ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University Baseball (20-26 [14-14 GNAC]) heads east to Billings, Mont. to face the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (20-25 [11-16 GNAC]) on Thursday and Friday. May the 4^th be with the 'Cats as they look to clinch the final spot in the GNAC tournament. The four-game series starts Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time) where the Wildcats look to join Western Oregon University and Northwest Nazarene University in Lacey on May 11^th and 12^th for the GNAC Tournament.
 
Game Information
Thursday, May 4^th
Central Washington @ Montana State Billings
12:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Dehler Park
Billings, Montana

Friday, May 5^th
CWU @ MSUB
11:00 am & 2:00 pm
Dehler Park
Billings, Montana

Quoting Head Coach Desi Storey

"We're looking forward to going head-to-head with a solid MSUB team for the opportunity to go to the GNAC Tournament. It should be a great series!"

Previous for the 'Cats
 
The Wildcats last played on April 26^th, defeating Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) 7-5 in a thriller in the final game of the season in the 'Burg. CWU is currently on a five-game winning streak with a sweep of Northwest Nazarene the weekend before.
 
The 'Cats look to stay hot as they're led by senior Trevor Tripoli (.338 avg., .431 Slug., .423 OBP.) who is currently batting .353 in the last five games with two doubles against LCSCI.
 
The 'Cat Stats
 
Hitting
 
Ben Leid leads the team with 56 hits on the season while having the second-highest batting average on the team with .335 in 167 at bats. Ben's power and ability to drive the gaps has helped propel him to 12 doubles and three home runs on the season.
 
Baba Varner Jr. leads the Wildcats with 13 doubles and is batting .299 on the season, also in 167 at bats. Varner Jr. is an all-around threat as he has managed to swipe nine stolen bases as well. With power to drive the ball out of the park and tremendous speed, Varner is sure to help the 'Cats on the base paths.
 
Travis Helm looks to keep the runs batting in as he leads the Wildcats with 35 this season. The catcher/ designated hitter/ outfielder is a true asset for CWU. Helm is batting .295 with 10 doubles, his ability to move around all weekend and stay consistent at the plate makes him key to the team's success.
 
Austin Ohland looks to take advantage of the Montana air and add to his eight home runs this season. The slugging catcher/ 1^st baseman has come up clutch on numerous occasions this season. His ability to mash baseballs and play consistently great defense is what makes Austin the great ball player he is.
 
Pitching
 
Brayde Hirai (4-4) looks to close out his senior regular season on a high note, by helping the 'Cats clinch a spot in the GNAC Tournament. The left-handed starting pitcher looks to keep his momentum rolling following his last outing where he went 7.1 innings fanning seven, leading to the Wildcats win over NNU.
 
Nolan Milliman looks to keep things ice solid out of the 'Pen for Central. The only thing Milliman is letting go of is strikes, his 2.19 ERA in relief leads the 'Cats.
 
Alex Brady leads the 'Cats in strikeouts with 36 in 36.2 innings pitched. Alex averages a strikeout an inning, which is big for the Wildcats in relief.
 
Scouting the Yellowjackets 
 
The Yellowjackets are 20-25 overall (11-11) in conference play. They're currently on a five-game losing streak, losing all five games at Western Oregon, but their record does favor them at home with a 9-5 record in Billings this season. The five-game series win for WOU clinched their tournament berth and left the Yellowjackets in 4^th place, three games behind the 'Cats.
 
Hitting
 
MSUB is led by Payton Flynn who is batting .352 with 56 hits. He's batting .429 against the Wildcats this season with two home runs. Flynn has launched 13 home runs this season and is someone to watch out for this series.
 
Kaden Kirshenbaum is batting .342 with nine home runs. He has 15 doubles, 32 RBI's, and an impressive 1.024 OPS.
 
Carson Greene is another player to watch out for, with his 12 stolen bases and 19 doubles, he utilizes his speed along with his power.
 
Pitching
 
Jackson Betancourt is the starter to watch from MSUB. Betancourt's last outing against WOU resulted in 11 runs in 2.1 innings, prior to that the left hander went a complete nine inning game against Saint Martin's allowing just one run on four hits.
 
Out of the MSUB 'pen, Cy Miller is dangerous with his 37 strikeouts in 31.2 innings pitched.
 
Looking ahead
 
The Wildcats look to secure their spot in the GNAC tournament which will take place in Lacey, Wash. on May 11^th and May 12^th. Western Oregon and Northwest Nazarene have already secured their spots with the final spot being decided in Billings this weekend. The Wildcats need two wins to advance to Lacey.