ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University Wildcat baseball team (19-21 [13-11 GNAC]) will host the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (13-29 [7-17 GNAC]) this weekend with doubleheader action on Friday and Saturday. The Wildcats will honor their seniors before Saturday's games. Central Washington is coming off a series split with Eastern Oregon University last Saturday which saw Austin Ohland become the ALL-TIME Home Run leader for Central Washington University with 30 in his career as a 'Cat. 
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Friday, April 26th
Game Times: (DH) G1:12:00 pm G2: 3:00 pm
Opponent: Montana State University Billings
Location: CWU Baseball Field | Ellensburg, Wa.
 
Date: Saturday April 27th
Senior Day Presentation: 10:45 am
Game Times: (DH) G1:11:00 am G2: 2:00 pm
Opponent: Montana State University Billings
Location: CWU Baseball Field | Ellensburg, Wa.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH DESI STOREY
"Got a big series this weekend against a tough conference opponent in MSUB. We're looking to come out with more consistency across the weekend and get back to playing Wildcat baseball. Excited to honor our seniors who have contributed so much to our team over their careers."   
 
THE YELLOWJACKETS
MSUB currently sits in last place in the conference, but are still a dangerous team to watch out for with the ability to put up serious runs and hits. Earlier this season the Yellowjackets scored 25 runs off 28 hits and had 8 home runs in one game against MSU Denver. MSUB is 13-21 on the season with a 7-17 record in conference play. In their GNAC matchups The Yellowjackets have split with SMU 4-4, been swept by NNU 0-8, losing the series 1-3 against WOU, and the series is tied 2-2 with CWU. 
HITTERS
The Yellowjackets have some power at the plate, leading the GNAC in home runs at 49, sitting in second with a .292 AVG., and have a .476 SLG%. They are led by junior Jack Nahler who is batting .400 on the year with 13 doubles, 4 home runs, and 22 RBI's. Biden Wright is another to watch out for as he's batting .329 on the year with 10 doubles and 3 triples. Zack Blaszak has had a strong year batting .323 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs. Payton Flynn is one to watch for as he's leading the conference with 11 home runs while batting .317 in 2024 to go along with 6 doubles and 2 triples. Kaden Kirshenbaum is one to watch for with 10 home runs on the season.
PITCHING
MSUB sits at the bottom of the team pitching column in the stats chart, having a team ERA of 8.63, a WHIP of 1.98, 243 strikeouts, and opponents are averaging .344 at the plate. The Yellowjackets are led by junior Jackson Betancourt who has started and appeared in 11 games this season, he holds a 3-4 record, 6.93 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, and has 47 strikeouts. Cy Miller is another starter to watch for as he has 7 starts on the season in 12 appearances. Cy has a 8.07 ERA, 2.03 WHIP, and has thrown a complete game this year. Other starting pitchers for the Yellowjackets are Jake Fienkelstein and Ryun Cross, both have 9 starts on the season. 
Out of the 'pen expect to see pitchers Sage Wayment, Lance Schaff, Beau Burnett, and Cole Bertram. Waymnent has 22 strikeouts in 18 appearances as well as 2 saves, and Burnett has a 4.32 ERA. 
 
THE WILDCATS
CWU has been led by hot hitting and strong pitching in 2024, with 5 of the top 6 hitters in the conference being Wildcats. Central is 19-21 on the season going 13-11 in conference play, winning the series 6-2 against SMU, splitting the series 4-4 with WOU, losing the series 1-3 to NNU, and the series is tied 2-2 with MSUB. The Wildcats sit in third place amongst the GNAC standings, behind the Nighthawks and Wolves. 
HITTERS
The Wildcats are hitting .304 as a team with a slugging percentage of .408, being led by Ben Leid who is batting .420 on the year with a team leading 6 home runs, .643 SLG%, and 35 RBI's. Benny leads the conference in AVG., hits, OBP, and SLG%. Kevin "Baba" Varner Jr. is also swinging a hot stick sitting in 3rd in the GNAC for AVG. with a .359, Baba leads the conference in doubles with 13 on the season, also has 3 triples, and 3 home runs. Marcus Manzardo is another hot hitting Wildcat with a .357 AVG., he leads the conference in runs scored at 38, and has a .421 OBP. Austin Ohland is having another monster year with a .349 AVG., 5 home runs, a .520 SLG%, and he is now your all time home run leader at CWU. Andrew Sharp is having a phenomenal first season in the 'Burg hitting .343 with 3 home runs, 32 RBI's, and 9 doubles. 
PITCHING
Central has a strong pitching staff that sits in second amongst the GNAC with a team 4.48 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 240 strikeouts, and leave opponents hitting .277. The 'Cats are led by Jonathan Garza II off the mound, he's held opponents in check all year with a .200 AVG., he's got a 3.53 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, has thrown 2 complete games and leads the conference with 64 strikeouts. Daniel Charron is another top starter to watch toe the rubber, he's got a 3.80 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, has thrown 5 complete games, and has a shutout on the season. Freshman Logan Pierce has been a rockstar off the mound for the Wildcats, stepping up into the starting role, Logan has 11 appearances toeing the rubber and starting in 5 of those with a 4.15 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Senior Alex Brady has been a key starting pitcher for the 'Cats, Brady has a 5.08 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and has 51 strikeouts in 10 games started. 
Out of the 'pen expect to see pitchers Nolan Milliman, Aaron Robertson, Drew Richardson, and Beau Kearsey. Milli has kept it frozen out of the bullpen, in 13 appearances he has a 1.83 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 20 strikeouts, and has held opponents to a .174 AVG.. Richardson has 3 saves on the season, Robertson has 16 strikeouts, and Kearsey has the most appearances out of the 'pen at 16.