(MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS – Introducing six more players to join the 2018-19 Montana State University Billings softball team, head coach Jessica Rayman announced the signing of her newest recruits on Friday.
The latest group includes four junior college transfers and a pair of student-athletes who will begin their collegiate careers as freshmen next season. The six players announced on Friday join a group of five early signings to the Yellowjacket softball program, bringing the total number of new players for next season to 11.
Michelle Fusco
Brier, Washington
Inglemoor High School/Bellevue College
5’7” – Catcher/Outfielder
Intended Major: Health/Human Performance
As a sophomore at Bellevue College last year, Fusco batted .309 in 29 games playing primarily as a catcher. Fusco hit a pair of home runs and drove in nine, while drawing seven walks and striking out just four times in 55 at-bats. It was a strong improvement from her freshman season at BC, when she hit .271 with one home run in 28 games.
Prior to her collegiate career, Fusco was an all-KingCo outfielder at Inglemoor High School. She earned four letters in softball and was twice voted by her teammates as most inspirational. As a senior she also served as team captain.
Coach Rayman on Fusco: “Michelle is strong behind the plate and has a great presence. She comes from a good junior college program, so we are excited about the experience and leadership she will bring to the team.”
Fusco on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I really like the atmosphere and the way the coaches and players made me feel welcomed. The eagerness that Coach Rayman and her staff have makes me very excited to be part of this team.”
Hailee Gregerson
Park City, Montana
Park City High School/Dawson Community College
5’5” – Right-Handed Pitcher/Outfielder
Intended Major: Health/Human Performance
Completing a two-year career at Dawson Community College last spring, Gregerson led her team with 100 1/3 innings pitched while striking out 77 batters and carrying a 3.00 earned run average in the circle. Gregerson tossed 13 complete games, and posted an impressive 11-2 record in 19 appearances.
Gregerson also batted .286 and drove in 13 runs in 34 games offensively. She recorded eight doubles and only struck out 10 times in 77 at-bats at the plate. As a freshman in 2017, Gregerson was an all-conference and all-region selection as she batted .471 in 104 at-bats with six home runs and a team-high 41 RBIs. She also struck out 52 batters in 54 innings pitched, and held a 3.50 ERA in her first collegiate season.
Prior to her time at Dawson CC, Gregerson was a three-sport athlete at Park City High School. She was a four-time all-state selection in softball, earning four letters under head coach John Smith. Gregerson was a two-time all-conference pick in basketball and an all-conference libero in volleyball, and was a four-time academic all-state selection in all three sports she played. In her junior and senior prep seasons she was her team’s MVP, leading the team in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.
Coach Rayman on Gregerson: “Hailee brings two years of collegiate experience, which will help her come in as a stronger, experienced leader. We are excited to be able to keep Montana talent here in the state.”
Gregerson on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I grew up around Billings, and attended MSUB softball games and camps as a kid. Ever since, I have always wanted to become a Yellowjacket. After playing against MSUB in the fall of 2017, I knew it was a program I wanted to play for and it would also be closer to home. MSUB is a great school academically that will help me with my future career in the health field.”
Jolene House
Spokane, Washington
Mt. Spokane High School/Bellevue College
5’9” – Outfielder
Intended Major: Accounting
House will continue her career with her teammate Fusco, who she spent her first two seasons with at Bellevue College. Last spring, House posted a stellar .389 batting average with 35 RBIs in 49 games played as an outfielder. She also stole a team-high 30 bases, while drawing 25 walks against just 13 strikeouts in 167 at-bats. House was no slouch in her debut collegiate season in 2017, when she batted .428 with 25 RBIs in 49 games played.
House earned four letters in softball at Mt. Spokane High School under head coach Carl Adams before beginning her collegiate career.
Coach Rayman on House: “We are very excited about the experience Jolene will bring to the outfield. She shows leadership on defense and is very versatile working from the left side of the plate offensively.”
House on choosing MSUB: “I have always been attracted to the mountainous state of Montana, so when my coach at Bellevue mentioned MSUB I jumped all over it. All the outdoor activities and the close-knit campus will be a perfect fit for me.”
Skyler Jenkins
San Tan Valley, Arizona
Poston Butte High School
5’4” – Catcher/Outfielder/Infielder
Intended Major: Biology
Hailing from the same high school as recent Yellowjacket senior and career home run and RBI leader Cameron Cassinelli, Jenkins will make her collegiate debut with the ‘Jackets next season. Playing primarily as a catcher last spring, Jenkins was named the regional defensive player of the year and helped her team to three postseason appearances. In her three seasons as a letterwinner with the Broncos, Jenkins helped the team to a cumulative record of 105-34.
Coach Rayman on Jenkins: “Skyler is very athletic, which will allow her to play pretty much anywhere on the diamond. She has a good work ethic and is a great addition to our program. We are excited to see her come in and compete.”
Jenkins on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because when I first walked on campus something in my heart just said, ‘this is it.’ I also chose MSUB because everyone was so welcoming and ready to have me. The atmosphere around the campus is amazing and the campus itself is beautiful. I love all the outdoorsy things that I can do here along with softball and school. I can’t wait to spend my next four years here.”
Cailee Morgan
Dewey, Arizona
Bradshaw Mountain High School
5’4” – Catcher/Infielder/Utility
Intended Major: Undecided
A recent graduate of Bradshaw Mountain High School, Morgan earned three letters in softball under head coach Sharon Haese. As a senior last year, she was named MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and was a first-team all-region and all-area selection for the third straight year. Morgan also captured the ESPN award as a junior in 2017, and finished her career as a team captain.
In her 84 games started over three seasons, Morgan posted a slash line of .447/.531/.676 with 116 hits. She holds her school’s record with a 28-game hitting streak, and completed an entire season without striking out.
Coach Rayman on Morgan: “Cailee has the ability to adapt to various positions, which will give us depth at multiple spots on the field. She is a hard worker both on and off the field, so she will fit in well with our culture.”
Morgan on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because it felt like the perfect fit. Billings is such a beautiful place, people are friendly, and the softball team has a competitive, winning culture. I am really looking forward to starting this fall.”
Payton Reynolds
Reno, Nevada
Reno High School/Willamette University/Feather River College
5’3” – Catcher/Infielder
Intended Major: Athletic Training
As a sophomore at Feather River College, Reynolds batted .320 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 40 games played. She also reached base at a clip of .426, and added in five doubles to post a slugging percentage of .600. In her freshman season at Willamette, Reynolds saw time in 21 games, with one double and one triple in 44 at-bats.
Earning three letters at Reno High School, Reynolds was a two-time all-NIAA/High Desert 4A selection. As a senior in 2016 she batted .345 with six doubles, three home runs, and 17 RBIs. Also a member of the Reno HS ski team, Reynolds was her team’s captain and earned all-state honors as a senior.
Coach Rayman on Reynolds: “What really stood out about Payton is her ability to play defense on the corners. She has good glove work and ranges well. She brings some depth to the corners and behind the plate.”
Reynolds on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of how beautiful it was and I loved how everyone was so kind and welcoming on my visit. I loved the campus and views of the city, and it gave me that small-city, home-town feel that fits me. It is a place I can get a great education and play the sport I love, while enjoying the beautiful changes of season. I loved MSUB because it felt like home.”
