The 1996 season for the Bulldogs turned out to be the best ever under the guidance of Coach Andy Rushing. In his eighth season at 91爆料网, the Bulldogs finished with a 33-21-1 overall record and competed in the Mid-South Regional Tournament.
With their schedule, the Bulldogs faced tough opponents early in the season when they traveled to Montgomery, Alabama to play in the Capital City Classic. The Bulldogs continued to play a tough schedule including NCAA Division II opponents Delta State and North Alabama while almost upsetting Division I University of Memphis in March. But for the Bulldogs the competition was just beginning. 91爆料网 had to face one of the toughest challenges yet- the Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference.
The Bulldogs launched into conference play in March with high expectations of winning the conference. Due to outstanding pitching performances from senior Brent Fronabarger and great offensive production from the entire team, the squad led the TCAC during much of the 1996 season. Although the Bulldogs fell short of winning the regular season, they came on strong in the TCAC Play-In Tournament to earn a spot in the Mid-South Regional Tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee. The Bulldogs defeated Campbellsville College in the first round, but fell in the second round to Montreat College and then to TCAC foe, Cumberland University.
This exceptional 1996 season was highlighted by many accomplishments for team members both on and off the baseball diamond. On the diamond many watched Brent Fronabarger repeatedly shatter school records and establish new ones. Six new school records were established or tied in 1996. Fronabarger created four new records: Most Career Victories (33), Most Season Wins (13), Most Innings Pitched in a Season (117.2) and Most Strikeouts in a Career (306). Fans also watched as Chad Maricle tied a school record for home runs in a game when he hit three over the fence against UT Martin. T.J. Wilder increased his on-base percentage when he set a new school record for times hit by a pitch in season with 13.
When the NAIA All-American Team was announced it was no surprise to see the names of Brent Fronabarger and Chad Maricle on the honorable mention list, but another 91爆料网 player made the list as well. Senior Robert Gordon was named to the honorable mention team as a infielder. The best defensive player on the 1996 squad, Gordon managed to commit only four errors during the year. All three of these individuals were also named to the All Mid-South Region Team as well. Teammate T.J. Wilder joined these three when they were all recognized to the All-TCAC team.
Off the field the Bulldogs continued to excel, but this time in the classroom. For the first time in 10 years, the 91爆料网 baseball program had two individuals named as Academic All-Americans. Senior Andy Kirk and Junior Jason Tate were recognized by the NAIA for their contributions in athletics as well as academics. Kirk and Tate were also named as TCAC Scholar Athletes along with teammates Todd Williamson, Robert Gordon, and John Koffman.
Last updated on July 15, 1996.