Baseball Information and Nichols Field
Monday, June 08, 2009

Nichols Field

No team has experienced more success over the past 13 years like the Wildcat baseball team. The diamond nine has averaged 38 wins (488-260-1) per season, winning 40 or more games six times, during that span. In addition, the Wildcats have captured six Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) titles and two HAAC Tournament championships. The Wildcats have appeared in 11 of the last 13 HAAC Tournaments or championship series, and has qualified for 10 of the last 11 NAIA Region V Tournament since 1997, winning the title in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2006. They have compiled a 25-14 record in regional play and advanced to the championship game six times. The Wildcats, who finished third at the 1999 NAIA World Series and seventh at the 1998 national tournament, have had 35 All-HAAC first team selections, three HAAC Player of the Year honors and two Pitcher of the Year honorees. In addition, Scott Deen was named the NAIA Region V Pitcher of the Year in 2006. The Wildcats have had 11 players play professional baseball, including three players who were picked in the Major League draft.

In 2009, the Wildcats compiled a 33-22 overall record under second-year coach Chris Terry. The Wildcats finished third in the Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2009 after placing fifth overall and third in their division in 2008. His 2009 team was 4-3 against ranked opponents, including a victory over Southern Arkansas University, which was ranked anywhere from one to three in various NCAA Division II polls at the time the Wildcats played them.

During the 2009 season, the Wildcats were the top fielding team in the HAAC, making 73 errors on 1,738 chances for a fielding percentage of .958. In addition, they were ranked in the top five in all of the major categories. The Wildcats were ranked fourth in batting, fourth in runs batted in, second in ERA and fourth in batters struck out.

The Wildcats had four all-conference first team selections in 2009, including HAAC Player of the Year Steve Rinaudo, and eight all-conference players overall. One player, Jack Mikel, was also named as a league Gold Glove outfielder. In two seasons, Terry has coached 15 all-conference selections, including five first team honorees.

Terry's players have also excelled in the classroom and his 2009 team led all C-SC men's athletic programs with a 3.020 GPA. Four players have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes during his two seasons. The Wildcats led all conference schools with three NAIA Scholar-Athlete selections in 2009.

Wildcat Baseball at a Glance (since 1997)

� 488-260-1 overall record last 13 years (.652 winning percentage)

� 265-107 HAAC record last 13 years (.712 winning percentage)

. 10 Regional appearances since 1997. (Regional play stopped after 2008).

� 25-14 record in regional tournament

� Four regional championships (1998, 1999, 2002, 2006)

� Regional finalist six times

� Six HAAC regular season championships (1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006)

� Two HAAC postseason tournament championships (1999, 2004)

� HAAC tournament finalist four times

� Two NAIA World Series appearances (1998, 1999)

� Six 40-win seasons (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006)

� Perennially ranked or receiving votes in NAIA national poll (9th in 2006)

� 35 All-HAAC first team selections

� Three HAAC Player of the Year honors

� Two HAAC Pitcher of the Year honors

. One Region V Pitcher of Year

� Four Coach of the Year honors

� 11 players have gone on to play professional baseball

Name (Yrs at CSC / Current-Last Team / Current League)

Adam Bernero (1998 / Pawtucket Red Sox / International)
Alex Chavez (2001-02 / Campeche Pirates / Mexican)
Kevin Price (2005-06 / Calgary Vipers / Northern)
Greg Modica (1999-01 / Long Island (NY) / None)
Tyson Klemme (2001-05 / Gateway Grizzlies / None)
Jose Tadeo (2003-04 / Tampa Yankees / None)
Rafael Ornelas (2002-03 / River City (Mo.) / None)
Roger Valdivia (2003-04 Kalamazoo (Mich.) / None)
Roger Acuna (2003-04) / River City (Mo.) / None)
Dan Munoz (2003-04) / River City (Mo.) / None)
Erick Contreras (2000) / Drafted by Braves / None)