FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, February 20, 2017 Muskat’s perfection, Robinson’s bat earn GNAC Player of the Week sweep
Sam Muskat and Zach Robinson of MSUB’s baseball team sweep the GNAC Pitcher and Player of the Week awards, respectively, after helping the ‘Jackets to a series split at No. 12 Colorado Mesa. PORTLAND, Ore. – Five perfect innings of pitching in the collegiate debut of freshman left-hander Sam Muskat, and a 9for-16 week at the plate by senior Zach Robinson of the Montana State University Billings baseball team have earned the duo Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively, announced the conference office Monday. “Zach really set the tone for our offense this weekend, and this was a great start to Sam’s college career,” commented MSUB head coach Aaron Sutton. “Zach had a lot of quality at bats and played outstanding in center field. As a young guy, Sam really competed and was locked in all weekend.” The big performances helped MSUB split a four-game series against No. 12 Colorado Mesa, and pick up the program’s first-ever victory over an NCAA Division II nationally-ranked opponent.
Robinson found himself on base all weekend long, with three doubles, five runs scored, and a pair of RBIs coming from the senior out of the second spot in MSUB’s order. Robinson also drew a walk and stole a base in helping the ‘Jackets split the series with a top-ranked opponent. In center field, Robinson made 11 catches and threw out one runner without making an error in a dozen chances. The senior reached base at a clip of .588 and held a .750 slugging percentage on the week. Robinson is off to a stellar start in his senior campaign, leading the team with a .476 batting average through the first seven games (10-for-21). In the series finale on Sunday, Muskat got his career as a Yellowjacket off to a perfect start. The freshman lefty faced 15 batters across five innings, and retired every single one to lead MSUB to a 7-2 win. Muskat needed just 50 pitches in the perfect outing, retiring eight of the hitters he faced in three pitches or less. He earned the win in his first-ever appearance, which came out of the bullpen. This is the first-career player of the week award for both Robinson and Muskat, and it gives the Yellowjackets three so far this season after senior Casey Merritt earned the honor last week. The Yellowjackets (2-5) complete their non-conference schedule this weekend with a three-game series at Dixie State University. Action runs Thursday through Saturday in St. George, Utah, with live statistics available online here.
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