Indiana State Sycamores baseball

The Indiana State Sycamores baseball team is the NCAA Division I baseball program of Indiana State University, located in Terre Haute, Indiana. It is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship in 2023. Their first season was 1896. The Sycamores have had 12 All-Americans, 26 Major Leaguers, and more than 2,070 victories. The team's most successful season was in 1986, when the team appeared in the College World Series and finished with a record of 48–21. The Sycamores have appeared in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship in 1979, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1995, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

Indiana State Sycamores
2024 Indiana State Sycamores baseball team
Founded1896
UniversityIndiana State University
Head coachMitch Hannahs (11th season)
ConferenceMissouri Valley
LocationTerre Haute, Indiana
Home stadiumBob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium
(Capacity: 2,000)
NicknameSycamores
ColorsRoyal blue and white[1]
   
College World Series appearances
1986
NCAA regional champions
1986, 2023
NCAA Tournament appearances
1979, 1983, 1984, 1986,
1987, 1989, 1995, 2012,
2014, 2019, 2021, 2023
Conference tournament champions
Missouri Valley Conference:
1979, 1983, 1984, 1986
1989, 1995, 2019, 2023
Regular season conference champions
Missouri Valley Conference:
1982 (East Division), 1983 (East Division)
1985, 2012, 2023

Indiana Collegiate Conference:
1957, 1958, 1964, 1966

Indiana Intercollegiate Conference:
1923, 1924, 1930, 1946, 1947, 1949

Indiana College Athletic League:
1919, 1920, 1921

They appeared in the NAIA Baseball World Series in 1958 and won the NAIA "Midwest" District Championship in 1964. In 2013, the 1958 team was honored on the 55th Anniversary of their appearance at the NAIA Baseball World Series.[2]

Past coaches include John Wooden, Bob Warn, former ISU and MiLB'er Paul L. Wolf,[3] and Wally Marks. The Sycamores play their home games at Sycamore Stadium at Bob Warn Field (900) and are coached by Mitch Hannahs; Hannahs was named as the 29th head coach on July 25, 2013 and returns to his alma mater following a 9-year stint as the head coach at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois. Hannahs was an assistant at Indiana State from 1995–1999 and the 2001 season. An All-American 2B for the Sycamores, Hannahs spent three seasons (1989–1991) in the Milwaukee Brewers system, spending two seasons in AA-ball with the El Paso Diablos of the Texas League.

Division I NCAA tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in 12 NCAA Division I Baseball Championships. Their combined record is 14–24; they won the 1986 Mideast Regional and the 2023 Terre Haute Regional; they reached Regional Finals in 1989 and 2019.

YearResultGames
1979Midwest Regional0–2
1983Mideast Regional0–2
1984Mideast Regional1–2
1986Mideast Regional3–0
1986College World Series0–2
1987Central Regional1–2
1989South Regional2–2
1995Midwest II Regional1–2
2012Eugene Regional0–2
2014Bloomington Regional0–2
2019Nashville Regional2–2
2021Nashville Regional1–2
2023Terre Haute Regional3–0
2023Fort Worth Super Regional0–2

National awards (2)
YearPlayerOrganization
2010Ryan Strausborger, CFRawlings Gold Glove[4]
2023Grant Magill, CRawlings Gold Glove[5]

All-Americans (17)
YearPlayerOrganization
1963Harlan Lautenschlager, IFNAIA
1985John Howes, PBaseball America
1979Wallace Johnson, 2BCoSIDA NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship
1981Marty Martino, 2BCoSIDA Academic All-American
1986Paul Frye, OFCollegiate Baseball
1989Mitch Hannahs, 2BABCA, Baseball America
1990Chad McDonald, 3BABCA, Collegiate Baseball
1991Mike Farrell, P/1BCollegiate Baseball
1992John LaMar, OFABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball
1993Casey Whitten, PABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball
1995Todd Tatlock, DHABCA, Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA
1996Dan Olson, OFABCA, NCBWA
2014Ryan Keaffaber, SPLouisville Slugger
2016Tyler Ward, SPLouisville Slugger
2021Geremy Guerrero, SPABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball.com, NCBWA
2022Randal Diaz, 3BCollegiate Baseball
2023Connor Fenlong, SPABCA, Collegiate Baseball, D1Baseball.com, NCBWA

Most Valuable Player

Conference (reg. season)

Conference Tournament (6)

All-Conference (113)

Only players selected for the conference first team are displayed; for second team and honorable mention, please consult the Indiana State baseball media guide at www.gosycamores.com

All-Indiana Collegiate Conference (35)
  • Henry Smith, (P) – 1954
  • Henry Smith, (P) – 1955
  • Henry Smith, (P) – 1957
  • Parker Eaton, (P) – 1958
  • Gerald Jeffries, (2B) – 1958
  • Paul Edgerton, (C) – 1958
  • Bill Gilkey, (OF) – 1958
  • Jim Bates, (OF) – 1958
  • Joe Decker, (SS) – 1962
  • Gary Cunning,[6] (C) – 1962
  • Paul Gries, (SS) – 1965
  • Larry Roesch, (2B) - 1965
  • Mike Harlan, (OF) – 1965
  • Randy Miller, (OF) – 1965
  • Paul Edgerton, (C) – 1965
  • Randy Miller, (OF) – 1966
  • Drew Thomas, (P) – 1966
  • Robert Warren, (P) – 1966
  • Alan Buell, (1B) – 1966
  • John Smith, (SS) – 1966
  • Mike Phillips, (3B) – 1966
  • Mike Harlan, (OF) – 1966
  • Steve Hollenbeck, C – 1966
  • Drew Thomas, (P) – 1967
  • Alan Buell, (1B) – 1967
  • Randy Miller, (2B)
  • Mike Harlan, (OF) – 1967
  • Mike Phillips, (3B) – 1967
  • Mike Lecklitner, (OF) – 1967
  • Steve Hollenbeck, (3B) – 1968
  • Dave Lecklitner, (C) – 1968
  • Nick Petrycki, (SS) – 1968
  • Mike Russell, (OF) – 1968
  • Drew Thomas, (P) – 1968
  • Mike Phillips, (1B) – 1968

All-Missouri Valley Conference (87)
  • Bill Hayes, (C) – 1977
  • Jay James, (3B) – 1977
  • Jeff Brisson, (OF) – 1977
  • Bill Hayes, (C) – 1978
  • Greg Baker, (OF) – 1978
  • Preston Williams, (1B) – 1979
  • Wallace Johnson, (2B) – 1979
  • Pete Piskol, (SS) – 1979
  • Greg Baker, (OF) – 1979
  • Mark Walberg, (P) – 1979
  • Pete Piskol, (SS) – 1979
  • Pat Dumochelle, (C) – 1980
  • Dave Browning, (DH) – 1980
  • Zane Smith, (P) – 1982
  • Pete Piskol, (SS) – 1982
  • Mark Walberg, (OF) – 1982
  • Rob Baker, (OF) – 1983
  • Brian Dorsett, (C) – 1983
  • Rod Zeratsky, (DH) – 1983
  • Tim Barrett, (P) – 1983
  • Mike Coin, (1B) – 1984
  • Scott Mann, (OF) – 1984
  • Rod Zeratsky, (C) – 1984
  • Tony Collins, (DH) – 1984
  • Blaise Ilsley, (P) – 1984
  • Boi Rodriguez, (3B) – 1985
  • Bob Zeihen, (OF) – 1985
  • Tony Collins, (DH) – 1985
  • Blaise Ilsley, (P) – 1985
  • Boi Rodriguez, (3B) – 1986
  • Paul Frye, (OF) – 1986
  • Mike Eberle, (C) – 1986
  • Mitch Hannahs, (2B) – 1987
  • Dan Roman, (SS) – 1987
  • Mike Eberle, (C) – 1987
  • Jamie Allison, (OF) – 1987
  • Mitch Hannahs, (Util) – 1988
  • Mitch Hannahs, (2B) – 1989
  • Chad McDonald, (3B) – 1989
  • Kurt Olson, (UT) – 1989
  • Mike Farrell, (DH) – 1990
  • Dave Doster, (2B) – 1992
  • Steve Ruckman, (3B) – 1992
  • John LaMar, (OF) – 1992
  • Stoney Burke, (C) – 1993
  • Demetrius Dowler, (OF) – 1993
  • Casey Whitten, (P) – 1993
  • Ric Johnson, (OF) – 1994
  • Jeff Leaman, (UT) – 1995
  • Todd Tatlock, (DH) – 1995
  • Ric Johnson, (OF) – 1995
  • Brad Finken, (P) – 1996
  • Dan Olson, (OF) – 1996
  • Rick Angell, (OF) – 1998
  • Tony Harden, (P) – 1998
  • Pete Hennecke, (IF) – 1998
  • Clint Barmes, (SS) – 2000
  • Mitch Stetter, (P) – 2000
  • Jason Frome, (OF) – 2001
  • Nevin Ashley, (C) – 2006
  • Ryan Strausborger, 2B – 2008
  • Ryan Strausborger, UT – 2009
  • Brady Shoemaker, OF – 2009
  • Nick Ciolli, OF – 2009
  • Joe Rodriguez, (SP) – 2009
  • Ryan Strausborger, (OF) – 2010
  • Jacob Petricka, (SP) – 2010
  • Robby Ort, (OF) – 2011
  • Jeremy Lucas, (C) – 2012
  • Rob Ort, (OF) – 2012
  • Dakota Bacus, (SP) – 2012
  • Ryan Keaffaber, (RP) – 2014
  • Tyler Wampler, (SS) – 2014
  • Andy DeJesus, (2B) – 2016
  • Hunter Owen, (OF) – 2016
  • Tony Rosselli, (OF) – 2017
  • Jake Means, (3B) – 2018
  • Tyler Grauer, (LHP) – 2019
  • Collin Liberatore, (RHP) – 2019
  • Jake Means, (3B) – 2019
  • Aaron Beck, (OF) – 2021
  • Connor Fenlong, (RP) – 2021
  • Geremy Guerrero, (SP) – 2021
  • Jordan Schaeffer, (SS) – 2021
  • Max Wright, (C) – 2021
  • Lane Miller, (SP) - 2023
  • Matt Jachec, (SP) - 2023

Pitcher of the Year (2)
  • Geremy Guerrero – 2021
  • Connor Fenlong – 2023

Defensive Player of the Year (3)
  • Tyler Wampler – 2014
  • Jake Means – 2019
  • Grant Magill – 2023

MVC Newcomer of the Year (5)
  • Rich Angell – 1998
  • Clint Barmes – 2000
  • Tim Brewer – 2005
  • Collin Liberatore – 2019
  • Aaron Beck – 2021

MVC Freshman of the Year (2)
  • Mitch Stetter – 2000
  • Ryan Keaffaber – 2014

Career leaders

Batting average
NameAverage
Larry Bird* (1979) .500
Todd Tatlock (1994–95) .423
Wallace Johnson (1977–79) .422
Rob Barker (1981–83) .399
Pete Piskol (1978–82) .396
Paul Frye (1984–86) .383
  • Bird appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI.[7]

Hits
NameHits
Bob Zeihen* (1985–88) 290
Mitch Hannahs (1986–89) 274
Steve Ruckman (1990–93) 257
Dan Roman (1984–87) 253
Pete Piskol (1978–82) 250
  • Bob Zeihen holds the National NCAA career record for triples (32)[8]

HRs
NameHRs
Boi Rodriguez (1985–87) 48
Dan Frye (1989–92) 39
Mike Eberle (1984–87) 37
Tyler Thompson (1995–98) 32
Dan Olson (1994–96) 30

Wins
NameWins
Mike Gardiner (1984–87) 30
John Howes (1982–86) 29
Mike Farrell (1988–91) 27
Casey Whitten (1991–93) 27
Paul Quizner (1983–86) 25
Blaine Ilsley (1983–85) 25
Randy Keaffaber (1990–93) 25
Brad Finken (1994–97) 25

ERA
NameERA
Jim Ridenour (1977–78) 3.03
Casey Whitten (1991–93) 3.04
Dave Thomas (1977–78) 3.09
Blaise Ilsley (1983–85) 3.20
Jim Rasmussen (1977–78) 3.32

Strikeouts
NameStrikeouts
Casey Whitten (1991–93) 299
Mike Gardiner (1983–86) 296
Brad Finken (1994–97) 275
Blake Ilsley (1983–85) 274
Mitch Stetter (2000–03) 254

Sycamores in MLB

While long-time baseball great Tommy John is an alumnus of Indiana State; he did not play baseball for the Sycamores as he attended classes around his professional baseball schedule. Future New York Yankees-great, Don Mattingly, declined his baseball scholarship from Coach Bob Warn after he was drafted by the New York Yankees.

Bill Hayes had 2 "cups-of-coffee" in the majors but would go on to a long career as a Minor League manager before beginning a 15-year coaching career with the San Francisco Giants, winning 3x World Series Championships (2010, 2012, 2014); in Dec 2014, he was named 1st-base coach for the Giants.[9] Long-time college basketball coach Ron Felling was a 2-year letterman for the Sycamores.

In addition, basketball legend Larry Bird appeared in two games for the Sycamores, in the spring of 1979, following the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Indiana State has placed over 75 Sycamores in the Minors, of which 27 have reached the Major Leagues or Negro Major Leagues. They are by order of appearance:

# Player Primary Team Career
1 Junius Bibbs Kansas City Monarchs 1933–1944
2 Jeff James Philadelphia Phillies 1968–1969
3 Danny Lazar Chicago White Sox 1968–1968
4 Bill Hayes Chicago Cubs 1980–1981
5 Wallace Johnson Montreal Expos 1981–1990
6 Rick Grapenthin Montreal Expos 1983–1985
7 Zane Smith Atlanta Braves 1984–1996
8 Brian Dorsett Cincinnati Reds 1984–1996
9 Tim Barrett Montreal Expos 1988
10 Mike Gardiner Boston Red Sox 1990–1995
11 Tom Gilles Toronto Blue Jays 1990–1990
12 Blaise Ilsley Chicago Cubs 1994–1994
13 David Doster Philadelphia Phillies 1996, 1999
14 Chuck Smith Florida Marlins 2000–2001
15 Clint Barmes Colorado Rockies 2003–2015
16 Alex Graman New York Yankees 2003–2004
17 Mitch Stetter Milwaukee Brewers 2007–2011
18 Joe Thatcher San Diego Padres 2007–2015
19 Brian Omogrosso Chicago White Sox 2012–2013
20 Jake Petricka Chicago White Sox 2013–2021
21 Colin Rea San Diego Padres 2015–present
22 Ryan Strausborger Texas Rangers 2015
23 Nevin Ashley Milwaukee Brewers 2015
24 Sean Manaea San Francisco Giants 2016–present
25 Andy Young Arizona Diamondbacks 2020–2021
26 Dakota Bacus Washington Nationals 2020
27 Hunter Owen Pittsburgh Pirates 2021

Coaching leaders
YearsCoach (Alma Mater)WinsLossesTiesPct.Notes
1976–2006Bob Warn (Southern Illinois)1,0707455.5981986 College World Series, 7 NCAA bids, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1995 Conference Titles
2014–presentMitch Hannahs (Indiana State)3382071.6204 NCAA bids; 2023 Conference Title
1938–1941, 1956–1967Paul Wolf (Indiana State)1401135.5521958 NAIA World Series, 4-time Coach of the Year, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1966 Conference Titles
2010–2013Rick Heller (Upper Iowa)132960.5832012 NCAA tournament, 2012 MVC Coach of the Year
1968–1975Jim Rendel (Earlham, {Ind.})1291410.478
1929–1931, 1934–1937, 1942, 1946–1947, 1949–1955Wally Marks (Chicago)108812.5711930, 1946, 1948, 1949 Conference Titles
2007–2009Lindsay Meggs (UCLA)77790.4932009 Coach of the Year
1924–1928Art Strum (Wisconsin-LaCrosse)41160.7191924 Conference Title
1918–1923Birch Bayh (Indiana State)40131.7501919, 1920, 1921, 1923 Conference Titles
1913–1917Alfred Westphal (unknown)24241.500
1932–1933Jack Hannah (unknown)1880.692
1948John Wooden (Purdue), (Indiana State)*770.500
1912Bert Wiggins (unknown)820.800
1910Jesse A. Wood (Indiana State)740.636
1896-1909; 1911; 1918; 1944Others50590.460
1896–presentAll-time2,1891,59515.578
  • - John Wooden was a Graduate Student while he coached the baseball team

Conference Coach of the Year (10)
CoachYear(s)Conf
Paul Wolf1958, 1963, 1966, 1967Indiana Collegiate[10]
Bob Warn1979, 1983, 1984Missouri Valley[11]
Lindsay Meggs2009Missouri Valley[11]
Rick Heller2012Missouri Valley
Mitch Hannahs2023Missouri Valley

Hall(s) of Fame
  • 1987 – Paul Wolf (Coach) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[12]
  • 1988 – Don Jennings (Player) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[13]
  • 1989 – Howard Sharpe (Player) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[14]
  • 1990 – Bob Warn (Coach) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[15]
  • 2000 – Bob Warn (Coach) – Iowa Western Hall of Fame[16]
  • 2002 - Junius "Rainey" Bibbs (Player) - Indiana State University Hall of Fame[17]
  • 2002 – 1986 Baseball Team (College World Series participant) – Indiana State University> </ref>
  • 2002 – Bob Warn (Coach) – Indiana State University Hall of Fame[16]
  • 2002 – Paul Gries (Player) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[18]
  • 2003 – Bob Warn (Coach) – American Baseball Coach's Association[16]
  • 2007 – Brian Dorsett (Player) – Indiana State University Hall of Fame[19]
  • 2008 – Brian Dorsett (Player) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[20]
  • 2011 – Junius "Rainey" Bibbs (Player) – Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame[21]
  • 2021 - Sean Manaea (Player) – Indiana State University Hall of Fame[16]
  • 2022 - Steve Ruckman[22] (Player) - Frontier League Hall of Fame[23]

See also
  • List of NCAA Division I baseball programs

References
  1. "Athletic Communications". GoSycamores.com. May 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  2. "1958 Baseball Sycamores Recognized - Indiana State University". Indiana State University. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  3. "Paul Wolf Minor Leagues Statistics & History".
  4. "Strausborger Earns Rawlings Gold Glove Award - Indiana State University". Indiana State University. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  5. "Magill named 2023 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove Winner". 21 June 2023.
  6. "Gary Cunning Minor Leagues Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  7. Dana Hunsinger (May 4, 2015). "Larry Bird's baseball career: A lofty .500 batting average". Indystar.com. Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  8. https://web.archive.org/web/20150530025447/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/baseball_RB/2015/D1.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. Haft, Chris (2014-06-30). "Bill Hayes named Giants' first-base coach; Roberto Kelly moves to third-base coach | sfgiants.com". M.giants.mlb.com. Retrieved 2015-10-18.
  10. Indiana State University Archives Home Archived June 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  11. http://www.mvc.org/baseball/baseballrecords.pdf
  12. "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  13. "Inductees". www.indbaseballhalloffame.org. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010.
  14. "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  15. "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  16. Indiana State University Archives Home Archived June 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  17. "Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame Class List". Indiana State University. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  18. "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  19. "Five To Be Inducted Into 2008 Class Of Indiana State Athletic Hall Of Fame – GoSycamores.com—Official Web Site of Indiana State Athletics". Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  20. "Inductees". www.indbaseballhalloffame.org. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010.
  21. "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". www.indbaseballhalloffame.org. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  22. "Steve Ruckman Independent Leagues Statistics & History".
  23. "Sycamore alum Steve Ruckman named 2022 Frontier League Hall of Fame inductee". 13 June 2022.
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