Fresh off tying the program wins record at 33, Montana State Billings baseball enters 2026 after reaching the GNAC title game and claiming its first NCAA Tournament victory over Point Loma in the West Regional. Head coach Derek Waddoups begins year seven as reigning GNAC Coach of the Year with 11 All-GNAC selections from last spring. The Yellowjackets graduated 17 seniors including several program-defining players, but return 26 rostered athletes including a battle-tested pitching core. GNAC coaches project MSUB second in the preseason poll with one first-place vote.
Key Offensive Departures
MSUB loses GNAC all-time starts leader Jackson Betancourt alongside decorated seniors Zack Blaszak (.382 AVG, .949 OPS, 55 G, 86 H – program single-season hits record), Kaden Kirshenbaum (.338 AVG, 1.012 OPS, 55 G, 71 H, 10 HR – three-time All-GNAC), Ryan Jeffrey (.317 AVG, 54 G, 60 H), and Bodee Wright (.337 AVG, 52 G, 69 H).
Returning Hitters
- INF Jack Nehler – .379 AVG, .909 OPS, 51 G, 77 H, 10 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 39 RBI (GNAC career AVG leader)
- INF Ryker Fortier – .348 AVG, .870 OPS, 52 G, 65 H, 13 2B, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 18 SB (Second Team All-GNAC)
- 1B Kaden Bertram – .254 AVG, .749 OPS, 39 G, 31 H, 5 2B, 4 HR, 24 RBI
- INF/UTL Nate McDonald – .247 AVG, .648 OPS, 30 G, 18 H, 2 2B, 1 HR, 17 RBI
- C/INF Cole Ayala – .250 AVG, .730 OPS, 25 G, 6 H, 1 2B, 4 RBI
Transfer Hitters
MSUB reloads with outfielder Kyle Henington (USC Upstate – .271 AVG, 46 H in D1), outfielder Keeton Bell (Antelope Valley CC – .373/.490/.556), and outfielder Adam Rowland (Southern Maine CC – .306 AVG). Infielder Cade Gibson (Saint Martin’s) and outfielder Logan Keller (Centralia College) add further college experience as freshmen catchers Espn Fisher and Landon Carter compete for time behind the plate.
Key Pitching Departures
The staff loses ace Jackson Betancourt (3.61 ERA, 89.2 IP, 67 K, 5-3 – ABCA All-West Region) who logged 264.2 career innings. Starter Cy Miller (7.10 ERA, 52 IP, 5-2) departs alongside bullpen depth, removing significant rotation experience from the 2025 staff.
Returning Pitchers
- RHP Sam Coxen – 5.13 ERA, 59.2 IP, 53 K, 7-4 (12 GS – GNAC Freshman of the Year)
- RHP Brennen Chappell – 5.75 ERA, 61 IP, 50 K, 4-4 (12 GS, 3 CG – GNAC Honorable Mention)
- RHP Hayden Mullins – 2.70 ERA, 46.2 IP, 37 K, 5-3, 3 SV (20 G – First Team All-GNAC, All-West Region)
- RHP Andy Evans – 3.27 ERA, 33 IP, 24 K, 1-4, 6 SV (20 G)
- LHP Malcolm Bartholomew – 5.59 ERA, 29 IP, 16 K, 2-1 (14 G)
Transfer Pitchers
Right-handers Carson Waples and Owen Combs (Mt. Hood CC) lead the incoming arms alongside Cody Snow (Wenatchee Valley College) and Brody Nanini (Yakima Valley CC). Right-hander Colby Garey-Wright (Franklin Pierce) and lefty Lance Schaaf return to give the staff rotation and high-leverage options.
Schedule Preview
MSUB opens January 30 with a four-game road series at Cal State San Bernardino, then faces CSU Pueblo (Feb 4-6) and RMAC champ Colorado Mesa (Feb 19-21). Home dates against Regis (Feb 12-14) precede GNAC play starting February 27 at Central Washington. Critical late-season series include home-and-away vs. Northwest Nazarene (March 20-21, April 24-25) and a May 1-2 home finale vs. Colorado School of Mines.
