Morehead State University Baseball 1979
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General Information LOCATION-Morehead, Ky. 40351. ENROLLMENT-7,682. FOUNDED-1922. PRESIDENT -Dr. Morris Norfleet. ATHLETIC COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN-Dr. Rodger Hammons, Associate Professor of Mathematics. 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-UPC 683, MSU, 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-Jim Wells. Office Phone: AC 606-783-3325 Home Phone: AC 606-784-8073 ASSISTANT SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR- Becky Bennett. Office Phone: AC 606-783-3325 Home Phone: AC 606-783-4337 CONFERENCE-Ohio Valley. 1979 Media Guide-Published by Morehead State University. Information compiled and edited by Jim Wells. Photography by Morehead State University's Office of Photographic Services. Morehead State University Baseball Outlook 1979 After posting a 19-18 record last season, Morehead State University Baseball Coach Steve Hamilton enters the 1979 campaign with optimism. " Last year we entered the season with a lot of green kids," he stated. "Early in the season we didn't play that well, but later on, our youngsters began to mature." The Eagles produced 11 wins over the last 15 games of 1979, and Hamilton is hopeful that the returning nucleus plus his recruits can pick up from there. "We felt like we had an excellent recruiting year," Hamilton said. "Now we'll have to wait and see what our players can do." The key to any basebal I team is its pitching staff, and Hamilton is pleased about this area of his pl us our top pitchers out of the squad. bullpen," he stated. " Unless we "We have our top four starting have some injuries, we will be pitchers back from last season, strong on the mound." Foremost among the returnees are senior Chet LaMay, a right hander who led the staff with a 7-0 mark and 1.62 ERA. Other returnees include righthanded starters Ken Wilfong and Walt Terrell plus lefthander Ed Olwine. Also returning are juniors Tom Deluca and Jim Schmidt and sophomores Mark Molitor, Joe Martin and Dan Hoard. Freshmen on this year's staff include righthanders Glen Napier and Mike Mattox. Veterans return at nearly al I positions for the Eagles with seven starters at non-pitching positions. Senior Dan Kiser, returning at first base, will be backed up by sophomore Brian Hawk. Chris Auer, an all-conference performer, returns at second base and will be pushed for his position by Mitch Trainor, part-time starter from last season. John McVaney returns at shortstop, backed up by freshman Jamey Bennett. Third base will be held down by senior Roy Wright. Don Allen of Ashland should get the nod if Wright falters. The catching duties will be The outfield appears strong with handled by sophomore all-confer two outstanding offensive threats ence performer Jeff White and returning in junior Jody Hamilton freshman David Gaunce. Davis and sophomore John Combs. could also see some backstop duty. Filling the lone vacancy on the "We feel with the experience starting unit will be freshman Glen we have throughout the ballclub, Jones of Frankfort. Providing we will be a contender for the back-up strength will be freshmen conference championship," stated Mark Davis, Robbie Huffman and Hamilton. "With the home-and Torrin Gilbert. home format in the conference this season, it will make for an inter esting and exciting race. " Besides play against six Ohio Valley Conference foes, MSU will be in action against Western Michigan, Marshall, Xavier, Louis ville, Kentucky, Morris Harvey and Ohio University. In addition, the Eagles open the 1979 campaign against NCAA Division I leaders Memphis State and Mississippi, plus Division II power Delta State on a March road trip. "I really feel we'll be a good baseball team this season," Hamilton said. "With the schedule we're playing, we'd better be." Head Coach Steve Hamilton But the slender native of Charlestown, Indiana, will probably be remembered most for his· professional 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 seven and one-half seasons and played in two World Series. He retired from the major leagues following the 1972 season and managed the Johnson City (Tenn.) franchise in the Appalachian Former MSU basketball and League in 1973. baseball standout Steve Hamilton Hamilton returned to the majors is entering his fourth season at the as pitching coach of the Detroit helm of the Eagle baseball program, Tigers in 1975 under his ldng-time afterguiding the Eagles to a record friend and former manager, Ralph of 74-48 in his initial three cam Houk, but returned to MSU last paigns. year. In those three years, MSU has " In baseball, I left home for seven won two eastern division titles and months out of the year and could one OVC championship, with see my family for only a day at a Hamilton being named as league time," said Hamilton. "I decided I "Coach of the Year" in 1977. wanted to stay closer to home." Hamilton earned All-American Hamilton was appointed the honors in basketball at MSU in Eagle field boss when John (Sonny) 1957. He twice was named to the Allen was elevated to assistant All-Ohio Valley Conference team. athletic director. Allen served as He distinguished his basketball head coach for 14 seasons. career by setting all of MSU's Hamilton views his appointment rebounding marks. He currently as a challenge and responsibility. holds the marks for rebounds in a " It is a great opportunity to be game (38), rebounds in a season able to take over a program like this (543), rebounds in a four-year one," he said. " It will take a great career (1 ,675) , best rebounding · deal of hard work to maintain average in a season (20.1) and best MSU's tradition in baseball." rebounding average in a career Hamilton received his bachelor's (16.4). He also is the No. 3 all-time degree from MSU in 1958 and his scorer at MSU with 1,829 points. master's degree in 1963. Assistant Coach Kirk Hudson Kirk Hudson, a four-year letterman for MSU's baseball team, will be one of two assistants for Coach Steve Hamilton this season. From Chrisney, Ind., Hudson was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference team in 1977 as he hit .321 in 31 games. A participant in three OVC championship series, Hudson will be counted on heavily to work with the young pitching and catching staffs. "Kirk will be a tremendous help to both our pitchers and catchers, as he knows baseball, especially the philosophy behind battery play," stated Hamilton. "With his coaching, we hope to develop these players at an accelerated pace. He was a big asset to us last year in this position, and we hope his experience will pay off." Assistant Coach Jeff Stamper One of the most versatile players ever to put on an Eagle uniform, Jeff Stamper came to MSU as a catcher and played all nine positions during the course of his career. A resident of Frankfort, Stamper was named to the all-OVC team in 1977 as he led the team in hitting with a .397 mark. A co-holder of the OVC record for consecutive games batted safely, Stamper was once named "Most Valuable Player" in the Kentucky 17-18 Babe Ruth League Baseball Tournament. "Jeff was an extremely valuable player for us during his varsity career," stated Hamilton. "He filled in wherever we needed someone. I am hopeful he will be able to do this as a coach. "With his experience and knowledge of all positions, he will be able to make a tremendous impact on our youngsters. We've had to teach some new positions, and he has already made an impact." Assistant Coach Sam Daugherty Sam Daugherty, a former Eagle player under Leston Stewart and Sonny Allen, will be serving as volunteer assistant with the MSU team this spring. Daugherty, a native of Greenfield, Ohio, Is a member of the faculty at University Breckinridge School on the MSU campus, where he coaches baseball and junior high school basketball. "We are happy that Sam is able to spend time with us, with all his other duties," stated Coach Steve Hamilton. " He knows the game, and his coaching experience on the high school level makes him a valuable asset." He continued: "He will be able to help in nearly all areas of the game, and with our young team, it is important that we give players individual instruction on fundamentals." A four-year baseball letterman, Daugherty played on MSU's 1969 championship squad. COACHING RECORDS SINCE 1946 Year Head Coach Won Lost ChamE!:ionshies Vear Head Coach Won Lost Chameionshies 1946 Stan Radjunas 7 7 1964 22 8 OVC East 1947 10 4 KIAC 1965 24 9 OVC East 1948 9 3 1966 Sonny Allen 14 5 1949 8 8 1967 Rex Chaney 22 11 (Chaney T otal, 6 yrs., 1950 5 8 111-56) 1951 10 9 1968 Les Stewart 13 14 OVC East (Stewart 1952 12 3 OVC East Total, 1 yr .. 13-14) 1953 .. 7 7 (Aadjunas Total, 1969 Sonny Allen 22 6 OVC East, OVC 8 yrs .