Feb. 18, 2015
Contact: Nathan Webber
(503)305-8756/[email protected]
GNAC Teams Showing Off Their Strengths in Non-Conference Play
PORTLAND, Ore. – While no team has everything figured out
at the beginning of the season, the five GNAC teams are
making strides on both sides of the plate.
Three GNAC teams are hitting better than .286 through the
first portion of the season. These teams, Montana State
Billings, Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington have
combined for 48 doubles, nine triples and 12 home runs.
MSUB is the offensive powerhouse of the conference scoring
7.57 runs a game. Led by senior star Brody Miller, the
Yellowjackets have hit .327 to start the season, .33 points
better the second place team.
Miller is tied as the Yellowjackets leader in home runs and
RBI’s with centerfielder Luke Reinschmidt. In MSUB’s series
against Azusa Pacific last week, the pair combined for 12
hits, two doubles, a triple, four homers and plated nine of
the Yellowjackets 25 runs.
The Crusaders, who were last in the conference in batting
average last season, have seen the ball better this year. NNU
leads the conference in hits and extra-base hits having 22
doubles, five triples and two home runs.
While Central Washington is getting it done at the plate,
having the third highest batting average, slugging
percentage, and on-base percentage in the conference, the
Wildcats have succeeded on the mound as well, producing a
2.80 ERA through eight games.
Standings and Schedule
GNAC
Team
Central Washington
Northwest Nazarene
Saint Martin’s
Western Oregon
MSU Billings
W
0
0
0
0
0
L
0
0
0
0
0
Overall
W
5
4
2
2
1
L
3
5
8
10
6
S
L1
L1
L2
L2
L5
UPCOMING GAMES
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
Montana State Billings at Dixie State, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
Northwest Nazarene at Academy of Art (DH), 1 p.m./4 p.m.
Western Oregon at Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m.
Montana State Billings at Dixie State (DH), 4 p.m./7 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
Western Oregon at Lewis-Clark State, 12 p.m.
Concordia at Saint Martin’s (DH), 12 p.m./3 p.m.
Minot State vs. Montana State Billings, 1 p.m.
Northwest Nazarene at Academy of Art (DH), 1 p.m./4 p.m.
SUNDAY, FEB. 22
Minot State vs. Montana State Billings (DH), 11 a.m./2 p.m.
Western Oregon at Lewis-Clark State, 12 p.m.
Saint Martin’s at Concordia (DH), 1 p.m./4 p.m.
Around the GNAC
Three of the lowest five ERA’s in the GNAC belong to Wildcat
pitchers, including ace Brandon Williams who pitched a nohitter the first week of the season.
Saint Martin’s starter Zach Carter recorded his 100th career
strikeout in Friday’s 2-4 loss to the College of Idaho. His 101
career strikeouts rank 44th all-time in the GNAC.
Saint Martin’s has been leaning on their pitching staff as of
late, allowing five runs or less in four of its last five games
while boasting the GNAC’s second lowest ERA. The Saints
offense has been powered this year by Chandler Tracy,
whose five home runs in 10 games lead the conference.
Montana State Billings Brody Miller broke three modernday school records in the Yellowjackets series against Azusa
Pacific. Miller is now the school’s career leader in runs
scored (99), home runs (15) and RBI’s (115) and second in
hits (195), doubles (33) total bases (275) and at-bats (560).
Western Oregon has had some tough matchups to start the
season, but is showing improvement. The Wolves pitching
staff hasn’t allowed more than six runs in their last six games
while the offense has nearly scored five runs a game in that
span.
The Saints Chandler Tracy was named the GNAC Player of
the Week after hitting three home runs in four games last
week. Northwest Nazarene starter Jake Reppert was
selected Pitcher of the Week with his five-hit, five strikeout
shutout against Hawaii Pacific. This was also Reppert’s first
career win for the Crusaders.
This is the last week of nonconference play before the start
of GNAC competition Feb. 28.
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