FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Friday, November 18, 2016 Sutton signs seven early for Yellowjacket baseball
MSUB’s baseball team adds its first seven players for the spring 2018 season, as head coach Aaron Sutton announces his initial signing class on Friday. BILLINGS, Mont. – Seven players comprised the early signing class for the Montana State University Billings baseball team, as head coach Aaron Sutton introduced the first batch of future Yellowjackets who will begin their careers in the spring of 2018. “We are very excited to announce our first recruiting class as a coaching staff,” said Sutton, the Yellowjackets’ first-year skipper. “The coaches really put in the work during the fall to help identify the type of guys we want setting the foundation for our program moving forward. This talented group of freshmen not only showcases the ability to perform on the field, but will be leaders for our school and will serve our community here in Billings.”
2017-18 MSUB Baseball Recruiting Class Name Position Dylan Barkley Left-Handed Pitcher Ryan Hansen Outfielder Ryan Roche RHP/Utility Hunter Roubidoux RHP/Infielder Wyatt Setian Shortstop Andrew Staley Infielder/RHP Anthony Wagenmann Catcher
Hometown Missoula, MT Eagle, ID Valley Village, CA Pocatello, ID Post Falls, ID Salt Lake City, UT Fruitland, ID
High School Sentinel Rocky Mountain Chatsworth Charter Pocatello Post Falls Murray Fruitland
Dylan Barkley Missoula, Montana Sentinel High School 5’11” – Left-Handed Pitcher Intended Major: Political Science Barkley earned four letters during his prep career, competing with the Missoula Mavericks in American Legion baseball under head coach Brent Hathaway. Joining MSUB from the same program as former All-American Brody Miller and current ‘Jacket pitcher Josh Harrington, Barkley is coming off one of his best seasons to date. In 2016, he recorded a personal-best 16 strikeouts in one game, while holding an ERA of 0.43 during the month of July. In his two seasons with the Mavericks, Barkley recorded five shutouts. He also led the team in ERA, strikeouts, shutouts, innings pitched, and WHIP. Coach Sutton on Barkley: “Dylan is a proven winner, and comes from an outstanding tradition in Missoula where Coach Hathaway really develops his guys. He has tremendous command of three pitches, and once he adds some more velocity we really feel he is going to turn into something special. We could really tell through the recruiting process that Dylan was a great fit for our program.” Barkley on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of its rising competitiveness in baseball, and the atmosphere the players and coaches create. When I visited MSUB, I got a feel of what it is like to play for this school. MSUB also fit me academically, because I would like to pursue a degree in political science.” Ryan Hansen Eagle, Idaho Rocky Mountain High School 5’7” – Outfielder Intended Major: Undecided A three-year letterwinner as a centerfielder for the Grizzlies, Hansen is already a well-established athlete with his senior year on the diamond yet to come. Last season as a junior, Hansen earned first-team all-state honors after being named a first-team all-Southern Idaho Conference outfielder. He also won academic all-conference honors for the second year ina-row. Hansen also competes in basketball at Rocky Mountain High, where he has been a guard for the last two years under head coach Dane Roy.
Coach Sutton on Hansen: “Ryan is as good as they come as a student-athlete, and comes from a great family. On the field, he is one of the best true defensive centerfielders who can shut down gaps and who showcases a powerful arm. We really feel Ryan fits the offensive mold for our program with his ability to create runs with his speed and his gap-togap power.” Hansen on choosing MSUB: “I am excited to start my new adventure with the Yellowjackets, and Coach Sutton, Coach Wright, and Coach Kruckenberg are great guys. I have a ton of respect for them not only because of their knowledge, ability, and experience on the field, but also by their example off the field. I love the outdoors and am already looking forward to exploring the Billings area. I think MSUB will be a great fit for me.” Ryan Roche Valley Village, California Chatsworth Charter High School 5’10” – Right-Handed Pitcher/Utility Intended Major: Undecided Roche is a three-year letterwinner with his senior season yet to be played at Chatsworth Charter High School. He has been selected as a first-team all-West Valley League pitcher, and was the conference pitcher of the year. Entering his senior year, Roche will return as a team captain and cites a highlight of his career as pitching in the championship game at Dodger Stadium. As a junior in the spring of 2016, Roche held a 0.86 ERA and posted a nearly spotless 9-1 record on the mound. Coach Sutton on Roche: “Ryan comes from a program that produces a ton of high-level athletes in southern California. He knows how to pitch in big games, and Ryan fits the mold for what we are working towards as a program here at MSUB. The coaching staff is looking forward to having Ryan in a Yellowjacket uniform the next four seasons.” Roche on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of the amazing school, area, and baseball team, which showed me that they want me to come be a Yellowjacket.” Hunter Roubidoux Pocatello, Idaho Pocatello High School 5’10” – Right-Handed Pitcher/Infielder Intended Major: Biology A two-sport standout at Pocatello High School, Roubidoux has shown versatility on the diamond as both a pitcher and infielder under head coach Vinnie Benavidez. Coming off of a stellar 2016 spring season, Roubidoux held an ERA of 1.32 and was picked as the pitcher of the year. Also a standout in wrestling, Roubidoux was the back-to-back wrestler of the year in 2015 and 2016, and holds a career record of 110-25 under head coach Todd Praska. Coach Sutton on Roubidoux: “Hunter really projects on the mound and has shown that he can compete at a very high level already. He is one of the best competitors on the field that we have recruited, and he knows how to work. Coach Benavidez does an outstanding job with his program, and we are excited to add Hunter to our pitching staff and infield depth next fall.”
Roubidoux on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because as soon as I arrived on campus it just felt like it could be a home for me. The guys on the team and other people around campus were very welcoming and made me feel as if I already fit in.” Wyatt Setian Post Falls, Idaho Post Falls High School 5’10” – Shortstop Intended Major: Undecided Setian will win his fourth letter in the baseball program at Post Falls High School this spring, after putting together an impressive career already in his three seasons. Winning a gold glove as a freshman in 2014, Setian followed as an all-league utility player as a sophomore, and an allleague shortstop last spring as a junior. In 2016, he set a school record for doubles in a season as well. Coach Sutton on Setian: “Wyatt is a pure athlete and has been utilized at every position on the field throughout his career. We believe he has the tools to be an impact shortstop at our level and we are looking forward to his development in our program. Offensively, Wyatt can really hit and he maintains tremendous bat speed for his size. Wyatt carries a very competitive fire as a player, and is a great fit for our style of baseball moving forward.” Setian on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of the educational opportunity, and the chance to take the field as a Yellowjacket.” Andrew Staley Salt Lake City, Utah Murray High School 6’1” – Infielder/Right-Handed Pitcher Intended Major: Business In two seasons as a letterwinner in baseball under head coach Marce Wilson, Staley has helped the Spartans to an overall record of 48-23. As a junior last season, Staley was a second-team all-state shortstop and pitcher, and was a firstteam all-region selection. He was also selected as the MVP of the underclass all-star game. In his two varsity seasons, Staley holds a .388 batting average with four home runs, 38 RBIs, 51 runs scored, and 62 total hits. He enters his senior season this spring after hitting .464 as a junior last year. Coach Sutton on Staley: “Drew comes into our program as a very strong and athletic player. He has yet to see his best baseball, and showcases a plus arm and plus bat speed. We don’t know what his best position is going to be, but he projects as a serious two-way player who we expect to come in right away and help our program. He is as good as they come off the field and in the classroom, and meets the demands of being a member of Yellowjacket baseball.” Staley on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of the strong baseball program, and I know I’ll become a better player under Coach Sutton and his staff. There’s a great group of players here, and with the addition of a strong recruiting class I think we’ll be able to compete with anyone.”
Anthony Wagenmann Fruitland, Idaho Fruitland High School 5’11” – Catcher Intended Major: Undecided Wagenmann is a two-sport standout at Fruitland High School, competing in baseball and basketball for the Grizzlies. Having already put together a decorated career with his senior season awaiting him in the spring, Wagenmann is a three-time state champion in baseball, and was a first-team all-SRV catcher last year. He was also picked to the Idaho Top-40 team after his stellar junior season. Last spring, Wagenmann hit .380 with 21 RBIs, 27 runs scored, and six stolen bases. He struck out just eight times in 79 at-bats, while holding an on-base percentage of .473 and a slugging percentage of .608. In addition to his three letters won under head baseball coach Russ Wright, Wagenmann has played as a guard on the basketball team for the last two years as well. Coach Sutton on Wagenmann: “AJ comes from a deeply-rooted winning baseball tradition in Fruitland, and is looking to win his fourth straight state championship. Coach Wright really knows how to develop catchers coming out of high school, and AJ is one of the best fundamental guys out there. As AJ continues to develop, we know his best baseball is going to be in front of him in a Yellowjacket uniform.” Wagenmann on choosing MSUB: “I knew right away that MSUB was the school for me. The family atmosphere, coaching staff, and facilities sold me. Coach Sutton and his staff are outstanding coaches and I’m excited to be pushed in the classroom and on the baseball field.” The Yellowjackets are the back-to-back Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season champions, and will begin their 2017 season at Lewis-Clark State for a three-game series running Feb. 3-5 in Lewiston, Idaho. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--