The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Weekly Awards have been dominated by Montana State Billings, with the Yellowjackets sweeping the top honors after a 3-1 series victory against Western Oregon/ These GNAC Weekly Awards highlight the team’s exceptional performance during a standout week of competition.
Hitter of the Week – Jack Nehler, MSU Billings
The Yellowjackets’ offensive explosion was led by Jack Nehler, a junior who turned heads with a batting clinic that would make professional scouts take notice. His weekend performance was nothing short of extraordinary, carving his name into the GNAC record books. Nehler absolutely demolished opposing pitching, collecting 11 hits in just 17 at-bats and establishing himself as the most feared hitter in the conference.
His most jaw-dropping moment came in game three, where Nehler achieved perfection at the plate, going 5-for-5 and scoring three runs. The Gresham, Oregon native now leads the GNAC with a .430 batting average and 46 total hits, a testament to his consistency and raw hitting talent. Defensively, he was equally impressive, recording 33 putouts without a single error.
Pitcher of the Week – Brennen Chappell, MSU Billings
On the mound, Brennen Chappell provided the pitching masterpiece of the week. His complete game shutout against Western Oregon was a clinic in precision and control. Throwing 95 pitches over seven innings, Chappell struck out six batters and allowed just five hits, becoming the first Yellowjacket to throw a complete game shutout since April 2023.
Team of the Week – MSU Billings
The pitching depth didn’t stop with Chappell. Jackson Betancourt, Sam Coxen, and Cy Miller all delivered stellar performances throughout the series. Each pitcher showcased unique strengths, from Betancourt’s six-inning, six-strikeout performance to Coxen’s quality start victory with five strikeouts to Miller’s seven-inning gem where he allowed just three hits and one unearned run.
Montana State Billings’ offensive firepower extends far beyond Nehler. The team boasts five players hitting over .300, leading the GNAC in multiple statistical categories. Ryker Fortier follows Nehler with a .393 average, while Bodee Wright leads in triples. Ryan Jeffrey has driven in 28 runs, and Kaden Kirshenabaum leads the conference in doubles.
Check out last week’s POTW
