FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, November 14, 2015 Bishop signs 3 early for 2017 season
MSUB baseball head coach Rob Bishop announces the signing of Jacob Hinkle, Sam Muskat, and Hunter Sylte during the early period for the 2017 season. BILLINGS, Mont. – The first three letter of intents for the 2017 Montana State University Billings baseball season have been inked, as Jacob Hinkle, Sam Muskat, and Hunter Sylte have each committed to playing for the Yellowjackets next year announced head coach Rob Bishop on Saturday. Hinkle is a 6-foot-1 infielder from Tacoma, Wash., Muskat is a 5-foot-8 left-handed pitcher from Beaverton, Ore., and Sylte is a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher from Gillette, Wyo. The three are the first to sign NLIs for the ‘Jackets for the 2017 season. “We feel like we are off to a great start in our 2016 recruiting class by signing these three guys in the early signing period,” Bishop said. “They are all great kids who will make a big impact on and off the field in the MSUB baseball program.”
Jacob Hinkle Tacoma, Washington Stadium High School 6-foot-1 – Infielder Hinkle is a four-year letterwinner in baseball as a middle infielder under Coach Scott Harthorne at Stadium High. Primarily playing as a shortstop and second baseman, Hinkle earned first-team all-Narrows League honors as a junior in 2015 after earning second-team honors his sophomore season. A team captain, Hinkle won his team’s coaches’ award as a junior, and has been a starter on the Tigers’ varsity team since his freshman year in 2013. Coach Bishop on Hinkle: “Jake is a great kid and early on in the recruiting process he was a guy who we identified as a perfect fit for our program. He is a solid hitter who can play any of the three infield positions. We believe Jake will make an immediate impact for us next year.” Hinkle on choosing MSUB: “I knew thinking about my college career that I wanted to be a part of a winning program, with a team that is built with a great group of guys. When I went on my visit to MSUB, I saw the intensity all of the players brought to practice every day and I knew this is where I wanted to play. The coaches were a huge factor because they provide a good atmosphere for the team. Overall, MSUB is where I want to be, and I am very excited for what is to come.” Sam Muskat Beaverton, Oregon Central Catholic High School 5-foot-8 – Left-Handed Pitcher Muskat has won three letters at Central Catholic High School as a left-handed pitcher under head coach Dan Floyd. He was picked to the Mt. Hood Conference all-league team as a sophomore and a junior, and has been an academic Honor Roll student all four years. In 2015 as a junior, Muskat posted a record of 8-1 with a 0.96 earned run average. He struck out 59 and walked just five in 58 1/3 innings pitched. Coach Bishop on Muskat: “Sam is a bulldog on the mound and is a guy who finds a way to be successful at a high level. We feel like he will have a chance to compete right away for us. Any time you can add a high-character guy with a great attitude and energy to your program you get better. We did that today.” Muskat on choosing MSUB: “After I met with the coaches and the team I knew MSUB would be a great place to continue my baseball career. It was obvious that the players love playing for Coach Bishop and Coach Kruckenberg. Having coaches who were in-tune with their players was a very important piece of the recruiting process for me. I am excited to join the Yellowjackets in 2016.”
Hunter Sylte Gillette, Wyoming Campbell County High School 6-foot-2 – Right-Handed Pitcher Sylte played basketball and baseball at Campbell County High School, seeing time as a forward on the hardwood and a pitcher and outfielder on the diamond. As a freshman he was a second-team alldistrict pick in legion baseball, and during his junior season he helped his squad to a record of 64-23. Sylte led his team to the 2014 American Legion AA state title during his sophomore campaign. Last season, he posted a record of 9-3 with three saves and 70 strikeouts. He also held an earned run average of 1.93. Coach Bishop on Sylte: “Hunter is exactly what you are looking for in a high-school pitcher. He has a very good arm and a developed breaking ball that will only get better. Hunter had a great junior year in a very good Gillette Roughrider program. He is another high-character person who has his best baseball ahead of him. We are excited to have Hunter in our program.” Sylte on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I felt like it was a great fit for me both academically and athletically. I was also very impressed with Coach Bishop and Coach Kruckenberg. I feel like they run a great program and I am excited for the opportunity to play for them. On top of that, getting to play at Dehler Park just makes it even better.” The Yellowjackets open their 2016 season on the road with five games against Holy Names University and Dixie State University from Feb. 12-14 in St. George, Utah. MSUB kicks off its home season with eight straight at Dehler Park in Billings, against Concordia University (Ore.) and Western Oregon University running March 19-26. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--