Indiana State Sycamores baseball

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Indiana State Sycamores
Baseball current event.svg 2025 Indiana State Sycamores baseball team
Indiana state wordmark 2020.png
Founded1896;129 years ago (1896)
University Indiana State University
Head coach Tracy Archuleta (1st season)
Conference Missouri Valley
Location Terre Haute, Indiana
Home stadium Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium
(Capacity: 2,000)
Nickname Sycamores
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,
2024
Conference tournament champions
Missouri Valley Conference:
1979, 1983, 1984, 1986
1989, 1995, 2019, 2023
Conference regular season champions
Missouri Valley Conference:
1982 (East Division), 1983 (East Division)
1985, 2012, 2023, 2024

Indiana Collegiate Conference:
1957, 1958, 1964, 1966

Contents

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

Indiana College Athletic League:
1919, 1920, 1921

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 2024. Their first season was 1896. The Sycamores have had 12 All-Americans, 26 Major Leaguers, and more than 2,200 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, 2023, and 2024.

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] Wally Marks and Mitch Hannahs. The Sycamores play their home games at Sycamore Stadium at Bob Warn Field (900).

Division I NCAA tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in 13 NCAA Division I Baseball Championships. Their combined record is 16–26; they won the 1986 Mideast Regional and the 2023 Terre Haute Regional; they reached Regional Finals in 1989, 2019 and 2024.

YearResultGames
1979 Midwest Regional0–2
1983 Mideast Regional0–2
1984 Mideast Regional1–2
1986 Mideast Regional3–0
1986 College World Series0–2
1987 Central Regional1–2
1989 South Regional2–2
1995 Midwest II Regional1–2
2012 Eugene Regional0–2
2014 Bloomington Regional0–2
2019 Nashville Regional2–2
2021 Nashville Regional1–2
2023 Terre Haute Regional3–0
2023 Fort Worth Super Regional0–2
2024 Lexington Regional2–2

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
1989 Mitch 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
  • 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

Conference specialty (12)

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)

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

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

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 3 World Series Championships (2010, 2012, 2014); in December 2014, he was named first 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:

#PlayerPrimary TeamCareer
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 Milwaukee Brewers 2015–present
22 Ryan Strausborger Texas Rangers 2015
23 Nevin Ashley Milwaukee Brewers 2015
24 Sean Manaea Oakland A's 2016–present
25 Andy Young Arizona Diamondbacks 2020–2021
26 Dakota Bacus Washington Nationals 2020
27 Hunter Owen Pittsburgh Pirates 2021

Major League Baseball All-Stars

YearNamePositionTeamNotes
1937 Junius “Rainey” Bibbs INF Cincinnati Tigers
1968Tommy JohnSPChicago White Sox
1978Los Angeles Dodgers
1979New York Yankees
1980

[10]

Coaching leaders

YearsCoach (Alma Mater)WinsLossesTiesPct.Notes
1976–2006 Bob Warn (Southern Illinois)1,0707455.5981986 College World Series, 7 NCAA bids, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1995 Conference Titles
2014–2024Mitch Hannahs (Indiana State)3552141.6245 NCAA bids; 2023, 2024 Conference Titles
1938–1941, 1956–1967Paul Wolf (Indiana State)1401135.5521958 NAIA World Series, 4-time Coach of the Year, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1966 Conference Titles
2010–2013 Rick 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, 1949–1955 Wally Marks (Chicago)108812.5711930, 1946, 1948, 1949 Conference Titles
2007–2009 Lindsay Meggs (UCLA)77790.4932009 Coach of the Year
1924–1928Art Strum (Wisconsin-LaCrosse)41160.7191924 Conference Title
1918–1923 Birch Bayh (Indiana State)40131.7501919, 1920, 1921, 1923 Conference Titles
1913–1917Alfred Westphal (unknown)24241.500
1932–1933Jack Hannah (unknown)1880.692
1948 John 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

Coaching honors

Conference Coach of the Year (10)

CoachYear(s)Conf
Paul Wolf1958, 1963, 1966, 1967Indiana Collegiate [11]
Bob Warn1979, 1983, 1984Missouri Valley [12]
Lindsay Meggs2009Missouri Valley [12]
Rick Heller2012Missouri Valley
Mitch Hannahs2023Missouri Valley

Hall(s) of Fame

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Athletic Communications". GoSycamores.com. May 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  2. ↑ "1958 Baseball Sycamores Recognized - Indiana State University". Indiana State University. May 14, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Paul Wolf Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball Reference.
  4. ↑ "Strausborger Earns Rawlings Gold Glove Award". Indiana State Sycamores. June 24, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Magill named 2023 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove Winner". June 21, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Gary Cunning Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 19, 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. ↑ "Division I Baseball Records Through 2014" (PDF). NCAA.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2015.
  9. ↑ Haft, Chris (June 30, 2014). "Hayes named Giants' first-base coach; Kelly to third". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Indiana State University (Terre Haute, IN) Baseball Players". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ Indiana State University Archives Home Archived June 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  12. 1 2 "Baseball Records" (PDF). Missouri Valley Conference . Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bob Warn". Indiana State University . Archived from the original on June 3, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Inductees". Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame Class List". Indiana State University. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Bibbs, Junius "Rainey"". Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012.
  20. ↑ "2002 Gries, Paul". Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Five To Be Inducted Into 2008 Class Of Indiana State Athletic Hall Of Fame". Indiana State Sycamores. November 9, 2007. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011.
  22. ↑ "2008 - Dorsett, Brian". Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 3, 2010.
  23. ↑ "2011 Bibbs, Junius "Rainey"". Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  24. 1 2 "Inductees". Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame.
  25. ↑ "Steve Ruckman Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Sycamore alum Steve Ruckman named 2022 Frontier League Hall of Fame inductee". Indiana State Sycamores. June 13, 2022.
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