By Chris Parker
Billings baseball posted its fourth consecutive winning season in 2024 with a 14-11 record. The Wildcats return five starters from last season and will lean on plenty of newcomers this year.
The pitching staff will have senior Dylan Edwards and sophomores Nolan Coats and Justin Bos at the top according to head coach Brady Greear.
Greear on Edwards: “Dylan, a Mission University commit, will be our go-to guy this spring. His above average velo and command will help him be a tough matchup for any hitter. His ability to consistently be in and around the zone and use both sides of the plate are what help separate him from the rest.”
Greear on Coats: “Nolan is only a sophomore, but has the baseball IQ of an upperclassmen. His greatest strength on the mound is his ability to mix it up well. He can throw any pitch in any count and knows how to compete.”
Greear on Bos: “Justin will have to grow up quickly for us this season toeing the rubber. He knows he will have to eat innings for us this season, and he is ready for that challenge.”
Edwards was 4-4 with a 2.34 ERA and 51 strikeouts across 53.2 innings last season. He also hit .494 with a .561 on-base percentage including 12 doubles, three triples and 17 RBI. Coats threw 23 innings with a 4.70 ERA as a freshman. He also hit .411 with eight doubles and 22 RBI.
Senior Logan Thompson returns at catcher. He hit .311 with nine doubles last season.
“Behind the dish this season will be a familiar face in senior Logan Thompson,” Greear said. “Logan had to step up last year for us when our all-everything player Grant Heimer went down for most of the season with a knee injury. Logan knows how to play the position well, and that should be a strength of ours this year.”
The infield lineup was up in the air in the preseason, but Greear expected Coats at shortstop along with senior Brock Garbee (second/third base), freshman Mason Gearing (first/third base) and Bos on the infield.
Garbee scored 21 runs with a .404 on-base percentage last season.
In the outfield, Edwards will be the everyday centerfielder. Sophomore Nathaniel Buerger and freshman Samuel Clendenning competing for outfield time as well.
Seniors will provide leadership.
“As for our leaders, this year we will look at our experienced senior group,” Greear said. “Brock Garbee could make a great coach someday with his high baseball IQ. Logan Thompson and Dylan Edwards also do a great job leading by example. These seniors have been highly successful throughout their careers and know what it takes to win.”
Greear expects to have solid pitching, defense and base running, but the offensive side will be looking for players to step up.
“We will be tough outs at the plate, and we will compete every pitch. We have kids that simply just want to win. The top of our rotation will be a big strength for us, our defense will be solid, and our speed on the bases will help as well,” Greear said. “Having to fill a handful of spots in the lineup, one thing we will need is offense. We lose two All-Everything offensive players in Grant Heimer and Kjelsen Kenniston and will be looking for someone to step up in their place.”
Billings opens the season on Mar. 24 at Marion C. Early.
“I want our identity to be a team that competes every pitch, plays hard, and plays the game the right way,” Greear said. “As with every year, I expect us to be in every game, work hard to improve throughout the season, and compete at a high level. If we can do those things, at the end of the season I believe we will be proud of where we are.”
