FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Bishop adds 6 to recruiting class for 2017 season
Six more players sign letters of intent to join the Yellowjackets on the diamond for the 2017 spring season. BILLINGS, Mont. – Six more players have committed to the Montana State University Billings baseball team for the 2017 season announced Yellowjacket head coach Rob Bishop Tuesday. Four junior-college transfers and two high school seniors comprise the latest batch of signees, which pushes the total number of commitments for next season to 10. Michael Gahan Lismore, Australia St. John’s College Woodlawn/Miles Community College/Regis University 6-foot-1 – Infielder/Pitcher Major: Marketing An Australian international, Gahan will transfer to MSUB from fellow NCAA Division II school Regis University in Colorado. Gahan also spent time at Miles Community College in Montana, where he played two seasons and earned academic team honors.
As a freshman at MCC, Gahan batted .324 with 24 RBIs and had only five strikeouts in 102 at-bats. On the mound, he posted a record of 8-1 with six complete games and 45 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings with a 3.04 ERA. In his most recent summer with the Marysville Gold Sox (Calif.), Gahan batted .362 with three doubles and had a 5-0 record with a 1.45 ERA in 43 1/3 innings pitched. Prior to his collegiate career, Gahan attended St. John’s College Woodlawn, and was the starting pitcher against Team USA on opening night of the U17 World Championships. In 2009 Gahan was selected as the Queensland State Most Valuable Player. During his time as a member on the U13 Australian National Team, Gahan participated in the Cal Ripken World Series All-Star Game. He also competed in basketball for three seasons under head coach Simon Andrews during his prep career. Coach Bishop on Gahan: “Michael is a very good all-around player and we believe he can compete on the mound and at the plate for us. He had a great career at Miles Community College and we see him making an immediate impact for us.” Gahan on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of the great reputation the baseball program has and the direction that Coach Bishop is taking it. I am very fortunate for this opportunity and look forward to working hard with the team to make a push for a championship.” Kade Hall Pocatello, Idaho Highland High School/Treasure Valley Community College 6-foot – Catcher/First Baseman/Outfielder Major: Business Through 20 games in his final year at TVCC, Hall is batting .278 with 13 RBIs and five stolen bases while primarily playing catcher. Hall has totaled 10 runs scored and 13 RBIs this season in 29 at-bats for the Chukars. A graduate of Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho, Hall was a four-year catcher and three-year wide receiver on the football team. He was an all-state pick in baseball as a senior and played in the Idaho state all-star game. Hall also played for the Idaho Cubs in the fall of his senior prep season, and earned all-conference honors both his junior and senior seasons under head coach Mike Green. Coach Bishop on Hall: “Kade had a terrific high-school career and has been really good at Treasure Valley Community College as well. He is a superior defender and can hit anywhere in the order. Kade is a leader on and off the field and we believe he will be a great addition to our program.” Hall on choosing MSUB: “When I went on my visit, I knew right away that MSUB was where I wanted to go for my next two years. From learning about the baseball program and visiting the campus, I felt that the opportunity to play for MSUB was a perfect fit for continuing my career in baseball while finishing my college education.” Garrett Helfrich Springfield, Oregon Springfield High School/Southwestern Oregon Community College 6-foot – Right-Handed Pitcher Major: Criminal Justice
Helfrich will join the ‘Jackets after two seasons at Southwestern Oregon Community College. So far this season, Helfrich has pitched eight innings in eight appearances with seven strikeouts and a pair of saves for the Lakers. As a freshman Helfrich held a 2.84 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. A graduate of Springfield High School in Oregon, Helfrich was a four-year star in baseball and football. As a senior he was an honorable mention all-state and first-team all-league pitcher, team captain, and academic excellence award winner for the Millers. In 22 innings pitched as a senior, Helfrich did not allow an earned run, and had three shutouts, six saves, and 26 strikeouts. He also batted .425 with a dozen doubles and two triples, and tossed a no-hitter. He helped Springfield High reach the Oregon Class 5A state playoffs for three straight seasons. On the gridiron, Helfrich helped the Millers to an 111 record under head coach Dave Heuberger. Coach Bishop on Helfrich: “Garrett is a very athletic kid on the mound who has had a good prep and junior-college career. He is a perfect fit for our program on and off the field. We expect him to compete immediately for an important role on our pitching staff.” Helfrich on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of the criminal justice program, so I could pursue my desired academic path. I also chose MSUB based on the perfect location for all of my interests like hunting, fishing, and snowboarding. As soon as I talked to Coach Bishop, I knew the baseball program would be a good fit. I was impressed with how the team was run, the bright future for the team, and of course beautiful Dehler Park.” Josh Hughes Gillette, Wyoming Campbell County High School 5-foot-9 – Shortstop Major: Biology/Environmental Science A three-sport standout at Campbell County High School, Hughes has won four letters as a shortstop on the baseball team under head coach Nate Perleberg. Hughes led the Camels to a state title in 2014, and was a second-team all-state selection in 2015. His team was also the Northwest region runner-up in 2015. A 4.0 student who plans on majoring in biology, Hughes has been an honor roll member all four years of his prep career. He is the teammate of Hunter Sylte, who committed to join the Yellowjackets for next year in November of 2015. In addition to his plaudits on the diamond, Hughes was a second-team all-conference wide receiver and cornerback in 2014 and 2015 in football, and helped the team to an 11-1 record and second-place state finish. In track and field, Hughes earned the team’s outstanding freshman award and was the team captain in 2016. He competed on both the 4x200m relay and 4x400m relay teams. Coach Bishop on Hughes: “Josh is a tremendous student and comes to us from a terrific legion program in Gillette. He brings explosive speed and a great work ethic to the field, and we believe he will be a difference-maker for us for years to come.” Hughes on choosing MSUB: “I really like the coaching staff at MSUB, and feel that I will have the best chance to become the best baseball player I can while playing for the Yellowjackets. MSUB also has the degree I am looking for and many
opportunities to get into that career field. Billings has many outdoor activities that I enjoy and it feels like home because of these opportunities.” Andrew Schleusner Kalispell, Montana Palo Verde High School/Glacier High School 5-foot-11 – Catcher/Third Baseman Major: Pre-Physical Therapy Starring in baseball and football during his prep career, Schleusner helped the Wolfpack to an 8-3 record as a cornerback under head coach Grady Bennett. In baseball, Schleusner caught for three seasons and also played for the Palo Verde Legion team. Coach Bishop on Schleusner: “Andrew is a really solid defender and a good athlete behind the plate. We are excited to have a guy that is versatile and a very good all-around baseball player.” Schleusner on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I felt like it would be a great fit for me athletically and academically. I look forward to working with the team and coaching staff next season. Playing baseball for MSUB will be a great opportunity to grow as a person and as an athlete.” Tristan Shockley Jackson, Wyoming Jackson Hole High School/Miles Community College 6-foot-3 – Right-Handed Pitcher/First Baseman/Third Baseman Major: Health/Human Performance Shockley will enter the Yellowjackets’ program after two years at Miles Community College. So far in 2016, Shockley has been one of the Pioneers’ top arms as he leads the team with 32 strikeouts and 37 2/3 innings pitched in nine games. Shockley holds a 4-1 record and a 4.78 ERA, and is averaging 7.65 strikeouts per game. At the plate, Shockley is batting .296 with six doubles and 16 RBIs while getting on base at a clip of .409. Prior to his time at Miles, Shockley earned 11 letters in baseball, basketball, and football at Jackson Hole High School in Wyoming. He was a three-time all-state selection as a pitcher and infielder, and served as the Broncs’ team captain all four years. Shockley was also a two-time all-conference basketball player, and earned honorable mention all-conference in football in one of his three seasons. Coach Bishop on Shockley: “Tristan is a physical presence on the mound and we believe he has room to continue developing at MSUB. He has a terrific feel for pitching and we look forward to him being an important part of our staff moving forward.” Shockley on choosing MSUB: “MSUB has a great baseball program that is led by great coaches and outstanding leaders. The team is really talented and feels really close, which made the decision easy for me. Besides baseball, I feel MSUB suits me academically and can help me reach my goals of being a physical therapist. I am excited to be pushed to reach my full potential in baseball and in the classroom these next two years.” The group of six will join previous signees Jacob Hinkle, Sam Muskat, Austin Reeves, and Hunter Sylte as the 2017 recruiting class for the ‘Jackets so far.
MSUB Yellowjacket Baseball – 2017 Letter of Intent Signings Name Position Hometown Michael Gahan Right-Handed Pitcher/Infielder Lismore, Australia Kade Hall Catcher/First Baseman/Outfielder Pocatello, Idaho Garrett Helfrich Right-Handed Pitcher Springfield, Oregon Jacob Hinkle Third Baseman Tacoma, Washington Josh Hughes Shortstop Gillette, Wyoming Sam Muskat Left-Handed Pitcher Beaverton, Oregon Austin Reeves Outfielder Yucaipa, California Andrew Schleusner Catcher/Third Baseman Kalispell, Montana Tristan Shockley Right-Handed Pitcher/Infielder Jackson, Wyoming Hunter Sylte Right-Handed Pitcher Gillette, Wyoming --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--
Previous School Regis University Treasure Valley CC Southwestern Oregon CC Stadium High School Campbell County High School Central Catholic High School Yucaipa Senior High School Glacier High School Miles Community College Campbell County High School