Indiana State Sycamores baseball
Encyclopedia
The Indiana State Sycamores baseball team is the NCAA Division I men's baseball program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
in 1995. Their first season was 1896. The Sycamores boast 12 All-Americans, 17 Sycamore Major Leaguers and 1,700+ victories. The Sycamore's greatest season was 1986, when Coach Bob Warn and stars Mitch Hannahs, Paul Frye and John Howes led them to the College World Series
, they finished with a record of 48–21. The Sycamores have appeared in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
in 1979, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1995.
They appeared in the NAIA Baseball World Series
in 1958 and won an NAIA District Championship in 1964.
Past coaches include the legendary John Wooden
(1948; 11-2) and the equally legendary, Bob Warn; Paul L. Wolf and Wally Marks. The Sycamores play their home games at Sycamore Stadium
at Bob Warn Field (900), and are currently coached by Rick Heller.
s. Their combined record is 8–14.
is an alumnus of Indiana State; he did not play baseball for the Sycamores as he attended classes around his professional baseball schedule. In addition, New York Yankees
-great, Don Mattingly
, declined his baseball scholarship from Coach Bob Warn after he was drafted by the New York Yankees
. Seventeen former Sycamores have played in the Major Leagues. They are:
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
in 1995. Their first season was 1896. The Sycamores boast 12 All-Americans, 17 Sycamore Major Leaguers and 1,700+ victories. The Sycamore's greatest season was 1986, when Coach Bob Warn and stars Mitch Hannahs, Paul Frye and John Howes led them to the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
, they finished with a record of 48–21. The Sycamores have appeared in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
in 1979, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1995.
They appeared in the NAIA Baseball World Series
NAIA Baseball World Series
The NAIA Baseball World Series is a double-elimination tournament held annually in Lewiston, Idaho, to determine the baseball champion of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics .-Results:...
in 1958 and won an NAIA District Championship in 1964.
Past coaches include the legendary John Wooden
John Wooden
John Robert Wooden was an American basketball player and coach. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Westwood", he won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period — seven in a row — as head coach at UCLA, an unprecedented feat. Within this period, his teams won a record 88 consecutive games...
(1948; 11-2) and the equally legendary, Bob Warn; Paul L. Wolf and Wally Marks. The Sycamores play their home games at Sycamore Stadium
Sycamore Field
Sycamore Stadium is a baseball stadium in Terre Haute, Indiana. The venue is used by both the Indiana State Sycamores baseball team of the Missouri Valley Conference and the Terre Haute Rex of the college summer Prospect League.- Field :...
at Bob Warn Field (900), and are currently coached by Rick Heller.
Div I NCAA Tournament Results
The Sycamores have appeared in 7 NCAA Division I Baseball ChampionshipNCAA Division I Baseball Championship
The NCAA Division I Baseball Championship tournament is held each year from May through June and features 64 college baseball teams in the United States, culminating in the College World Series....
s. Their combined record is 8–14.
| Year | Result | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Midwest Regional | 0-2 |
| 1983 | Mideast Regional | 0-2 |
| 1984 | Mideast Regional | 1-2 |
| 1986 | Mideast Regional | 3-0 |
| 1986 | COLLEGE WORLD SERIES | 0-2 |
| 1987 | Central Regional | 1-2 |
| 1989 | South Regional | 2-2 |
| 1995 | Midwest II Regional | 1-2 |
National Awards (1)
| Year | Player | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Ryan Strausborger, CF | Rawlings Gold Glove |
All-Americans (10)
| Year | Player | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Harlan Lautenschlager, IF | NAIA |
| 1985 | John Howes, P | Baseball America |
| 1986 | Paul Frye, OF | Collegiate Baseball |
| 1989 | Mitch Hannahs, 2B | ABCA, Baseball America |
| 1990 | Chad McDonald, 3B | ABCA, Collegiate Baseball |
| 1991 | Mike Farrell, P/1B | Collegiate Baseball |
| 1992 | John LaMar, OF | ABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball |
| 1993 | Casey Whitten, P | ABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball |
| 1995 | Todd Tatlock, DH | ABCA, Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA |
| 1996 | Dan Olson, OF | ABCA, NCBWA |
Conference Tournament (4)
- 1979 Wallace Johnson, 2B Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley ConferenceThe Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
- 1986 Dave Travis, DH Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley ConferenceThe Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
- 1989 Larry Russell, OF Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley ConferenceThe Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
- 1995 Jeff Leaman, 3B/P Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley ConferenceThe Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
MVC Newcomer of the Year (3)
- Rich Angell - 1998
- Clint BarmesClint BarmesClint Harold Barmes [BAR-miss] is an American professional baseball shortstop and second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He played for the Colorado Rockies from 2003-2010 and Houston Astros in 2011...
- 2000 - Tim Brewer - 2005
Batting Average
| Name | Average |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Hits
| Name | Hits |
|---|---|
| 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 |
HRs
| Name | HRs |
|---|---|
| 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
| Name | Wins |
|---|---|
| Mike Gardiner Mike Gardiner Michael James Gardiner is a former Canadian Major League Baseball pitcher who played who played for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, and Detroit Tigers. He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed.Gardiner was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round of the 1987... (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
| Name | ERA |
|---|---|
| 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
| Name | Strikeouts |
|---|---|
| Casey Whitten (1991–93) | 299 |
| Mike Gardiner (1983–86) | 296 |
| Brad Finken (1994–97) | 275 |
| Blake Ilsley (1983–85) | 274 |
| Mitch Stetter Mitch Stetter Mitchel Blake Stetter is an American professional baseball pitcher.-College:Stetter attended Indiana State University where he was a pitcher. He was then drafted in the 16th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft... (2000–03) |
254 |
Sycamores in MLB
While long-time baseball great Tommy JohnTommy John
Thomas Edward John Jr. is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball whose 288 career victories rank as the seventh highest total among left-handers in major league history...
is an alumnus of Indiana State; he did not play baseball for the Sycamores as he attended classes around his professional baseball schedule. In addition, New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
-great, Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, declined his baseball scholarship from Coach Bob Warn after he was drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Seventeen former Sycamores have played in the Major Leagues. They are:
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| Jeff James Jeff James Jeffrey Lynn James was an American Major League Baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 35 games from – for the Philadelphia Phillies. He won six games, including one shutout. A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, he attended Indiana State University.-External links:... | 1968 - 1969 |
| Danny Lazar Danny Lazar John Daniel Lazar is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched in parts of two seasons, and , for the Chicago White Sox. An alum of Indiana State University, Lazar was elected to the ISU Hall of Fame in 2008 and inducted in 2009.-Sources:... | 1968 - 1969 |
| Bill Hayes Bill Hayes (baseball) William Ernest Hayes was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs . He attended Indiana State University.... | 1980 - 1981 |
| Wallace Johnson | 1981 - 1990 |
| Rick Grapenthin Rick Grapenthin Richard Ray Grapenthin , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues as a relief pitcher.-External links:*... | 1983 - 1985 |
| Zane Smith Zane Smith Zane William Smith is a former American Major League baseball player.-Career:Smith, a left-handed pitcher, played collegiately at Indiana State University. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 1982 amateur draft and made his Major League debut on September 10, 1984 for... | 1984 - 1996 |
| Brian Dorsett Brian Dorsett Brian Richard Dorsett is a retired professional baseball player who played 8 seasons for the Cleveland Indians, California Angels, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Brian currently owns and operates a new car dealership in Terre Haute,... | 1987 - 1996 |
| Tim Barrett Tim Barrett (baseball) Timothy Wayne Barrett is a former professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in four games in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos in 1988, all as a relief pitcher.-External links:... | 1988 - 1988 |
| Mike Gardiner Mike Gardiner Michael James Gardiner is a former Canadian Major League Baseball pitcher who played who played for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, and Detroit Tigers. He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed.Gardiner was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round of the 1987... | 1990 - 1995 |
| Tom Gilles Tom Gilles Thomas Bradford Gilles is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Gilles pitched in two games for the Toronto Blue Jays in the season. He had a 1-0 record, in 1.3 innings, with a 6.75 ERA.... | 1990 - 1990 |
| Blaise Ilsley Blaise Ilsley Blaise Francis Ilsley , is an American former Major League Baseball left-handedpitcher who played in with the Chicago Cubs, and is now a minor league baseball pitching coach for the Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early and personal... | 1994 - 1994 |
| David Doster David Doster David Eric Doster is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was drafted by the Phillies in the 27th round of the 1993 amateur draft... | 1996 - 1999 |
| Chuck Smith Chuck Smith (baseball) Charles Edward Smith is the current mayor of Woodmere, Ohio and a former Major League Baseball player. He attended John Adams High School in Cleveland, Ohio and later Indiana State University... | 2000 - 2001 |
| Clint Barmes Clint Barmes Clint Harold Barmes [BAR-miss] is an American professional baseball shortstop and second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He played for the Colorado Rockies from 2003-2010 and Houston Astros in 2011... | 2003 - Present |
| Alex Graman Alex Graman Alex Joseph Graman is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball and is currently their closer. He bats and throws left-handed.-College career:... | 2004 - 2005 |
| Mitch Stetter Mitch Stetter Mitchel Blake Stetter is an American professional baseball pitcher.-College:Stetter attended Indiana State University where he was a pitcher. He was then drafted in the 16th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft... | 2007 - Present |
| Joe Thatcher Joe Thatcher Joseph Andrew Thatcher is Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres. Nicknamed "The Prime Minister, and The Throw'in Kokomoan" he is 6'2" tall and weighs . In college, he pitched for Indiana State University... | 2007 - Present |
Coaching Leaders
| Years | Coach (Alma Mater) | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-2006 | Bob Warn (Southern Illinois) | 1,020 | 683 | 9 | .598 |
| 1938-1941, 1956-1967 | Paul Wolf (Indiana State) | 140 | 113 | 5 | .552 |
| 1968-1975 | Jim Rendel (unknown) | 129 | 141 | 0 | .478 |
| 1929-31, 1934–37, 1942, 1946-47 | Walter E. Marks Walter E. Marks Walter E. "Wally" Marks, PhD was an American football, basketball, and baseball player, coach, college athletics administrator, sports official, and university instructor. Marks played football, basketball, and baseball at the University of Chicago... (Chicago) | 108 | 81 | 2 | .571 |
| 2007-2009 | Lindsay Meggs (UCLA) | 77 | 79 | 0 | .493 |
| 1924-1928 | Art Strum (Wisconsin-LaCrosse) | 41 | 16 | 0 | .719 |
| 1918-1923 | Birch Bayh (basketball coach) Birch Bayh (basketball coach) Birch Evans Bayh, Sr. is a former NCAA Head Basketball Coach. He was the Head Coach at Indiana State University from 1918-1923. During this time, he also served as the Head Baseball Coach, Athletic Director and Professor of Physical Education.... (Indiana State) | 40 | 13 | 1 | .750 |
| 2010-Pres. | Rick Heller (Upper Iowa) | 62 | 45 | 0 | .579 |
| 1918-1923 | Alfred Westphal (unknown) | 24 | 24 | 1 | .500 |
| 1932-1933 | Jack Hannah (unknown) | 18 | 8 | 0 | .692 |
| 1948 | John Wooden John Wooden John Robert Wooden was an American basketball player and coach. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Westwood", he won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period — seven in a row — as head coach at UCLA, an unprecedented feat. Within this period, his teams won a record 88 consecutive games... (Purdue) | 11 | 2 | 0 | .846 |
| 1918-1923 | Bert Wiggins (unknown) | 8 | 2 | 0 | .800 |
| 1910 | Jesse A. Wood (Indiana State) | 7 | 4 | 0 | .636 |
| 1896–Present | ALL-TIME | 1,757 | 1,315 | .572 |
Conference Coach of the Year (8)
| Coach | Year | Conf |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Wolf | 1958 | Indiana Collegiate |
| Paul Wolf | 1963 | Indiana Collegiate |
| Paul Wolf | 1966 | Indiana Collegiate |
| Paul Wolf | 1967 | Indiana Collegiate |
| Bob Warn | 1979 | Missouri Valley |
| Bob Warn | 1983 | Missouri Valley |
| Bob Warn | 1984 | Missouri Valley |
| Lindsay Meggs | 2009 | Missouri Valley |
Hall(s) of Fame
- 1987 - Paul Wolf - Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame
- 1990 - Bob Warn - Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame
- 2000 - Bob Warn - Iowa Western Hall of Fame
- 2002 - 1986 Baseball Team = College World Series participant - Indiana State University Hall of Fame
- 2002 - Bob Warn - Indiana State University Hall of Fame
- 2003 - Bob Warn - American Baseball Coach's Association
- 2007 - Brian Dorsett - Indiana State University Hall of Fame
- 2008 - Brian Dorsett - Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame