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Western Carolina University began baseball in 1928 , however, records prior to 1951 are incomplete. The first head coach was C.C. Poindexter.
The baseball program has called Ronnie G. Childress Field/Hennon Stadium its home since 1978. Childress Field, built at an initial cost of $125,000, was dedicated April 26, 1978, and named in honor of the late Ronnie G. Childress, an avid supporter of WCU athletics and a special friend of the baseball program. In 1978, the baseball stadium was moved approximately 200 yards to the east from the former "Haywood Field". The Cats have won over 72 percent of their home games since then, with a 526-201 record in 30 seasons. Bill Haywood, head baseball coach from 1969 through 1981, and Mr. E.J. Whitmire, longtime supporter and benefactor from Franklin, were the driving forces behind the building of the facility. The baseball facility was officially renamed Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium in a dedication program on April 23, 1994.
On July 19, 2007, Bobby Moranda was officially introduced as the 10th different head baseball coach at Western Carolina.
[edit] All Time Coaches*
| Coach |
# Years |
Seasons |
Overall |
SoCon |
| Jim Gudger |
11 |
1951-60, 1963 |
140-83 |
-- |
| Charles Seeger |
2 |
1961-62 |
20-21 |
-- |
| Ron Blackburn |
5 |
1964-68 |
78-65 |
-- |
| Bill Haywood |
13 |
1969-81 |
215-161-2 |
48-23 |
| David Wright |
1 |
1982 |
28-12 |
12-4 |
| Jack Leggett |
9 |
1983-91 |
302-226 |
103-39 |
| Keith LeClair |
6 |
1992-97 |
229-135-2 |
99-38 |
| Rodney Hennon |
2 |
1998-99 |
81-38 |
38-16 |
| Todd Raleigh |
7 |
2000-07 |
257-209 |
132-101 |
| Bobby Moranda |
1 |
2008-pres. |
29-28 |
14-14 |
(*)Records prior to 1951 are incomplete – First year of baseball at WCU was 1928
[edit] Southern Conference Baseball Coach of the Year
| Year |
Coach |
| 1981 |
Bill Haywood |
| 1987 |
Jack Leggett |
| 1992 |
Keith LeClair |
| 1994 |
Keith LeClair |
| 1997 |
Keith LeClair |
| 2002 |
Todd Raleigh |
| 2007 |
Todd Raleigh |
[edit] Catamount Baseball Championships
- 11-Time - Southern Conference Regular Season Champion
- 9-Time - Southern Conference Tournament Champion
- 11 - NCAA Tournament Appearnces: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2003, 2007
[edit] In the SoCon Tournament -
Western's Record vs.
| School |
Record |
| Appalachian State |
9-2 |
| The Citadel |
7-7 |
| College of Charleston |
1-5 |
| Davidson |
4-1 |
| East Tennessee State |
5-2 |
| Elon |
1-0 |
| Furman |
5-2 |
| Georgia Southern |
7-6 |
| Marshall |
7-2 |
| UNC Greensboro |
0-3 |
| VMI |
10-2 |
[edit] Southern Conference
Player of the Year
| Year |
Player |
| 1978 |
Wayne Tolleson |
| 1981 |
Mel Kinsey |
| 1985 |
Scott Gay |
| 1987 |
Clint Fairey |
| 1988 |
Clint Fairey |
| 1989 |
Clint Fairey |
| 1990 |
Grant Brittain |
| 1991 |
Kevin Bellomo |
| 1992 |
Matt Raleigh |
| 1994 |
Mike Tidick |
| 1997 |
Alex Tolbert |
| 1998 |
Martin Barrow |
| 1999 |
Chris Moore |
| 2002 |
Donovan Minero |
| 2003 |
Alan Beck |
| 2007 |
Kenny Smith |
[edit] Baseball Players in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame[1]
|
Player |
Year(s) Played |
Year Inducted |
| 1 |
Sam Ardrey |
1937-40 |
1997 |
| 2 |
Dave Bristol |
1983-85 |
2007 |
| 3 |
Willie Carpenter |
1976-80 |
1994 |
| 4 |
Clint Fairey |
1986-89 |
1998 |
| 5 |
Scott Gay |
1983-85 |
2006 |
| 6 |
Jerry Gaines |
1970-75 |
1991 |
| 7 |
Odell Griffin |
1939-40 |
1992 |
| 8 |
Phillip Grundy |
1991-93 |
2005 |
| 9 |
Jim Gudger |
1940-69 |
1990 |
| 10 |
Freddie Hailey |
1984-87 |
1999 |
| 11 |
Bill Haywood |
1969-81 |
1996 |
| 12 |
Charles “Babe” Howell |
1950-53 |
1998 |
| 13 |
Keith LeClair |
Player-1985-88
Coach-1992-97 |
2002 |
| 14 |
Jack Leggett |
1983-91 |
2001 |
| 15 |
Ken Morgan |
1960-63 |
1998 |
| 16 |
Harris Pryor |
1956-59 |
1994 |
| 17 |
Matt Raleigh |
1989-92 |
2004 |
| 18 |
Jerry Reed |
1974-77 |
1994 |
| 19 |
Tommy “Bromo” Selzer |
1948-52 |
1995 |
| 20 |
Danny Tharpe |
1960-64 |
1991 |
| 21 |
Wayne Tolleson |
1974-78 |
1990 |
[edit] References
