an 8-3 record with a 2.03 ERA in 73.2 innings.  He fanned 48 and had just 16 walks.  From the plate, he hit .288 with five doubles, two triples, eight walks and three stolen bases.  In Wyoming, Gieselman played for the Sheridan Troopers and was a two-time all-state selection.

“Kyle adds another left handed arm to our staff and is capable of filling multiple roles,” Brown said.  “He is a guy that loves baseball and is excited to be playing closer to home.  He is a good student that works hard on and off the field to fulfill his potential.  We are looking for him to be a big contributor over the next three years.”

San Luis Obispo, Calif., native, Brian Hutchings played one year at Southern Virginia University and then went on his LDS mission for the past two years.  Hutchings graduated high school from San Luis Obispo High School in 2006.  He earned the Coach Award as a freshman in 2004, the Hustle Award in 2005 and was named team Most Valuable Player in 2006.  He helped lead his team to state in 2006.

“Brian has a maturity about him that will be a great addition to our team,” Brown added.  “We also anticipate him stepping into the front end of the rotation and being a major contributor on the mound.  Brian has great leadership qualities and will make a positive impact in our program on and off the field.”