Minot Vistas standouts and former Minot High School players Marcus Quist and Austin Berntson have both been added to the Minot State University baseball roster for next season.
The lefthanded Berntson was the Vistas' ace and cleanup hitter this summer, compiling a 2.46 ERA with team highs in batting average (.423) and RBIs (37).
"Bernie will be (an) outfielder and a pitcher for us so obviously it's good to sign a lefthanded pitcher," MSU coach Brock Weppler said. "He'll be a good addition for us at both spots. He swung the bat pretty well this summer and did a pretty good job pitching. He's definitely got some tools."
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Daniel Allar/MDN
Minot Vistas second baseman Marcus Quist turns a double play in a game earlier this summer. Minot State University baseball coach Brock Weppler announced the signing of Quist and teammate Austin Berntson on Friday.
Berntson, who also considered Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn., said he was attracted to MSU because of "its closeness to home and being able to stay around all my friends, and still being able to get the college baseball experience I've wanted my whole life."
Quist, a lefthanded-hitting second basemen, batted .333 with a .484 on-base percentage for the Vistas.
"He's the type of kid that maybe we'll be able to bump around, possibly to outfield," Weppler said. "The more things that you can do athletically, the more opportunities you're gonna have."
Quist said he'd welcome playing a different spot.
"I'd give anything to play any position as long as I'm in the field," he said. "As long as I'm in the lineup, I don't care."
The Beavers' latest pickups continue a trend of local players committing to MSU. Some of Quist's and Berntson's teammates on the Vistas - Micah Holmen, Ethan Stein, Alex Howell and Ben Magnuson - played for the Beavers last season.
"You know some familiar faces so it's not as awkward on the first day," Quist said. "It'll be nice getting to know the new guys."
Weppler said he's glad to add more local products to his team.
"I'm very familiar with 'em," he said. "They're Minot kids and I have a good idea of what both of 'em can do. Any time we can get some quality Minot kids in, obviously it's a good thing."