Morehead State University General Information LOCATION- Morehead, KY 40351 ENROLLMENT-6,700 FOUNDED- 1922 PRESIDENT-Dr. Morris Norfleet ATHLETIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN-Dr. Rodger Hammons, Professor of Mathemafics ATHLETIC DIRECTOR-G.E. (Sonny) Moran Office Phone: AC 606-783-3335 Home Phone: AC 606-784-6789 ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR- John (Sonny) Allen Office Phone: AC 606-783-3335 Home Phone: AC 606-784-5332 HEAD BASEBALL COACH-Steve Hamilton Office Phone: AC 606-783-5292 Home Phone: AC 606-784-5424 BASEBALL ADDRESS-MSU UPO Box 683, Morehead, KY 40351 PRESS BOX PHONE-AC 606-783-5293 NICKNAME-Eagles SCHOOL COLORS-Royal blue and gold FIELD-John (Sonny) Allen Field SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR-TBA Office Phone: AC 606-783-3100 ASSISTANT SPORTS INFORMATION DIREC­ TOR- Liz Oosthuizen Office Phone: AC 606-783-3100 Home Phone: AC 606-783-1747 CONFERENCE-Ohio Valley 1982 Media Gulde- Published by Morehead State Univer­ sity. Photography by Morehead Stale University's Office of Photographic Services. Al/ photographs In this guide have been reproduced with an 85 line screen and are suitable for reprinting. Head Coach Steve Hamilton Former MSU basketball and baseball standout Steve Hamilton is entering his sixth season at the helm of the Eagle basebal l program, after guiding the Eagles to a record of 28-18 In his initial 6 cam­ paigns. In those 6 years, MSU has won 2 eastern divi­ sion titles and 1 OVC championship, with Hamilton being named as league "Coach of the Year" in 1977. Hamilton earned All-American honors in basket­ ball at MSU In 1957. He twice was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference team. He distinguished his basketball career by set­ ting all of MSU's rebounding marks. He currently holds the marks for rebounds in a game (38), re­ bounds in a season (543), rebounds in a 4-year career (1,675), best rebounding average in a season (20.1) and best rebounding average in a career (16.4). He also is the No. 4 all-time scorer at MSU with 1,829 points. But the slender native of Charlestown, Indiana, will probably be remembered most for his profes­ sional baseball days. Hamilton spent 11 seasons in the majors and played for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. He stayed with the Yankees for 7½ seasons and played in 2 World Series. He retired from the major leagues following the 1972 season and managed the Johnson City (Tenn.) franchise in the Appalachian League in 1973. Hamilton returned to the majors as pitching coach of the Detroit Tigers in i975 under his long­ time friend and former manager, Ralph Houk, but returned to MSU in 1976. " In baseball, I left home for seven months out of the year and could see my family for only a day at a time," said Hamilton. "I decided I wanted to stay closer to home." Hamilton was appointed the Eagle field boss when John (Sonny) Allen was elevated to assis­ tant athletic director. Allen served as head coach for 14 seasons. Hamilton received his bachelor's degree from MSU in 1958 and his master's degree in 1963. Jody Hamilton Graduate Assistant Coach Serving as graduate assistant coach with MSU this season will be former Eagle star Jody Hamilton of Ashland. A four-year starter in the outfield for MSU, Hamilton set virtually all MSU hitting records for power in his career, hitting 49 home runs, driving In 155 runs, and accounting for 376 total bases. Even more impressive were Hamilton's totals for 1979, when he hammered 19 home runs, drove In 60 runs, and hit .425, winning the Ohio Valley Conference's "Triple Crown" and earning league " Player of the Year" honors. " Jody should give our program a big boost as he Is an outstanding hitter and student of hitting," stated Steve Hamilton. " Hopefully, some of you younger players will pick up some of Jody's exper­ tise in that area." Coaching Records Since 1946 Year Head Coach Won Lost Championships 1946 Stan Radjunas 7 7 1947 II 10 4 KIAC 1948 " 9 3 1949 " 8 8 1950 ,, 5 8 1951 " 10 9 1952 " 12 3 OVC East 1953 " 7 7 Radjunas total, 8 yrs., 68-49 1954 Sonny Allen 7 10 1955 II 9 11 1956 " 12 8 1957 " 12 6 OVC East, OVC. 1958 " 10 5 1959 " 14 11 1960 George Cooke 6 13 (Cooke total, 1 yr., 6-13) 1961 Rex Chaney 12 9 OVC East 1962 II 11 9 ovc East 1963 " 20 10 OVC East, OVC (Co-champs) 1964 " 22 8 OVC East 1965 " 24 9 OVC East 1966 Sonny Allen 14 5 1967 Rex Chaney 22 11 (Chaney total, 6 yrs., 111-56) 1968 Les Stewart 13 14 OVC East (Stewart total, 1 yr., 13-14) 1969 Sonny Allen· 22 6 OVC East, OVC 1970 " 18 9 1971 " 22 8 1'972 " 11 9 1973 " 26 12 OVC East, OVC 1974 " 23 17 OVC East 1975 II 26 19 (Allen total, 14 yrs., 226-137) 1976 Steve Hamilton 28 11 OVC East 1977 " 27 19 OVC East, OVC 1978 " 19 18 1979 " 23 19 1980 II 19 17 1981 " 20 18 (Hamilton total 560 370 6 yrs., 136-102) Outlook Morehead State University's baseball Eagles will employ a "new look" this spring, and MSU head coach Steve Hamilton hopes that look will carry his charges to the OVC championship series. Speed and defense will be the keys for MSU, replac­ ing former Eagle squads that lived and died by the long ball. The question Hamlllon must have theto answer Is, can his young pitching staff, the key a strong defensive team, hold up under the pressure? " I really feel we have some good arms on the mound this season," Hamilton stated. "But you never know about pitching in the early spring as to what Injuries could do to your staff." He continued: "This should be one of the better defensive Infields we have had in the past few years, and we'll be scoring our runs by the stolen base and the hit and run, rather than waiting around for the long ball." Leading the pitching staff for the upcoming season is senior Mike Mattox, who should reclaim the position of top starter on the staff if he can avoid the injuries that plagued him last season. Teaming with Mattox will be another senior, Glenn Napier, who will join the mound corps after the close of MSU 's basketball season. Napier had an off year in 1981, and must revert to his freshman and sophomore form to be effective. Two sophomores who will be counted on heavily are Ricky Layne and David Armentrout, both rlghthanders. Last year, both were impressive in spots, and Hamilton hopes they can continue to improve and gain consisten­ cy. Other returnees who will see action this season are junior Scott Haynes and sophomores Ted Carter and David Michael. All three of these players cou ld see duty as starters or in the bu ll pen. Newcomers on the Eagles' pitching staff for 1982 In­ clude junior Kevin Sturgill and freshman Tim Cornett, Drew Hall, Ray Hornback, and Robbie Williams. " For us to be a winner with our schedule, we'll have to get help from the new people on the staff," Hamilton said. "We have too many games scheduled for just a few people to carry the load." As for the speed and defense, two newcomers to MSU will provide their share of both. Junior college transfers Steve Heatherly and Frank Spanlol will get the starting nod at second base and shortstop, respectively, and will hit In the No. 1 and 2 positions In the batting order. "We feel these players will add a new dimension to our game, as they both are excellent all-around players who can do many things to help you." Another top returnee in the infield Is third baseman Joe Mitchell, who hit 15 home runs in his freshman season last year. Senior Don Allen rounds out the Infield at first base, while sophomore Chris Hall and freshman John Miller will provide the back-up support. In the outfield, returnees Alan Steele in center field and Mark Davis in right appear to be leading candidates for positions. The remaining slot should go to a trio of players Including sophomore John Bennett and freshman Charles Clifton and Shawn Johnson. The catching chores should be divided between two sophomores, as Mark Swartz and Tom Rastanl will bat­ tle for the start until opening day. The designated hitter slot should go to senior Jamey Bennett, who has displayed power and speed all through his varsity career. "We have the potential for a team with excellent balance in both pitching and defense and speed and power," Hamilton said. "We have to go out and execute from the first pitch to be a winner." The Eagles Don Allen 6-1, 190, Sr., INF Ashland, Ky. Outstanding power hitter. Has battled back from shoulder In­ juries and should be starter at first base. Should be one of the squad's top offensive per­ formers this season. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Allen of Ashland. G AB R H 28 38 HR RBI SB SAC BB SO AVG 1979 12 26 5 4 0 0 3 9 0 1 5 11 .154 1980 22 69 9 21 0 0 4 22 1 0 8 20 .304 1981 18 42 9 9 1 0 2 8 0 1 4 17 .214 50 137 23 34 1 0 9 39 1 2 17 48 .248 David Armentrout 6-1, 188, So., P Chapmanville, W.