Introduction to Shippensburg Baseball
The Shippensburg University Raiders Baseball team is a Division II program that competes in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The program has been a part of the university since 1953 and has enjoyed a high level of success over the years. The team is currently in the Eastern Division of the PSAC, and is one of 12 teams in the conference.
History of Shippensburg Baseball
The program began in 1953, when the school’s first head coach, William “Bill” Shiffert, took over the reins. Shiffert was a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager, and his tenure at Shippensburg lasted until 1965. During his time at the school, he led the team to three conference championships.
Following Shiffert’s departure, the school hired former MLB player and coach, Leon “Bud” Houser, who was the head coach from 1966 to 1973. During his tenure, the team won the first PSAC championship in 1972.
The program then saw a series of head coaches until the arrival of current head coach, Chris Howard, in 2001. Howard has been with the program ever since, and has led the team to two PSAC championships and six NCAA tournament appearances.
The Current Team
The current team is made up of 24 players who are all dedicated to the success of the program. The team has a total of five seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, and six freshmen. The team is led by captains Ryan Stoudt, a senior outfielder, and Andrew Saucier, a junior pitcher.
The Raiders are also led by their experienced coaching staff. The staff is headed by head coach Chris Howard, who is assisted by associate head coach Tom Fink, pitching coach Tom Hayes and volunteer assistant coach Anthony D’Arrigo.
Conference & Division
Shippensburg is a part of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), which is a Division II conference that consists of 12 teams. The conference is divided into three divisions: East, West, and Central. The Raiders are part of the East division of the conference, and compete against other teams in the division such as Millersville, Indiana (Pa.), and Bloomsburg.
Shippensburg’s Record
The Raiders are one of the most successful teams in the PSAC, having won three conference championships and making six NCAA tournament appearances. The team has an overall record of 1229-902-7, with a winning percentage of .578.
The Raiders have also enjoyed success in the NCAA tournament, having made six appearances in their history. The team has an overall record of 8-11 in the tournament, with their best finish coming in 2005, when they made it to the Regional Final before falling to Shepherd University.
Team Accolades
The Raiders have had many individual and team accomplishments throughout their history. The team has won three PSAC championships, and has had numerous players named to the All-PSAC team. In addition, several players have been drafted by MLB teams, including pitcher Joe Savery, who was drafted in the first round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies.
The team has also had success in the classroom, having had several players named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America team. In addition, the team has been recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) with the ABCA Team Academic Achievement Award on nine occasions.
Facilities & Support
The Raiders play their home games at Fairchild Field, which is located on the campus of Shippensburg University. The field was renovated in 2009 and has a seating capacity of 1,200. The facility also includes a press box, dugouts, batting cages, and a state-of-the-art scoreboard.
The team also receives support from the university and community. The university has provided the program with the necessary resources to be successful, and the community has been a great source of support for the team over the years.
Raider Nation
The Raider Nation is the name given to the fans of Shippensburg Baseball. The fans are known for their enthusiasm and loyalty to the team, and the Raider Nation has been a constant source of support for the team throughout its history. The fans are also active on social media, and the team has a large following on Twitter and Facebook.
Conclusion
The Shippensburg University Raiders Baseball team is a Division II program that competes in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division. The program has been a part of the university since 1953, and has enjoyed a high level of success over the years. The team is led by an experienced coaching staff and has seen numerous individual and team accomplishments throughout its history. The team is also supported by the university and community, and the Raider Nation has been a great source of support for the team.
The team is currently in the midst of an exciting season, and all of Raider Nation is looking forward to what the future holds for Shippensburg Baseball.