Team Captain Sam Goines brings the Regional Championship trophy to his teammates to spark a late-night celebration.
Wilmington University’s 2015 baseball team has been elected to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Hall of Fame.
Announced in September, the HOF class also includes legendary men’s basketball coach Herb Magee, of Thomas Jefferson University; all-time great men’s basketball player Rasuel McKune, of Post University; and All-American women’s soccer player Melissa Murphy, of Holy Family University.
“This is a fantastic class that is entering the CACC Hall of Fame,” said Commissioner Dan Mara. “Each individual and team brought regional and national attention to the CACC through their athletic exploits.”
The 2015 Wildcats claimed both the CACC and NCAA Division II East Region Championships during a season in which they compiled an overall record of 37-15. The team came from behind to win in extra innings versus Chestnut Hill College in the CACC Championship Final, then won a pair of games on the final day of the NCAA regional to become the first CACC team to advance to the Division II World Series.
One of the wins on the final day of the regional came against Franklin Pierce University, ranked No. 1 nationally.
Each individual and team brought regional and national attention to the CACC through their athletic exploits.” — Commissioner Dan Mara
The team featured CACC Player of the Year Sam Goines and six other Wildcats who earned All-CACC honors. Goines, along with Tyler Fries, Christian Adorno, and RHP Frank Samluk, earned All-America honors. Head Coach Brian August was named CACC Coach of the Year, an honor he has received three times, including last year.
August says that when he thinks of that team, the first word that comes to mind is “leadership,” particularly from the seniors.
“It was top notch, the best I’ve ever had,” says August, now in his 19th year at the helm of Wildcat baseball. “And they worked their butts off, on the field and in the classroom.”
He says that members of the team, including some parents, have remained close. “A lot of them return for the alumni game,” he says, “and there have been a lot of weddings that we attend. Everyone is doing well.”
The team was scheduled to celebrate its HOF induction at an April 1 doubleheader at the Wilson Field at Jim Sherman Sr. Stadium.
—Bob Yearick