FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu October 18, 2016 Rayman unveils 2017 softball schedule MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU | 2017 MSUB Softball Roster | 2017 MSUB Softball Schedule
The MSUB softball team has finished their fall season and are heading into their winter practice schedule
After a good fall season, first-year head coach Jessica Rayman is looking to prepare the MSUB softball team for their 2017 spring schedule. BILLINGS, Mont. – After a fall schedule that included a tournament and an Alumni Game, the MSUB softball team is heading into their winter training in preparation for the 2017 spring schedule. First-year head coach Jessica Rayman has three tournaments scheduled, with the home-hosted MSUB Desert Stinger set to open the Yellowjacket regular season on Feb. 3, in Las Vegas. “We have a tough 2017 schedule, facing quality non-conference teams early on,” Coach Rayman said. “The GNAC is a tough conference to compete in and we feel these non-conference games will prepare us for the rest of the season.” MSU Billings returns for the eighth annual regional tournament in the desert during the first weekend of February, followed by several individual games and a tournament at Dixie State the next week. The Yellowjackets have one more series on the road at Minot State, Feb. 26, before opening their Great Northwest Athletic Conference season at Western Washington on Mar. 4.
“We travel early-on to play in our very own Desert Stinger Tournament, as well as the Dixie State Tournament,” Rayman said. “This will give us a good gauge as to where we are at, but we are looking forward to seeing the team compete. It is important we start off on the right foot and continue to get better as the season progresses. A little later in the season we will be playing in the Tournament of Champions in California, which gives us another opportunity to see some inregion teams. Later in the season, we return to our home field, which will be a great way to wrap up the regular season.” MSU Billings has 28 conference games on the docket and 18 non-league contests. The ‘Jackets make their way to California for the Tournament of Champions hosted by Stanislaus State, Mar. 31-Apr. 2, for their third tournament of the season. MSUB hosts three series of four games each at home in Avitus Group Stadium. The Yellowjackets open hosting duties against Western Oregon on Mar. 18. Senior Day is scheduled for Apr. 29, before a doubleheader with league opponent Simon Fraser. The GNAC tournament runs May 4-6 in Lacey, Wash. The ‘Jackets return five seniors to a squad that finished with a 14-26 overall record and 6-22 performance in the GNAC. MSU Billings brings back five all-conference players to its roster this season in Heather Tracy, Cameron Cassinelli, Bella Rovens, Megan Dettling, and Kelsey Devlin. Tracy also earned regional accolades, being honored as a NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association all-west region team selection. All of MSUB's home games will be played at Avitus Group Stadium, just north of the P.E. Building on the MSUB campus. Ticket prices will remain the same at $5 for the general public, $3 for seniors, students in grades 7-12, and MSUB faculty and staff, and free admission for all MSUB students and students in grades six and under. All home games and select road games will feature live video and statistics available through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--